Seven Nation Army has been streamed over two billion times and chanted by millions at sporting events around the world. The song has entered the pantheon of folk music, and it all began at a soundcheck in Melbourne, Australia, with a disinterested Ben Swank.

Steve Bays joins the show to discuss one of the most recognizable songs of the last quarter century. As an artist who also wrote some gigantic hits in the same decade, Steve shares his insight into creating hit songs, reacting to that success, and the challenges (and triumphs) that follow.

Steve Bays is an outstanding producer and musician with bands like Fur Trade, and Mounties, he was also the frontman and one of the founding members of the iconic band Hot Hot Heat.

Listen to our brand new bonus episode discussing Beyoncé's "Don't Hurt Yourself" featuring Jack White - exclusively only at: Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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What would YOU Rita Hayworth do if you saw Rita Hayworth in a place so seedy?

Brett Hornall returns to the podcast after being saddled with 'Who's A Big Baby?' to discuss Take Take Take, one of the absolute gems off 2005's Get Behind Me Satan. From the unique structure of the song, the recording techniques, and the inspiration and impact that Rita had on the White Stripes.

Brett performs in the great sludge pop band The Vidos. Check out their latest single We Won't Waste Wine and their GREAT track The ICU

Listen to our brand new bonus episode discussing Beyoncé's "Don't Hurt Yourself" featuring Jack White - exclusively only at: Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

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You've probably read an article comparing a White Stripes song to Led Zeppelin. Well, this is the song.

Ryan is joined by Chris Polinsky to discuss this track from 2000's De Stijl, and to dive into Chris's experiences with the band, from discovering and cheerleading their sophomore album, to getting the opportunity to photograph them before a pivotal 2000 show at New York City's Mercury Lounge. Chris also shares his experience working at Saturday Night Live, including a significant introduction to Jack and Meg White.

Chris Polinsky is a photographer and creative based in California who captured the White Stripes on the De Stijl tour.

Listen to our review of the 2002 documentary/concert video "Nobody Knows How to Talk to Children" - exclusively only at: Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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De Stijl was a landmark album for The White Stripes, but the band wasn't happy with how the finished product sounded—or with the added distractions of recording the record at Jack's house in southwest Detroit.

Regardless, it was a pivotal album for the band and cracked open a whole new depth to Jack and Meg's ability to create music.

Jason returns to the podcast to discuss this outstanding track from De Stijl, share his admiration for Jack White as an artist, and rave about last year's No Name tour.

Jason Manning has been a fixture in Vancouver rock radio for a decade and can be heard weekdays on Jack 96.9 FM.

Listen to our review of the 2002 documentary/concert video "Nobody Knows How to Talk to Children" - exclusively only at: Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

LinkTree: linktr.ee/hardestpodtopod

Seriously. Who is a big baby??

Ryan and Brett discuss this wild b-side to Blue Orchid. They talk about the creative freedom the White Stripes' success allowed them to embrace. Whether it was recorded at the beginning of a long recording day, or the end of a difficult one, very much is known about "Who's A Big Baby," and maybe there isn't much else to learn either.

Brett Hornall performs in the great sludge pop band The Vidos. Check out their latest single We Won't Waste Wine and their GREAT track The ICU

Conquest was the last single from 2007's Icky Thump and the final single ever released by the White Stripes

Spike Eskin joins the show to discuss a now infamous incident involving an angry phone call from Jack White in Spain to his radio station following the decision to play Icky Thump two weeks before it's release date.

They discuss that era in music, radio, relevancy, and break down the band's cover of the Corky Robbins song dating back to the 1950's.

Spike Eskin can be heard on Sports Radio 94WIP in Philadelphia. He is the co-host of the Rights To Ricky Sanchez Podcast covering the 76'ers, and the Carl Landry Record Club podcast.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Patreon: Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod

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A song title so harsh that even one of Jack White's musical idols was taken aback.

Ryan and Kaylie discuss one of the final singles released by the White Stripes. From the heavy county influence, to the tounge-twisting clever lyrics, they discuss a song that a preview of things to come in Jack White's solo career.

Kaylie Russell is a musician and graphic designer based on the south coast of British Columbia.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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The first single from 2001's White Blood Cells, and a live-show staple, "Hotel Yorba" is a beloved White Stripes track.

Ryan is joined by his wife, Amanda, and his sister (also named Amanda) to discuss the song's sentiment, lyrical themes, and the accompanying video, which was the first produced by the duo.

Finally, they touch on the importance of the song, which quickly became a favourite of the siblings, and how lyrics from the track found their way into Ryan's vows and a special moment shared with his wife on their wedding day.

Amanda Schultz created Scene Change, a platform designed to help people in the entertainment industry articulate their skills and translate them to other industries.

Ryan's sister Amanda does not have anything to plug (I think).

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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Oh when Christmas finally comes...

Ryan is joined by our dear friend Mike Noble to discuss the White Stripes' only Christmas song, Candy Cane Children. Written and recorded in 1998, this is one of the earlier studio recordings of the band, capturing a raw and vulnerable rock-and-roll band from Detroit.

They dive into the dark, twisted lyrics and themes and discuss the business of Christmas songs, and what they look for in songs for the holidays. Mike also makes an exceptional observation about the structure of this song, which is quite similar to one of their live set staples.

Mike Noble plays bass in Hotel Mira. Listen to their new album "Pity Party" and catch them on their upcoming UK tour beginning January 28 at the The Horn in St Albans, England.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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We took the podcast to go bowling downtown at The Red Door.

In what could only be described as the coolest collab in rock-and-roll history, The White Stripes wrote and recorded a song about pinball for Multiball — a zine devoted to rock and roll and pinball.

Josh and Ryan discuss this absolute banger that flies under the radar in the Stripes' catalogue, featuring crushing beats, a heavy guitar riff, and lyrics that veer away from Jack and Meg's usual subject matter.

Josh Custodio is the host of the fantastic Wrestling Brain Twitch stream. His Patreon does not disappoint either.

This episode is available in video on our YouTube channel.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

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