Back On The Grind

Amy fronted Evil Robot Us' a DIY folk punk band out of Buffalo that shared its first bill with Against Me! and later toured and recorded with Erik Petersen — but this story follows where that punk ethic took her next: ten years as a children's librarian, a decade as a professional aerialist and storyteller, and now grad school to become a therapist for kids and families. Pepe and Amy trace the thr...

Pepe Bandit & Chris Conde discuss queer identity & expression through music. Chris addresses the discomforts that can arise in early personal life & performances around this subject. They explore censorship & cancel culture & the importance of growth within the community. The dialogue emphasizes the need for open communication & understanding while confronting these issues....

A bonus episode that explores 3 different perspectives (audience member / band / organizer)from this years STOOP FEST! We play Pathétique by Frog Legs at the end. First Interview - Greg Bee (audience member) Second Interview - Frog Legs (band) Third Interview - Willow (organizer) stoopfest.org instagram.com/froglegspgh/ froglegsband.com/ Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods pat...

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Pat almost refused to do this. Before we even hit record, he told me he had a strong feeling this interview shouldn’t happen.  We gave it a shot anyway. What came out isn’t a story that is pretty & clean.  It’s what it actually looks like when someone is trying to figure out their life after actively screwing parts of it up. We talk about growing up feeling isolated & out of plac...

Pepe talks to Early Brunner who shares their journey through the punk community & train hopping to exploring themes of addiction/recovery, & the quest for freedom. They discuss their experiences with the challenges of navigating friendships amidst substance use, the realities of migrant farm work & they explore ideas around internal work. Early's story is a testament to resilience...

Pepe talks with Chris Casey—an innovative voice blending alternative rap with grungy rock music. Chris takes us on a musical journey from basement shows of local hardcore, screamo, and punk bands in the Savannah Georgia DIY scene and how it influenced his approach to creating authentic music of his own. He dives into the challenges of blending genres, and his lyrical themes of death, and existenti...

Pepe reaches out to his buddy Mike Wilson to have a regular, friend to friend discussion as if they were't on a podcast (except they are). Expect to hear about anxiety around starting new projects, uncomfortable feelings with promoting oneself, making lots and little money, Mike's stop motion videos, the text that Mike sent that made Pepe realize we all get carried away with the thoughts in our he...

Pepe embarks on an exploration with Endless Mike And The Beagle Club as they walk through their latest album, The Forest Is The Trees. Unlock the intimate thoughts behind a band that defies conventions—where 18-piece tours become a collective art form. Dive into the chaos and beauty of managing a constantly evolving lineup that sometimes hits 25 members, turning complexity into cohesion, every dec...

shugE and Pepe Bandit explore the often nuanced relationship between anarchism and folk punk music, tracing their historical connections and evolution. The discussion highlights the significant role of DIY culture, info shops, Crimethinc, and influential bands like Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains in shaping the genre. It delves into the community's practices and values, emphasizing mutual aid a...

Pepe talks with Chan & Emily from Porch Cat to discuss their experiences with disability & accessibility within the folk punk community. They share personal stories about living with chronic illnesses, the assumptions people make about disabilities, & the importance of creating inclusive spaces for all. The discussion also touches on the role of bookers & venues in ensuring accessi...

Pepe talks to A day Without Love (Brian Walker) who shares the profound impact of personal history, particularly the Trail Of Tears & its connection to the 50-state tour he completed. Brian explores how witnessing & acknowledging existing community strengths can foster genuine connections. We also discuss the challenges & triumphs of organizing within the music world, the importance of...

Things get flipped in this conversation & Pepe gets interviewed. He explores the journey of the DIY Bandits, a record label that emerged from personal struggles & a desire to create community through music. The discussion covers Pepe's unique work of blending folk punk & hip hop, & the challenges he faced, including being poor while raising a family, rejection from some of the folk...

