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 punk community & his eventual incarceration. Pepe reflects on the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions & the role of music & spirituality as an outlet during difficult times. Hear about upcoming music & book releases & the conversation closes on the evolution of the folk punk community, its current state & its potential going forward.

**This interview was conducted by Jarda (Smažená pikantní škeble) for the online Czech magazine Alarm. We play a song of their's at the end. There's links below to the print version if you want to read it or see some pictures of me since I don't post myself online much :)

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• DIY Bandits started as a response to personal struggles
• Bridging genres was a key focus from the beginning
• Community engagement was essential to the label's mission
• The label was rooted in working-class experiences
• Incarceration led to significant personal reflections
• The importance of taking responsibility for one's actions
• Support from family & community was crucial during confinement
• Spirituality deepened through Pepe's solitary experiences
• The journey of writing a book was initially daunting
• The folk punk community is evolving & becoming more inclusive
• The importance of giving back to the community is emphasized
• Pepe feels a sense of responsibility to share his journey
• Song "Going Postal" by Smažená pikantní škeble

Support Jarda (Smažená pikantní škeble) who arranged & conducted this interview:

• smazenapikantniskeble.bandcamp.com/music
• Read the interview (english) medium.com/@michljarda/what-supports-you-when-theres-no-one-left-to-support-you-bab448d386d8
• Read the interview (czech) denikalarm.cz/2025/10/folk-punk-pro-me-vzdycky-znamenal-neco-vic-nez-jen-hudbu-rika-pepe-bandit/

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send me questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 bonds formed through shared adventures. In this conversation, Scott & Becky delve into themes of living freely, love, loss, & the importance of cherishing memories, particularly of their friend Tomas, who embodied the spirit of freedom & connection.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods (there's even a FREE option)

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

takeaways

• How Scott got introduced to trainhopping
• Scott's reconnection with Tomas
• Connecting over punk music in high school
• How Becky met Scott
• Scott's first train with Tomas
• Becky meets Tomas
• Tomas as a human being
• Becky reflects on the traveller community
• Music's ability to bridge different cultures
• Embracing conflict & challenging societal norms
• Scott's difficulty talking about Tomas & Profane Sass
• Piggly Wiggly story
• Support, love & respect from family
• City Of The Rails podcast
• A tragic fire in a New Orleans squat
• The potential consequences of trainhopping show up
• Fond memories of Tomas
• Song: Mexican Trains by Profane Sass

Connect with Scott's projects Bridge City Sinners / Profane Sass / Flail Records:

• instagram.com/bridgecitysinners/
• instagram.com/flail_records/
• open.spotify.com/artist/1U68fpoBsx5HK1RSvr7yZQ?si=K77gP-lMQXyyW9k8Wmo2IQ

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out! Send questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com/episode/3zgVBj55YKIqErg55Jw1to?si=T0i_mqg-SAOE4Ea8GmdhNw
• Apple Podcast - podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-on-the-grind/id1681556943?i=1000611301075
• Website/RSS - shows.acast.com/back-on-the-grind-1/episodes/facing-fear-with-apes-of-the-state

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Follow/engage with the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Say hello, send me questions, comments or future topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (I read them all)

*Word of mouth really matters. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

1. Share your favorite episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
2. Leave a rating or review. It will help me reach & support more folks like you & that's why I do this :)

Stay Free until next time!

Pepe Bandit

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 also covers topics like the thigh master, how AI robot, humanoids are currently being sold to replace the deceased & what AI could mean for the future of music.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Beat based vs guitar based music
• “Once you’re identified as folk punk, you’ll always be identified as folk punk”
• Being among a community while creating the album
• Having a fear of confrontation
• Thoughts on April Hartman
• Thoughts on Small Chucks
• Thoughts on Patrick Schneeweis (formerly Pat The Bunny)
• Suffering quietly as an alcoholic
• Thoughts on Toby Goodshank & Angela Carlucci aka Double Deuce
• Remembering the Thigh Master & Suzanne Somers
• AI humanoids to replace the dead
• AI & the future of music

Listen / Connect Brook Pridemore:

• open.spotify.com/artist/5ZWHEFolveKJpzm9Cbd5ml?si=z5QD8sMuSAOwhgAp14DFvQ
• brookpridemore.bandcamp.com/music
• instagram.com/brookpridemore/?hl=en

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all, even if it's an older episode)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 punk & more mentioned in this episode:

open.spotify.com/playlist/2Xhq4qecLwq8DiI5x0vVPA?si=vPyUnlUzQJCV7vafXEi8DA

HIGHLIGHTS:

