Welcome to the rock history class you actually want to take! In this installment, Michael and his dad are navigating the transition from the controversial birth of a 90s cornerstone to a 60s anthem that redefined the protest song.

We kick things off with The Art of Discovery, our mission to find your next musical obsession. This week, we’re featuring three powerful independent acts: the crushing, blackened doom and raw atmosphere of Funeral Language, the melodic, post-hardcore-infused alternative rock of DARIA, and the icy, symphonic black metal precision of Darkest of Winter.

Next, we dive into our main topic: Stone Temple Pilots’ 1992 powerhouse debut, Core. At the time of its release, the band was famously voted “Best New Band” by fans and “Worst New Band” by critics in the same magazine. We break down why this album was so polarizing, the dark stories behind tracks like “Plush” and “Sex Type Thing,” and how the late Scott Weiland and the DeLeo brothers created a record that has stood the test of time for over 30 years.

Finally, we head into Michael’s Journey to discuss Buffalo Springfield’s 1966 classic, “For What It’s Worth.” While often mistaken for a Vietnam War protest, we uncover the true story of the Sunset Strip curfew riots that inspired Stephen Stills to write this legendary anthem. We break down that iconic “alarm bell” harmonic and why its message of social tension remains just as relevant today.

And before we go, find out which surprise full album and song Michael has to study for the next episode! Press play to join the journey from the grunge-soaked 90s to the revolutionary 60s!

(00:00:00) – Intro/What Have You Been Listening to this Week?

(00:10:22) – The Art of Discovery

(00:10:49) – Funeral Language (feat. Geoff Halbherr) “Off Script)

(00:14:14) – Daria “A Smile, An Oasis”

(00:18:47) – Darkest Of Winter “III”

(00:24:17) – Main Topic:Breaking Down Stone Temple Pilots’ 1992 debut, “Core”

(00:57:00) – Question for the Audience

(00:57:11) – Can’t Wait

(01:00:24) – Michael’s Journey:Discussing Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth”

(01:07:34) – On the Next Episode

(01:08:16) – Contact Info/Outro

THE ART OF DISCOVERY:

·Funeral Language (feat. Geoff Halbherr) – “Off Script” (From the EP: Cirque)

·DARIA – “A Smile, An Oasis” (From the album: Fall Not)

·Darkest Of Winter – “III”(From their album:The Composer:Chapter II)

OTHER BAND MENTIONS:

·Sevendust

·Karnivool

·The Used

·Hällas

·The Hirsch Effekt

·Puscifer

·Silversun Pickups

·Story Of The Year

·Sylosis

·ERRA

·Therapy?

·Green Carnation

·Dir En Grey

·Look Outside Your Window

·Evergrey

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Recorded on 02/07/2026

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