100 Words Or Less: The Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

Kevin Hart from Public Opinion Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Kevin Hart has been yelling in hardcore bands since he was a teenager, but Public Opinion is something different, louder in some ways, quieter in others. His dad was a DJ, which means music was never just background noise growing up. These days Kevin processes the hard stuff through songs instead of burdening the people around him, and it shows as Painted On Smile is one of the most genuinely self-reflective punk records in recent memory.

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Rich Gaccione from Providence Vegan Deli Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Rich Gaccione built Providence Vegan Deli into something rare; a business that functions less like a restaurant and more like a community hub, where free sandwiches go to anyone who needs one, touring bands eat for nothing, and the line between customer and neighbor gets blurry fast. We talk about how that philosophy took shape, the hardcore and punk roots that inform everything he does, and the seitan operation that started it all. We also get into his time touring with My Chemical Romance and the sandwich on his menu that is his most popular one. Come for the food, stay for the conversation.

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Anthony Lemus from Stateside Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

This week I sit down with Anthony Lemus, the voice behind Southern California's Stateside. What started as a warehouse job friendship and a shared love of 2000s emo has turned into one of the more exciting bands to emerge from the current hardcore-adjacent scene — and Lemus is the emotional engine at the center of it. We get into how growing up in Southern California's hardcore world shaped him, the deeply personal lyrics behind Where You Found Me, and what it actually feels like when the band that started it all asks you to open for them. It's a conversation about where music comes from, what it costs you, and the surreal moment when your heroes treat you like a peer.

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Chad Green from Frozen Soul Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

On this episode, I welcome Chad Green from Frozen Soul to the show. We trace his path from growing up around the Texas heavy music community to finding his place in death metal, building Frozen Soul from the ground up, and watching the band become one of the genre's biggest modern success stories.

We also dig into the influence of the Texas hardcore scene on his outlook, the confidence it takes to trust your creative instincts when the spotlight gets bigger, and the story behind Chad drawing the now-iconic Frozen Soul logo himself. It's a conversation about believing in your vision, staying authentic as opportunities grow, and why a strong identity can be just as important as the music itself.

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Jack Murray from 156/Silence Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Jack Murray, vocalist of 156/Silence, joins the podcast to discuss the road that brought the band to where they are today. From coming up in the Pittsburgh heavy music scene to navigating years of uncertainty, Jack reflects on the relationships, community, and DIY spirit that helped shape both the band and his perspective.

The conversation also dives into the moments when it seemed like 156/Silence might not continue, what kept him from walking away, and why persistence has ultimately been one of the band's greatest strengths. Along the way, Jack shares stories from the road, lessons learned through years of growth, and why staying committed to your vision can pay off in ways you never expect.

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Jeremy Walker from Fire In The Mountains Fest Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

This week I sit down with Jeremy Walker, co-founder of Fire in the Mountains, for a conversation that goes far beyond festival promotion. Jeremy reflects on the winding path that led him from a life rooted in Vermont to building one of the most unique experiences in heavy music in which a gathering where community, culture, and the natural world carry as much weight as the bands on stage.

The discussion explores the evolution of Fire in the Mountains, the mission behind the Firekeeper Alliance, and the responsibility of creating spaces that foster connection, stewardship, and cultural understanding. Jeremy also shares how his relationship with music, wilderness, and community has evolved over the years, and what continues to drive his work today. We also discuss how the Neurosis reunion got pulled together as well.

A thoughtful conversation about purpose, place, and building something bigger than yourself.

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Mat Dwyer from Oakwood Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

This week Ray is joined by Matthew Dwyer, the voice behind the beloved Texas band Oakwood. For many people, Oakwood occupies a unique place in underground music history of literally playing only 15-20 shows, but having a "comeback" moment that has now turned into something way more real.

Matthew takes us through his life in Texas and the environments that shaped both him and Oakwood. The conversation explores the band's connection to the Odessa era, the band came together, and a lot more. We also dig into Matthew's relationship with the broader punk and hardcore world, including formative influences from bands like Paulson and Hot Cross, and how discovering emotionally honest music helped shape his creative voice.

Along the way, Matthew reflects on the realities of building a life in Texas, balancing adulthood with creativity, the evolution of DIY culture, and how Oakwood fits into it all. It's a conversation about longevity, community, finding your place in underground music, and what happens when songs continue to connect with people long after they've been written.

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Joey Chiaramonte from Koyo Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Joey Chiaramonte (Koyo) joins the podcast this week for a conversation about identity, growth, and finding your place both on and off the stage. As the vocalist of Long Island's Koyo, Joey has helped lead one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the modern hardcore and punk scene, blending melodic songwriting with the energy and community spirit that shaped him.

In this episode, Joey reflects on Koyo's rapid rise, the unique culture of Long Island music, and how the band has navigated the space between hardcore authenticity and broader appeal. We also discuss songwriting, nostalgia, the importance of community, and what it means to stay connected to your roots while reaching new audiences around the world.

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Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order.

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code TIMETOSAVE (for a limited time only)

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Jay Weinberg Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

More than a decade after his first appearance on 100 Words or Less, Jay Weinberg returns to reflect on a career that has taken him from DIY hardcore basements to some of the world's biggest stages. Ray and Jay discuss the humbling process of ego death, how his perspective on success and identity has evolved over the years, and what it means to rebuild yourself after major life and career transitions. They also dive into Jay's hip surgery and recovery, the physical realities of being a professional musician, and the lessons learned from being forced to slow down.

The conversation also explores the unique energy of international audiences, how crowds differ from country to country, and what those experiences have taught him about music's ability to connect people across cultures.

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Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order.

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Daniel Danger from The Saddest Landscape May 27, 2026

Show notes

Daniel Danger has spent decades building worlds through both sound and image. As a member of The Saddest Landscape and one of the most recognizable artists in underground music, his work has become synonymous with melancholy, memory, and the architecture of loss. Raised in Central Massachusetts by artist parents, Danger's creative life has been shaped as much by DIY hardcore as by late nights spent exploring Sierra point-and-click adventures like The Secret of Monkey Island. His visual work often draws from those formative influences, blending New England landscapes, folklore, and dreamlike storytelling into a singular aesthetic.

In this conversation, we discuss growing up in the Central Massachusetts hardcore scene, the unexpected business of turning sadness into art and whether he's effectively "sold and marketed grief" for a living, the creative overlap between music and illustration, and how a pirate adventure game from the golden age of Sierra and LucasArts helped shape his imagination. We also dive into the longevity of The Saddest Landscape, the band's first full-length album in a decade, and what it means to continue creating emotionally resonant work after spending a lifetime immersed in underground culture.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

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Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order.

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.