7 – Dead At 27: An Exclusive Club of Stars We Lost Too Soon

Several of the greatest stars of the music scene left this world at the age of 27. In today’s episode, we talk about the many musicians who are members of the “27 Club”, including:

  • Jim Morrisson
  • Jimi Hendrix
  • Janis Joplin
  • Brian Jones
  • Amy Winehouse
  • Kurt Cobain

The majority of these tragic losses were due to abuse of drugs and alcohol, but some of the deaths are mysteries that remain unsolved, some even leading to speculation of murder.

The question at hand: Is something strange or mysterious going on that leads iconic musicians into this “exclusive club” at age 27? Science helps us out as we talk about a researcher who actually studied the statistics to get us closer to an answer to this question.

Featured Song: Members Only

Lyrics:
But the sign said Members Only,
let me in.
I know the sign says members only,
let me in.
It’s awful cold and lonely,
out here in the wind,
out here in the wind.

Always young and
beautiful and dear.
The hit parade of songs
we’ll never hear.
you’re on every cover
and you’re getting all the raves.
you’re the biggest star of the grave.

Well the sign says members only,
and they won’t let me in.
Yeah, that sign says members only,
and they won’t let me in.
Don’t you know there’s nothing left,
for us in the wind, for us in the wind.

Always young and
beautiful and dear.
The hit parade of songs
we’ll never hear.
you’re on every cover
and you’re getting all the raves.
you’re the biggest star of the grave.

It’s everything that I ever wanted,
a place where I’m always on the dial.
never uncool, never forgotten,
That’s a helluva price to pay for style.
But to join you need more than just a song,
Are you sure you wanna belong?

6 – The Saddest Song in the World: Gloomy Sunday

The saddest song in the world: A piece so full of despair that many are rumored to have taken their own lives while listening to it. Music doesn’t get much darker than that, and in today’s episode we explore the history and legend behind Rezső Seress’s “Gloomy Sunday”.

Frequently referred to as “the Hungarian suicide song”, Gloomy Sunday has been covered by many artists in genres spanning from classical (Kronos Quartet) to punk (Dead Milkmen). We share our own version of the song at the end of the episode.

Featured Song: Gloomy Sunday

Composed by Rezső Seress, Lyrics by Sam M. Lewis.

Arranged & Performed by Sunspot

Sunday is gloomy,
My hours are slumberless.
Dearest, the shadows
I live with are numberless.

Little white flowers
Will never awaken you.
Not where the black coach
Of sorrow has taken you.

Angels have no thought
Of ever returning you.
Would they be angry
If I thought of joining you?

Gloomy Sunday

Gloomy is Sunday,
With shadows I spend it all.
My heart and I, have
Decided to end it all.

Soon there’ll be candles
And prayers that are said, I know.
Let them not weep,
Let them know that I’m glad to go.

Death is no dream,
For in death I’m caressing you.
With the last breath of my soul,
I’ll be blessin’ you.

Gloomy Sunday

5 – Interview with Susan Masino: Rock Journalist / Paranormal Researcher – Part 2

As promised, we present the second half of Mike’s interview with Susan Masino!

Before getting right into the meat of the show, we thank you for listening. Seriously, it’s been fun beginning this new project and getting some content out there that’s a little different from our norm. If you’re enjoying the show, we’d really appreciate it if you could leave a review (the more stars the better!) in iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Or, if you prefer, just spread the word by telling a friend about our show or linking to it on Facebook! Please make sure you leave your name in the review/link so we can thank you in a future episode.

Beginning on a positive note, Susan describes the larger-than-life presence that was Bon Scott of AC/DC. Although he never gave any indication of it, Susan learned through her research that he was struggling quite a bit throughout his rockstar-idol years. She tells us how, although Bon is no longer in this world with us, he’s still around the band and the AC/DC world and makes himself known through the dreams and feelings of the living. Susan tells how Bon continues to be a ray of light, in spite of his absence in the physical arena of our living world.

