Ever wondered about the darker side of music history? Wonder what really went on behind the scenes of your favorite artists' lives?

You're in the right spot! Once you've read our review, you will know how Jake Brennan's unique storytelling changed music history podcasting.

Let's now find out why this show is a must-listen for true crime lovers and music addicts!

What Makes this podcast so captivating?

Disgraceland is not your typical music history podcast, and neither is it a true-crime podcast.

This show brings to you the most shocking, thrilling stories from the music industry. Not just stories, in case you wonder, but the most exciting stories from the music industry's shadowy past.

Jake Brennan perfectly blends true crime and music history in such a way that you won't be able to stop listening. Let me tell you, this podcast is addictive!

In a very cinematic way of production, Brennan hosts in a manner that whisks his listeners away with the storytelling, sound design, and musical elements of each episode to the historical moment he's discussing.

Each story is highly researched and theatrically narrated, making the show at once documentary and radio drama in nature.

The sound design is intricate, and there's a wide use of music cues, ambient sounds, and dramatic pauses, meant to enhance the storytelling and capture the listeners' attention through the whole episode.

Brennan's noir-style narration adds another layer of atmosphere, making each episode feel like a mini movie for your ears.

When does Disgraceland air?

New episodes come out bi-weekly, and each season is thoughtfully crafted to feature both household names and more obscure-but-equally-interesting tales.

You can find it on PodcastAi Chart, where you can track the ranking of all most popular music shows of 2025.

The show is available on all major podcast platforms, so diving into its extensive back catalog of episodes is very accessible.

Who's the host?

Jake Brennan is a musician, creator of original podcasts, and co-founder of the audio company Double Elvis.

Having begun his musical career in 1994 with the hardcore punk/heavy metal band Cast Iron Hike, Brennan toured with and released a number of records from 1994-1998.

He went on to form The Confidence Men in 2001 and solo projects, signing with labels like Yep Roc Records.

By 2010, Brennan was touring with the band Bodega Girls under the stage name Jacob Otis, releasing digital music.

Following his career as a musician, he became well-known for creating and hosting the Webby Award-winning podcast Disgraceland.

In 2018, he further diversified his podcasting portfolio by co-founding Double Elvis to produce and host the podcasts Dead and Gone, The 27 Club, and Blood On The Tracks.

To date, Brennan has also been an executive producer on such other hit podcasts as Dear Young Rocker and Here Comes The Break.

Most recently, he released Badlands, a spinoff series from Disgraceland in which he covers celebrities and athletes' salacious lives.

Must-Listen Episodes

The archive for the show is full of amazing stories, but a few episodes have become legendary among listeners.

Here is a small list we recommend:

INXS: Sex, drugs, and the mystery of Michael Hutchence

This episode looks at the life and mysterious death of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence in truly riveting fashion. For anyone who enjoyed '80s rock or a good true-crime yarn, this takes the listener through his rise to stardom, his demons, and into the dark forces surrounding his early demise.

Sean "Diddy" Combs: Power, ambition, and hip-hop's deadly rivalries

This episode covers Sean "Diddy" Combs's rise to the top of the music world and his involvement in the East Coast vs. West Coast rap feud. Music, drama, and controversy create a dramatic portrait of one of hip-hop's most powerful figures.

Grateful Dead: Peace, love, and deadly obsessions

This episode explores the dark side of the Grateful Dead through the counterculture movement, the very dedicated fans, and some crimes committed in the Deadhead community. Fascinating spin on how the band created a very fascinating effect with a lot of chaos at its rear.

The Beach Boys: Harmony, dysfunction, and the shadow of Manson

This episode digs into the chaotic history of the Beach Boys in relation to Charles Manson. It peels back the layers of the band's sunny image to reveal internal strife, dark influences, and the shocking ways their lives intersected with infamy. Chilling but captivating listening.

But there are many more you might want to listen to! The Jerry Lee Lewis episode, which really digs deep into the rock pioneer's shocking personal life and suspicious connections to death, really shows everything that makes Disgraceland great.

The Sam Cooke episode examines the mysterious circumstances surrounding the soul legend's death, while the Norwegian Black Metal episodes delve into one of music's darkest subcultures.

This list of Disgraceland episodes might go on and on, so just click here, hit the music section, start your first episode and and find out what we're talking about! Not an Apple guy? No worries! We're on Spotify too!

You may also like

Lost Notes: Groupies

This podcast tells the stories of groupies, those ardent and misunderstood fans who altered the course of musical history in ways that are rarely acknowledged. It's a new perspective on fandom, artistry, and the cultural shifts accompanying music.

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

This podcast chronologically takes one through the history of rock and roll by dissecting 500 influential tracks. It goes deep into the songs that made up the genre and the stories behind those songs. Read our review here!

The Joe Budden Podcast

Join Joe Budden and his crew on this podcast for honest discussions of the music industry, hip-hop culture, current events, and personal anecdotes. With a combination of humor, insight, and bold takes, this really is not to be missed by any lover of music. Read our review here!

The Bottom Line

What makes Disgraceland a great show is the fact that any episode features a popular artist and narrates a story you've probably heard before, but didn't know so much about.

I can promise you'll instantly know why Disgraceland is among the most popular music podcasts today.

With professional production, great narration, and fascinating subjects, it is easily explained why the listeners keep on asking for more of these dark stories from music's shadowy past.

Remarkably, it manages to balance sensitive topics with respect and keeps the listeners entertained.

Each episode is a sort of mini-documentary: the historical context, musical references, and dramatic narration bring these stories alive.

Disgraceland is a great choice for a fan of true crime narratives, or just someone who loves good music. If you love both, this podcast is for you.

If our extensive review of Disgraceland couldn't convince you that this is the show for you, here are plenty of awesome shows of all kind, all on PodcastAi Chart!

Still unsure about what to listen to? Here are some ideas:

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