Poetic Wax: Music History Hidden in the Grooves

Poetic Wax is a short weekly podcast where host Andy Fenstermaker digs deep into his vast record collection to uncover and share the history of bands, albums, songs, and more. Poetic Wax explores music history in all its forms, from new angles on things widely covered to the little known moments that create monumental change.
Episodes
Episodes



Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Jack White and the Gospel According to Noise
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Before becoming a worldwide rock icon, Jack White almost became a priest. And nowhere is the parallels between rock and roll and religion more present than on The White Stripes' 2005 album "Get Behind Me Satan." This video documents the story of Jack White's pivot away from priesthood, giving up the alb for an amp, and how he continues to weave his own parables of faith and morality into his music to this day.
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes.
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter
🎧 Get Jack White on Vinyl https://amzn.to/43EkaFC
🎧 Get The White Stripes on Vinyl https://amzn.to/3T37hQv
Poetic Wax is a weekly music history series hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, where he digs into the record collection he's been building since the 1990s to uncover the sometimes little told stories behind the artists, albums, and songs from within.



Tuesday May 27, 2025
How Charles Bradley Turned Pain Into Love
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Pain and tragedy were no stranger to Charles Bradley, who struggled throughout his life to find his footing yet never gave up on his dreams of being a musician. At age 62, he released his debut album, "No Time For Dreaming." Over the next 5 years, he recorded 3 more, the final being released after he passed in 2017. Known as the Screaming Eagle of Soul, this is the story of Charles Bradley.
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes.
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter
🎧 Get Charles Bradley on Vinyl https://amzn.to/3STwH2U
Poetic Wax is a weekly music history series hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, where he digs into the record collection he's been building since the 1990s to uncover the sometimes little told stories behind the artists, albums, and songs from within.



Wednesday May 21, 2025
Evil Morty's Theme: How Blonde Redhead Created "For the Damaged Coda"
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
This is the story of how Blonde Redhead created Evil Morty's theme song, and how Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and "For The Damaged Coda" went from a cult classic to a cultural phenomenon thanks to Rick & Morty.
ACCIDENTAL OMISSION: In addition to the core trio of Blonde Redhead, Tobias Nathaniel also contributed to this piece, providing the haunting piano part that dominates the song.
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes.
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter
🎧 Get Blonde Redhead on Vinyl https://amzn.to/4diKCJy
Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons https://amzn.to/4ksMDVO
More Blonde Redhead Vinyl: https://amzn.to/3DKAtHJ
Poetic Wax is a weekly music history series hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, where he digs into the record collection he's been building since the 1990s to uncover the sometimes little told stories behind the artists, albums, and songs from within.



Tuesday May 13, 2025
The CHAOS Behind Hawkwind’s "Warrior On The Edge of Time"
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
With just two months to craft an album to support an upcoming tour, Hawkwind created "Warrior on the Edge of Time," and it very nearly broke them. Members left, including the infamous departure of Lemmy Kilmister, who would then form Motörhead. This is the story of the chaos behind that album, its sci-fi cred, the fall out, and its lasting legacy.
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes.
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter
🎧 Get Hawkwind on Vinyl https://amzn.to/4diKCJy
Poetic Wax is a weekly music history series hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, where he digs into the record collection he's been building since the 1990s to uncover the sometimes little told stories behind the artists, albums, and songs from within.



Thursday May 08, 2025
How Thom Yorke’s Breakdown Created Radiohead’s "KID A"
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
After touring to support OK Computer, Radiohead was at a breaking point. Thom Yorke more so than the rest of the band. And as they approached the album that would follow, he fell into a slump. He couldn't write, he couldn't create, and he was spiraling toward complete destruction. Then something miraculous happened. One song formed out of snippets he began to collect after a period of throwing everything away, and suddenly everything came together. This is the story of KID A, and how Thom Yorke's breakdown led to a major breakthrough.
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes.
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter
Get Radiohead on Vinyl 🎧
Kid A on Vinyl https://amzn.to/3YRqIiP
Kid A Mnesia on Vinyl https://amzn.to/3EEoPiy
More Radiohead Vinyl https://amzn.to/4jEVX99



Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Picaresque at 20: How The Decemberists Made History Cool
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
By the time The Decemberists released "Picaresque" in 2005, frontman Colin Meloy had been honing his narrative, storytelling style of songwriting for more than half a decade. Despite having dabbled in the theatrical side of indie rock with both Castaways & Cutouts and Her Majesty, Picaresque brought it to a whole new level. This is the story of that album, and how The Decemberists made history cool.
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes. The YouTube episode includes reference links to audio/video clips featured in the episode.
🎧 THE DECEMBERISTS ON VINYL:
Get Picaresque on Vinyl: https://amzn.to/3GpwW2V
More by The Decemberists on Vinyl: https://amzn.to/4jOVUqD
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter.
Poetic Wax is a weekly music history video series and podcast hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, where he digs into the record collection he's been building since the 1990s to uncover the sometimes little known or little told history from within.



Saturday Apr 26, 2025
The WILD Truth Behind David Bowie’s Eyes
Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Ever wonder why David Bowie’s eyes looked like they belonged to an alien? If you’ve ever wondered why Bowie’s gaze felt like it could pierce through dimensions, you’re about to find out why. This is the weird truth of David Bowie and his strange eyes...
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes.
✉️ Join the Poetic Wax Podcast newsletter
🎧 DAVID BOWIE ON VINYL:
Station to Station on Vinyl 👉 https://amzn.to/3XBDxNd
Young Americans on Vinyl 👉 https://amzn.to/4hXY32S
More Vinyl by David Bowie 👉 https://amzn.to/3XrANCc



Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
How a NAKED Manager Saved New Order’s "The Perfect Kiss"
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
In 1985, New Order released 'Low Life.' It's time to dive into the wild story behind "The Perfect Kiss" and discover how a naked manager, Rob Gretton, sparked a synth-pop classic with a desktop rant, and how Jonathan Demme’s iconic video sealed its legacy. From studio chaos to dance floor glory, this is Low-Life’s craziest tale! 🎵🔔
Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes. The YouTube episode includes reference links to audio/video clips featured in the episode.
🎧 NEW ORDER ON VINYL:
Low Life on Vinyl https://amzn.to/3YCLdPS
Substance on Vinyl https://amzn.to/3YCnvDo
More New Order Vinyl https://amzn.to/42y2v1S
Substance by Peter Hook https://amzn.to/3Y6eoL0

Andy Fenstermaker
Poetic Wax is hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, an obsessive music fan who has been creating content since the mid 2000s. Former independent, college, and community radio host and music blogger, and current YouTuber and podcast host, Andy has been collecting vinyl since his teen years in the 1990s.