Next, the discussion turns to the topic of synchronicity. Also commonly referred to as white light, good energy, intuition or gut feeling, Susan explains how a person’s inner self often guides (or tries to guide) but is easy to ignore. She reminds us that the “universe has a great sense of humor” and we should pay attention when signs appear that we should pay attention to. Listen for the best example of Susan’s experience with clairaudience, which occurred while she was in living in New York Sublets, it may just make you take notice next time the “voice in your head” tells you something!

The experience led to her job at a recording studio that worked on projects with Steve Winwood, Diana Ross, John Denver, Joe Cocker, the soundtrack for the movie “Beat Streat” and music for the 1984 Olympics. In the basement of Studio 54, did Susan see any disco-dancing ghosts? She didn’t see apparitions, but Susan did have vivid dreams while living in NYC during the “wild west days” of New York.

Finally, Susan shares the biggest dream(s) she has had that came true.

Featured Song: Grand Guignol from the album Singularity

This song is available on iTunes, has a video on YouTube (you’ll see Wendy in a different light after watching it), and even has a pop-up video on YouTube, old-school VH-1-style!

Lyrics:

You love the drama,
You play the role,
and you’ll do anything,
to get my goat.
and when you bleed some,
it’s a horror show,
You think I’m crazy,
well you should know.

There’s always something wrong with you,
Someone’s always done something to you.
Stop being such a huge asshole.
Your big exaggerations,
always lead to a confrontation,
This little act is getting old,
you’re the Grand Guignol.

The sky is always falling down,
I can’t take you anywhere downtown,
It’s a bitchfest or a catfight,
don’t you know anyone you like?
You’re making threats so the stage is set for another breakdown.

There’s always something wrong with you,
Someone’s always done something to you.
Stop being such a huge asshole.
Your big exaggerations,
always lead to a confrontation,
This little act is getting old,
you’re the Grand Guignol.

You love the drama,
You play the role,
and you’ll do anything,
to get my goat.
and when you bleed some,
it’s a horror show,
You think I’m crazy,
well you should know.

The sky is always falling down,
I can’t take you anywhere downtown,
It’s a bitchfest or a catfight,
don’t you know anyone you like?
The stage is set,
off go the bets,
You’re making threats,
you’re killing pets,
in another breakdown.

There’s always something wrong with you.
What am I gonna do with you?
Stop being such a huge asshole.
This little act is getting old.
You’re the Grand Guignol.

4 – Interview with Susan Masino: Rock Journalist / Paranormal Researcher – Part 1

In our very first interview episode, Mike talks to special guest Susan Masino about some incredibly interesting crossovers between the music world and the world beyond.

As author of books: Let There Be Rock: The Story of AC/DC, Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy-My Life and Times with AC/DC, Van Halen, Kiss…, and The Secrets of the Universe: Universal Laws, Past Lives, Ghost Adventures and More, Ms. Masino is the perfect guest to join See You On The Other Side, and she’s got so many interesting things to say that we certainly hope she’ll return to the show in the future.

Susan tells us how she became interested in the music scene and the paranormal / psychic world. Why do so many venues and theaters have a propensity toward hauntings? She has her own opinion on the matter, and some great supporting stories to share that may bring a shiver up your spine.

Not only are ghosts and hauntings an area where Susan has had many experiences, but the topic of past lives / reincarnation is also very near and dear to her, as she believes her own son has a strong link to the Titanic. His story was featured on the television series “Ghost Inside My Child” because of the incredible dreams and visions he had as a young child. This brings to the conversation the topic of movies, and how they can often trigger memories of past lives in people. Susan also tells about a connection she herself may have to an actress from the past.

Featured Song: Saturday Night Gospel

Lyrics:

Well, we started playing when rock was on cassettes,
and the girls would tease their bangs with oceans of Aquanet.
Hang out in parking lots and learn to smoke cigarettes,
and we canonized all the rocker guys.

