If you're a fan of music and true crime, then you've probably listened to Jake Brennan's "Disgraceland" podcast (and if now, what are you waiting for?!). But, aside from filling in his loyal listeners on these wild stories involving some of the biggest artists in the world, the podcaster is helping to celebrate the graduating Class of 2020, who are missing out on their graduation ceremonies due to the coronavirus pandemic, by delivering a speech as part of iHeartRadio's "Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020" podcast.
In his speech, Brennan uses Dave Grohl's Foo Fighters tour rider to interpret to graduating seniors just how to succeed in their careers like rockstars — once they are able to "venture out into the workforce." As Jake promises, "If you follow every one of these instructions laid out by the FooFighters and interpreted by me, then you too will be a success in life, just like Dave Grohl, just like me,Jake Brennan. Don't f*** this up, your life depends on it."
So, how does a tour rider translate to becoming a success? Here are a few of the highlights:
The rider starts off by requesting that there is clear signage at the venue, pointing out where their road crew can eat "so they can begin their arduous 70 to 90 minute work day." Jake interprets this as, "This says a couple of things. First of all, it says, don't take yourselves too seriously. Rock and roll is serious business as I'm sure whatever the hell it is you're going to pursue as a career is. But that doesn't mean you have to take yourself and your job completely seriously at all times."
The band requests magazines on their rider, but no Rolling Stone or Spin. And as the podcast writer, host and producer explains it, "This is possibly the most important lesson you can take from the Foo Fighters rider, and it is this: f*** the critics. Sub lesson, rock journalism is stupid. You're going to have haters in life who try to keep you down. Even Dave Grohl does, and he knows better than to read that while he's chilling backstage with his fancy soups and fat roadies, getting ready to go rock the house."
From an earlier Foo Fighters rider, it says that the band will not share a dressing room with any other performer EXCEPT if they are Supergrass, Oasis and/or Led Zeppelin. Jake explains, "So much to glean from this one simple sentence. Number one, don't be afraid in your career to ask for what you want. If you don't want to have to travel to wherever the hell every second Thursday of the month because it's an inefficient solution and you have a better way of doing it, then don't be afraid to tell your boss you have a better way. He or she will respect you for it or fire you, in which case you can blame Dave Grohl, not me. And number two, be very particular in who you associate with in your career."
And Brennan's parting words: "The world is ready for your set, so go hit the stage and crush it."
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! iHeartRadio’s ”Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020” podcast celebrates this year’s graduating students as they take their next steps into the world. For more inspiring speeches from celebrities, athletes, business leaders and more, listen to the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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