book.record.beer

The First Lady of the Basement, writer, editor, and cider connoisseur, Maddie Anthes joins the dudes for episode 7. The episode has since been dubbed Maddie-Cast as Maddie chose the book, Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," record, Bruce Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love," and beer, Downeast Brewery's "Original Blend Craft Cider."

Dubbed by the author as "speculative fiction," Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale," takes place in the possible, not-so-distant future wherein the religious right has taken over America. This is accepted and fueled by the fact that in Atwood's dystopia the ability to conceive has all but abandoned humanity. Faced with the challenge of a dying race, and using fundamentalist doctrine, the men in power enslave the remaining fertile women, attempt to brainwash them, and scatter them as concubines to the highest ranking men.

Atwood's world-building and attention to detail create a terrifying, yet highly plausible world wherein the reader cannot help but draw similarities to the America of 2017.

Time traveling to, at times, a terrifying time for music, the 1980's, we have Springsteen's solo offering "Tunnel of Love." We cover "Brilliant Disguise," and frankly do a damn good job with Maddie on lead vocals and harmonies, something sorely lacking from the boss' straight-ahead version.

The cider was a refreshing change from New England's Downeast Brewery. While the novel is based in a fictional New England, we are glad this one exists as the cider was not only different, but crisp and tasty.

Tensions run high as the dudes attempt to battle what is pop and what gives writing worth.

With five teachers in the room you're bound to learn something from this, our summer reading episode as we cover Philly local M.K. Asante, Jersey brethren The Bouncing Souls, and our esteemed colleague's Professional Development Brewing.

The dudes ride again! Engineer extraordinaire Mike Mehalick jumps on the mic once more to get into Zadie Smith’s gender-bending tale, “Miss Adele Amidst the Corsets,” Nine Inch Nails first EP “Broken,” and Two Roads Brewery’s “Route of All Evil” black IPA.

An Aging drag queen braves the streets of new New York to replace a corset that has died in the line of duty. Smith’s slow burn character development and one-of-a-kind diction blend to tear back the wig and rouge and expose the contradictions and misgivings found in all of us. Miss Adele’s prejudices and fears move the story while our own are laid bare because of it.

Smith and Reznor meet where flesh touches latex as “Broken” spirals into a world of raw guitar and the very live force his label has labeled him not.

Like our chosen beer, a beverage from two worlds at once, we find the inherent themes within “Miss Adele” and “Broken.”

Fuck Valentine’s Day. This episode, the dudes dig-up the angst and discomfort associated with all things “lovey-dovey” as we discuss Nick Hornby’s “High Fidelity” and perform Elvis Costello’s “I’m Not Angry” off of his album “My Aim Is True.” We also dive into our very first stout, the all too scrumptious Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout, as we review our “Top 5” debut books and albums lists. Join us for a light (and sometimes heavy) discussion about love, music, and how to not be an asshole, or at least be less of one. Cheers!

*BONUS: Also enjoy an outtake of Nick Gregorio’s attempt at a social media pitch whilst Daniel DeFranco gobbles popcorn. Hilarity guaranteed.

Your hosts welcome Franco Fiorini to the basement for this cast to discuss James Joyce’s “The Dead” from his collection “Dubliners,” as well as The Decembrists “The Crane Wife,” and drink a bottle of Cigar City’s “Warmer Winter, Winter Warmer.”

A look at a holiday dinner party turns into an examination of what it means to be Irish at the turn of the century while notions of breaking free from one’s musical comfort zone and some fucking barely wine collude to make this a cast worth a few listens.

Book.Record.Beer would like to start this year by thanking everyone who bothered to give our first couple casts a listen in 2016. This is so much fun for us and we will continue to do our best to make each episode unique and entertaining as we move forward.

We are also now on iTunes and would love for any and all feedback. Dig it. With a shovel. Cheers to 2017. Fuck hate. Fuck division. Art and beer kill fear.

Tune in as we talk about the recent "circus" of public events, The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil by George Saunders, punk music by Propaghandi, excellent craft brew by Zeitgeist and a slew of other passions, fascinations and absurdities. Cheers!

Three friends who are writers, musicians, and English teachers talk about Chuck Palanuick's "Fight Club," Live's "Mental Jewelry," and Stone Brewery's "Citracado."

They cover "Pain Lies on the Riverside," mid-cast and proceed to disparage Tim Armstrong's life choices and Puddle of Mud, while singing the praises of pony beers and sock garters.

It's the boys' first podcast and it's damn good.