The Audio Files Ep. 22: Thanksgiving Mash-pit

Brad Zerbo and Jaytriot dive into a full-blown Thanksgiving-week celebration of collaborations and mashups, exploring some of the most surprising pairings in music history. From Run-DMC and Aerosmith’s culture-breaking “Walk This Way,” to Public Enemy and Anthrax detonating the first true rap-metal crossover, the hosts trace how these unlikely unions reshaped entire genres. They showcase viral mashups like Bob Marley fused with Billy Idol and Slayer reimagined on banjo, bringing both laughter and genuine admiration for the creativity behind them. Brad and Jay share personal concert stories, debate the evolution of rap and metal, wander into classical influences on heavy music, and even highlight Pavarotti performing with Bono and Jon Bon Jovi. The episode winds through punk pits, metal symphonies, techno threads, and childhood nostalgia before closing with the iconic Bowie/Bing Crosby Christmas duet and its hilarious modern recreation. It’s a wide-open, energetic hour of music geekery, surprises, and pure audio joy.