Back On The Grind

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...

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...