The Orange Peel

SNL alum Fred Armisen has had a truly fascinating career. Before his breakout in comedy, he played drums in the Chicago punk band Trenchmouth—fronted by the remarkable Damon Locks—and also did a stint as a background drummer for Blue Man Group. After an 11-year run on Saturday Night Live beginning in the early 2000s, his star rose even higher with the breakout success of Portlandia, the cult-favorite sketch series he co-created with Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein.…

SNL alum Fred Armisen has had a truly fascinating career. Before his breakout in comedy, he played drums in the Chicago punk band Trenchmouth—fronted by the remarkable Damon Locks—and also did a stint as a background drummer for Blue Man Group. After an 11-year run on Saturday Night Live beginning in the early 2000s, his star rose even higher with the breakout success of Portlandia, the cult-favorite sketch series he co-created with Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein.…

In 2020, Sabrina Mae Teitelbaum shed her pop-oriented persona BAUM and reemerged in 2022 as Blondshell, embracing a grittier sound rooted in ’90s alternative rock. The reinvention quickly paid off — her track “Joiner” even landed on Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2023” list. Her sophomore album, If You Asked for a Picture, picks up right where she left off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTnNTlSUkXc

Ben Bridwell and company may always be shadowed by the massive success of their debut. Everything All the Time introduced Band of Horses as a fully formed, folky indie-rock force — and it’s remained a high-water mark that's tough to top. Still, they’ve continued to put out solid records. I’ll admit they nearly lost me with Mirage Rock (2012), but Why Are You OK (2016) and Things Are Great (2022) restored my faith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiAYykMuK1A

When The ’59 Sound dropped in 2008, it was inescapable. The Jersey band had perfectly captured the anthemic rock energy so often linked to their home state—thanks in no small part to The Boss himself. And it didn't hurt that Springsteen was a fan. After a hiatus from 2015 to 2021, Brian Fallon and the gang are back, delivering their signature blend of heartland punk rock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYvQbJBoI_Y

Hosted by Henry Zebrowski and Ed Larson

The fact that this quirky duo from Brooklyn is still going strong after over 40 years warms my heart. In that timespan, the Johns have released a staggering 23 studio albums, won a pair of Grammys, and have sold over 4 million albums, all the while maintaining a uniquely geeky cool charm that has not been replicated. Last time they were in town, they delivered classic album Flood in full. This time around they’re got…

The fact that this quirky duo from Brooklyn is still going strong after over 40 years warms my heart. In that timespan, the Johns have released a staggering 23 studio albums, won a pair of Grammys, and have sold over 4 million albums, all the while maintaining a uniquely geeky cool charm that has not been replicated. Last time they were in town, they delivered classic album Flood in full. This time around they’re got…