P is For Punk

On this episode of P is for Punk, J Navarro of The Suicide Machines joins the show to take a deep dive into the band's album, War Profiteering Is Killing Us All . We discuss the political climate that inspired the record, working with Bill Stevenson at The Blasting Room, the band's return to its hardcore roots, and the stories behind the track. Drew and J reflect on the album's legacy more than tw...

This week on P Is for Punk, I'm joined by Jon Lewis of The Dopamines for a track-by-track breakdown of the band's album,  Vices . Jon reveals that he originally wanted the record to be an EP before growing into one of my favorite full-length releases by the band. We dive into the stories behind songs, the songwriting process, the recording sessions, and how Vices formed.  Follow The Dopamines on i...

n this special interview episode of P Is for Punk, I sit down with Gabriel Rotello, author of The CBGB Conspiracy , for a deep dive into one of the most legendary eras in punk history. Gabriel shares firsthand stories from New York City's 1977 punk scene, reflects on the lasting legacy of CBGB, and discusses what it was like playing the iconic venue during its heyday. We also explore his writing p...

This week on P Is for Punk, we cover The Falcon's Unicornography . We break down the band's Chicago punk roots, the album's bizarre artwork, and every track from this "supergroup".  Follow on instagram @pisforpunk

On this episode of P is for Punk , we're tackling one of the most influential and divisive punk records ever made: Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come . When the Swedish hardcore band released the album in 1998, it confused fans, sold poorly, and was followed almost immediately by the band's breakup. Yet over the following decades, it became a blueprint for modern post-hardcore, metalcore, and exp...

This week on P is for Punk, we're taking a deep dive into Somewhere in the Between by Streetlight Manifesto. We explore the band's history, how they helped evolve ska-punk beyond its third-wave roots, and why this 2007 album remains one of the genre's defining records. From the explosive energy of "We Will Fall Together" to the emotional depth of "Forty Days" and the title track, we'll break down...

On this episode of P is for Punk, we dive into Against Me!'s legendary 2002 debut album, Reinventing Axl Rose. We break down the history of the band and how Laura Jane Grace transformed Against Me! from a raw acoustic folk-punk project into one of the most influential punk bands of the 2000s. We explore the evolution of songs from Crime and the Acoustic EP into the louder, more explosive versions...

Drew takes a trip through  Quality Soft Core by Mad Caddies, one of the most genre-bending records to come out of the punk and ska scene of the late 90s. Mixing punk energy with ska rhythms, reggae grooves, jazz influences, and surprisingly emotional songwriting, the album carved out its own weird little lane. Track by track, Drew breaks down the sounds, lyrics, and themes that made Quality Soft C...

This episode sits down with Jay from Punk4Kids, a musician turning punk energy into something bigger than music. What started as a fun project for his son has grown into a movement focused on creating original punk songs for kids, while highlighting the powerful connection between music and children with disabilities. We talk about how Punk4Kids began, the impact music can have on communication, b...

This episode dives into the comeback EP from The Lillingtons. After more than a decade away,  Project 313 hits fast, catchy, and way darker than expected, blending sci-fi themes with anxiety, isolation, and mental unraveling. We break down all four tracks: "Until the Sun Shines," "Rubber Room,"  "Project 313," and  "It's On."  We dig into the lyrics, guitar tones, structure, and how this EP quietl...

On this episode of P is for Punk , I sit down with Blag Dahlia of The Dwarves to talk about their upcoming album Jenkem . With pre-orders available now and the record dropping June 5, we get into the band's writing process, how their chaotic energy turns into music, and why The Dwarves continue to thrive as a collaborative, ever-evolving creative force. From raw punk ethos to the madness behind th...

On this episode of P is for Punk , we sit down with punk rock legend Greg Norton ( Hüsker Dü ) and Ryan Smith ( Soul Asylum ) to talk about their new band, UltraBomb . We dive into their upcoming record The Bridges That We Burn , unpack the new single "No Cap," and explore how they're building something that stands on its own. Greg and Ryan get into their writing process, the intention behind crea...

This week on P is for Punk , we're taking a deep dive into On the Impossible Past by The Menzingers,  a modern punk classic that helped define the sound and storytelling of the 2010s. Track by track, we break down the musical composition, lyrical themes, and emotional weight behind each song. This is an album built on memory, regret, growing up, and the moments that stick with you whether you want...

