Back On The Grind

MC Homeless & Pepe explore how the early days of folk punk & DIY rap were intertwined. They discuss the impact of early connections, memorable performances, & the evolution of MC Homeless as a rapper. They reflect on the importance of community in the music scene, the challenges of documentary filmmaking, the excitement of returning to music after a hiatus & collaborating with punk...

summary In one of my favorite conversations to date, Harley Flanagan (founder of the Cro-Mags) explores his life story & the complexities of his experiences. Expect to hear about his family legacy, a chaotic childhood, the realities of growing up in a unique environment &, difficult topics such as abuse &, grief. He discusses the impact of punk rock in Ireland, his introduction to skin...

Michael Schneeweis (Mr. Michael Motorcycle / Friends In Real Life) & Pepe explore the theme of safe journeys. Pepe shares a couple of stories as metaphors for life's challenges & Michael offers his thoughts in response. Ultimately, they emphasize the value of relationships, support systems & tools in overcoming obstacles & finding safety in an unpredictable world. Themes of lonelin...

April & Pepe delve into the themes of nostalgia, loss, & the creative process behind Apes Of The State's latest album. They discuss the personal stories that influenced the music, the collaborative nature of songwriting, & the impact of community & friendship on the artistic journey. The conversation highlights the importance of honoring loved ones in song & the challenges of n...

Answering questions submitted by fans & other musicians, Myles Bullen explores their latest album with Pepe Bandit. Myles reveals an unknown history to Pepe that has secretly connected them both for over 15 years. Themes of connection, community & cathartic music are also brought up. Myles discusses the evolution of their music, particularly the transition from hip-hop to a more folk punk...

In part two of the 4 movies series, Spoken Nerd talks with Pepe Bandit about The Last Circus. A film they both loved so much it got its own episode dedicated to it. This is one of Pepe's all time favorite movies...Tune in to see what the hype is all about! Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods patreon.com/BackontheGrind HIGHLIGHTS: The Last Circus - youtube.com/watch?v=fDhw367f9oI Balada...

" I try to live my life in a fearless way " Christoph Jesus of Crazy & The Brains, shares his journey as an artist, recalling experiences performing with various bands, the differences between opening & headlining shows, & the challenges of facing criticism. He emphasizes the importance of artistic freedom & the essence of punk rock, which he believes is rooted in intention & e...

Spoken Nerd & Pepe Bandit each pick two movies for the other to watch & then discuss with you. This episode explores 3 of those films, Beast Of The Southern Wild, Accion Mutante, & The Substance. Check out the movie previews (linked below.) Then in part 2 of this series, they dedicate the entire episode to The Last Circus (you might want to watch it before it airs on April 15th.) We cl...

In this conversation, Rob & Noah from TheTaxpayers discuss their journey back to music after nearly a decade without a new album. They explore the themes of their upcoming release 'Circle Breaker', including trauma, loss, & the hope that follows. The band reflects on the resurgence of interest in their music, particularly through platforms like TikTok, & compares their past, more DIY s...

In this conversation, former political prisoner Eric King shares his experience of incarceration & the profound impact of relationships during his time in prison. He discusses the journey that led him to federal prison, the challenges of maintaining connections with loved ones, & the unique bond he formed with his wife, Rochelle. He highlights the importance of emotional support & unde...

For the final installment of our Johnny Hobo Q&A, Brook Pridemore joins Pepe to offer some more perspectives on the questions listeners sent in. They also discuss some of the general happenings of the folk punk scene from the mid to late 2000's. Enjoy! (There will be some additional Pat The Bunny questions answered by Pepe on our Patreon feed) Support the podcast to get bonus episodes + goods...

Wondering what the upcoming Friends In Real Life album will be like? Well, here's a sneak peek... The day after Pat (fka Pat The Bunny) announced he will be releasing music for the first time in 10 years, Pepe decided to chat with friends April Hartman of Apes Of The State & Julio "Ceschi" Ramos of Codefendants about the new album. Expect to hear what Pat's return means to them & the scene...

