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Back On The Grind — Music
Back On The Grind

A podcast exploring life, music, people & the stories that bring us closer.

Episodes are published on the 1st & 15th every month.

With intimate interviews, folk punk & my own personal experiences, I explore how we can show up for the story of life. There’s no reason to do this alone, we can learn from each other, even if we make some mistakes along the way. Join me as I embark on a journey to figure out how to find meaning & balance, navigate relationships & culture, all while growing with you. We can survive our failures, learn from them & celebrate the victories we also achieve when we put in the work.

I have a strong connection to the folk punk & DIY, underground music community in general, so expect to hear about that too. Some other common themes on the show are, creativity, prison, addiction/recovery, spirituality, personal authority & relationships. I hope to become a valuable part of your life through my efforts here at Back On The Grind as I bring you closer to myself & the guests I converse with.

Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

Help support this project & overall journey & get some member exclusives:

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Do you have a question about something you heard in an episode?

Do you have a question about something you’re dealing with in life?

Is there a topic you think should be discussed?

Is there something you want to know about me?

Get in touch with your questions & I will do my best to address it on the show.

Email (I guarantee results)

Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com

Connect on Instagram

instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Get coffee roasted by your host Pepe Bandit

StayFreeCoffee.com

DRINK COFFEE & STAY FREE!

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

Copyright: © ...Who Cares

Latest Episodes:

Bonus Episode: Jesse Sendejas (Days N' Days / Escape From the Zoo) On 1 Year Sober & New Solo Music!!! Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

To honor Jesse's one year of sobriety today, I invited him on the pod for a quick bonus episode.

We talk about what this milestone means to him and some new comforts he gained as a result.

Jesse's also been writing new solo music — and he's teaming up with Back On The Grind Records to bring it to vinyl. We close the episode out with a track from the upcoming album.

Send some love to Jesse for making it this far. This community thrives the more we take care of each other ❤️

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods (you can join for FREE)

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

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.

Going On Your First DIY Tour w/ Tape And Tears #80 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Tape and Tears join Pepe Bandit to talk about their first DIY tour & everything that comes with learning it on the fly, from forgetting to count merch money until they were nearly out of gas, to the venues that never mentioned how or when they'd get paid. They dig into the community that carried them through it, from bands like Swamp Rats letting them crash on couches & jamming Mischief Brew songs in the living room, to the mentorship or generosity of Mike Wilson (from Harley Poe) & other people from the folk punk scene at large. The conversation opens into the origins of the band itself — Gilliana's mental health crisis while studying abroad in Berlin, the queer folk punk community there that pulled her back toward the music, & how "Tape and Tears" became both a band name & a way of holding pain & progress together. They close with practical tour wisdom (pack a cooler, eat before you're hangry) & a shared belief that showing up with heart matters more than sounding polished.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods (there’s a join for FREE option)

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Tape And Tears:

instagram.com/tapeandtears
tapeandtears.bandcamp.com/music
tapeandtears.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.

The Tragedy Of The Commons w/ Ruen #79 Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Pepe Bandit talks with members of the band Ruen. They start with fire — how a century of replacing Portugal's natural forests with pine and eucalyptus monoculture has made wildfire season a recurring catastrophe across southern Europe — then dig into the punk, DIY, & squat subcultures of Portugal & the Netherlands. The rest of the episode is dedicated to their new concept album, The Tragedy of the Commons. You'll hear samples of songs as they explore land rights, enclosure &, resistance — including the present-day fight against lithium mining in Boticas — along with the influence of books like When the Wolves Howl & Re-Enchanting the World.

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

•patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Ruen:

instagram.com/weare_ruen
weareruen.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.

Jimmy of The Looms Reflects on the Pigeon Pit Episode (personal authority, DIY shows, spirituality & much more) #78 Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

Jimmy of The Looms joins Pepe to revisit personal authority, DIY shows, and spirituality from the earlier Lomes of Pigeon Pit episode. From there, they open into new territory: including how the things that upset us most in others are often things we haven't dealt with ourselves, the pull toward revenge instead of actually improving things, why anarchism might work at the level of a house show but strains under mass civilization, Jimmy's own path through Buddhism and monastery life, and a back-and-forth on Spinoza's determinism and what's left of a person once every external identity is stripped away.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

•patreon.com/BackontheGrind

connect with The Looms:

instagram.com/theloomsband/
thelooms.band/
thelooms.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.

