The Toth Zone https://thetothzone.podbean.com The Toth Zone chronicles musician James Toth’s all-consuming obsession with music while growing up in pre-9/11 New York City, and all the trouble it caused him along the way. It's a little like A Christmas Story, but with headbangers, hoodlums, and hip-hop. "...something like David Sedaris by way of Iggy Pop." - Elizabeth Nelson, Lawyers, Guns & Money blog Tue, 22 Jun 2021 01:54:00 -0500 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Music 1440 episodic The Toth Zone chronicles musician James Toth’s all-consuming obsession with music while growing up in pre-9/11 New York City, and all the trouble it caused him along the way. It's a little like A Christmas Story, but with headbangers, hoodlums, and hip-hop. thetothzone thetothzone No false https://feed.podbean.com/thetothzone/feed.xml https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/9434146/large_logo_2_1_MASTER_copy_3_Croppedv1670wg.jpg The Toth Zone https://thetothzone.podbean.com 144 144 Episode 30: Q&A etc (Season Two Finale!) Episode 30: Q&A etc (Season Two Finale!) https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-30-season-two-conclusion/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-30-season-two-conclusion/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2021 01:54:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/951b2739-ff38-3a8b-86c6-3b63820039e2 We conclude Season 2 with some Q&A about a wide range of topics, and the answers to our final poll question of the season.

Thanks for sticking around!

]]> We conclude Season 2 with some Q&A about a wide range of topics, and the answers to our final poll question of the season.

Thanks for sticking around!

]]> thetothzone false No 3767 33 full Episode 29: Rock 'n' Roll Chauffeur Episode 29: Rock 'n' Roll Chauffeur https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-29-rock-n-roll-chauffeur/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-29-rock-n-roll-chauffeur/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2021 01:25:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/0cface28-ff30-3dd4-98a2-a71d3aabf10b On this episode: Odd jobs, Guitar Center misery, and some new album recommendations!    

]]> On this episode: Odd jobs, Guitar Center misery, and some new album recommendations!    

]]> thetothzone false No 2049 32 full Episode 28: Too Much Music (Revisited) Episode 28: Too Much Music (Revisited) https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-28-too-much-music-revisited/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-28-too-much-music-revisited/#comments Tue, 25 May 2021 01:40:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/6f1310ed-0926-3108-95ee-2ea6ff72cf04 On today's episode I revisit my 2017 article for NPR, Too Much Music: A Failed Experiment in Dedicated Listening, and reveal how two careless clicks of a mouse forced me to conduct a similar experiment this month.

Also: the results of our recent poll question! 

]]> On today's episode I revisit my 2017 article for NPR, Too Much Music: A Failed Experiment in Dedicated Listening, and reveal how two careless clicks of a mouse forced me to conduct a similar experiment this month.

Also: the results of our recent poll question! 

]]> thetothzone false No 2566 31 full Episode 27: Impossible Germany, et al: Europe Conquers Wooden Wand Episode 27: Impossible Germany, et al: Europe Conquers Wooden Wand https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-27-impossible-germany-et-al-europe-conquers-wooden-wand/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-27-impossible-germany-et-al-europe-conquers-wooden-wand/#comments Tue, 11 May 2021 01:18:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/09e4da7c-1833-3c77-9f1c-d8998917098b Hear about how a "directionally challenged" man somehow navigated Europe alone for 18 days. Also: some new album recommendations!

]]> Hear about how a "directionally challenged" man somehow navigated Europe alone for 18 days. Also: some new album recommendations!

]]> thetothzone false No 2226 30 full Episode 26: When It Began Episode 26: When It Began https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-26-when-it-began/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-26-when-it-began/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2021 01:40:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/237e1461-0b52-3aeb-887b-8bdb7552d737 Releasing records in the age of DIY, how my dad unknowingly and involuntarily funded my first LP, and a million dollar lawsuit. Also: the results of our most recent poll question!   

]]> Releasing records in the age of DIY, how my dad unknowingly and involuntarily funded my first LP, and a million dollar lawsuit. Also: the results of our most recent poll question!   

]]> thetothzone false No 1568 29 full Episode 25: Bands, Scams, and Vans of the Damned Episode 25: Bands, Scams, and Vans of the Damned https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-25-bands-scams-and-vans-of-the-damned/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-25-bands-scams-and-vans-of-the-damned/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2021 02:05:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/b77b20bb-1f36-318e-b518-7626ad7be5d9 On today's action-packed episode of THE TOTH ZONE:

 

MARVEL!!

at the mysterious Van That Only Drove at Night!

SQUIRM!!

at the revolting practice of “table scoring!”

GASP!!

at the tale of a touring band operating under the influence of the zodiac!   

 

...and much more!

