Crusher Talk with Hayley

I’m back from my latest run with Screeching Weasel and The Queers and have been reflecting on the field trip! Not only did our Tour Manager / Chihuahua Gidget meet Ben Weasel’s Chihuahua Feta, but we also took a romp through the world famous Mars Cheese Castle! (Yes, we did wear cheese hats). The “Bronze Fonz” in Milwaukee (Ayyyyyy!) Pappy’s Smokehouse in St Louis (Get the pork ribs) The podcast I...

"Jewel Case" is out everywhere now! Stream it and watch the new video. Today I talk about the ten-year-old story behind Hayley and the Crushers's newest/oldest song. Thanks for listening, sharing and supporting my music now and over the years! When the world is burning, it's only natural to turn to rock and roll as a last resort. Hayley and the Crushers on Tour See Hayley and the Crushers on Tour...

A quick and dirty hello from the Crusherverse today, where we’re working on some new art projects (puppy paintings with handwritten lyrics for the merch table) and preparing for a slew of gigs (with new drummer Stacy!). Don’t forget to RSVP on Youtube for our Jewel Case video premiere and live chat Tuesday, April 14 at 9 a.m. / noon eastern. TOUR DATES! *W/ Screeching Weasel WEASEL, THE QUEERS * A...

As you can tell from the sorry state of my vocal cords, we just got back from our run with Screeching Weasel and The Queers! Let’s debrief while Gidget and I decompress from tour. Feast your eyes on the March 2026 Screeching Weasel / Queers / Crushers Tour Poster (congrats if you got one, they are completely SOLD OUT): Check out Weasel’s poster artist Hooter Hicks on Instagram (and get ready for a...

Is what you wear on stage an “outfit” or a “costume?” Well, if what you wear resembles something a professional figure skater would hit the ice in, then yes! It is, indeed a costume. Just a funny thought I had this morning as the band prepares for an East Coast run! Michigan State Symbols Mug This is my favorite mug, BTW Cheesiest 80s/90s Ice Skating Outfits (Reddit) Super Cheap Nebulizer for sing...

The endless struggle for generational change, allowing the song to show you what it is and why home is where your dog is. Sorry for the barking in the intro…It gets better, I promise! We’re Opening for Screeching Weasel and The Queers March 19-22 - Grab tickets here! What Gidget are you Today? Meme (drop a comment for your daily horoscope) Our roadie Nick’s band The Randy B******s (he is currently...

When things go wrong, what can you do? Well, you can make a podcast about it! Reporting from our “meh” hotel room in Los Algodones aka “Molar City” Mexico. Sink your teeth in and commiserate with us. The Best things that happened to us on the West Coast Post - Hayley and the Crushers on Instagram Recording vocals in LA! Molar City Mexico (Los Algodones) Cookie Dough Twix (pretty gross—try at your...

Fresh out of the vocal booth and I am fully unhinged with enthusiasm — mostly because the Kitten Robot Records crew absolutely rules. Today: vocal booth confessions, behind-the-scenes moments from the new album and why you should always do a “bored take.” Trust me. Also, breaking news: Gidget is apparently the spitting image of an apex predator from Madagascar (please see below: baby Fossa ). Peop...

Love is in the air. Are you loving yourself, your people, your animals? A quick check-in to share album progress, new interviews and a little Galentine’s magic. Gidget making good use of her dog bag while enjoying the West Coast winter. : ) Interview with the Luna Collective ! Interview with Out of the Blue Zine ! Photography of Corey P. (She takes amazing band pics. ) Shoutout to my favorite Salo...

Thoughts on performance anxiety and how to trust the process—plus a quick detour through a honky tonk dance floor. The Little Red Hen - Honky tonk dance hall - Seattle, WA Jenny Don’t and the Spurs - Band - Portland, OR Hayley and the Crushers on Tour - Get tickets for our opening dates for Screeching Weasel and The Queers And a video for you beginner two-steppers out there (doesn’t the woman look...

When you hear the phrase “temporary alternative world,” what does that mean to you? The concept—which came up as I was listening to Ezra Klein interview the author of the book “The Art of Gathering” —struck me deep. Because isn’t that exactly what a good gathering, a good concert, a good pool party is? Whether you’re creating your own temporary alternative world or simply wish to be included in on...

Hello from our final installment of Crusher Talk from the Van, at least for the time being. We’ve FINALLY made it to California and Dr. Cain can’t help but run his mouth! No links today because we are tired. So very tired. Over 100 hours on the road will do that to you. Tune in this Thursday for tales from the Crusherverse Vault , and grab tickets for our tour dates opening for Screeching Weasel c...

Greetings from Twin Peaks, Washington, where we’re spending the week exploring the city and living out our Agent Cooper fantasies at the Double R Diner! The cherry pie verdict - $7/slice, scone-like crust with coarse sugar, worth every penny. Coffee: 7/10 on the diner scale, but the mugs were disappointingly meh. Double R Diner (Twin Peaks Diner aka Twede’s) - North Bend, WA Twin Peaks on Paramoun...

