Back On The Grind

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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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.

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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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.