I used to high-speed dub my tapes for all my friends,
10 years on with Napster, yeah we did it all again.
We’d preach to country heathens who didn’t understand the reasons,
why I had to wear a concert shirt,
and every Saturday night we went to church.

And we sang,
Amen, my friend. Hallelujah.
Don’t you take that name in vain.
Praise the Lord with the sound, baptize me until I drown.
Let a choir of fallen angels sing my name,
I still believe the song remains the same, we haven’t changed.

And there were mullets as far as the eye could see.
My Blessed Virgin looked just like Debbie Harry,
We prayed at the Houses of the Holy,
And just like John Lennon, we all were bigger than,
you know.

I used to high-speed dub my tapes for all my friends,
10 years on with Napster, yeah we did it all again.
We’d preach to country heathens who didn’t understand the reasons,
why I always wore a concert shirt,
and every Saturday night we went to church.

And we sang
Amen, my friend. Hallelujah.
Don’t you take that name in vain.
Praise the Lord with the sound, baptize me until I drown.
Let a choir of fallen angels sing my name,
I still believe the song remains the same,
we haven’t changed.

We started playing when rock was on cassettes,
and the girls teased their bangs with oceans of Aquanet.
We hung out in parking lots, learned to smoke cigarettes,
and we canonized all the rocker guys.

And we sang,
Amen, my friend. Hallelujah.
Don’t you take that name in vain.
Praise the Lord with the sound, baptize me until I drown.
Let a choir of fallen angels sing my name,
And we sang,
Amen, my friend. Hallelujah.
Don’t you take that name in vain.
Praise the Lord with the sound, baptize me until I drown.
Let a choir of fallen angels sing my name,
For I do believe the song remains the same,
we haven’t changed.

3 – The Lizards That Rule the World (Annunaki): Election Day Special!

It’s election day in the USA, and we’re having a political conversation… Well, as close to “talking politics” as we’ll get on this show! The discussion centers around elected officials. Slimy, slithery, cold-blooded ones that came from another part of the universe. Annunaki: The aliens that rule the planet!

Featured Song: Hottie Illuminati

Lyrics:

And she walks, in like a vision of the dollar come to life,
And she moves, and gives you an all-seeing eye.
And you know right away, she’s the spider, you’re the fly.
Powerless and fail, rates right off the scale, you’re terrified.

In a world of slaves and masters,
Who do you think you are?
She knows exactly what you’re after,
Who do you think you are?

You know you’re owned.
Bought and sold.
You know you’re owned.
Bought and sold.

And you walked, compelled and controlled without a clue,
And you move, a puppet on her string, you’re a fool
You’re the moth to her flame, a pawn in her game that you’ll lose.
Suffering with the delusion that you choose.

In a world of slaves and masters,
Who do you think you are?
She knows exactly what you’re after,
Who do you think you are?

You know you’re owned.
Bought and sold.
You know you’re owned.
Bought and sold.

Links to Things We Discussed
Video for our song “2012” featuring scenes from the movie They Live

2 – Lucid Dreaming: A Beginner’s Guide for Psychonauts

Have you ever taken control of your own actions while dreaming? In this episode, we delve into the topic of lucid dreaming. Mike shares his experience of studying the process in order to escape nightmares, and Wendy describes a lucid dream in which she could fly.

Featured Song: Hypnogogic from the album Singularity

This song is available on iTunes and also has a video on YouTube. Enjoy!!

Lyrics:

I wake up in the night,
still awake but paralyzed,
and you are there hovering over me.
I can’t believe my eyes,
Trusting myself is unwise,
but there you are still hovering over me.

My better nature tells me,
this is a fairy story,
but without trying I can feel you.
An undigested bit of beef,
brings back of an old motif,
but in this moment you are here.

A waking dream,
of my invention,
does not conform ,
to comprehension,
lost in Hypnogogia again.

