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 place.

Writing music while dealing with depression & not wanting to be alive.

Hitchhiking with no phone, no stability, no real plan.

Stealing from people who trusted you & having to sit with that.

Getting sober & realizing that doesn’t fix the damage, it just means you have to face it.

There’s a moment in here where we’re talking about that betrayal, & you can feel it. Not simply as a story but, as something that actually happened between two people trying to sort out the messiness.

Over all it’s a conversation with someone trying to be honest about who they were & who they’re trying to become now.

If you’ve ever looked at your own life and thought, “I’ve made a mess of this”…this conversation is going to feel familiar & hopeful.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Friends In Real Life

• instagram.com/friendsinreallifemusic/
• friendsinreallife.bandcamp.com/music

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

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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 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 & the search for identity within the punk community while navigating trauma. Expect to learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the importance of emotional awareness & processing & the idea of post-traumatic growth fostering resilience & strength. In closing, Early reflects on their life living alone in a cabin, highlighting the peace & self-discovery that comes from solitude & intentional living.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Early/Recovery Demystified:

• instagram.com/recoverydemystified/
• recoverydemystified.com/

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

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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 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 existential reflection. Chris explains how he uses his songs to serve as a form of connection, especially for queer & trans communities or anyone facing mental health challenges or societal expectations.

His openness about the emotional weight behind tracks like Filth and Boys and Girls demonstrates the power of honest storytelling in building trust and resonance.

If you like genre mashups, DIY resilience, or raw lyrical storytelling—this episode is for you.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Chris Casey:

• instagram.com/chriiiscasey/
• chriscasey.bandcamp.com/

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

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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 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 head, avoiding the online space and being okay despite the current state of the real world.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Mike Wilson:

• instagram.com/p/DRYccUJjBKr/
• mikewilson.bandcamp.com/music

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

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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 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 decision is rooted in a desire for authenticity, community, and artistic freedom. We break down elements of each song on their lates album.

This is for you if you’re a fan of punk, folk, experimental indie, or anyone who believes that true art isn't commercialized but rooted in shared meaning and anti-capitalist spirit. EM&TBC is a band that’s been nourishing the DIY scene for over 20 years—proof that the best art grows from collaboration, and a fierce love for song.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Endless Mike And The Beagle Club

• instagram.com/emandthebc
• endlessmikeandthebeagleclub.bandcamp.com/music

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

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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.

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 and collective efforts and how that shifted into and shaped the music and its style of anarchism. The conversation concludes with reflections on the future of folk punk, its ongoing connection to anarchist principles and thoughts on it possibly growing too big for itself. We close out playing the older track "I Love You To Death" by Never Say Surrender, originally released on Pepe's old label DIY Bandits in the mid 2000's.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Anarchism's early roots in both folk & punk music
• The significant merging of radical cultures & music in the 90s
• How info shops served as crucial hubs for introducing anarchist culture & acoustic music
• Did folk punk emerge as a response to mainstream punk's commercialization
• Crimethinc played a pivotal role in spreading anarchist ideas in various scenes
• How the evolution of folk punk was influenced by the merging of multiple radical movements
• Did Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains introduce anarchism to folk punk
• Remembering stories of anarchism showing up in the early folk punk days
• How the DIY economics & ethos in folk punk was born out of necessity not politics
• Folk punk has maintained a more inclusive & safe environment compared to electric punk
• Will folk punk continue to grow & get too big for itself

Connect with shugE:

• instagram.com/shugemusic/
• shugemusic.com/

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

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

• backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

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 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 accessibility, the impact of capitalism on disability, & the need for open communication within the community. They also share insights on how to make shows more accessible for everyone. In closing, we play the unreleased track "Walking on knives" from Porch Cat's upcoming album.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Expect to learn:

• How disability is often invisible & misunderstood
• Why everyone will experience disability at some point in life
• Why open communication is key to understanding accessibility needs
• What bookers & promoters can do to better work with disabled musicians & fans
• How the DIY scene can do better in terms of inclusivity
• The unique challenges touring poses for disabled musicians

Connect w/ Porch Cat:

• instagram.com/porchcat.music/?hl=en
• porchcat.org/

Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & 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 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 self-care on the road & the need to focus on collaboration over competition within the DIY/folk punk community. Join us for an inspiring conversation about building meaningful communities & the role of music in bridging divides across the country. We close out playing the track "Keyboard Warrior" by A Day Without Love.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Brian's family legacy & the Trail Of Tears connection
• Breaking family curses to honor his Grandfather
• Moving from anxiety & fear, to actually touring all 50 states
• Choosing to share vulnerably after his Grandfather died
• Booking logistics, DIY vs. having an agent
• Differences & similarities Brian saw in DIY communities across the U.S.
• Connecting with people from different political/economic backgrounds
• The prevalence of fear in our lives leading to bigotry
• Highlights from visiting all 50 states
• Brian offers Pepe tips on visiting New Orleans & Denver
• "Keyboard Warrior" is played

Listen to & connect with A Day Without Love

• open.spotify.com/artist/09JoYdZo9cekYMqyN1bsGD?si=KQyeEW0XS_-9kITM0dh0pw
• adaywithoutlove.com/
• adaywithoutlove.bandcamp.com/music

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.