Oingo Boingo Secret Appreciation Society
We dive deep into Oingo Boingo to reveal its glistening heart. We explore recurring themes and connections in Oingo Boingo’s song catalogue, look at the history and future of the band and their wild fan base, feature lyric and song analyses, and much more!
Episodes
40 episodes
Meet Brian Swartz!
Brian Swartz, trumpeter extraordinaire, shares insights and inside-baseball stories with us. You'll learn what it means to play in the pocket, what a "Boingo short" note is, and much more, as jazz expert Brian takes us on a fascinating journey ...
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Episode 39
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1:04:56
Whole Day Off
Take the whole day off with us as we unpack the strange influences of this surreal fairy-tale tune. Plus you'll get to meet our shiny new panelist, Matt McG!Song Clips:"Whole Day Off" - Oingo Boingo, Nothing to Fea...
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Episode 38
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1:16:56
Nothing Bad Ever Happens
Relax with the Secret Appreciation Society on a tropical island, because nothing bad ever happens to us - and don’t worry about the mushroom cloud in the distance. We break down this synth-driven tune from the 1983 album Good For Your Soul<...
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Episode 37
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1:05:06
Elevator Man
Who's going down with the Elevator Man? For that matter, who is the Elevator Man? Join the OBSAS crew as we navigate the ups and downs in this bouncy tune from the 1987 album Boi-Ngo.Song Clips:“The P...
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Episode 36
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1:02:43
Lightning
How many times in a row can lightning strike? Three times? (Or is it four?) Come help us count the holes! Listen for the layered meanings and the Devil's tritone embedded in this classic tune from the 1984 Danny Elfman album So-Lo....
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Episode 35
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51:17
Meet Charlie Unkeless!
Charlie! Turn on the lights, Charlie!If you’ve ever watched an Oingo Boingo concert, purchased an Oingo Boingo t-shirt, or coveted a copy of the Demo EP, you have Charlie Unkeless to thank. Charlie has been with Oingo Boingo goin...
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Episode 34
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1:02:16
Good For Your Soul
We are back!!! And we kick off our return with the title track to Oingo Boingo’s 1983 album, Good For Your Soul. Join us as we examine Good For Your Soul's universally relatable themes, pick apart the various layers of synthesized g...
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Episode 33
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49:59
Covers
We’ve got you covered!We ring in the new year by covering ten songs that Oingo Boingo covered over the years: Minnie The Moocher, Violent Love, California Girls, You Really Got Me, Monster Mash, Rawhide, Heard It Through The Grapevine, S...
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Episode 32
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1:36:51
No One Lives Forever
Let’s have a party! There’s a full moon in the sky!Join us as we sing the praises of one of Oingo Boingo’s gleefully macabre songs from 1985, No One Lives Forever. We explore the moral philosophy of mortality, examine genre influences, ...
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Episode 31
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50:53
Weird Science
It’s all in the name of science… Weird Science.Join us as we examine the magic and technology of Oingo Boingo’s hit song from 1985, Weird Science. We review the John Hughes film, explore the bits and pieces that make up the song, and na...
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Episode 30
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1:10:45
Waiting For You & Into The Fire
We’ve been Waiting For You!Join us as we dig deep into Oingo Boingo’s archives with two unreleased songs from 1983's Good For Your Soul recording sessions: Waiting For You and Into The Fire (previously known as All The...
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Episode 29
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1:03:33
Private Life
Let’s rattle the bones of the skeletons in our closets!Join us as we peek through the window shades into Oingo Boingo’s 1982 song, Private Life. We discuss Boingo’s recurring theme of alienation, uncover a mystery about the Nothing To Fear ...
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Episode 28
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54:00
Meet Brendan McCreary!
Brendan McCreary shares his experiences as the dynamic frontman for Oingo Boingo Former Members!Hear how being a Boingo fan helped shape his music career, why Oingo Boingo has such a dedicated fan base, and find out what runs through his...
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Episode 27
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42:12
More Games!
Come play more games with us!We discuss Danny Elfman’s upcoming "From BOINGO to BATMAN to BIG MESS and BEYOND” shows, introduce DJ’s Playlist (a new Boingo-themed party game), and take another stab at Bits and Pieces.Just...
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Episode 26
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52:37
Sweat
Let’s all Sweat together!Take a ride with us on the hot and dusty journey that is Sweat. We discuss the countrified rendition of the song, compare various live performances from over the years, and learn what a Sluggorian Chant is.<...
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Episode 25
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42:18
Insanity
I am the virus; are you the cure? We cut open the sacred heart of “Insanity” and tear it all to shreds. Join us as we expose it all - the villainy, the creeping madness, and the faith-healing puppets. Plus, special guest Johnny “Vat...
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Episode 24
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1:14:43
Pain
Welcome to our little world of Pain! Is the world of pain a safe space where you can relieve your burdens, or is it a sinister cult waiting to suck you in? And what is the hidden connection between Pain and The Lion King?Come so...
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Episode 23
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42:39
Skin
Is there anybody in there? Are we getting through to you? In this episode, the OBSAS crew reveals various interpretations, personal stories, and a musical breakdown as they peel away the many layers of the 1990 song, Skin. Join us a...
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Episode 22
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40:48
Oddities & Rarities
The OBSAS crew takes a deep dive into once hard-to-find Oingo Boingo songs that were released on movie soundtracks and compilations. If you were a tape-trading fan back in the day, you know what it felt like to open the mail and find a hand-lab...
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Episode 21
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1:11:41
Nili Brosh & Stu Brooks (Reprise)
Two of our favorite musicians are back! Nili Brosh and Stu Brooks share lively stories about being in the Danny Elfman band, performing at the Hollywood Bowl on Halloween, and other behind-the-scenes goodies. Check their websites for upcoming s...
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Episode 20
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42:20
Not My Slave
You’re mine now, but you’re not my slave! Join us as we uncover the moral philosophy in this beloved feminist pop song. Adam reveals the hidden layers in the song structure and Matt completely nerds out and extols the virtues of the “club dub” ...
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Episode 19
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41:56
Ain't This The Life
Is the earliest Oingo Boingo song just a fun little bop, or is there a dark heart lurking behind those staccato horn riffs? Is the narrator just having fun, or is he a clueless jerk - or something much worse? And what are those billionaire babi...
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Episode 18
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41:40
Meet Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez!
Oingo Boingo’s legendary drummer tells tales of the band’s early Mystic Knights days, where his nickname ‘Vatos’ came from, and the story of how Cry of the Vatos came to be. Who wielded the cursed finger? What is Steve Bartek’s superpower? Lear...
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Episode 17
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55:33
Danny Elfman Takes the Hollywood Bowl!
Danny Elfman showcased his wide-ranging musical accomplishments in one extraordinary and incandescent concert. The OBSAS crew had an amazing Boingo-filled Halloween weekend, full of the best kinds of spooky tricks and treats. We’d like to take ...
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Episode 16
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59:01