These animated figments,
ambiguous in their malignance,
have opened up a portal over me.
Wondering if these phantasms,
are weighing all my malefactions,
and are they here for my reckoning?

A chance to recreate,
the circumstance of my mistakes,
to speak the language of the speechless.
In the shadow of moonlight,
is this the way to make things right,
or are you the core of my weakness?

A waking dream,
of my invention,
does not conform ,
to comprehension,
lost in Hypnogogia again.

Immobile and bedazed,
by the look upon your face,
I am both in awe and terrified.
A moment to connect,
with one I had on such effect,
what urge do you need satisfied?

Apology or a decree,
some rare form of alchemy,
some otherworldy threat,
something that hasn’t happened yet.
Or just some subconscious scheme,
to straighten out this Philistine,
and only a dream.

My better nature tells me,
this is a fairy story,
but without trying I can feel you.
In the shadow of moonlight,
is this the way to make things right,
or are you the core of my weakness?

A waking dream,
of my invention,
does not conform ,
to comprehension,
lost in Hypnogogia again.

Morpheus can read your mind,
Morpheus will always find,
all the things we keep inside,
all the things we try to hide.

Links to Things We Discussed:

Dream On app for iOS – Lucid dreaming app with dream journal
Awoken app for Android – Lucid dreaming app with dream journal

1 – Making a Deal with the Devil: The Musicians Who Sold Their Souls to Satan

Across the ages, musicians have purportedly made a deal with the devil to be able to more masterfully compose and/or play their instruments. Today’s episode explores this idea, and Mike and Wendy discuss what things they consider worthy of a deal with the devil.

Mike and Wendy then dip into famous cases of making a deal with the Devil.  Musicians like Giuseppe Tartini who was born in 1692, his work is still popular, particularly his work, “The Devil’s Trill”, which was said to be inspired by a dream that he had that he was the Devil’s servant. It has been covered by Itzhak Perlman and a version by Vanessa Mae has over ten million hits on YouTube.

Niccolo Paganini is probably the first great example of legendary musicians who make a pact with Lucifer. He was said to be able to do supernatural things like sight-read music incredibly. His solos were notoriously difficult to play and his effect on audiences was said to be hypnotic and supernatural, like he was possessing the crowd.

The most famous American story of making a deal with the Devil is Robert Johnson, who died of poisoning at 27 years old and wrote the immortal blues classic, “Crossroads”. The Crossroads is a place in Mississippi that blues aficionados come to visit, that it is rumored where Johnson met the devil to sign the contract for his soul. They made a movie about it in the 80s called Crossroads starring The Karate Kid himself, Ralph Macchio. Johnson also wrote other songs like “Me and The Devil” and had a superstitious and dark vein in his music.

Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin also had rumors of Satan worship. Jimmy Page is a known occultist and bought Aleister Crowley’s house in Scotland (We’ll cover Crowley extensively sometime because he figures into the lives of Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, he’s in a Top Ten UK single in the 1970’s, and he’s even on the cover of Sgt. Pepper, he was an emblem of the rock n’ roll generation and we’ll get into him when the time comes!) They coveredRobert Johnson’s “Travelin’ Riverside Blues” and their were rumors that Led Zeppelin signed a pact in their own blood.

Speak of the devil, the Church of Satan was founded by a musician. Anton LaVey was an organist that would often entertain by playing Jazz and Pop standards. Modern Satanists aren’t really occultists as much as they just use the imagery in their marketing, like Marilyn Manson’s shocking Christians in the late 90s or Mötley Crüe’s crossdressing Satanism in the early 80s (before they went with the biker look, there were pentagrams all over their albums, Shout At The Devil and Theatre of Pain).

