The end of 2024 is just days away, but before we turn the calendar to 2025, it's time to look back on what the year offered us in terms of music. Andrew and first-time guest Dakota Jones (Voices of Wrestling) resurrect "A Taste of" from the old format of the podcast, looking at a sampling of songs that came out in 2024 that they enjoyed. It's not meant to be a definitive "best of" list, and there are some big names who did not make the cut, but Andrew and Dakota still have plenty of great music to gush about. Artists played include Brittany Howard, Sturgill Simpson, Ghost, The Smile, Magdalena Bay, Charley Crockett, Judas Priest, Sierra Ferrell, and many more. Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and thank you to everyone who listened to the podcast in 2024!

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

Twitter: @MusicoftheMat

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Pro wrestling thrives on hatred. Two people wanting to beat each other up is the lifeblood of this crazy sport, and there doesn't seem to be enough of it nowadays. There is still plenty of hate and heat in the world of music, however. Nowhere is that more evident than with the diss track. On this episode, Andrew and first-time guest Rich Latta (One Nation Radio) play some of music's best and most brutal diss tracks, with musicians taking aim at other musicians, critics, former lovers, and other unfortunate targets. Artists played include Kendrick Lamar, Carly Simon, Megan Thee Stallion, Sonic Youth, Queen, Nine Inch Nails, Pusha T, LL Cool J, John Lennon, and many more. Leave the melodrama and the cinema at home, because this episode is bringing the heat!

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

Twitter: @MusicoftheMat / @RichLatta32

Bluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @richlatta

One Nation Radio: redcircle.com/shows/one-nation-radio

Rich's YouTube: youtube.com/@RichLatta

Rich's merch: onelifetimeworldwide.com

Do you feel like the direction of your life is not going the way you want it? Are you tired of other people dictating your actions? Do you just not want to do something? Well, say the words "That's not gonna work for me, brother" and exert your creative control! It's a power not only seen in pro wrestling, but all avenues of entertainment. On this episode, Andrew and first-time guest Paul Wedding focus on the music topic most relatable to creative control: singer-songwriters. They "control the creative," so to speak: writing, performing, and sometimes even producing their own songs. Artists played include Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, The Mountain Goats, St. Vincent, John Prine, Lissie, Colter Wall, Peter Gabriel, Jenny Lewis, Chris Isaak, and many more. This episode has Section 11, Subparagraph E in its contract, so it's going over whether you like it or not.

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

Twitter: @MusicoftheMat / @PaulEWedding

Bluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @paulwedding

Paul's Substack: pwfg.substack.com

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The opening match on a wrestling show can sometimes be the most important. It can set the tone and get the crowd amped up for the rest of the show. The same is true for the opening track on an album. On this episode, Andrew and first-time guest Chris Whitehead play songs that kick off an album and get the ball rolling. Artists played include Black Sabbath, Kate Bush, Toto, Wipers, Curtis Mayfield, Radiohead, Kraftwerk, and many more. Don't arrive late to this episode, because you might miss one hell of an opener!

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

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Kenny Omega. Wayne Gretzky. Carrie-Anne Moss. Shoresy. These are just some of the icons that Canada has given us over the years, a land steeped in a rich history of maple syrup, professional wrestling, hockey, and Toronto doubling for every major American city in movies and TV shows. Andrew is joined by returning guest and Canadian extraordinaire Warren Hayes (The Mr. Warren Hayes Show) as they delve into some of Canada's finest musical acts, including The Tragically Hip, Rush, Gordon Lightfoot, Alannah Myles, Robert Charlebois, Joni Mitchell, The Tea Party, Alanis Morissette, Barenaked Ladies, and many more. Hit a flip piledriver and enjoy some universal healthcare as we celebrate all things musically Canuck!

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

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It takes two to make a thing go right, it takes two to make a tag team! Pro wrestling history is littered with all sorts of tag teams, just as music history is packed with plenty of duos. Andrew and returning guest Rich Kraetsch (Voices of Wrestling) team up to put a spotlight on some of these duos, including Outkast, Tears for Fears, The White Stripes, McFadden & Whitehead, Eurythmics, Black Star, Daft Punk, and more. Grab the tag rope and find some matching gear because this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

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Some of the greatest wrestling matches of all time have also been some of the longest. Over the past 10-15 years, New Japan Pro Wrestling has become the poster child for these epic matches thanks to pairings like Okada-Omega, Ospreay-Shingo, and Ibushi-White, just to name a few.

On this episode, Andrew and returning guest Suit Williams (Voices of Wrestling) play some music epics: songs that are 7 minutes or longer (and in some cases, way longer). Artists played include Metallica, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Nina Simone, Yes, The Temptations, David Bowie, Kendrick Lamar, and many more.

Clear your schedule and hunker down with some snacks—these songs are going long!

Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent Partner

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Wrestling fans are used to seeing these four words on show posters and lineups: "Card Subject to Change." No wrestling match is set in stone; sometimes they need to be changed or canceled because of injury, emergency, or travel issues. On this episode, the proverbial card changes as Andrew and guest Jeremy Sexton (Voices of Wrestling, Sport of Pro Wrestling) play songs where the lead vocals are not performed by the typical lead singer(s). Instead, it's either another band member or a guest stepping in. Artists featured on this episode include The Beach Boys, New Order, Heart, Steely Dan, Metric, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Foo Fighters, and many more. Call the booker and tell him you can't make the show, because this episode deserves your full attention!

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The hometown crowd in wrestling can make for a special connection between a wrestler and the audience. On this episode of Music of the Mat, Andrew and Damon McDonald (Super J-Cast) play songs by artists from their respective hometowns (Boston for Andrew and Philadelphia for Damon). The playlist includes Hall & Oates, Bell Biv DeVoe, Book of Love, The Dead Milkmen, Donna Summer, Japanese Breakfast, Dropkick Murphys, Billy Squier, and more. Grab your lobster rolls and cheesesteaks and dig in!

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Is this thing on? Music of the Mat rises from its slumber with a remixed format. Instead of analyzing wrestling songs, Andrew and a guest will play and chat about songs related to a wrestling concept, term, reference, pun, etc. Yes, it really is that simple. Andrew explains the reason behind the big change, then gets down to business with returning guest and absolute delight Maura Johnston. Together they tackle the topic of "in-ring debuts," playing songs off debut albums from Aerosmith, Madonna, The Killers, Oasis, George Michael, Neneh Cherry, Living Colour, and many more. It's over 2 hours of potent fun that will have you raising the roof like Ultimo Guerrero!

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Maura's website: http://Maura.com

Read Maura's review of Neneh Cherry's "Raw Like Sushi": https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/neneh-cherry-raw-like-sushi/

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On this episode of Music of the Mat, Andrew is joined for the first time by Dave Ryan (Days of Thunder) for the 2023 Halloween Spooktacular. In this year's edition, the focus is entirely on WCW and five Halloween-tastic gimmicks throughout the company's history, including Arachnaman, The Shark, "That 70s Guy" Mike Awesome, and more.

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