Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Los Angeles–based musician and music teacher Jake Cassman, who shares his path from growing up in Berkeley on classic rock and ’90s alternative to discovering Bruce Springsteen later through a 2008 Obama rally performance, long bus rides through New Jersey, and years playing dueling pianos. Jake discusses teaching recording and songwriting at The Geffen Academy, the realities of freelancing (busking, weddings, improv), and how COVID ended live work and pushed him into a USC master’s program that led to greater stability and new opportunities, including producing for the podcast Switched on Pop. He explains why he shifted from the Drunken Logic moniker to releasing music under his own name, introduces his album Idling High, performs “We All Look the Same,” and talks songwriting, storytelling, and favorite Springsteen albums, ending with the classic Thunder Road question.

https://www.jakecassman.com/music

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:00 Teaching Music in LA

03:00 TeachRock and Music Education

04:27 Writing and Community Programs

05:35 Growing Up With Rock

07:32 Finding Bruce Springsteen

09:14 Early Music Obsession

10:31 Dueling Pianos Stories

12:31 Requests and Deep Cuts

15:10 Freelance Music Career

17:38 Rebranding as Jake Kassman

19:17 Pandemic Shock and Pivot

22:41 Freelancing and Saying Yes

25:52 Better Paying Gigs

26:32 Idling High Origins

28:15 We All Look the Same

33:33 Storytelling Gets Universal

36:19 Bruce Road Trip Deep Dive

39:28 Next Creative Steps

40:40 Pop Podcast Tangent

44:00 Thunder Road Debate

47:53 Where To Find Jake

49:34 Final Wrap And Thanks
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In this B-side episode, host Jesse Jackson talks with electro-punk pioneer Peter Pepper, calling from Shibuya, Tokyo, about growing up in rural Florida feeling alienated, discovering punk and industrial music, and channeling creativity through early audio editing into a music career. Peter shares how playing the State Theatre in St. Petersburg became a breakthrough moment, how “electro-punk” emerged organically around 1999–2001, and stories from touring, including Asbury Park’s Stone Pony in 2001 and a later tour moment with Wes Borland. They discuss the realities of life on the road, modern pressures of permanent online records, and how a friend’s recommendation led Peter to build a life between Japan and Bali. Peter previews his May 20 release “We’re From Florida” and a forthcoming blues project, then answers Jesse’s “Mary question” about Thunder Road.

https://www.peterpepper.net/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PWK1iZunlFBPGG5CMpMh0?si=b9tXZRimTXqSUIeILG5Crg

00:00 B-Side Welcome

00:49 Meet Peter Pepper

02:00 Florida Roots

04:01 Finding Punk Scene

05:37 Outsider Identity

12:43 Creative Awakening

15:08 Learning By Doing

18:37 Creating In Public

22:40 First Big Break

27:18 Electro Punk Origins

29:50 Building Electro Punk

32:37 Labels And Movements

33:45 Stone Pony Ghost Town

38:44 Wes Borland Moment

41:21 Tour Life Offstage

44:03 Why Japan Became Home

48:28 New Music Plans

50:29 Thunder Road Mary Question

52:44 Goodbyes And Housekeeping
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Host Jesse Jackson opens a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce with musician and worship leader Brigitte Donahoe, who shares her journey from growing up in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, California, and Michigan to becoming a songwriter, wife, and homeschooling mom of two. Brigitte discusses her eclectic influences (’90s rock/ska, R&B vocalists, and later country), her complicated early church experience, and a pivotal youth conference encounter that brought her back to faith. She describes starting songwriting at 14, releasing her first EP Restored, and performing at festivals, churches, and Christian nights at local bars. She also reflects on “Cherish Moments,” her grief-inspired song “Keep On,” her desire to make rock music, and her hope for more listening and grace in the church.

https://brigittedonoho.com/home

00:00 B-Side Welcome

01:14 Meet Brigitte

01:59 Growing Up Musical

03:30 Country Music Conversion

05:34 Faith Roots and Doubts

07:14 Choosing Belief

11:14 Music Takes Over

12:52 Songwriting Calling

15:23 Going Pro in Music

16:26 Through His Eyes Story

18:06 Faith and Politics Divide

20:34 Church Needs Grace

22:37 Assume Good Intent

22:59 Cherish Moments Talk

24:05 Better Days Mindset

26:06 Starting Live Gigs

26:57 Missing The CD Era

28:11 Dreaming Of Rock

30:25 Touring As A Family

31:52 Songs That Heal Grief

36:34 Farewell And Housekeeping
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Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Tom to discuss the current Bruce Springsteen tour, upcoming shows in DC, Austin, and Atlanta, and reactions to the set list, including excitement about rarely played songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” Tom introduces his new Substack, “Blue Collar Costumes: A Comparative Study of Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, and the World That Made Them,” which supports a larger book project exploring parallels between Springsteen and King—similar East Coast working-class roots, complicated or absent fathers, and mothers as driving forces—within a broader post–World War II social history. Tom outlines the Substack’s monthly themes and posting schedule, starting in May, including a first theme on “Fractured Fathers,” plus Tolkien posts and fiction. They also discuss recent King adaptations and favorite King books, and share subscription details.

https://bluecollarcostumes.substack.com/

00:39 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:00 Tour Talk and Setlist Buzz

04:37 New Project Reveal

06:41 Bruce and King Parallels

11:23 Substack Format and Themes

15:31 Stephen King Adaptations

17:32 Favorite King Books

20:21 Where to Find Substack

22:16 Pricing and Subscriber Tiers

27:08 Wrap Up and Farewell

28:08 Housekeeping and Links

https://bluecollarcostumes.substack.com/
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Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Michael C back to discuss Jake Thistle’s American Idol elimination, arguing Jake’s strengths are his songwriting, frontman rapport, versatility in changing vocal styles across artists (Petty, Jackson Browne, Bruce, Phil Collins, John Hiatt), and strong character, with hopes for continued success and mention of an April 29 Monmouth University show with Vinny “Mad Dog” Lopez. They shift to Springsteen concerts, set lists, and the tour’s anger/war-related themes, including opening with “War,” plus commentary that Bruce has been political since early songs. Michael then defends tribute bands as an affordable way to keep music alive, stressing quality performance, vocal range, and audience engagement, and prefers live performance over studio. Jesse closes with podcast contact info and other projects, including a John Hiatt podcast.

00:00 Podcast Welcome
00:55 Jake Idol Exit
02:22 Why Jake Connects
04:00 Influences And Praise
09:35 Jake Live Shows
12:06 Talent Beyond Voice
14:06 Bruce Tour Plans
15:44 Setlist And Politics
17:50 Tribute Bands Value
22:12 What Makes Tribute Great
25:11 Live Beats Studio
26:46 Cover Bands Setlists
28:58 Hooking New Fans
30:30 Tributes Keep Legacy
31:44 Politics And Critics
34:06 Proving Greatness Live
37:08 Respecting Tributes
38:13 Clive Davis Connection
40:54 Goodbyes And Contacts
42:57 Radio Hits Paradox
45:09 Podcast Housekeeping
47:03 Final Sign Off

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