Eric from Western Mass Ska & Punk Shows and Heather of Futon Lasagna (and CEO of Vibes) stop by the show to talk all things Pioneer Valley Ska Fest, going down July 24–25 in Springfield, MA. With 30 bands across two days, including headliners Buck-O-Nine and Thumper—this fest is shaping up to be a can't-miss weekend. Eric and Heather dive into what it takes to bring a festival like this to life, t...

This week on P is for Punk , I finally sat down and listened to Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols by the Sex Pistols front to back for the first time. I went in expecting sloppy, angry noise… but what I got was something way tighter, louder, and more intentional than I thought. From the stomp of "Holidays in the Sun" to "God Save the Queen" and "Anarchy in the U.K.," this record is c...

This week on P is for Punk , we're hanging out with David McWane from Big D and the Kids Table . We talk about the new album The Good Ole American Saturday Night , the chaos behind the single "Whiplash," and Strictly Rude turning 19. David also breaks down how you pick the right single for a record and what it takes to stay true to your roots after 30+ years as a band.

This week on P is for Punk, we're breaking down Morbid Stuff by PUP. We go track-by-track through a record that turns anxiety, burnout, failing relationships, and full-on meltdowns into loud, catchy, and painfully honest songs and their impact on Drew personally. We also dig into where PUP came from, what makes this album stand out in modern punk, and why its mix of vulnerability and aggression co...

This week we cover Less Than Jake's sophomore album Losing Streak We break down the band's Gainesville DIY roots, their jump from the underground success of Pezcore to a major label with Capitol Records, and how Losing Streak captured a moment when ska-punk was exploding across MTV, college radio, and skate culture. Then we go track by track through the entire album and why these songs still reson...

On this episode of P is for Punk, we break down the raw, reckless debut that helped launch thrash metal into the mainstream. From the firing of Dave Mustaine just before recording to Cliff Burton's legendary bass solo and the anthem "Seek & Destroy," we go track-by-track through Kill 'Em All and explore its punk roots, hardcore energy, and lasting legacy. Joining the show is Jason "Biggie" Mansmit...

This week on P is for Punk , we break down Joyride the Pale Horse by Heart Attack Man. We cover the band's history, their evolution from Midwest DIY punk to a darker, sharper sound, and go track-by-track through songs like "One More Song (Imposter Syndrome)," "Call of the Void," and "The Gallows."  If you're into punk rock, pop-punk revival, emo revival, hardcore influence, and album deep dives, t...

This week we're diving into  In Desolation , the 2011 album from Off With Their Heads . With tracks like "Drive," "Trying to Breathe," and "Clear the Air," the record finds themes digging deep into depression, addiction, and isolation with striking honesty. Drew breaks down the songwriting, the emotional weight of the album, and why In Desolation remains one of the most impactful punk releases of...

On this episode of P is for Punk , Tane from Tightwire joins Drew to dissect their 2023 album Head Full of Snakes . From track-by-track breakdowns to the meaning behind the artwork, they explore how emotionally honest songwriting can still deliver huge hooks. Catchy, vulnerable, and loud in all the right ways. Follow Tightwire on Instagram: @tightwirempls

Group Sex takes us straight into the filthy, fast, and furious heart of early '80s hardcore. This episode dives into the Circle Jerks' landmark debut, an album that didn't just define the sound of L.A. hardcore, but helped set the rules for punk's speed, attitude, and DIY chaos. I'm joined by Joel from High Anxiety Radio as we break down the history behind the record, the scene it exploded out of,...

This episode of P is for Punk dives into Failures in Art: Sordid Youth Vol. 2 , a compilation that captures the evolution of Raging Nathans from 2017–2021. Joining me is Josh Goldman , frontman of the band and owner of Rad Girlfriend Records . Together, we break down every track on the comp, talk through the band's history leading up to this release, and dig into how these songs reflect different...

On this episode of P is for Punk , I'm digging into Everything Sucks by the Descendents , the 1996 record that helped define what modern punk rock would sound like moving forward. After years of silence and lineup changes, the Descendents came roaring back with an album that blended their classic hyper-melodic punk sound with sharper production, tighter songwriting, and that same unmistakable mix...