On The Impossible Pod

We’re back, baby! At least, for one episode to hold you over until the world gets back to normal. In our first episode of a very loosely structured Season 2, we discuss SUNDAY MORNING with poet Neil Hilborn. From lyrical brotherly love to different takes on hypothetical depressive episodes, Neil and Cheska dig into each and every lyric of this earlier Menzos track and the mental health/companionship journey it takes us through. Come for the wild conjecture about electric skies, and stay for Neil’s list of the 3 worst areas to drive through in the US. Find Neil's amazing work, his books, and information on his writing workshop at neilhilborn.com, and follow him @neilicorn on Twitter/Instagram. Additionally, here's my favorite of his poems.  ---------------- ON THE IMPOSSIBLE POD is a song-by-song breakdown of the many bangers from Scranton, PA punk band, The Menzingers. We're digging into the recurring themes, the unsung melodies and the visceral emotional responses that only a Menzingers song can evoke. Hosted by Cheska Colombo/various friendzingers and produced by Angry Papa Entertainment Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode cover photo of Lake Ariel by Brandon Finnegan Theme music by Ryan Heenan Want more podcasts? We recommend James Crowley's Infinite Playlist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

TW: Episode contains mentions of suicide, drug abuse, PTSD and the police (just because they’re mentioned in the song - it should be known this is a strictly ACAB podcast and if you don't like it, bye) Rounding out our exploration of the On The Impossible Past album, we finally come to Freedom Bridge. Jason Yablon (of album-themed ice cream Cathartic Confections fame) visited the studio in December 2019 to chat with Cheska about the various characters this song highlights, connections to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (or a lack thereof), and how this track follows a popular songwriting style from the 60s. One of the heavier conversations we’ve had on the show, we’re talking about capitalism (again) and what it’s like to see the people around you fall victim to circumstance. This wraps up the 13 songs on On The Impossible Past - and once the smoke of COVID-19 clears, we will have plenty of new episodes spanning the Menzingers entire catalogue. Stick with us, listen back to all 13 episodes, and hang in there, friends. I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognise the contentious times we’re putting this episode out during. BLACK LIVES MATTER. BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER. Please consider donating to or supporting the following organizations/individuals in need in whatever way you can: Philly Bail Fund Morris Home (GoFundme) Lakay Nou (CashApp: $wrevoluntionary) "More than 50 Philadelphians experiencing homelessness — supported by volunteers and donations — have formed an encampment on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to call on the city to provide low-income housing and improve treatment of the homeless. More Info. ------------------------------------------------------ Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode art photo of Freedom Bridge taken by Brandon Finnegan Theme music by Ryan Heenan Want more podcasts? We recommend James Crowley's Infinite Playlist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

From the irresistible count-in to the unique song structure and slow build to the song’s climax - I Can’t Seem To Tell is undeniably killer. Craig Shay (Cold Wrecks/Answering Machine/funny on Twitter) joins Cheska to talk about the song’s earlier iteration and how it influenced the final product, early and often forgotten bangers,  which Menzingers songs should/should not  be reimagined as R&B songs and how every Menzingers fan is 38. Period. Craig’s band Cold Wrecks has new music coming soon and gets to play the same cruise as The Menzingers & more at Booze Cruise Festival in Hamburg this summer. Listen to Answering Machine’s new song Cherry Coke now or I will catch you in the CVS parking lot (I like this song a lot). _________________________________ Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Theme music by Ryan Heenan Want more podcasts? We recommend James Crowley's Infinite Playlist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

If you’ve ever gotten drunk before doing the dishes, we have some stuff to talk about. Discussing Casey, best friends Mike Yabs and Ari Kattowski crack open a few cold ones and chat with Cheska about eerie life parallels between the song and reality, misheard lyrics, and general punk tomfoolery. Also, they unanimously agree that The Menzingers should write a Christmas song. Mike runs A Few Good Records - a label focused on releasing various charity compilations and making cassettes. Ari is an amazing artist who contributes her talents to A Few Good Records’ compilation art amongst other things. Her most remarkable achievement is stealing the handle @MikeYabs during the recording of this episode. _______________________________________________________ Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode art photo taken by Ari Theme music by Ryan Heenan Want more podcasts? We recommend James Crowley's Infinite Playlist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

Put on your anti-capitalist pants everyone, it’s time to talk about Nice Things. Cecilia Kellogg and Cheska chat about this song’s overt political and economical themes as well as how they relate to the American Dream - or lack thereof. If you’re as fed up with the current state of the country as well as they are - welcome, and listen up. Also featuring: Cheska’s first exposure to the Nice Things music video, tales of Menzingers shows in cafeterias, and some Hello Exile talk. ------------------------------------------ Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Theme music by Ryan Heenan Want more podcasts? We recommend James Crowley's Infinite Playlist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

Listen up prose boys, we’re talking title track today. Cheska is joined by her new unofficial podcast publicist and that guy in all the barricade shots: Ryan Simmons.  We discuss the song On The Impossible Past’s encapsulation of an album full of themes, driving away from your troubles, and the familyhood that a Menzingers show can bring to one’s life. _____________ Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode art photo of Sawmill Rd. taken by Brandon Finnegan Theme music by Ryan Heenan **Want more podcasts? We recommend James Crowley's Infinite Playlist --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

No episode this week - but here's a little gratitude from Cheska to everyone who has ever hit play. Thank you and we'll be back in 2020!  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

MEXICAN GUITARS IS SELF CARE. Join the Book Club for Punks this week as Cheska and Ryan Stetz talk about the heartbreaking tale of Mexican Guitars. Featuring discussion on what makes a punk show different from seeing Ariana Grande, bands they loved in high school (the ones you said they HAD to listen to), and how cars are the prime environment for a Menzingers listening pity party. If anyone wants to make a music video to a Menzingers song using clips from the Cars movies, please - do it for us. I will owe you my life. ---------------------- Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode art photo of the Lion’s Club taken by Brandon Finnegan Theme music by Ryan Heenan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

Who's the bad boy of The Menzingers? Infamous Menzingers superfan Jackie and Cheska discuss this age old question while taking a deep dive into Sculptors and Vandals - track 7 off On The Impossible Past. Learn about Jackie's trip overseas and other many travels taken to see The Menzingers, more oversharing about Cheska's mental health and existentialism, and so much more!  ___________________________________ Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode art photo of the Lion’s Club taken by Brandon Finnegan Theme music by Ryan Heenan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support

Greg might as well have carved GREG LUVS LEONARD COHEN into the Paupack Cliffs after writing Sun Hotel - and we need to talk about it. Cheska and her friend Dana Gould chat about moving on from pop punk into dad punk, another impending deer season, misunderstood lyrics and most importantly: what lies in the loneliest corner in the whole world. PS: HEY MENZINGERS! PLAY RICHARD COURY MORE! THE PEOPLE LOVE IT! //////////////////// Audio recording, production, editing and artwork by Cheska Colombo of Angry Papa Entertainment Check out Cheska’s other podcast Aint Scene Nothing Yet All external song information derived from the lyrics themselves, Genius.com, Reddit AMAs and various interviews. Opinions stated on this podcast are those of the host and guests and may not necessarily represent those of the songwriters, as this is a fan analysis. Podcast cover photo taken/modeled by Bobbi Van Etten Episode art photo of the Lion’s Club taken by Brandon Finnegan Theme music by Ryan Heenan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/otipod/support