 

Enjoy!

 

(PS: I apologize if I sounded condescending when I defined the word “biweekly” at the end of the episode. The truth is I can never remember if biweekly means occurring once every two weeks or occurring twice a week. I looked it up and it seems both are correct, which is very confusing. Hence the explanation.)

]]> On today's action-packed episode of THE TOTH ZONE:

 

MARVEL!!

at the mysterious Van That Only Drove at Night!

SQUIRM!!

at the revolting practice of “table scoring!”

GASP!!

at the tale of a touring band operating under the influence of the zodiac!   

 

...and much more!

 

Enjoy!

 

(PS: I apologize if I sounded condescending when I defined the word “biweekly” at the end of the episode. The truth is I can never remember if biweekly means occurring once every two weeks or occurring twice a week. I looked it up and it seems both are correct, which is very confusing. Hence the explanation.)

]]> thetothzone false No 1430 28 full Episode 24: Losers With Big Fat Egos and Psychological Problems Episode 24: Losers With Big Fat Egos and Psychological Problems https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-24-losers-with-big-fat-egos-and-psychological-problems/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-24-losers-with-big-fat-egos-and-psychological-problems/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2021 02:14:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/ff05b1cf-50a1-3bd8-b2b0-e48174883d3d On this episode: worst gigs ever played (part 1?), an overdue response to a negative Amazon review, and the results of our third poll question!

]]> On this episode: worst gigs ever played (part 1?), an overdue response to a negative Amazon review, and the results of our third poll question!

]]> thetothzone false No 1621 27 full Episode 23: Meet Heidi Diehl Episode 23: Meet Heidi Diehl https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-23-meet-heidi-diehl/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-23-meet-heidi-diehl/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2021 02:38:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/3800da03-3015-3a71-a344-2153159d5533 On this episode, I speak to my friend and former bandmate Heidi Diehl about her debut novel Life Lines, which deals in part with DIY touring during the first decade of the new millennium.

 

]]> On this episode, I speak to my friend and former bandmate Heidi Diehl about her debut novel Life Lines, which deals in part with DIY touring during the first decade of the new millennium.

 

]]> thetothzone false No 1823 26 full Episode 22: I Don't Think Hank Done It This Way Episode 22: I Don't Think Hank Done It This Way https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episoide-22-i-dont-think-hank-done-it-this-way/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episoide-22-i-dont-think-hank-done-it-this-way/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2021 02:56:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/071d55d9-6361-36bf-b99a-d2a4e296ce69 Shattering live music myths, high living at the magnet Mansion, and the results of our second poll.

And be sure to stick around till the end of the episoide for a new poll question!

]]> Shattering live music myths, high living at the magnet Mansion, and the results of our second poll.

And be sure to stick around till the end of the episoide for a new poll question!

]]> thetothzone false No 1969 25 full Episode 21: Meeting People Is Sleazy Episode 21: Meeting People Is Sleazy https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-21-meeting-people-is-sleazy/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-21-meeting-people-is-sleazy/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2021 02:29:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/90703530-9e3b-3c27-b1d8-631935811285 This episode: the ghost of Jimi Hendrix, cranky alt rock killjoys, and the dark energy of Carrot Top.

]]> This episode: the ghost of Jimi Hendrix, cranky alt rock killjoys, and the dark energy of Carrot Top.

]]> thetothzone false No 1224 24 full Episode 20: Creatures Of The Bubble, Part 2 Episode 20: Creatures Of The Bubble, Part 2 https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-20-creatures-of-the-bubble-part-2/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-20-creatures-of-the-bubble-part-2/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2021 01:38:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/1394f3c7-93e8-3e9f-bdf3-c8b2beabe6ac Topics covered: Punk rock pilgrims, how to avoid awkward small talk with strangers on tour, and that time I attempted to rock through a hurricane.

Plus, the results of our first poll question!

]]> Topics covered: Punk rock pilgrims, how to avoid awkward small talk with strangers on tour, and that time I attempted to rock through a hurricane.

Plus, the results of our first poll question!

]]> thetothzone false No 1512 23 full Episode 19: Creatures Of The Bubble, Part 1 Episode 19: Creatures Of The Bubble, Part 1 https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-19-creatures-of-the-bubble-part-1/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-19-creatures-of-the-bubble-part-1/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2021 02:41:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/d45f62a3-d5cb-3ab5-9aec-ceeaf6e01f8e Get in the van with The Toth Zone! This is the first in a series of episodes examining the strange world of DIY touring. Also, a lesson in How To Make Any Band Sound Objectively Terrible.

]]> Get in the van with The Toth Zone! This is the first in a series of episodes examining the strange world of DIY touring. Also, a lesson in How To Make Any Band Sound Objectively Terrible.

