The Audio Files Ep. 9: America F#ck Yeah!

In this patriotic edition of The Audio Files, Brad Zerbo and Jaytriot celebrate American music from every angle, mixing rock anthems, punk nostalgia, and country swagger. They kick off by belatedly marking the 4th of July with X’s “Fourth of July,” Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” and the tongue-in-cheek “United States of Whatever.” Along the way, they share stories of vinyl collections, musical awakenings, and unforgettable live shows. The episode features everything from Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America” to Kid Rock’s “American Badass” and Neil Diamond’s iconic “America.” They reflect on the patriotic surge after 9/11 and play Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s comeback hit “Red White and Blue,” and Steve Miller Band’s “Living in the USA.” Interwoven are lively anecdotes about guitars, recording studios, and the authenticity of New Yorkers. The hosts close with WASP’s fiery performance and Hendrix’s legendary Woodstock rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, capturing the spirit, pride, and contradictions of America through music.