Today's interviewee is a fixture in Chicago's radio scene. He currently co-hosts "The Spiegel & Goff Show" on 670 AM The Score (where he's worn lots of hats, including co-host of the "McNeil & Spiegel" and "The Danny Mac" show). Prior to that, he was one of the original producers of the rock talk show "Sound Opinions," helping it migrate from WXRT to NPR here in Chicago. Off-air, Spiegel Matt writes baseball columns for 670thescore.com and for The Daily Herald and is the singer/cofounder of the musical beast Tributosaurus, a band that morphs into a different rock group with every monthly performance (watch them become Sting at their next show in May!) And, as you can see from his photo, he's also a dad. You can follow him on Twitter and tell him all the ways you strongly agree with his take on Chicago sports here.

I was just re-reading Tina Fey's Bossypants and she talks about the types of people she prefers to work with (talented, but not crazy, like, punch-you-in-the-face-at-work.) You've had many radio partners, some more combustible than others, but on the air, a quiet, polite person might just not fit the bill. What, to you, makes a good on-air cohost?
I think that is a very specific different answer for every host. Or at least there are 4 or 5 different archetypes.

For me, I need a natural agitator next to me. I need someone who's not afraid to be the bad guy, who loves to ruffle feathers (including mine), and allows me to be the level-headed, sensible, erudite, calm presence I perhaps wrongly believe I am. I love to re-direct polar opinions towards the more sensible middle, taking shots at both extremes along the way.

The best co-hosts, whether they realize it or not, play by the golden improv comedy rule: "Yes, and." They do not deny or shut down a train of thought. They happily go with you, acknowledge what you're trying to say, further the conversation and follow it through. That's where the great stuff is. 

Also, and this is an ideal, both hosts should be able to drive a topic, and also sit next to you as you do it. If one of us sounds good, we both sound good. If I shine this hour, you will next hour, like a band with two great guitarists, who can each play lead or rhythm.

How do you maintain a long radio career and a happy home life?
Wait...do you know? Do you?!?! TELL ME.

I know this much: I desperately need a healthy, calming transition at 2 pm. Usually it's beautiful music; often acoustic, harmony laden, wistful singer-songwriter stuff. Nick Drake. Crosby, Stills and Nash. Fleet Foxes. Sufjan Stevens. Or it can be perfectly grooving, soulful, melodic, not too showy jazz. Duke Ellington. Miles. Cannonball Adderly.

Basically, the direct sonic opposite of the blather I've just created.  

Does your son ever listen to you on-air? What feedback does he give you?
I think he listened in the car with my wife once. The feedback consisted of "that's my daddy!" He had the same inspired feedback when he came to see the band. Best reaction I've ever gotten.

What were some of the most difficult transitions you've had to make over your career between various locations, employers, colleagues and so on? How'd you get through them?
Man. There's been a lot of odd juxtapositions. In the late 90's and early aughts I often would go from a Saturday night "jobbing" gig (wedding, private party, etc) that went to midnight directly to Sporting News Radio to host the 2 am to 6 am shift. Plenty of time to watch highlights, read stories, and craft topics. Sometimes in tuxedo pants.

For 9 months I hosted the morning show on SNR, then drove from Northbrook to Navy Pier to produce the first year of "Sound Opinions" on WBEZ. Brain collisions. Those kind of shift to shift transitions are so fun, and feel unique. The last several years Tributosaurus has played in a bar for Cubs Opening Day with Lin Brehmer on WXRT, and then I walk down the street to a different bar to host my own sports show on WSCR. I have to be the only guy that ever did that, right?

Last summer, as Dan McNeil was figuring out what he wanted to do, I hosted middays with 11 different co-hosts in 10 weeks. I can honestly say I enjoyed working with every single one of them, and that each pairing achieved at least a little bit of magic during the course of a show. I'm the youngest of 5; I get along with most people. Even the jerks. But watch yourself...the jerks can get you in trouble.