I don’t care how old you are. You should be doing water aerobics! Seriously, it is magical. Today, I (hopefully) help you whip up some feel-good chemicals during a dark time. At this point, all we can do is keep swimming... Busy Bones Mini for small-to-medium-sized dogs Raincoats for dogs (maybe your dogs will actually like them) Vintage Synchronized Swimming clips : ) From the Crusherverse Vault:...

UNLEASH THE CRUSHER! About my 2026 word of the year, why you can never have enough garlic, and the girl-fight that ensued at my first-ever punk show! Art Supply Center PDX , Portland OR Honey Latte Cafe , Portland OR - Dog friendly inside and out Midpoint Food & Drink , Portland OR (Great brunch - Get the Creston omelette or Spencer’s fave, chicken-fried steak and eggs) Bottlerocket PDX Food Truck...

Thrifting tips, cursed objects, fashion time loops and the King of cherry-flavored soda. Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Surprisingly elite? Here is what Reddit has to say. Dairy free? Ask for the Starbucks almond milk cold foam on top of your vanilla brown sugar iced shaken espresso Sanford and Son on Tacoma’s Antique Row - 20 shops! The cursed sculpture Dr. Cain Esq bought (Not confirmed haunted, bu...

From the van: Greetings from Green River Utah, home of the best sun-bleached roadsigns, fabulous al pastor tacos and (why not?) giant watermelons! Tacos La Pasadita - Green River Utah Melon Days! - Green River Utah Color theory for watercolor Dr. Cain’s (SOLD) fine art paintings 90210 Season 4 on Paramount Plus Below: Listen to Ryan’s demo guitar for “Careless Whisper” (should we cover it??) Read...

Greetings from the arctic blast! Today Hayley and Dr. Cain Esq report from icy Interstate 80 in freezing Iowa. Plug in your electric blanket and tune in! Bricheros - Making Our Way to the USA album Illegal Petes Mexican Restaurant - “Starving Artists” program helps out touring bands traveling through Denver, CO The Baltimorons Movie Dent May Musician - Website (favorite song Face Down in the Gutte...

Crushmas Clearance is Here! Substack peeps get early access to this weekend’s merch sale - grab 30% off our Bandcamp Shop now through Sunday night! (USE CODE MERRYCRUSHMAS) - **BANDCAMP SHOP ONLY!** (If you don’t see what you need at the Bandcamp Shop, we also have a new merch site - lots of cozy hoodies and crewnecks ready for the winter weather. Sorry, no small dog accessories yet! No-Brainer Ho...

Just a few little love nuggets for you! Thank you for the anniversary wishes! * Check your tone! You always have a second chance to turn it around. * PLAY as much as possible : ) * Schedule delightful things to do together (more exciting than you think). Try a fun list! * Shared responsibilities - depending on proximity / what you actually WANT to do) * Don’t expect your partner to change, but cel...

What a year it has been! My head is spinning. Thanks so much to everyone who came out to support us in 2025, and a very big thanks to Screeching Weasel for taking us on tour—it’s been the cat’s pajamas! (More supporting dates have been announced for next spring, so grab tickets! ) Pics of Screeching Weasel and Hayley and the Crushers at St Andrews Hall in Detroit Spooky Photos from the Tylenol Bal...

Ribbon dancer, c’mon and do it! A little jingle that’s been stuck in my head since 1994, swimming in the Detroit river, DEVO singing into an ice cream cone and being interested (not invested) in other people’s projections. Hot Talent Buffet DEVO on French TV - The Girl U Want Planet Ant Theater in Detroit The Bores on Bandcamp Belle Isle Swim Club Babes on Bikes Detroit Jefferson Chalmers Art Alle...

Little Village Detroit The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins Tickets for August Screeching Weasel Shows Crushers Merch Store (New Expanding Store Coming Soon!) Artist Justin Moll Sparkle and Destroy Podcast Sign up for the Hayley and the Crushers Newsletter (emails that don't suck). Just reply to this letting me know you want in and I'll add ya! XO! Hayley This is a public episode. If you would like...

Hello fellow Crushers! Here’s a taste of Sparkle & Destroy Podcast, the monthly show I make with my dear friend Danielle the MerCrusher Bagnall, available on Apple Podcasts app and wherever you listen! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts to snag the latest episode the moment it drops! : ) What’s the show about? Um…well… Rocker Hayley Cain (that’s me!) and Punk Ass Book Jockey...

Unsubscribing from old ideas, living in a swing state and the joys of walking around with a big metal stick. Ologies Podcast - Why people like third wave coffee that tastes like flowers and fruit Faster and Louder review of Unsubscribe from the Underground History of Franklin Cider Mill in Michigan The Congregation Coffee Shop in Detroit (get the carrot cake chai) See You Tomorrow in North End Det...