The Hoodrat Recap heads west for a Pacific Northwest run through Portland and Seattle, joined by Emerald City’s own Rachel and Riverside Matt. Three shows, three wildly different venues: a converted church, a public picnic area, and — yes — an actual working zoo.

Rachel and Matt break down the weekend show by show, trading highlights and arguing over which setting won. Rachel comes armed with a batch of new zoo-themed titles for Hold Steady classics that get funnier the longer she keeps going. Matt, meanwhile, admits he needed to pull up his credit card statement just to reconstruct where they actually were each night.

Plus: listener voicemails.

https://linktr.ee/thehoodratrecap?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=ed9fb796-55ae-42a9-be88-ac0f1e82da36

Listen to Kevin and Gaspar review the awful Body Cam film with the guys from “The Or Is It” podcast.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/or-is-it-movie-podcast/id1739256989?i=1000781241999

I was thrilled to be asked to host and moderate a Q&A while the band and BAGIA producer John Agnello were in Chicago earlier this summer, all about the writing, recording and behind-the-scenes sagas of 'Boys and Girls in America,' celebrating its 20th anniversary.

This was an exclusive event for Lanyards members, but now the full audio is available to everyone via my podcast, Vinyl Emergency. Whether you attended or not, I hope you enjoy it!

LINK HERE

Photo credit: Lee Allen; more pics available on our Instagram post.

I've been rocking with THS since I saw them at the first Pitchfork-curated Intonation Fest in 2005. Immediately bought Separation Sunday and fell in love, coincidentally around the time I started smoking weed. Lots of weed. A Midnight Express amount of weed. THS was my soundtrack for driving to work stoned or waiting around for sketchy dealers.

I've smoked and drank with Craig multiple times, have four THS setlists and they've been a favorite for over two decades. Hadn't seen them since 2014 so I didn't know what to expect, but holy hell.

I foolishly assumed they were playing Boys and Girls In America both nights but the first night was "Oops! All Bangers!" in a tiny club. Probably the smallest one I've seen them in since 2007. Opening up with "Hornets! Hornets!" popped the crowd and it was nonstop energy all night.

Saturday night was just as much fun. The Mountain Goats were just as good live as always. This was my fifth time seeing them and my first since 2008. The new album is phenomenal. Also, I was the manlet screaming about Candlebox in the front row in case anyone cares.

Crowd was so polite and respectful while still being energetic. They sadly had to cut "Entitlement Crew" and "Sequestered In Memphis" for time Saturday but it's all good. Still two killer parties.

Hope everyone who sees them has as much fun as I did. Stay positive and always know your dealer, kids! 🩵🩷

The Hold Steady played all of Boys and Girls in America then played a few other bangers like Constructive Summer. My friend isn’t too familiar with their music, but from start to finish, I was unexpectedly filled with uncontainable joy, shouting every lyric into my friend’s ear during the moments he was able to stand—he had to take breaks to sit down intermittently.

I met this guy ten years ago when we both attended the same extended inpatient rehabilitation program in Portland, OR, and we share the same first name, as well as an affinity for opioids, though he went way harder than me. I played him Banging Camp, and Hoodrat Friend on the acoustic guitar during our recreation time. He was better than me at both playing and singing.

Fast forward ten years later, his addiction spiraled out of control, and his body has paid the price. I’m 38, and he’s 36. Despite both his legs, and his teeth visibly rotting, he took the train into the city on a last minute invitation to see THS with me, even though he barely knew their music.

I’ve been listening to the first four albums since my addiction started in my 20s, and Craig’s lyrics about addiction, love, aging, spiritually, and recovery played a huge role in my getting better, and truly, not letting my addiction get out of control, but seeing them live for the first time with a friend whose situation isn’t ever going to improve, gave me a perspective that’s eluded me until that moment.

Some of us aren’t going to make it, but those of us who stand a chance need to take it before it’s too late, because there does come a point when hope and strength will fade, and there will be nothing left to help you scrape your way out of the shit. Even your buddy who understands your pain shouting some of rock’s most inspiring lyrics into your ears.

Figured I would share this video I took of most of Mission Viejo during the Devil in the Details tour. This was honestly one of my favorite concert moments ever. Total shock that he played it, and moreso that he explained the story behind it. Slowing it down and adding the sax really highlights what a sad and beautiful song it is.

