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The Track Star Podcast

Testing Foo Fighters' Music Knowledge

5/4/202610 min

On this episode of Track Star* we're joined by rock legends Foo Fighters. Known for their anthemic sound and larger-than-life energy, they bring us through some incredible stories, touching on the songs and artists that shaped them — from punk pioneers to alternative icons that laid the groundwork for their own explosive career. The band dives deep into the records that defined their taste, spanning decades of rock history from The Clash and Van Halen to Sonic Youth and Minor Threat. This episode is packed with passionate breakdowns, surprising deep cuts, and the kind of genuine enthusiasm that only comes from musicians who have spent their whole lives living and breathing this music. Expect plenty of laughs, big opinions, and an all-around great time. This Episode's Tracklist: London Calling - The Clash Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Van Halen Straight Edge - Minor Threat Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've?) - Buzzcocks Linoleum - NOFX Honey Bucket - Melvins Banging the Drum - Scream Teen Age Riot - Sonic Youth Who Are You - Void Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) - Harry Belafonte Surrender - Cheap Trick For Want Of - Rites of Spring Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotten This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies How Fortunate the Man With None - Dead Can Dance 11th Street Kidzz - Hanoi Rocks

Clips

Pancakes For NOFX
Grohl’s Melvins Drum Sermon
Scream’s Wild Setlist Twist
Touring With Sonic Youth
Rites Of Spring And Emo’s Roots
DC Punk And DIY Spark
Underrated Greats: Cheap Trick

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Jack Coyne· Host0:00

    Before we start the music, just introduce yourselves.

  2. Nate Mendel· Guest0:02

    I'm Nate. I play bass in the Foo Fighters.

  3. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:04

    I'm Chris. I play guitar in the Foo Fighters.

  4. Dave Grohl· Guest0:06

    And I'm Dave. I play guitar and I sing in the Foo Fighters.

  5. Jack Coyne· Host0:09

    Welcome to Trackstar, guys.

  6. Dave Grohl· Guest0:10

    Thank you. It's good to be here.

  7. Jack Coyne· Host0:11

    So we have to make it kinda a little harder because there's three of you, brain power of three. So if you don't know, you can pass it.

  8. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:17

    That's debatable.

  9. Dave Grohl· Guest0:17

    Brain power?

  10. Jack Coyne· Host0:18

    You just have to tell me who the artist is.

  11. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:20

    Just the artist, not- Just the artist ... not the song ...

  12. Jack Coyne· Host0:22

    not even the title of the song. London calling to the faraway town.

  13. Dave Grohl· Guest0:26

    Wow.

  14. Nate Mendel· Guest0:26

    Yeah.

  15. Dave Grohl· Guest0:27

    [laughs] This is easy.

  16. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:28

    That really should've been my question.

  17. Dave Grohl· Guest0:29

    Why?

  18. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:29

    It's not fair.

  19. Dave Grohl· Guest0:30

    You're a huge Clash- 'Cause I have a, 'cause I have a Clash tattoo ... fan.

  20. Jack Coyne· Host0:32

    There we go. Well, tell me about The Clash.

  21. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:33

    I did not have to prepare. [laughs] I don't have the bio in my head about- I don't know.

  22. Jack Coyne· Host0:36

    I just, I- Why did you get that tattoo? [laughs] Tell me about your relationship to The Clash.

  23. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:40

    They were a great band. I liked them.

  24. Jack Coyne· Host0:41

    Best Clash album.

  25. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:42

    Yeah.

  26. Jack Coyne· Host0:42

    What's the best one, though?

  27. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:43

    Gotta go London Calling. It's kinda the one.

  28. Jack Coyne· Host0:45

    Are you ready?

  29. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:46

    Yes, sir.

  30. Jack Coyne· Host0:47

    All right.

  31. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:47

    [upbeat music] Oh, come on. [laughs] Are you joking?

  32. Jack Coyne· Host0:51

    Are we, are we softballs?

  33. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:51

    Van Halen Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love.

  34. Jack Coyne· Host0:53

    We're working our way up.

  35. Dave Grohl· Guest0:55

    Got it.

  36. Jack Coyne· Host0:55

    Tell me about Van Halen.

  37. Chris Shiflett· Guest0:56

    Van Halen, one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Eddie Van Halen, the king of everything.

  38. Jack Coyne· Host1:00

    Uh-huh.

  39. Chris Shiflett· Guest1:00

    Changed guitar playing forever.

  40. Dave Grohl· Guest1:01

    Not to mention- Yeah ... his brother, Alex Van Halen.

  41. Chris Shiflett· Guest1:03

    Incredible, yeah.

  42. Dave Grohl· Guest1:04

    Incredible drummer.

  43. Chris Shiflett· Guest1:05

    Something tells me Clash, Van Halen, somebody's in for a deep cut.

  44. Dave Grohl· Guest1:09

    [upbeat music] These are too easy. It's Minor Threat. I mean, all you need to hear is the guitar's tone.

  45. Jack Coyne· Host1:17

    Why Minor Threat?

  46. Dave Grohl· Guest1:18

    So I grew up outside of Washington, DC.

  47. Jack Coyne· Host1:20

    Uh-huh.

  48. Dave Grohl· Guest1:20

    Washington, DC, had this incredible underground punk rock scene. But Minor Threat had the advantage of being a really good [censored] band. Like, Jeff Nelson as

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