In this conversation, Pepe, Scott, & Becky explore the culture of trainhopping, & the connections formed through shared experiences. Scott recounts his journey into the world of trainhopping, influenced by his friend Tomas, while Becky shares her perspective on joining this lifestyle. The discussion highlights the joy of community, the challenges of societal discrimination, & the deep...

Todays COFFEE BREAK features April Hartman of Apes of the State discussing fear & sobriety. This clip originally aired in episode #1 Apes of the State On facing Fear (link below) Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit: stayfreecoffee.com Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods patreon.com/BackontheGrind Listen to the full episode - Apes Of the State On facing Fear #1: Spotify - open.spotify....

In this conversation, Brook Pridemore discusses their latest single My Friends In Crime & the more collaborative & community-focused approach in their upcoming album Only I Can Prevent Forest Fires. Brook offers thoughts on Pat (Friends In Real Life / formerly Pat The Bunny) & April (Apes Of The State) as well as other committed DIY musicians who appear on the single. The conversation...

Part 2 of a listener Q&A where Pepe dives deep into questions about passion, important books, relationships, supporting friends, setting up DIY shows and more, plus a cameo by musician Mike Wilson (who creates solo music and performs in Harley Poe). Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods (there's even a free option!) patreon.com/BackontheGrind Pepe's Spotify Playlist of folk pun...

Anti-folk legend, Jeffrey Lewis shares insights on sniffing records, his experience with the ever evolving music industry & streaming, & the secret impact of Donovan. Also hear about the unique connection between Jim Morrison's father & the start of the Vietnam War, & the history behind the band "The Bundles” (which Jeffrey was a member alongside Kimya Dawson) & why their...

Pepe brings on friends Eric King (former political prisoner), Brian Walker (A Day Without Love) & Justin Arena (musician/Together Press) to answer questions listeners sent in. Also, a bunch of songs get sampled throughout the episode. Be sure to check below for links to Pepe's playlists & the social pages of musicians mentioned in this episode. Support the podcast to get bonus episodes &am...

I was really surprised by this conversation as Folk Punk Dad helped me see the many areas my life was already embracing improv. From a stage mishap & heartfelt moment that led to an unexpected audience connection at a Friends In Real Life show, to playing with my kid before I entered prison, to solving a logistical challenge with a coffee roaster delivery, the principles of improv played a rol...

Jake McKelvie explores his evolution as a musician, the concept of being a 'scene elder' &, thoughts on performing in various types of venues. He reflects on the role of social media in promoting music & shares insights into his creative process, particularly regarding lyricism. The complexities of navigating the modern music industry & the balance between accessibility & value in...

Todays COFFEE BREAK features Mike Wilson of Harley Poe. He discusses pissing for authority figures & other fun stuff too. Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit: stayfreecoffee.com/discount/SHIPFREE Listen to the full episode - Mike Wilson of Harley Poe on opening & closing a record shop & the DIY ethos #28: Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6AzBDnGXyRT3mZh9I4EXZh?si=g6-8bauBRL6go_28XIY7EA A...

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of overcoming addiction & mental health challenges with certified Psychotherapist, Jason Shiers. From the early trauma of losing his father to battling addiction, Jason shares his transformative path to self-discovery & healing. We explore the profound insights & experiences that led him to embrace life fully, focusing on the importance of...

In this episode, Walter Mitty shares his journey as an artist, discussing the origins of his name, the evolution of his music & its transformative power to forge a journey of personal reinvention. A unique twist in this journey involves the symbolic act of burying an album in a cave, representing the mystery & depth of personal transformation. We also discuss the DIY spirit in music creati...

Jak & Pepe delve into the evolution of folk punk, discussing its origins, the impact of key bands like Days N Daze, & the role of music videos in the genre. They explore the various waves of folk punk, the importance of documenting the scene, & the deliberate approach some contemporary artists take in their music & performances. The discussion also highlights the significance of fr...