Here is part two of our Metallica episode, because nothing else matters. Journalist Joe Gross takes us through the latter years of Metallica. We investigate the ups and downs of their musical explorations, personnel changes, and famously documented self-help odyssey, all of which follows their 16x platinum blockbuster, the self-titled Black Album.

Follow Joe Gross on Twitter at @joegross and pick up his 33 ⅓ book on Fugazi’s In On the Killtaker wherever fine books are sold.

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For whom the pod casts: we bring you part one of our mega-episode on Metallica, the biggest heavy metal band of all time. Rolling Stone senior writer Kory Grow has spent years writing about the band, and takes us through the beginning half of their career, from their origins to tragedy to triumph, and off to never never land. 

Follow Kory Grow on Twitter at @korygrow.

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We’re back with guns blazing. Yasi dons her top hat and talks with storied Guns N’ Roses associate Riki Rachtman, former host of MTV’s Headbangers Ball and original co-owner of the legendary rock n’ roll hangout the Cathouse Hollywood.

Follow Riki Rachtman on Twitter at @RikiRachtman. 

Further reading:

“Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction” by Marc Canter

“Slash” by Slash

“It's So Easy: and other lies” by Duff McKagan

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Today, Yasi and Producer Dylan open up the listener mailbag to dish out flawless and meaningful life advice, as well as compelling answers to your burning questions. We do it for you, Reply Guy Army. We do it for you. 

We’re taking a week off and Bandsplain will be back on October 7th! 

In our break, check out our new show, The 33 ⅓ Podcast, hosted by Prince Paul. Each week we dive into one iconic album with a brilliant guest, using the source material of the 33 ⅓ book series.

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The Scottish dreampop progenitors Cocteau Twins have a surprisingly dramatic backstory for being known as the ultimate band of ethereal, cryptic musicians. We get into all of it with Rolling Stone alum Claire Shaffer, who helps us decode their mystique, as well as to champion the “no English, just vibes” lyrical philosophy of one brilliant Elizabeth Fraser. 

Follow Claire Shaffer on Twitter at @claireeshaffer.

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Cosmic country pioneer, Emmylou Harris collaborator, Keith Richards bestie, and spiritual grandfather of any country-twinged rock of the last half century, the one and only Gram Parsons is celebrated by our new friend John Strohm, president of Rounder Records, founding member of the Blake Babies, and former member of the Lemonheads. 

Follow John Strohm on Twitter at @johnpstrohm and Rounder Records at @RounderRecords.

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Writer Ann-Derrick Gaillot takes us through the decades-spanning career of Tracy Chapman, whose breakout hit Fast Car propelled her into the canon of singer-songwriters when she was just 24 years old.

Follow Ann-Derrick Gaillot at @AnnDerrickG.

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We strip down the mythical, mysterious layers of foundational band The Doors and the original rock n’ roll martyr, Jim Morrison. Fellow child of LA Jeff Weiss of the LAnd Magazine is our guest.

Follow Jeff Weiss at @passionweiss and check out The LAnd magazine at @theLAndmagazine.

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Return guest and best friend Rob Harvilla of The Ringer’s 60 Songs That Explain the 90’s takes us through the humble Irish beginnings to era-defining rock superstardom of U2. 

Follow Rob Harvilla at @harvilla on Twitter and listen to his The Ringer podcast, 60 Songs That Explain the 90s, only on Spotify.

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With the help of writer and DJ Jason P. Woodbury of Aquarium Drunkard’s Transmissions podcast, we examine the sprawling and experimental output of Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco, from its alt-country roots to the dad rock clichés and their many genre-transcending moments throughout. 

Follow Jason P. Woodbury on Twitter at @jasonpwoodbury and check out Transmissions [https://open.spotify.com/show/1ErL7gvZD6v3HJ4Nx5oexm?si=M0X_aN3eTPeJnKhQHQWX9w&dl_branch=1].

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