Nick talks about writing songs, debates with Ben aboutthe importance of recording quality, and both discuss Rage Against the Machine’salbum of cover songs (Renegades of Funk)

Talking about a jam from April17, 2024 (Maynard’s birthday). Talking about “funky monkeys,” “Brass Monkeys,”and Nick’s brother Trevor’s band FermentedBeats (from Pittsburgh, with clarinet).

Ben notes the energy and poeticmastery of Kendrick’s “Not Like Us,” influencing his mood during the jam, whichis grungy, smooth “like ice on a lake,” with loops and unexpected turns.

· Quick banter about their unused Lander accountand collaboration.

· Discussion of releasing an album by Christmas. Nota Christmas album, just timing the release… and as of January, it’s still notstarted.

· Joking about Christmas, Hanukkah, Tet, theWinter Solstice, and Saturnalia.

· Intended as a “quick funky jam” but stretched to10 minutes.

· Acknowledgement that their jams often divergefrom the original intent.

· Chord choices reminiscent of Rage Against theMachine (Battle of Los Angeles era).

· Discussion of Rage albums (Evil Empire, Renegadesof Funk covers, Devo’s “Beautiful World”).

· Reflection on Devo’s ironic/depressing themes of“de‑evolution.”

· No loops initially; use of reverb, lightoverdrive.

· Tempo shifts, experimentation with half‑timereverse loops.

· Hit drum rims accidentally, sometimes turnedinto purposeful rim shots. “I meant to do that”

· Recording briefly cut off; hosts joke aboutbeing “electrocuted.”

· They speculate whether the U.S. government orextraterrestrials shut them down.

· Decide aliens are simply “fans of the podcast.”

· More complaints about Ben’s old drum kit…

· Reference to Jack Funk and songs like Good ForYour Soul and Mad Maestro.

· Nick explains adding new sections to old songs,giving them fresh life in live shows.

· Emphasis on saving ideas for the right momentwhen recording an album.

· Clarification of what a “demo” is.

· Debate between recording individually vs. live“ping‑pong” style.

· Agreement that their music thrives on organic,improvised jams.

(C) 2026

20 years of jamming together, few actual songs written, noband name (yet?) – but 100s of recorded jams. So we’re talking about them onthe podcast. All rights reserved.

Jam Notes (ep. XVIII): Aliens are Fans of the Podcast