Cheap Tracks

We travel back to 1994 to explore the lead single off of Cheap Trick's sole Warner Bros. release, WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER, appropriately titled, "Woke Up With A Monster."

We explore the song and the era. Is this Cheap Trick's response to the alternative rock movement? Is this really the band's "grunge" record? Is this album just another example of the Cheap Trick curse? What did Beavis and Butthead have to say about it? Tune in and go completely wild!

This week we travel back to 1977 (and back it up a little to 1976) to discuss the smoldering jam, "Cry, Cry" off of the band's 1977 self-titled debut. We also look back at the notable show at the Sunset Bowl in Waukesha, WI where Jack Douglas saw the band for the first time and got them signed to Epic before producing that classic record.

It was Sweet 16 for Cheap Trick in 2009 but little did we all know it would be the last time with the drummer. Today, we visit a song with lots of history, not just in name. It was "classic", it was "vintage", it was THE LATEST…time to get ourselves home with "Sick Man of Europe".

We dive into the history baked into the tune with the help of Brian Kramp's massive tome, THIS BAND HAS NO PAST: HOW CHEAP TRICK BECAME CHEAP TRICK, discuss the retrospective nature of THE LATEST, and our adoration for go-go dancers.

This week, we travel back to 1983 via 1996 to do some surgery on "Twisted Heart," a track recorded for the band's 1983 album NEXT POSITION PLEASE that didn't make its way to fan's ears until the SEX, AMERICA, CHEAP TRICK box set. Is NEXT POSITION PLEASE a better album with this darker tune included? What are we blaming the record company for this time around? You better believe me, this is going to be a good one.

This week we go back to 2006 the album closer to the band's fifteenth studio album, ROCKFORD, released on the devilish date of 6/6/06, "Decaf,"

Is it about drugs? Is it about taking it easy? Or is it just a cup of coffee?

Cheap Trick played as part of Metro Chicago's 40th anniversary celebration and Chris and Mike were there, in the flesh baby!

This week on Cheap Tracks, we review the setlist, the performance, and the Sammy Hagar Beach Bar cocktails!

Tom Werman, the man behind the boards for IN COLOR, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and DREAM POLICE drops by to discuss the barn burner, "Gonna Raise Hell" off of the band's '79 release that sat on a shelf due to the success of BUDOKAN. We get sidetracked discussing "Auf Weidershen," Catacombs in Quincy, IL, George Martin, and so much more!

It's Cheap Trick Day in Illinois and to celebrate, Chris and Mike welcome a very special guest: the Prince Of Rockford, Miles Nielsen.

Together, the boys look back on this fan favorite track from 1981's HEAVY METAL soundtrack and get sidetracked by "Borderline," Mr. Penis, Pete Comita, and conversations about growing up with a famous rock 'n' roll dad.

Gary Ladinsky was the engineer on Cheap Trick's third studio album, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and today, he's taking Chris and Mike back to 1978 as they dive into "Takin' Me Back," the side two opener to the band's 1978 release.

This week Chris and Mike go all the way back to 1997 via 2017 as we look back on a long-time coming re-recording of a fan-favorite demo, "Radio Lover," the fourth song off the band's 18th release, WE'RE ALL ALRIGHT!