Stupid Gen X Tricks

What happens when one of your childhood friends grows up to be the Wall Street Journal’s music critic? 

In this episode, hosts Dave and David talk with Mark Richardson—who went from late-blooming music nerd to Pitchfork Editor-in-Chief and became one of the most respected critics working today. Mark reflects on discovering music in the '80s, writing about Bay Area turntablism in the Web 1.0 era, and shaping music criticism as Pitchfork exploded into the mainstream. 

They cover: 

Why year-end lists still matter 

What makes a music review worth reading 

How he listens to 300+ albums a year 

Early contenders for 2025 Record of the Year 

And what it means to really pay attention to sound 

Plus: Springsteen, Harold & Maude, and a few hidden retro surprises for the true heads. 

Whether you still buy vinyl or just want smarter music takes in your feed, this one’s for you. 

 

Emmy-winning Daily Show writer Daniel Radosh joins us to talk Spy Magazine, snark, satire, and the fine line between irony and belief.

What made Gen X humor so sharp, so snarky — and so influential? In this episode, we talk with Daniel Radosh, senior writer and producer at The Daily Show, about his career arc from the legendary Spy Magazine to one of the most iconic satire shows in TV history. 

We dive into:
How Spy changed magazine journalism forever 📰
Why Gen X humor leaned so hard on irony 😎
The evolution from Suck.com to Gawker, and the generational split
A hilarious Daily Show segment on Chelsea Clinton and diarrhea (yes, really) 💩
Whether humor still has the power to shake people up
And if it's still possible to have your mind blown after 50 🧠✨

Plus: wormholes featuring The Wayback Machine and some unsung woodblock percussion.

Whether you were a Spy reader, a Jon Stewart fan, or just a Gen Xer wondering what happened to our sense of humor, this one’s for you.

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00:00 – Hello Little Rock, Hello Pittsburgh  
01:20 – Separated at Birth: Jaws, Dino & Darryl Strawberry  
03:40 – Welcome to Stupid Gen X Tricks: Game Changers  
05:00 – Our Game-Changing Moments: Spy Magazine & Clinton ‘92  
08:30 – Introducing Daniel Radosh  
10:00 – Daniel’s Gen X Comedy Career Arc  
13:00 – Spy, Snark, and Satire: A New Magazine Era  
16:00 – Gen X vs. Millennials: Suck.com vs. Gawker  
18:00 – What Made *Spy* So Influential  
21:00 – Daily Show, Diarrhea Jokes, and Breaking Jon Stewart  
27:00 – Is Satire to Blame for Cynicism?  
30:00 – Does the Left Lack a Sense of Humor?  
33:00 – Twitter, Humor, and the Age of Overreaction  
36:00 – Do Jokes Really Change Power?  
38:00 – Can We Still Be Surprised in Our 50s?  
42:00 – Radosh on Taylor Swift, 100 gecs & Joyful Discovery  
44:00 – Wormholes: The Wayback Machine & Woodblocks  
51:00 – Next Time on Stupid Gen X Tricks…  

🎧 Stupid Gen X Tricks: Debut Episode 🎧

Welcome to Stupid Gen X Tricks, the podcast for people who used to be cool. In this debut episode, David and Dave kick things off by reminiscing about the first albums they ever bought, which quickly leads to a deep dive into 80s music—from Lionel Richie to The Police, Michael Jackson to Tears for Fears, and everything in between.

Along the way, they cover:
📼 The wild, early days of MTV and the music that shaped a generation
🎸 R.E.M. and the rise of College Radio
📺 How Miami Vice changed TV and made Phil Collins cool again
🇺🇸 **Dave’s original (and misguided) beef with Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. **
💀 The Sisters of Mercy, goth music, and why some genres should’ve stopped after one band
🕵️ A surprising look into the origins of podcasting
🐿 A passionate rant about Buc-ee’s (yes, the gas station)

Plus, an exciting preview of upcoming episodes on Gen X culture, rock & roll, sports, tech, and more.

Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment with your first album or 80s music hot take! 🎶🔥

📌 Timecodes:
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast!
00:18 First Albums and Musical Memories
01:23 Introducing Stupid Gen X Tricks
03:27 Our Journey: From Campaigns to Careers
05:25 Gen X Culture and Indie Roots
06:16 Top 10 in 10: High School Music Favorites
06:51 1983 Music Highlights: Lionel Richie vs. The Police
10:45 Exploring the 1983 Billboard Top 10
15:21 R.E.M. and the Rise of College Radio
19:14 1985 Music Scene: Miami Vice and More
25:46 Minecraft and Dire Straits: A Curious Connection
26:02 Reflecting on 80s Music Icons: Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and More
26:43 Tears for Fears: Songs from the Big Chair
28:10 Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A.: A Deeper Look
33:27 John Mellencamp and the Evolution of His Sound
35:23 Personal Favorites: Simple Minds, Sisters of Mercy, and More
44:07 The Wormhole Segment: Random Facts and Discoveries
50:55 Upcoming Episodes and Final Thoughts

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Credits: 
Produced by The Daves
Music by Amman Abbasi
Art by TJ McCoy