Finding Hope w/ Yell At God #77 Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Yell At God — the Philly-based folk punk band sits down with Pepe Bandit for a deep dive into hope. First they start with the dichotomy of touring: the exhaustion of the road paired with the explosive connection of a live show. From there the conversation opens into hope itself — why it's an actionable practice rather than a feeling you either have or don't, how social media can drain it, and why hopelessness and complacency are closer cousins than they seem.

The band also works through a question passed along from a previous guest, Lomes of Pigeon Pit, about whether hope can distract from other opportunities/the present. The conversation closes with concrete, low-stakes ways to rebuild a sense of agency: text a friend, plan a show even if five people come, go to the library, buy the next person's coffee. We close out playing Folk Punk Birthday Song.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

•patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Yell At God

instagram.com/yell_at_god/
linktr.ee/yellatgod

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.

Lomes of Pigeon Pit — The Alchemy Of Song Writing, Personal Authority, LSD, Spiritual Anarchism & DIY Shows #76 Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Lomes of Pigeon Pit, joins Pepe Bandit for an unguarded conversation that starts with songwriting as alchemy — puking out the fucked-up parts of the world and finding gold in the filth — and follows it into personal authority forged through hardship, acid trips, and a philosophy of spiritual anarchism built on empathy.

They discuss the work of transmuting hope and gratitude into action, the magic of DIY shows and what gets lost and gained when a band outgrows the basements it started in. The conversation also turns toward the strange weight of being someone strangers cry in front of, and what it means to carry that without claiming credit for someone else's survival. Pepe shares why this one is personal for him — his own kid found Lomes's music during the years he was locked up, long before the two of them ever met. We close out playing the Pigeon Pit song "Thread The Needle."

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Pigeon Pit:

linktr.ee/pigeonpit (for show tickets and more)
instagram.com/pigeon.pit/?hl=en
pigeonpit.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.

Amy of Evil Robot Us' — Folk Punk, Libraries, & the Liberation of Children #75 Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Amy fronted Evil Robot Us' a DIY folk punk band out of Buffalo that shared its first bill with Against Me! and later toured and recorded with Erik Petersen — but this story follows where that punk ethic took her next: ten years as a children's librarian, a decade as a professional aerialist and storyteller, and now grad school to become a therapist for kids and families. Pepe and Amy trace the thread connecting it all - while swapping stories from the early 2000s scene, talking through parenting during incarceration, raising a neurodivergent kid, recovering from long COVID, and closing by honoring Erik Petersen's lasting influence.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

For more Evil Robot Us' or to connect with Amy

evilrobotus.bandcamp.com/music
amykgodfrey.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.

Queer Rap & The Cancel Culture Blues w/Chris Conde #74 Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Pepe Bandit & Chris Conde discuss queer identity & expression through music. Chris addresses the discomforts that can arise in early personal life & performances around this subject. They explore censorship & cancel culture & the importance of growth within the community. The dialogue emphasizes the need for open communication & understanding while confronting these issues.

They delve into the complexities of accountability, redemption, & the importance of doing the work after past mistakes. The difficulties of understanding allegations in context, the delicate balance of forgiveness & the challenges of navigating truth & consent are also explored. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for truly open dialogue in fostering healing & understanding.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect w/ Chris Conde:

instagram.com/conde_nyc/

chrisconde.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.

Bonus Episode - Stoop Fest!!! Three Different Views Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

A bonus episode that explores 3 different perspectives (audience member / band / organizer)from this years STOOP FEST! We play Pathétique by Frog Legs at the end.

First Interview - Greg Bee (audience member)

Second Interview - Frog Legs (band)

Third Interview - Willow (organizer)

stoopfest.org
instagram.com/froglegspgh/
froglegsband.com/

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

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

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.

Addiction & Recovery Q&A w/ Early Brunner of Recovery Demystified #73 Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

*** If you need to support a friend, loved one, or yourself...You can call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night. Just dial 988 it's free & confidential.

***If you or someone you care about needs support, SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals & families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

In this conversation, Early Brunner of Recovery Demystified joins Pepe Bandit in responding to listener's questions about addiction & recovery. They discuss the importance of creating supportive resources for individuals struggling with substance use & emphasize the need for personalized recovery approaches. Expect to hear about the challenges of maintaining friendships during recovery, & the complexities of family dynamics when addiction is involved. Learn about the challenges of relapse, & the journey towards helping others in recovery. The conversation also delves into the critical issues of mental health, suicide, & the necessity of seeking help. Early & Pepe emphasize the need for open discussions about these topics to reduce stigma & promote healing.

The song at the end is titled "Dent" and performed by Mr. Michael Motorcycle.

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Connect with Recovery Demystified:

recoverydemystified.com/
instagram.com/recoverydemystified/

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.

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