Car Con Carne

I’m back for a special end-of-the-year episode! Watch/listen for a handful of memorable highlights from 2025, including two especially wonderful musical performances.

As I explain early in this episode, this is in no way meant to be considered a “best of.” With over 80 episodes recorded this year, it would be impossible to pull something like that together (and incredibly unfair to my guests). Consider this an...

Comedian/radio personality Kevin Kellam returns to guest host and welcome special guests Sklar Brothers! 

Randy and Jason Sklar have been seen everywhere, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Playing House, Better Call Saul, Roast Battle III, Grey’s Anatomy, Entourage, and Cheap Seats on ESPN Classic. 

My big takeaway from watching this episode is that I want the Sklars...

Comedian/radio personality Kevin Kellam returns for another guest-hosting stint, and this time around he welcomes comedian Adam Burke.

Kevin digs into Adam’s comedy career and the details of Adam's recently-released comedy special, “Unamerican,” recorded at the Den Theatre. There are also a few political tangents, and Kevin learns Amerigo Vespucci’s name for the first time (Ciao, Kevin!).

Thanks to Kevin for...

Guest host Jaime Black interviews Stewart Hicks (Associate Dean of Physical Resources and Planning and Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago) about his eponymous YouTube channel that features deep dives on all things architecture.

Hicks details the role of architecture in our everyday lives, reveals the work that goes into producing his YouTube videos, and shares how Chicago influences ...

Hi. It’s me. James VanOsdol. As my recent (and forthcoming) guest hosts continue to kill it, I’m finally in a physical and emotional place where I can check in and let you know everything that’s been going on with me.

This isn’t a traditional episode - it didn’t make sense to read sponsor tags or play the theme song - instead, it’s a full recounting of all the medical stuff going on with m...

As I continue to recover from a variety of appendix-related issues, I’m turning to capable and talented guest hosts to keep Car Con Carne running.

This episode offers something a little bit different: It features the podcast-hosting debut of my daughter, Fiona VanOsdol. Joining her are her friends Faith Ferry and Fionn Riley, co-hosts of her college radio show called “The F Word” (their names all start with &ldquo...

Guest Host Evan J. Thomas (TAG Publicity, Sound Fury Magazine, Bad Ass Radio Network) fills in for me while I'm recovering from a cruel appendix. For this episode, he welcomes Chicago rockers Now It’s Dark, who are set to play the Bad Ass Radio Network's 4th Anniversary Show at Durty Nellie’s on December 5.  

Thanks for supporting Car Con Carne, especially during this weird period where I’m off the grid....

As I continue to recover (and prepare for a couple of procedures and impending surgery) from appendix issues, I’ve excitedly turned Car Con Carne over to guest hosts.

For this episode, Karen and Ivan from the Chicago bass duo Bellhead steal the keys to the car while I recover. Their guest is a post-punk legend, entrepreneur, author, and museum founder: the infamous Martin Atkins (Pigface, NIN, PiL). They recorded at Ma...

Hello from James VanOsdol. As I type this, I’m recovering from appendix-related issues and preparing for an appendectomy just before Christmas. I’m counting it as a holiday gift. Bottom line: I’m not able to get out and record the podcast in-person or at my usual pace at the moment.

When I first announced that I had been hospitalized (twice!) for a perforated appendix, I had a few kind friends offer to step in and...

Sam Russo put out his fourth album (“Hold You Hard”) a few months ago and is currently touring the states in a run-up to the Fest in Gainesville later this month.

The new album was written across America, and feels like the result of travels that were well, if not thoughtfully, spent.

Sam jumped in my car in front of GMan to talk about the new album, video-making, songwriting, and a shared love for horror ...

The Flock was making noise on a national level starting back during the Nixon administration. They were unorthodox for the time: Jazz. Prog. Rock. Fusion. A little bit of everything, all masterfully played by the individual band members.

They put out a few major label albums in their prime (Columbia, Mercury) … then, just as quickly as they came onto the scene, they faded away. 

Jerry Smith (bass/vocals) from the Flock ...

This episode finds me at the fabulous Volo Antique Malls, where I can easily lose myself for hours at a time. Owners/managers Keith and Lisa Santiago sat down with me to talk about collectibles and antique culture, as well as the fact that their buildings are “haunted.”

Seemed like the perfect time of year to dig into the latter, as paranormal tours of the facilities are being conducted along with the Volo Auto M...

Frank and River of wht.rbbt.obj are back to talk about their excellent new album, “Oscar Bravo Juliett.” As I mention early in this episode, the new album is a collection of songs that are alternatingly (sometimes all at once) fuzzed out, torchy, sexy, and searing.

We met at Charlie Beinlich’s in Northbrook for burgers (and a tuna salad sandwich) - thanks to the team there for the unexpected curbside servic...

I’m back at Noon Whistle’s Lombard Brewpub (800 E. Roosevelt) for this one. They’ve pulled me back with yet another mad scientist idea.

I’ve had cicada-infused Malort there. I choked down Garlic Butterlort, still an all-time low taste experience.

And now, I’m back for a Car Con Carne collaboration of sorts: Malort Con Carne, which is Malort infused with… chili.  I’m join...

It’s my favorite time of year - I’m back at Hellsgate Haunted House in Lockport to see what’s new at the haunt and meet up with creator/owner John LaFlamboy. Joining me for the trip this year are two of my favorite people: John and Maria of the synthy, edgy, glorious gothpop duo clubdrugs.

Get tickets at hellsgate.com - Thursday-Sundays through the 19th,  then Wednesday through Sunday starting on the 2...

In what’s accidentally become an annual tradition, I’m joined by America’s favorite monster band, the Oooozin’ Ahhhs. We met at the wonderful Cigars and Stripes (6715 Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 // stripesbbq.com) for the episode, and recorded at the bar.

Looking for spooky monster rock this Halloween season? Check out the Ooozin’ Ahhhs all October long:

10/17 the Roxy (Lockport)10/18 Liars Club1...

I’m joined by Emilie and Josh from Venus Club — they’re a dark wave Chicago band that I absolutely adore. The new EP, Extended, is dreamy, haunting, and well positioned for your autumnal listening pleasure. 

We met in a south side parking lot, as people do, and chatted about their sound, their drunken origin story (subject to debate?), Ace of Base’s oeuvre, and they joys of physical media.

Car ...

Bass Drum of Death was back in Chicago on 9/24/25 for a show at Beat Kitchen, and I sat down with John Barrett (singer/multi-instrumentalist) shortly before he took the stage.

We talked about:

*Chicago, and the band’s “Live and Let Die” album that was recorded at Cobra Lounge.

*The new album, “Six,” a fuzzy, garage rock, banger.

*What major lifestyle change has freed John up while on tour...

Indie-soul band, Jacob on the Moon, recently released their new EP, “The Gemini Club,” and it’s absolutely excellent. Band mastermind, Jake Dineen, joins to talk about the EPs concept and the band’s infectious, unique sound (Nü-yacht?).

Keep an eye out for upcoming shows from Jacob on the Moon - this is clearly a band meant to be seen live.

Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation:&nb...