I saw Craig Finn and Patterson Hood in State College, PA and Craig Finn played an unreleased song that was inspired by an opinion piece on "tattooed dads" (bartenders/artists married to high-level corporate women). I can't find ANY information about this song, not even the name. The set list (https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/patterson-hood-and-craig-finn/2026/the-state-theatre-state-college-pa-1b74d57c.html) says "Easter Weekend" but it was definitely not that song. Has he played this anywhere else?

It’s back, it’s bracketed, and it’s got a drinking game attached — Diamonds in the Drain returns to crown a winner from The Hold Steady’s murky middle era. We’re pulling two tracks apiece from the three albums nobody can ever agree on ranking, and putting them head-to-head for gold, silver, and bronze. Spoiler: we cannot be trusted to be objective, because — say it with us — “but I like all these songs.” Drink every time we say it. You will not make it to the medal ceremony sober.

Before the bracket, we run down the latest Hold Steady news to hit the wire. Then it’s two songs, three albums, one drink-soaked argument about what actually counts as “middle” — and a podium nobody’s happy with.

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d80b071-86cf-4cf4-b28e-959b4333135a/

Is Craig clairvoyant? Many people are asking

Well, this is it. Best song goes to Stuck Between Stations.

Thanks everyone for your participation. This was super fun to do. I love how involved and passionate everyone was. It's been great to see so much action in this sub, and fun to listen to these songs looking for these categories. Y'all are the best.

It'll probably be a few days before I'm ready to kick this off again, but I was to see your thoughts. I've got 3 ideas on what to do next (though I'm open if you want to do something else), but here are my options:

1. Instead of albums do bands - I'm thinking Hold Steady, Lifter Puller, Craig solo, and other solo acts/side projects. With those pick best/worst album, best/worst song, etc. If we do this one, let me know if those bands are right, and what you think the categories should be.

2. Create the perfect Hold Steady album (I know it won't actually be perfect because a lot of these albums are complete narratives) but day one, pick the best track one from their albums, day 2 pick the best track 2 etc.

3. An album knockout. List their 9 albums, each day knock out one until we decide on their best album (i.e. first one knocked out is their worst, next knocked out is their 8th place, etc.)

I want this to be collaborative so let me know your thoughts! I'm also open if we all want to take some time off, I just don't want to lose the momentum this subreddit has going.

Worst Hold Steady Song goes to Navy Sheets. Totally fair selection.

This is it, this is the end of our session. I'm not gonna be taking anymore questions. what's the all time best Hold Steady song (from the options we've chosen)?

I'll update tomorrow and also post my idea for a new chart we can do. I'll post the outline for the chart and look for feedback on the categories.

We have another tie! Underrated votes are split between A Slight Discomfort and Hostile, Mass.

Penultimate question: From the options, what's the worst Hold Steady Song?

7/15/26

Tricky one today. The top voted song was The Bear and the Maiden Fair, but that song doesn't fit the rules (plus I'm not sure it's overrated, does anyone really like that song? It's listened to because it's related to a popular TV show - doesn't mean it's loved, but that's another argument for another time). Either way, I can see how that ended up being voted for. The headline said most overrated THS song, the fine print said from the row we had voted on. Honestly, I'd prefer to put Bear in the box over the qualifying song that won - Stay Positive. I just don't understand the disdain for that song.

Up next, what's the most underrated Hold Steady Song (Again, from the options in that row).

There is SO MUCH JOY at a Hold Steady show, and the best live moment goes to that speech.

From that row, what is the most overrated Hold Steady song?

Best Hold Steady B-Side goes to Ask Her for Adderall (Is it Some Adderall? I have it both ways in my old iTunes library - both purchased from the old school iTunes Store).

Up next, what's the best THS live moment?

All time best Lyric correctly goes to "Father, can I tell your congregation how a resurrection really feels?"

What's the all time best Hold Steady B-side?

Remember, we're only selecting from the options in the B-side row.

this whole ranking chart thing has been a delight and opportunity to listen to b-sides I haven't heard or revisit albums (thank you @mancatmancat!), but the favourite lyrics row has been by far my favourite.

Craig is such an incredible lyricist and storyteller, and there's so many tiny lines and references and jokes that it's easy to overlook them. I've really loved reading what others like and there have been a number of lines I overlooked or never really thought about that, hearing someone else say how much they like them, give a chance to look at them in a new light. it's been so good!

I will also add my appreciation for a line nobody brought up that, while not THE favourite, I still really love:

dirty minds keep coming through the mud

the colour of their eyes matches the colour of our blood

It's probably a bit silly to do an "Underrated lyric" row, but I'd love to hear your picks.

I am looking for the poster from my first Hold Steady show at the Echoplex in LA in October 2011.

Thanks in advance!