You grew up in Jersey, went to Boston for college, had a brief fling with California, and have mostly been here as an adult - how do you choose your son's sports allegiances?
I actually wrote about this topic once in The Daily Herald. I was born into Red Sox fandom, indulged it in college, then moved here and acquired some Cubs affection. I have decided not to imprint any particular tribalism on to the boy. Is it really my business or mandate to make sure what team he's into? Does my ego demand he like some colors or logos I find pleasing? I mean, I'm gonna support any hobby he digs, within reason. I better support any team he falls for.

If he ever asks for a particular hat or piece of clothing, it's his. But I'm not forcing it. I'll be watching everything for work (job security willing), so it'll be interesting to see where he goes.

What acts of themes have you always wanted to do for Tributosaurus but haven't yet?
TV Theme Songs. We'd have to do like 40 or 50 of them to fill a night. But my god that would/will be fun. I got dibs on "Maude."

Band-wise, we've hit nearly all the biggies. And now we've sort of sized our audience into needing to do artists of a certain largesse. It's hard to narrowcast when a club expects you to draw 300 people.

I actually really want to do U2, and stay as much in the first 4 or 5 albums as possible. "Two Hearts Beat As One." "11 O'clock Tick Tock." "New Year's Day." "A Sort Of Homecoming." "Red Hill Mining Town."

Have you noticed any themes in sports and music alliances, IE Bears fans tend to like this but Packers fans that?
I will write this book, Zulkey. And/or do this podcast. I'm not giving you my blueprint.

Okay, here's one item: Blackhawks fans who liked the team before they got popular are exactly the same as, say, Nirvana fans who resented Nevermind. "I liked them before you did. So lay off my favorite stuff. I'm more worthy of enjoying the good times. Stop making the tickets so expensive."

The nerdy passion is the same; both sides just usually don't want to admit it.  

Who would you rather get a beer with, a diehard Cowboys fan or a die hard Dave Matthews Band fan?
Cowboys. There's a massive body of work you can't help but respect there...with great coaches, hall of fame players and memorable ups and downs.

The DMB guy....I'd just be sitting there wondering how he could think that Carter Beauford was a tasteful drummer. You don't have to play all of the rhythms all the time and show me how good your chops are on every tune! Serve the damn song! Listen to Ringo or Charlie Watts! Stop overplaying!

It's kind of like a pitcher who throws as hard as he can every time, no matter the results. Mix it up man, surprise somebody! Wait...I just gave you more of my blueprint.

What are some songs that you've always thought would make excellent jock jams that never hit the big time?
First thought: I always thought you could make a really good emotional montage about some team's traumatic season with The Smiths' "Oscillate Wildly" as the soundtrack. I know that is the furthest thing from a jock jam, but this pairing rolled around in my college head and has never left, nor has it ever been utilized.

I'm always gonna feel a "toughness" correlation with 90's alt rock stuff. Bad-ass guitar riffs with thundering drums. If I were a closer on a big league team, I would walk very slowly from the bullpen to the mound to "Man In The Box" by Alice In Chains.

I don't get the sense that you're a pushy dad but if you were one, which would you be more inclined to steer your son towards, music or sports?
Music. Play an instrument. I don't even care what. I'd recommend piano or guitar for chordal knowledge, but play something. Learn the discipline of practice and the joys of expression. Feel emotions wordlessly, be they created or heard. 

And who knows, people you want to kiss may dig you for it.

What would people be surprised to hear you listen to?
I can't get enough of hearing stand-up comics talk about their dysfunctions and creative processes. Something about their self awareness and willingness to turn that into humor just feels so healthy. So, "WTF with Marc Maron," "Kevin Pollack's Chat Show" sometimes...those are always in my BeyondPod. 

And here's one glorious guilty musical pleasure: George Miichael's "Listen Without Prejudice." I'll harmonize along to the whole damn record. 

How does to be the 406th person interviewed for Zulkey.com?
It feels righteous. You know what that number means to a baseball fan?

On the last day of the 1941 season, Ted Williams' batting average stood at .3996. His manager, Joe Cronin, told him he could sit out the last 2 games (a double header) and make history with his average rounded up to .400.

Ted declined, went 6 for 8 in the double header, and hit .406. That's swagger. He remains the last man to ever hit .400 or better in a season.

He was my dad's favorite ballplayer.