***Please take the poll in the Spotify show notes & tell us what Johnny Hobo music we should repress on vinyl*** Pepe answers questions you all sent in, largely about Pat The Bunny during the Johnny Hobo days while also reflecting on his own journey through the folk punk scene. He shares personal stories of struggle, inspiration, & the DIY ethos that defined the era. Pepe emphasizes the im...

Matt Pless & Pepe explore many engaging topics. Expect to hear about music & creativity from the time of early humans to the age of social media. Matt shares his extensive journey through the music scene & his time hanging out with Pat The bunny. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating between different musical worlds & environments & the impact it has. Matt...

In this informative episode, Pepe takes us on a journey to revisit the early days of folk punk with a focus on Pat the Bunny (Johnny Hobo) & the DIY Bandits label that released much of his music. He enlists the support of longtime friends Dani ChaoFlux & Mark Leonard who also spent time with Pat during those days. Together they explore a fascinating origin story that sparked a local commun...

Todays COFFEE BREAK features The Homeless Gospel Choir discussing the song writing process & touring. Listen to the full interview here: Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6a0xC8MZqfVjEzwAnOAtGN?si=c0dad602914d42b8 Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeless-gospel-choir-a-hopeful-conversation-around/id1681556943?i=1000618989421 Support the podcast & get bonus episodes + goods patreon.com/B...

In part two of this shadow work series, Pepe explores examples & thoughts about the shadow through Apes Of The State, Rent Strike, Carl Jung & his own personal journey in prison & more. Expect to learn what you can gain from doing shadow work yourself & some practical action steps to help you begin the process as well as a couple book recommendations to start with. No longer let th...

John Warmb of the band Rent Strike returns to the show & talks to Pepe about recording their latest album Möbius Strip Mall & why they often makes concept albums. A large portion of the conversation focuses on the power of words & the magic that flows through & out of them. Together, Pepe & John explore some practical of examples of how we cast a spell with the words we speak &...

In this episode of Back on the Grind, Pepe Bandit discusses the transformative power of the shadow. Drawing from his background in life coaching, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma recovery & more, he aims to help others understand the shadow correctly. He discusses the differences between repression & suppression & how shadow material can accumulate over time & unconsciously inf...

Todays COFFEE BREAK features an exclusive clip from our patreon featuring P.T. Burnem. He discusses meditation and Pepe shares a story about toilets in prison. Article about prison toilets: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2024/10/21/what-its-like-to-poop-prison/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other Use the code SHIPFREE to Get free shipping on any order from stayfreecoffee.com or follow...

" We became mermaids at the parade. " In this conversation Pepe does his best to get The Looms to open up about some rumors surrounding the band. They share their unique journey, touching on themes of rituals, personal loss, and the collaborative nature of songwriting. The band members reflect on their diverse backgrounds, from metal influences, philosophical studies & working in the medical f...

In this conversation, Pepe Bandit and Jo Rodriguez discuss the impact of music on their lives, particularly folk punk music. They share personal stories of how certain musicians or songs have helped them through difficult times and provided a sense of grounding. They also discuss imposter syndrome and the challenges of feeling like they don't belong in certain spaces or conversations. Jo mentions...

"In any corner of the radical left it makes most sense for this conversation to be happening, in my opinion, it's in the folk punk world." Community organizer and musician shugE joins Pepe to discuss the tactics of cancel culture & rethink if they align with folk punk & radical politics in general. Is cancel culture the best way to create a better world? Does it reproduce harmful aspects o...

John Crunch comes on to share his story of opening a successful gay bar (The LURE) in the 90's. We also dive into what it was like to discover punk rock & the fact he was gay when he was younger. From there we follow his story to becoming a state trooper at 19, facing harassment/resigning, moving to NYC, getting sober, supporting folk punk and much more. Overall, John is just a regular guy who...

Welcome to the first Back On The Grind Coffee Break. Our Coffee Breaks will appear occasionally & feature moments from our regular or exclusive patreon episodes. The Coffee Break is a way we can give you a quick glimpse into what happens here at Back On The Grind. This Coffee Break features Ceschi & Pat (formerly Pat The Bunny) discussing musical inspirations. Support the podcast on Patreo...