Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Lou and Karen for a JKL Media tie-in discussion of the 2025 film "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes’ book about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s "Nebraska." They praise Jeremy Allen White’s performance as Springsteen and Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of manager Jon Landau, but debate who the movie is meant for—hardcore fans versus casual viewers—given its quiet focus on depression, trauma, and the Nebraska era rather than the E Street Band or the more widely known "Born in the U.S.A." period. Lou, less familiar with "Nebraska," finds the film surface-level, criticizing thin characterization (including Springsteen’s father, played by Stephen Graham), a cutaway from a key therapy scene, minimal exploration of individual songs, and the E Street Band’s near-silent portrayal. Karen also notes the story can feel generic without deeper Springsteen context, wishes the film emphasized Springsteen’s mother and band dynamics more, and argues the romantic subplot involving the composite character “Faye” feels unnecessary. Jesse provides background on how the project came to be, shares lore and real-life parallels (including Springsteen’s first psychiatrist visit and a later conversation with his father), and agrees the movie is a mixed bag that likely lands best for viewers who know the book and backstory.

00:00 Welcome + Why This Springsteen Movie Feels Like a Question Mark
01:42 First Reactions: Performances, Expectations, and ‘Who Is This For?’
03:13 How the Film Got Made: Warren Zanes, Scott Cooper, and Bruce Saying Yes
04:29 Nebraska vs. Born in the U.S.A.: The Era Casual Fans Don’t Know
06:13 Book vs. Movie + The Film’s Quiet, Depression-Focused Tone
08:36 The ‘Love Story’ Angle: Bruce & Manager Jon Landau
12:43 Lou’s Critique: Transactional Scenes and Dodging the Therapy Breakthrough
15:17 Bruce’s Father (Stephen Graham) + Missing Depth and Backstory
17:11 Where’s the E Street Band? Collaboration Erased on Screen
19:33 Karen’s Take: Generic Biopic Vibes, Lore-Heavy Story Choice, and What’s Missing
24:32 The Ending with Bruce’s Dad: Lap Scene, Payoff Without Buildup, and Real-Life Context
30:28 Family Wounds & the Film’s Emotional Core (Bruce and His Dad)
30:49 Who Is This Movie For? The Faye Romance Debate
31:51 Mustard-Gate & Other Fan-Accuracy Nitpicks
32:56 What the Movie Should’ve Shown: E Street Band & Studio Depth
34:39 Mixed Bag Reception: Highlights, Awards, and What Worked
35:35 Lou’s Non‑Sequitur Notes: Wasted Characters, Song Talk, and Stephen King Links
39:16 Karen’s Final Thoughts: Music Choices, Badlands, and Missed Potential
45:02 Wrap-Up, Next Watches, and Where to Find Everyone
48:30 Podcast Outro & Housekeeping: Contact Info and Other Shows

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Allen and Jesse do a dive deep into the influence of Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska' album on the lo-fi music movement and Alan's personal connection to the record. Alan shares how the album inspired him and his brother to create their own lo-fi recordings and discusses the broader impact on indie rock in the '90s. The conversation also touches on Springsteen's approach to the album, the emotional depth of lo-fi recordings, and Alan's current musical projects. Tune in for a compelling discussion about the enduring legacy of 'Nebraska' and the lo-fi genre.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:57 Discovering Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska'
02:49 The Influence of Lo-Fi Recording
04:17 Impact of 'Nebraska' on Music and Personal Life
07:47 Discussion on the 'Nebraska' Movie
10:05 Springsteen's Influence on Indie and Alternative Music
23:18 Future of Bruce Springsteen's Music
25:39 Guest's Current Projects and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes back Scott Shea for a deep dive into the music and legacy of Sam Cooke. They discuss Cooke's impact on gospel, R&B, and pop music, his untimely death, and his influence on other artists. The episode also touches on Bruce Springsteen's career, including their thoughts on the 'electric' version of Nebraska and Brian Wilson's 'Smile.' Scott offers insights from his latest articles and shares exciting news about his upcoming book on Waylon Jennings.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:29 Scott's Career Update

02:00 Discussion on the New Pope

03:24 Sam Cooke's Musical Journey

09:52 Sam Cooke's Death and Legacy

16:33 Lou Rawls and Sam Cooke's Influence

18:48 Sam Cooke's Business Ventures

19:18 The Legacy of SAR Records

20:15 Exploring Sam Cooke's Greatest Hits

21:12 Cover Versions and Tributes to Sam Cooke

23:23 Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska and Its Impact

24:05 The Unreleased Gems of Music Legends

29:47 Brian Wilson's Smile: A Masterpiece Revisited

32:24 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts
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In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes Mike Gendler to discuss the world of tribute bands, podcasting, and their shared love for Bruce Springsteen. Mike, a lifelong musician and entrepreneur, shares his journey from playing the piano and drums in his Philadelphia home to founding a successful entertainment company and starting the Tribute Band Sessions podcast. Learn about Mike's unique experiences, such as playing at a private party for Pink Floyd and the nuances of recreating the authentic sounds of iconic bands. They also delve into why tribute bands have gained popularity and the importance of both musical fidelity and live performance energy. Tune in for engaging stories and insightful discussions on the art of tribute bands.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 Mike's Musical Journey

02:49 Early Career Highlights

04:18 Family Influence and Musical Inspirations

08:48 Tribute Bands and Podcasting

09:31 The Business of Tribute Bands

19:03 Surprising Moments and Celebrity Encounters

22:00 The Passion of Rock Stars

23:07 The Popularity of Tribute Bands

24:32 Setting Up the Perfect Set List

28:10 Mimicking the Original Band

33:17 Bruce Springsteen Stories

39:31 Final Thoughts and The Mary Question
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🚨 Dive into the musical genius of Bruce Springsteen with Lou, Karen and I as we break down Springsteen's impactful new single, "Streets of Minneapolis." Tune in and join the conversation! #SetLustingBruce #Podcast #BruceSpringsteen #jklpodcast #NOICE

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