]]> thetothzone false No 1446 22 full Introduction: Welcome to Season 2! Introduction: Welcome to Season 2! https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/introduction-welcome-to-season-2/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/introduction-welcome-to-season-2/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2021 02:38:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/f02cc2f8-8e73-3fb6-ab14-4fd73e892934 Welcome back! On this brief episode: a preview of the season to come, and our first poll question,

]]> Welcome back! On this brief episode: a preview of the season to come, and our first poll question,

]]> thetothzone false No 596 21 full Episode 18: A Reason To Live That Wrecks Your Life Episode 18: A Reason To Live That Wrecks Your Life https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-18-a-reason-to-live-that-wrecks-your-life/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-18-a-reason-to-live-that-wrecks-your-life/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2020 02:04:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/ae9e2189-7c3b-3465-933e-432f6bc6a35f Season 1 finale with some conclusions and general summing-up. Also, The Toth Zone answers your questions about music, songwriting, and more!

]]> Season 1 finale with some conclusions and general summing-up. Also, The Toth Zone answers your questions about music, songwriting, and more!

]]> thetothzone false No 2279 20 full Episode 17: Been Caught Stealing Episode 17: Been Caught Stealing https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-17-been-caught-stealing/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-17-been-caught-stealing/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2020 02:15:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/05b42f36-ee85-3e8e-8f33-adaaf1710779 CD boosting and its inevitable consequences. Note: not an endorsement of stealing! Heh heh.

]]> CD boosting and its inevitable consequences. Note: not an endorsement of stealing! Heh heh.

]]> thetothzone false No 946 19 full Episode 16: Scream-y Boy Shit Episode 16: Scream-y Boy Shit https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-16-scream-y-boy-shit/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-16-scream-y-boy-shit/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2020 02:11:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/d505a413-00fb-3af3-b32a-b67368dabab9 Hardcore, fanzine scams, and breaking edge.

]]> Hardcore, fanzine scams, and breaking edge.

]]> thetothzone false No 952 18 full Episode 15: Dropout Boogie Episode 15: Dropout Boogie https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-15-title-tk/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-15-title-tk/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:10:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/dc05ed14-286e-3424-b12f-c133ec8d81ca Raving till dawn, hardcore and punk, and getting fired...from Taco Bell. Yikes!

]]> Raving till dawn, hardcore and punk, and getting fired...from Taco Bell. Yikes!

]]> thetothzone false No 1630 17 full Episode 14: My Shaolin Style and Its Effectiveness (According to the Furious Five) Episode 14: My Shaolin Style and Its Effectiveness (According to the Furious Five) https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-14-title-tk/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-14-title-tk/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:04:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/636648e3-6aad-314f-a8e3-dc1724de843c The rise of the Wu! Plus: first studio session, high school battles (rap and otherwise), and dropping science on Hot 97!

]]> The rise of the Wu! Plus: first studio session, high school battles (rap and otherwise), and dropping science on Hot 97!

]]> thetothzone false No 1435 16 full Episode 13: Bombing The Suburbs Episode 13: Bombing The Suburbs https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-13-title-tk/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-13-title-tk/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2020 02:23:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/c5c14392-079a-3bec-8d06-0bc4f674b538 More graffiti, some gambling, and the insane lengths one goes to feed a music habit.

]]> More graffiti, some gambling, and the insane lengths one goes to feed a music habit.

]]> thetothzone false No 1294 15 full Episode 12: Kick A Rhyme, Toth! Episode 12: Kick A Rhyme, Toth! https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-12-kick-a-rhyme-toth/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-12-kick-a-rhyme-toth/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2020 02:15:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/0e677b2e-8a6c-33f7-89d8-a6e31160e24a Graffiti, hip-hop, and how I rapped my way out of getting beat up.

]]> Graffiti, hip-hop, and how I rapped my way out of getting beat up.

]]> thetothzone false No 1435 14 full Episode 11: The Misfit Friend Club Episode 11: The Misfit Friend Club https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-11-the-misfit-friend-club/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-11-the-misfit-friend-club/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:56:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/0b125fb8-1ada-3116-9014-a59888280103 My first gig as a rock critic, hip-hop, and the after school fistfight that gave birth to an unlikely alliance.

]]> My first gig as a rock critic, hip-hop, and the after school fistfight that gave birth to an unlikely alliance.

]]> thetothzone false No 1302 13 full Episode 10: Kill Your Mother, Kill Your Father Episode 10: Kill Your Mother, Kill Your Father https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-10-metal-mischief-mayhem/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-10-metal-mischief-mayhem/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:53:50 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/ee49ff5f-0fae-3c2d-98a9-0956231c802e Guidos, mischief, crying over death metal...

