L.A. Meekly: A Los Angeles History Podcast
L.A. Meekly is a monthly comedy podcast about Los Angeles history put out by comedians Greg Gonzalez and Daniel Zafran that battles the idea that LA has no history by delving in the weird, unbelievable and, occasionally, haunted details from the past of their native city.

To close out 2022 we've got a couple tunes for you. This month we're featuring some Americana-Folk-Rock-Bluegrass straight from the country heart of Los Angeles with Rose's Pawn Shop. Tune in while we take a listen to their songs Ghost Town and Better Now.

Direct download: roses_pawn_shop.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:48am PDT

A decade of ghost stories. That is what we have given you. Now it's time for you to give it to US. This Creepy Christmas/Chaunted Channukah you sent in your Los Angeles ghost and alien stories and we're reading them here tonight! This episode is best enjoyed at night.

Direct download: creepy_10_finished.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:16am PDT

Tis the season...TO SPEND! Our 2023 365 days of Los Angeles history calendars are out now. Listen in on how to buy yours in time for black friday!

Direct download: calendar_announcement_itunes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Settle in by the turkey roasting fire and pop on the latest Meekly Music Box because, to get you in the mood for the holiday, this week we're featuring the big band jazz of Angela O'Neill and the Outrageous8. Tune in as we learn about the band and listen to their songs "Now and Again" and "New York Minute." And don't miss out on hearing Daniel accidentally call Christmas "Halloween" once again proving he's Jack Skellington. 

Direct download: angela_oneill.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

We're all lost in this episode about supermarkets because it's the holiday season and it's inside of supermarkets where you'll be spending most of your time for the rest of 2022. In honor of that, we'll be covering the history of a few of the city's biggest supermarkets. We'll be talking Vallarta (14:55), Trader Joe's (29:05) and Ralphs (1:03:00).

Direct download: supermarkets.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Come one, come all. Step right up. We've got a brand new Meekly Music Box to fit the season. We're proud to feature the music of the live organist at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater Edward Torres. While not a traditionally recorded musician, Edward was kind enough to make a recording of the sort of musical medley you will hear at one of their shows including the songs "Paramount On Parade," "September In The Rain," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and the beloved "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

Direct download: edward_torres.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Grab some popcorn and a bloody knife because for Halloween this year we're discussing some of the most iconic Los Angeles horror movies. We'll be talking about everything from Night of the Comet and Nope to Chopping Mall and Tales From the Hood.

Direct download: la_horror_movies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Stop, hey, what's that sound? It's the Meekly Music Box so shut up and listen. This month we are pleased to feature the music of Sad Girlz Club. Settle in as we talk about the two sides of punk and listen to their songs "Problems" and "I Think I'm Ready."

Direct download: sad_girlz_club.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Crank up that dial (volume button) on your receiver (phone) and tune in to our newest broadcast (episode). This month we'll be talking about the radio history of Los Angeles. We'll cover the very early days (16:44), KHJ (29:55), Power 106 (52:36) and KDAY (1:19:07).

Direct download: radio.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

If you're hearing music that must mean it's Meekly Music Box Monday. A phrase we've never used before. This month we are thrilled to feature Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles. They are the world's first LGBTQ+ mariachi band and we'll tell you all about them as we listen to "Popurri Rocio Durcal" and their cover of "My Way."

Direct download: mariachi_arcoiris.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Just when you thought you were out, we pull you back in to another episode of L.A. Meekly. This month we're diving into two of the titans of the classic mob era of Los Angeles: Jack Dragna (16:09) and Mickey Cohen (42:30).

Direct download: mobsters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Pack your headphones, we're taking a trip to Magic Baby Island. Courtesy of this month's featured band: A Horse A Spoon A Bucket. We'll tell you everything you need to know about one of the most unique bands in Los Angeles as we listen to Party Baby and Gopher Jamboree.

Direct download: a_horse_a_spoon_a_bucket.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

A second podcast hosted by the Meekly boys right here in my feed? It better be about candy you say? Well you're in luck. We are proud to introduce our new show Candy Is Dandy: The Candy Review Podcast. Listen in to this backdoor pilot and hear our first episode on Snickers and please subscribe to the show anywhere you get your podcasts!

Direct download: Introducing_Candy_Is_Dandy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

It took 103 tries but we're finally doing the episode we've always dreamed of: the donut history of Los Angeles. And the best part: we try a donut from every place we cover. We'll be discussing (eating) Yum Yum (14:58), Winchell's (29:28), Randy's (46:30) and the Cambodian American history of the modern day mom and pop donut shop (1:05:13). Grab a dozen and eat along with us!

Direct download: donuts_quieter.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

You're in for a treat this time, meeklings, because on this month's music box we've got the Valley's own Raised On TV.

