Music, Metal, and Shop Morale [E193]

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training

Episode Highlights:

Metal Music & Culture

• Matt opens with a quote from the documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey by Sam Dunn, discussing how metal celebrates what society often denies and why it remains a culture of outsiders.
• Shares his experience attending the Summer of Loud festival with his 10-year-old son, Christian, where they saw The Devil Wears Prada, Beartooth, I Prevail, Killswitch Engage, and Parkway Drive.
• Reflects on the positive atmosphere at metal concerts, breaking stereotypes about metal fans being angry or self-centered.

Christian’s Guitar Performance

• Christian, who has been taking guitar lessons for a few months, performed a medley at the Universal Music Center’s music fest in Red Wing, Minnesota.
• His set included:
• Eruption & Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love (Van Halen)
• Seek & Destroy & Master of Puppets (Metallica)
• Careless Whisper (Wham!)
• The crowd’s reaction shifted from curiosity to excitement as he played, proving his talent and stage presence.

Listener Questions Answered

• "What do terms like ‘putting someone over’ or ‘getting a pop’ mean?"
• Matt explains these are wrestling terms borrowed from pro wrestling lingo:
• "Putting someone over" = Making someone look good (e.g., helping them win or appear strong).
• "Getting a pop" = Eliciting a big reaction from the crowd (cheers or boos).
• "Kayfabe" = Maintaining the illusion that wrestling is real.
• He clarifies that while wrestling outcomes are scripted (a work), the physical toll is very real.
• "What are the music rules in your shop?"
• No strict rules—each bay has its own stereo.
• Genres range from metal to country to golden oldies, depending on who’s working.
• The shop’s soundproofing means customers never hear the music, so anything goes.
• (Matt jokes that if there were a rule, it’d be: "We play both kinds of music—heavy and metal.")
• "Is your shop air-conditioned?"
• Yes! They installed A/C last summer, and it’s been a game-changer for morale and productivity.
• Before A/C, the heat and humidity drained energy by mid-afternoon.
• Now, production stays high, attitudes are better, and it’s a major perk for attracting talent.
• Matt quotes a competitor: "If anything ever happens to our A/C, we’re getting a bigger one."

Final Thoughts

• Encourages listeners to challenge stereotypes—whether in the automotive industry or music scenes.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech Training

NAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.

Contact Information

• Email Matt: [e-mail]
• Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel
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The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/

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