• How do I distinguish my many new “likes” from a true “passion”?
• You talked about never wanting to get married, so what changed & how did you know Lee was "the one"?
• 6 Questions to bring your relationship closer & deeper
• Mike Wilson on Fly Fly Superheart Fly
• I vibe with your intellectual space...Could you recommend some books?
• Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
• The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Stay Free Anthem by BlueRaspberry
• Finding Meaning In The Second Half Of Life by James Hollis
• Jung And The Alchemical Imagination by Jeffrey Raff
• How do I help friends with depression or addiction?
• Advice for setting up renegade shows

Listen to Mike Wilson:

• open.spotify.com/artist/0pULVNhcCRT9158jRhNaFr?si=0HvqwvHLSZCI3xA8P7MLsw
• mikewilson.bandcamp.com/

Listen to BlueRaspberry:

• open.spotify.com/artist/3qe9yQNewUenzzMhfHLPmT?si=1ppcpODZR5GFaICHD4WDYQ
• blueraspberry.bandcamp.com/?search_item_id%3D3919554126%26search_item_type%3Db%26search_match_part%3D%253F%26search_page_id%3D4794229089%26search_page_no%3D0%26search_rank%3D1

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 album isn't available on streaming platforms. Tune in for a fun dive into the worlds of music, art, history, crate digging for vinyl records & more.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Being an avid record sniffer
• The not spending more than $15 on a record rule
• Jeffrey's take on streaming music
• Jeffrey’s artwork & “low budget movies”
• Jim Morrison’s father’s connection to the start of the Viet Nam war
• Donovan as a secrete influence
• The history behind The Bundles & why it's not streaming anywhere
• "Do What Comes Natural" song is played

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• What non-folk punk songs do you listen to?
• 3 ways to offer prisoner support
• Tips for interviewing people
• What folk punk you listening to currently?
• Tips on finding folk punk friends
• New to the scene & wondering what it looks like to dress more folk punk at shows
• New music from friends that Pepe is excited about currently

Pepe's Playlist from this episode & more:

open.spotify.com/playlist/2Xhq4qecLwq8DiI5x0vVPA?si=vPyUnlUzQJCV7vafXEi8DA

Pepe's Rocksteady playlist:

open.spotify.com/playlist/1og9SP4Leh9a8mbcEqDI0c?si=SEH0yXawTFizpYgjFOcN0w

DOUBLE RAINBOW

Bandcamp - doublerainbow.bandcamp.com/track/i-talk-english-2

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/i-talk-english/419670335

DUSTY THE KID

Bandcamp - dustythekid.bandcamp.com/track/when-the-leaves-come-out

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/when-the-leaves-come-out/1804771643

instagram.com/dustythekidd/

CRAZY & THE BRAINS

Bandcamp - crazyandthebrains.bandcamp.com/track/catatonic-youth

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/catatonic-youth/1828016948

instagram.com/crazyandthebrains/

CRICKET

Bandcamp - crickettheguy.bandcamp.com/track/1-up

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/1-up/1695642904

instagram.com/crickettheguy/

RUEN

Bandcamp - weareruen.bandcamp.com/track/a-neglected-spark-burns-the-house

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/a-neglected-spark-burns-the-house/1823876291

instagram.com/weare_ruen/

MARBLE BERRY SEEDS

Bandcamp - marbleberryseeds.bandcamp.com/track/on-the-walmart-radio

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/on-the-walmart-radio/1813968478

instagram.com/marbleberryseeds/

CONFESSION KIDS

Bandcamp - confessionkids.bandcamp.com/track/sprouts

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/sprouts/1820342010

instagram.com/confessionkids/

MYLES BULLEN

Bandcamp - mylesbullen.bandcamp.com/music

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/song/iamnotforeveryone2-feat-chris-og-and-the-dopameanies/1832711191

instagram.com/beatboxpoet/

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 role. Join us as we explore the transformative power of improv in overcoming fear, anxiety, mistakes & struggles connecting to those around us. Through engaging stories and insightful discussions, discover how the principles of improv can enrich your life & relationships.

Whether you're an improv enthusiast or new to the concept, this episode offers valuable lessons on embracing spontaneity, finding joy in the unexpected & living a more fulfilling & fearless life.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• How active listening & improv enhances relationships
• Turning mistakes into opportunities
• Improv can help reduce anxiety & boost self-confidence
• The principles of improv (that can be applied to enhance your daily life)
• Understand how trust is built through improv's core elements
• The joy of incorporating play into daily life
• Get inspired by simple improv activities to try with your friends
• 'The Meantime' song is played

Connect with Folk Punk Dad:

• instagram.com/folkpunkdad/
• open.spotify.com/track/0Ennhx56ZT72sZReoafieY?si=0e1a4438a9564706

Back On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

• Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
• Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.