ALL CHARLIE RECKSIECK POSTS
VIDEO: Lifeboat
A Rare Straight-Faced Song
A song without a home, "Lifeboat" is a rare emotional detour from my usual cynical songwriting. Written with Spud Davenport, it never found its place with Leaders In The Clubhouse.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-10-27 Read post
10 Favorite Books About Music
Not Necessarily The Best, Just My Favorites
From Charles Mingus to Keith Richards, these ten favorite books explore music through outrageous memoirs, sharp cultural criticism, rock-and-roll mythology, and deep dives into the artists and ideas that make music matter.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-10-20 Read post
The Ryan's Steakhouse Story
The Greatest, Grossest Tale Ever Told
A long-lost classic from Charlie's early-2000s pop culture site Shtick!, this legendary Ryan's Steakhouse story may be the funniest, grossest restaurant disaster ever committed to the internet. You have been warned.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-10-13 Read post
Best Songs About Cocaine
Not Quite A Definitive Coke Playlist, But Close
A sprawling, highly subjective playlist of songs about cocaine, from cautionary tales and drug-fueled excess to dark humor, rock mythology, disco, country, hip-hop and songs that simply sound like cocaine.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-10-06 Read post
Genghis Cohen
A Church, a Chinese Whorehouse, and the Bowels of Show Business
Genghis Cohen was one of my favorite places to play: a tiny Chinese restaurant music room where low-level musicians, occasional stars, industry hopefuls and over-served performers shared the same dark little stage.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-09-29 Read post
My 25 Favorite Bass Players
One For Me AND You
An absurdly detailed, organized and well-researched article that takes the simple idea of my favorite bass guitarists and turns it into an obsessive document of the greatest bass lines of all time.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-09-22 Read post
Sync Placements and Networking (Part 2)
Yes, It Can Be WHO You Know
A practical guide to sync licensing and music industry networking, explaining how relationships, introductions, music supervisors, and genuine connections can create opportunities for musicians. Part 2 emphasizes that there's no magic formula for success.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-09-15 Read post
Sync Placements and Networking (Part 1)
Yes, It Can Be WHO You Know
A practical guide to sync licensing and music industry networking, explaining how relationships, introductions, music supervisors, and genuine connections can create opportunities for musicians. Part 1 focuses on our successes.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-09-08 Read post
Bigfellas Origin Story (Part 2)
The Exciting Conclusion To Our Beginning
Part 2 shows building the band, early rawness and poor attendance, losing Tim Gadzinski to Wisconin and settling in to what The Bigfellas would end up as.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-09-01 Read post
Bigfellas Origin Story (Part 1)
We Answer What Nobody Was Asking About
Part 1 focuses on why we started playing together in the first place and how glorious those inglourious shows were for the first couple of years. Just three (then five) knuckleheads in music for all of the right, ridiculous reasons.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-08-25 Read post
Is Kenny Loggins -I'm Alright- the Greatest Song of All Time?
I'm Not Kidding
This song has everything: A can't miss songwriter at the top of his game, brilliant production, simple drums, energy, complex vocals, an association with a beloved movie and a gopher. Name me another song with all of that.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-08-18 Read post
Grant Recksieck "TV Glossary"
His 1980's Proto-Listical Still Holds Up
Grant Recksieck's funny 1980s TV Glossary skewers television, its personalities, conventions, commercials, critics and cliches with one-liners that still resonate today. My dear departed dad shows that good satire never goes out of style.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-08-11 Read post
The #1 Hit That Family Ties Built
Billy Vera Pulled Off the Greatest Film/TV Song Placement of All Time
Billy Vera's "At This Moment" went from forgotten 1981 single to #1 hit after a legendary Family Ties placement. Explore the unlikely TV moment, music industry luck, and enduring story behind the song.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-07-28 Read post
U2 - Street of Zzzzz's
Why Does This Perfectly Adequate Song Do So Little for Me?
U2 remains one of rock's greatest bands, but their latest song feels surprisingly ordinary. This review explores why a legendary group can still disappoint, balancing admiration for their legacy with an honest look at a missed opportunity.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-07-21 Read post
Indy Jones
Why Independent Music Coverage Has Become Increasingly Positive
Why are indie music reviews becoming more positive? One musician-hyphen-critic explores changing music criticism, internet snark, reviewer incentives, empathy, honesty, and the challenges of covering independent artists.
Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2026-07-14 Read post