]]> Guidos, mischief, crying over death metal...

]]> thetothzone false No 986 12 full Episode 9: I Was A Teenage Hellrat Episode 9: I Was A Teenage Hellrat https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-9-i-was-a-teenage-hellrat/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-9-i-was-a-teenage-hellrat/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2020 02:05:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/99b38b3e-9c0a-3890-8a14-d5712cd7fa80 Action-packed episode about metal, mischief, and mayhem. Plus: explosions, drugs, and the world premier of The Skumbags! 

]]> Action-packed episode about metal, mischief, and mayhem. Plus: explosions, drugs, and the world premier of The Skumbags! 

]]> thetothzone false No 1749 11 full Episode 8: Music Assholes Episode 8: Music Assholes https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-8-music-assholes/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-8-music-assholes/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2020 02:04:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/8579f763-30c6-3362-9838-860522bab156 Record store jerks, record store humiliations, record store lessons.

]]> Record store jerks, record store humiliations, record store lessons.

]]> thetothzone false No 830 10 full Episode 7: Do The Dream Episode 7: Do The Dream https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-7-do-the-dream/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-7-do-the-dream/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2020 02:05:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/281efca5-12bb-36a2-9c19-e2a277f3829b How heavy metal made me want to be smart...and the corniest thing I have ever said to another person to get them to join my band.

]]> How heavy metal made me want to be smart...and the corniest thing I have ever said to another person to get them to join my band.

]]> thetothzone false No 1166 9 full Episode 6: My Cousin, The Rock Star Episode 6: My Cousin, The Rock Star https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-6-my-cousin-the-rock-star/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-6-my-cousin-the-rock-star/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/ad4d20db-ac66-3021-9a9b-341426eeab95 How my late cousin, Peter Steele of Type O Negative, taught me that life need not be a series of compromises, concessions, and fading passions.

]]> How my late cousin, Peter Steele of Type O Negative, taught me that life need not be a series of compromises, concessions, and fading passions.

]]> thetothzone false No 1014 8 full Episode 5: Me and The Boo Episode 5: Me and The Boo https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-5-me-and-the-boo/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-5-me-and-the-boo/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2020 08:01:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/5d7638f1-39c0-32e7-949d-121543717b01 How my disabled sister helped me discover my musical voice...sorta.

]]> How my disabled sister helped me discover my musical voice...sorta.

]]> thetothzone false No 1031 6 full Episode 4: I Wanna Go Down To The Basement Episode 4: I Wanna Go Down To The Basement https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-4-i-wanna-go-down-to-the-basement/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-4-i-wanna-go-down-to-the-basement/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2020 08:01:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/6349041a-ee37-3688-81d3-a9b32802c063 Uncle Cut Above; betrayed by baseball (and Kiss); the suburban basement as music laboratory.

 

]]> Uncle Cut Above; betrayed by baseball (and Kiss); the suburban basement as music laboratory.

 

]]> thetothzone false No 1710 5 full Episode 3: Ground Zero Brooklyn Episode 3: Ground Zero Brooklyn https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-3-ground-zero-brooklyn/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-3-ground-zero-brooklyn/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:08:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/80adc1b7-65b7-337d-aacc-b25f963b0173 Genesis of a mania -music freak ground zero; my very first band and our one and only concert featuring my sister, the four-year old “slut”; some valuable early lessons in showbiz.

]]> Genesis of a mania -music freak ground zero; my very first band and our one and only concert featuring my sister, the four-year old “slut”; some valuable early lessons in showbiz.

]]> thetothzone false No 1290 3 full Episode 2: Looking For Clues Episode 2: Looking For Clues https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-2-looking-for-clues/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-2-looking-for-clues/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:04:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/cfb94876-11a2-37e3-9587-bf594a682bb8 Following the breadcrumb trail; the OTHER New York City; first concert and first records; the search for Sucker MCs.

]]> Following the breadcrumb trail; the OTHER New York City; first concert and first records; the search for Sucker MCs.

]]> thetothzone false No 1453 7 full Episode 1: Introduction Episode 1: Introduction https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-1-introduction-1598791837/ https://thetothzone.podbean.com/e/episode-1-introduction-1598791837/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2020 07:55:00 -0500 thetothzone.podbean.com/a097bc75-9bbb-33a9-985d-9a8111b22b67 Welcome to The Toth Zone, a podcast about how an obsession with music gave me a reason to live...and also wrecked my life!

Every memorable episode of my life is connected in some way to music. How did this happen?

 

]]> Welcome to The Toth Zone, a podcast about how an obsession with music gave me a reason to live...and also wrecked my life!

Every memorable episode of my life is connected in some way to music. How did this happen?

 

]]> thetothzone false No 1161 1 full