Links about making a Deal With The Devil:

Listverse – “10 People Who Sold Their Soul To The Devil”

Crossroads movie Guitar Duel (Steve Vai vs. Ralph Macchio) [YOUTUBE LINK]

Vannesa Mae – “The Devil’s Trill” [YOUTUBE LINK]

Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding Blog – “Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in Rosedale, Mississippi”

The Human Marvels – Niccolo Paganini – The Devil’s Violinist”

Featured Song: Ol’ Scratch Blues

Lyrics:

Enjoy your time now,
enjoy it while you can,
you signed that paper,
you signed it with your hand.

And when you die,
you’re gonna fry,
for nothing but a lie.

The fortune and the fame,
and the ladies too,
But can you see that old black dog,
coming after you.

Enjoy your time now,
enjoy it while you can,
you signed that paper,
you signed it with your hand.

And when you die,
you’re gonna fry,
for nothing but a lie.

And when you die,
you’re gonna fry,
for nothing but a lie.

Nothing but a lie.

0 – Make First Contact with Mike and Wendy, Your Haunted Hosts to the Weird Reality Between Paranormal Activity and Pop Culture

This is the first episode of Sunspot’s brand new podcast, See You On The Other Side, a new paranormal pop culture podcast. In it, you’ll get a little background as to why we find it fun to talk about the supernatural, paranormal, and general other-worldly topics and their relationship with the entertainment industry.

Mike and Wendy recap some of the strange things that they and their bandmate Ben have witnessed while on tour, including a terrifying post-show excursion into the haunted basement of Ballyhoo’s in Merrill, Wisconsin, visiting the haunted railroad crossing in San Antonio, Texas, brushes with orbs caught on video, suspicions of aliens, and more.

Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions for show topics! We’d love to hear from you.

Featured Song: We Are The Darkness from the album Singularity

This song is available on iTunes and also has a video on YouTube. We hope you enjoy it!

Lyrics:

We are the impossible,
the things that should not be,
caught between Hell and Purgatory.
We are the invisible.
Waiting in the dark,
bearing the Devil’s mark.
We are the untouchable,
the kind they walk right through and never even have a clue.
We are the polluted souls.
Sloth and gluttony,
a leper colony.
The unwashed and the unholy.

Better to rule in Hell than never have a chance,
I’ve never been so glad to be forever damned.

And we will scream and we will cry,
and we will stand against the wind and watch them rail against the night.
Beware the human and his silly little game,
We are The Darkness, baby, we are not the same.

We are the undesirable,
Bleeding from the barbs carved into pariah hearts.
We are the un-nameable.
Demonic and sinful,
diabolical.
We are the abominable,
with spirits that are stained,
drunken on the blood of saints.
We are the wicked and the cursed,
doomed to fear the dawn,
an infernal spawn.
We are the whores of Babylon.

Better to rule in Hell than never have a chance,
I’ve never been so glad to be forever damned.

And we will scream and we will cry,
and we will stand against the wind and watch them rail against the night.
Calling all vampires, calling all succubi,
We are what they fear the most and we will never die.
And we will scream and we will cry,
and we will stand against the wind and watch them rail against the night.
Beware the human and his silly little game,
We are The Darkness, baby, we are not the same.

We are The Darkness, baby, we are not the same.
We are The Darkness, baby, we are not the same.
We are the ones that they will try to hold in chains,
the ones like you and me, we are a different breed.
And they’ll call us evil, the sons and daughters of Cain,
Find excuses for their hate and they will know us,
When they curse our name.
When they curse our name.
When they curse our name.
And they will know us when they curse our name.

And we will scream and we will cry,
and we will stand against the wind and watch them rail against the night.
Calling all vampires, calling all succubi,
We are what they fear the most and we will never die.
And we will scream and we will cry,
and we will stand against the wind and watch them rail against the night.
Beware the human and his silly little game,
We are the darkness, baby, we are not the same.

Links to Things We Discussed about the Band and Paranormal Pop Culture

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A rock band's journey into the afterlife, UFOs, entertainment, and weird science.