Settle in to get a taste of the Valley sound with their songs "Mess I Made" and "Caroline."

Direct download: raised_on_tv.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

We're going on a trip and you're coming with us whether you have the time off or not. This month we're getting loose and offering up the best day trips surrounding Los Angeles and how L.A. has shaped these places and vice versa from Solvang to Knott's Berry Farm.

Direct download: road_trips.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

We did it. We got him. We are thrilled to present to you an interview we had the privilege of doing with L.A. history icon Charles Phoenix. Listen in as we discuss the mid century allure of southern California, what it means to L.A. to lose our cultural treasures and the best affordable pizza in town.
Direct download: charles_phoenix.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Has it been a year of the Meekly Music Box already? We started 12 months ago so it must be. This month we're featuring the music of Lamar Woods and Juancho Ca$h. For this very special anniversary episode we have Juancho Ca$h himself (aka Carl Tart) to talk about their music and the specific flavor Los Angeles gives to "lifestyle rap."

Direct download: lamar_woods_and_juancho_cash.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Listening to L.A. Meekly has always been a gamble but this month that's a good thing. That's because we'll be discussing the history of gambling in Los Angeles. From the early wild west days (10:51) to the offshore gambling boats (21:12) to the heyday of Gardena (55:56).

This episode is brought to you by People's Choice Beef Jerky. Use promo code LAMEEKLY15 to get 15% off your order today.

Direct download: gambling.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

An L.A. Meekly episode in your feed this late in the month? Why, Easter must have come late and Passover and Ramadan right on time! Tune in for this virtual field trip with Laura Tejeda of L.A. Taco Live. We'll discuss the ins and outs of L.A. Taco, her food based activism in East Los Angeles and how Daniel can stop gentrifying things.

Direct download: laura_itunes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Crank up the old crank powered radio and settle in to listen to our featured band this month: Townland. We'll be getting into their origin and current incarnation as we listen to The Solid State and Gin Atomic.

Direct download: townland.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

100 episodes. Could you ever have believed it? Could you ever have wanted it? To celebrate, we're going deep into the life and work of the patron saint of Los Angeles and L.A. Meekly: Mary Pickford. We'll cover her life (11:46), United Artists (49:24) and Pickfair (1:28:03). Plus we get sappy thanking all you smelly fans.

This episode brought to you by the Hometown History podcast found anywhere you get podcasts.

And by Q for Quinn. Use promo code LAMEEKLY for 15% off today.

Direct download: mary_pickford_itunes_version.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

The ides of March may be coming tomorrow but if I were you ide listen to this: our 10th episode of the Meekly Music Box! This month we are thrilled to feature the incredible Ginger Root. Hear all about the man and learn what "aggressive elevator soul" sounds like as we sit down and listen to "Juban District" and "Mahjong Room."

Direct download: ginger_root.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Just a brief listen to announce a very special new project that is out today!

Direct download: video_ad.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

This month we're pulling back the curtain for two stories of the people behind the scenes of the movies and music you know and love. The people who helped make things run smoothly outside of the public eye. One will horrify you. One will delight you. Both will ruin popular entertainment for you forever. We'll be covering the debauchery and crimes that were covered up by the notorious Eddie Mannix (15:07) and the musical geniuses that were The Wrecking Crew (1:08:15).

Direct download: behind_the_scenes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Love is in the air and barf is in the mouth. That's why this month's featured band on the Meekly Music Box is the one, the only: Fartbarf. Tune in while we listen to "Simple Planet" and "Master of the 5 Count" and hear about the band's mission of making perfoming as hard for themselves as possible. 

Direct download: fartbarf.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Is there any better way to spend Valentine's Day than in a public park? Probably not because it's free. If you could not care less about Valentine's Day then you'll still love this episode on a few of the city's public parks because it's also free. We'll be covering the hilly beauty of Elysian Park (12:18), the architectural glory of the Barnsdall Art Park (47:13), the concrete "charm" of Pershing Square (1:25:55) and the man made tragedy that led to the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (1:57:17).
Direct download: parks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Sit back, plug in the old podcast turntable and bask in the glory of this month's Meekly Music Box. This go round we are featuring the "souldies" of Los Yesterdays including "Time" and "Nobody's Clown." You're going to love them as much as Daniel loves claiming his car is a low rider.

Direct download: Los_yesterdays.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Step right up and welcome to 2022. Where history reigns supreme and also repeats itself. This month we're covering a few of the city's old and old timey attractions including the Pasadena Veloway (13:31), the Moonlight Rollerway (46:59) and the Cawston Ostrich Farm (1:08:08). Happy New Year!

Direct download: old_attractions.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT