100 Words Or Less: The Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Travis Shettel of Piebald about the band’s unique mix of humor and sincerity, and how their songs have aged into something more universal than anyone expected. Travis reflects on the early days, including working with Kurt Ballou, and how that era shaped both their sound and perspective. We get into longevity, cult status, and why Piebald feels more like a living band than a nostalgia act. At the core of it all: keeping things fun, staying connected, and embracing the idea of never breaking up again. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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.

Ryan George is on the podcast this week and we discuss the Central Coast beginnings pre-Carry On, to A Life Less Plagued, to where things sit now with the Carry On reunion shows. We talk about that early 2000s moment when hardcore was shifting, how Carry On fit between youth crew and the darker wave that followed, and what it’s like playing those songs again in front of a new generation. We also get into The Adored era, finding a different lane outside of hardcore, and how all of that fed directly into Youth Code. Past, present, and everything in between. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HYPE (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.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Hydro of Turmoil to trace the arc of a band that helped define late ’90s metallic hardcore scene. Jeff takes us back to Turmoil’s early days in the Lehigh Valley hardcore scene, unpacking how that tight-knit Pennsylvania community forged their identity, intensity, and work ethic. From there, we get into life on the road in Europe specifically what it was like linking up with Madball during a time when U.S. hardcore was exploding overseas, and how those tours cemented Turmoil’s global reputation. We also dig into the complicated legacy of a band that didn’t just reunite once but twice. Jeff reflects on what pulled Turmoil back together at different points in time, how each reunion felt creatively and personally, and what it means to revisit something that never really left people’s lives in the first place. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HYPE (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.

In this episode, I sit down with Leah B. Levinson of Agriculture to trace a path that starts in the unlikely corners of Poway, California—where punk and hardcore weren’t just genres, but survival tools—and stretches into the band’s fully realized, ecstatic take on heavy music. Growing up around DIY spaces and tight-knit scenes, Leah carries that foundational ethos into everything they do, whether it’s the emotional directness of their lyrics or the communal energy embedded in Agriculture’s sound. We get into the instrument that’s become central to their voice—the Jazz bass—and how its tone and feel shape the band’s sense of movement, melody, and release. There’s a real conversation here about joy, too—what it means to actively choose it within a genre that often leans toward darkness, and how that perspective connects back to punk’s original promise of belonging, expression, and building something honest with the people around you. From Poway punks to expansive, life-affirming black metal, this conversation highlights an artist who’s less interested in fitting into a scene and more focused on expanding what those scenes can hold. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HYPE (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.

This episode features Jennifer Finch — musician, photographer, archivist, and cultural lifer whose work stretches far beyond her time in L7. We get into her earliest bands, including the experimental duo Uh and Sugar Babydoll / Pagan Babies with Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland, her move back to Los Angeles before joining L7, and what it felt like to be inside a band that became part of a larger cultural shift. We also talk about her post-L7 projects like Other Star People — recorded near Lake Havasu at Roy Thomas Baker’s studio and released on Interscope — and The Shocker, which toured Europe and Turkey as part of a loose Los Angeles collective scene. This is a deep one about scenes, memory, music, and what it means to spend your life both making culture and trying to hold onto it. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HYPE (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.

Uri Avila from Trauma Ray joins the show to talk about the band’s path from the Texas DIY scene to the release of their new EP Carnival. We get into his early musical upbringing playing church music, how those experiences shaped his sense of melody and atmosphere, and the unexpected ways things like karaoke and video games fed into his creative life. Uri also talks about how Trauma Ray evolved from a loose recording project into a full band, finding their place between shoegaze, post-punk, and heavier underground scenes, and what it’s been like seeing the project reach a wider audience while still holding onto that homegrown identity. Along the way we discuss songwriting, growing up in Texas, and the small personal influences that end up defining a band’s sound more than any genre label ever could. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HYPE (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.

Episode 700 of the podcast welcomes Jacob Bannon, vocalist of Converge, for a reflective, era-by-era conversation about one of the most influential bands to emerge from the hardcore underground. Rather than retracing the usual talking points, Jacob walks through the band’s history record by record, beginning with their early Massachusetts hardcore roots and moving through releases like 'Petitioning the Empty Sky', 'When Forever Comes Crashing', the volatile bridge of 'The Poacher Diaries', and the seismic impact of 'Jane Doe', all the way into the band’s modern era. Along the way we talk about the cultural footprint of the band—from the influence of the hardcore shirts Jacob has worn on stage over the years, to how those small visual signals have pointed younger fans toward entire corners of the underground. We also dig into “Hateverge” lore, documenting Converge’s famously chaotic Hatebreed cover set in the early 2000's. Jacob also shares insight into the band’s new Converge record, how the group continues to challenge itself creatively decades into its existence, and what it means to still be evolving after more than thirty years. A deep dive with one of hardcore’s most thoughtful artists, celebrating 700 episodes of the show and the legacy—and future—of Converge. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HISTORY (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.

On this episode, we sit down with Michael Bingham, frontperson of Spiritual Cramp and former member of Creative Adult, to dig into the unlikely path that shaped him. We talk about growing up in San Francisco, cutting his teeth in Creative Adult, and how stepping into the spotlight with Spiritual Cramp forced him to rethink what it means to be the center of attention. Michael opens up about the tension between wanting to disappear into the background and suddenly becoming the focal point of a band that’s impossible to ignore. From chasing catharsis onstage to questioning what “meaning” even looks like in punk, he reflects on the identity shifts, self-doubt, humor, and honesty that fuel his writing. It’s a conversation about growth, discomfort, and finding purpose in the noise — both literal and internal. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HISTORY (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.

On this episode, we sit down with producer, engineer, and musician Jack Shirley for a deep dive into the craft and philosophy behind his work. We talk about why live recording remains such a powerful and underrated way to capture raw emotion, energy, and musical chemistry—and how Jack has built a career around preserving that human feel in a world obsessed with perfection. We also explore the role that pop punk and the broader Northern California scene played in shaping his taste, his work ethic, and his sense of community. Along the way, Jack highlights some of the Nor Cal gems—bands, venues, moments, and scene staples—that left their mark on him and continue to influence the records he makes today. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HISTORY (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.

In this episode, we sit down with Frank Bach of the band Monk to explore how a life shaped in Southern Ontario forged his lens on punk, creativity, and work. Frank walks us through his early years in the Ontario DIY ecosystem, discovering punk not just as sound but as art—a design language, a worldview, and a way to build meaning. We talk about Monk’s evolution, its visual and emotional identity, and how those instincts later guided him into the corporate design world. From the tension and overlap between underground ethics and professional structure, to making space for creativity in a system built for efficiency, Frank reflects on the through-lines that tie it all together. This is a conversation about place, purpose, punk, and the strange harmony between making art and making a living. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HISTORY (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.

This week on the show, we sit down with writer and journalist Tyler Watamanuk—a voice at the crossroads of fashion, music, and culture. You’ve read his work at GQ, where he’s spent years breaking down the way style intersects with identity, subculture, and the everyday choices we make about the clothes on our backs. But before he was writing about menswear and global fashion houses, Tyler was deeply embedded in the hardcore scene, even playing shows with bands like The Ghost Inside, where his personal connection to the culture took shape long before he stepped into a newsroom. We dive into the intersection of fashion and hardcore, how the aesthetics and ethos of the scene shaped Tyler’s eye as a journalist, and the unexpected ways those roots prepared him for his career covering everything from luxury brands to underground designers. Tyler also talks about the journey to publishing his new book, Bigger Than Fashion: How “Streetwear” Conquered Culture, a sweeping look at how a once-niche movement grew into the defining visual language of the past 40 years. From DIY ethics to runway influence, from band tees to archival grails, and from playing stages with The Ghost Inside to reporting at GQ, this conversation traces the through-line of a life spent observing—and participating in—the cultures that ultimately changed the world. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 NEWYEAR (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.

In this episode of the podcast, we interview Mikayla Mayhew, guitarist for the Portland heavy-psych band Blackwater Holylight. Mikayla shares her story of growing up in a small town with limited access to a music scene, discovering guitar through Guitar Hero, and developing the playing style that eventually led her to join Blackwater Holylight in 2018. We dive into her early influences, how heavy music and classic rock shaped her musical identity, and how her move from small-town life into a thriving creative community changed her trajectory. Mikayla offers insight into the band’s songwriting process, dual-guitar chemistry, and the evolution of Blackwater Holylight’s sound across their releases. Listeners will hear about her personal and musical growth, the challenges and breakthroughs that shaped her as a guitarist, and what it’s like contributing to one of the most dynamic modern psych-doom bands. Whether you’re a fan of Blackwater Holylight, interested in the journey from beginner guitarist to touring musician, or searching for stories about artists who came from small towns and built a life in music, this episode has something for you. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 NEWYEAR (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.

This week on the pod: Tyler Washington of Excide and Foreign Hands. We get into growing up in the South Carolina hardcore scene, being shaped as much by left-of-center, “weirdo” music as by traditional heavy stuff, and how all of that informed the way he found his place in bands and in the community. We also unpack the origin of his longtime nickname “Wallaby" (which isn't connected to a kangaroo). Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 NEWYEAR (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.

In this episode, we sit down with Dave from Chicago’s Slow Mass to trace the band’s path from early DIY roots to becoming one of the city’s most quietly adventurous heavy bands. We talk about growing up in the Chicago scene, how projects like School of Rock shaped his relationship to music and community, and the long arc of Slow Mass finding its own voice—balancing melody, noise, and emotional weight in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. Dave also gets into the idea of “reclaiming sleep music,” using atmosphere and dynamics not just for aggression but for comfort, reflection, and late-night listening, and how that mindset has influenced the band’s writing and recording. Along the way, we dive into some great scene history, including the story of booking Ethel Cain’s very first show and what it was like to witness an artist at the very beginning of what would become something massive. Slow Mass, formed in Chicago in the mid-2010s, have built a reputation through a run of releases that blur the lines between post-hardcore, noise rock, and melodic indie, anchored by deeply personal songwriting and a strong sense of place. This conversation is about the band’s history, Dave’s own journey through music, and how community, patience, and evolution have shaped everything they’ve made. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 NEWYEAR (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.

This week we kick off a new annual tradition with The Best of the Rest, joined by Riley Breckenridge (Thrice, Less Art). Riley drops by to talk through the records that just barely missed our Top 10 cut this year—the heartbreakers, the growers, and the albums that lived in heavy rotation even if they didn’t make the final list. Along the way we touch on his life in and out of bands, how his listening habits have evolved, and what makes certain records linger long after the year ends. Consider this the start of a yearly ritual: rounding out the list, giving the near-misses their flowers, and closing the book on another year in music. Best Of The Rest Apple Music Playlist Spotify Playlist Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 NEWYEAR (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.

This week we’re joined by Will Anderson, songwriter, guitarist, and driving force behind Hotline TNT. Will traces his path from the Midwest DIY circuit to building one of the most emotionally direct guitar bands of the last decade, including a surreal early moment where a young Justin Vernon was his camp counselor—long before Bon Iver became a household name. We talk about creative whiplash: jumping from obscurity to wider attention, from solo control to full-band collaboration, and how that shift reshaped his relationship to music. Will also reflects on how songs risk becoming cultural wallpaper in the streaming era—and why loud guitars, intention, and community still matter. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 BESTOF (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.

On this episode, we’re joined by Mercedes Arn-Horn of Softcult for a wide-ranging, laid-back conversation ahead of the band’s new record arriving this January. We talk about finding a creative “zen” state in writing and production, the importance of ownership—of songs, ideas, and identity—and why subtlety can often be more powerful than being loud or explicit. Mercedes reflects on building something sustainable and intentional, navigating art with purpose, and how Softcult continues to evolve without losing its core. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 BESTOF (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.

This mailbag episode pulls back the curtain on the podcast, reflecting on the most-listened-to conversations of the year—featuring Brenden Murphy, Dwid & Aaron Melnick, George (Blacklisted / Staticlone), Brian from Incendiary, and Josh James (STYG). We also spotlight “new” bands shaping the present and future with guests from End It, Home Front, Restraining Order, and Saturdays At Your Place. Listener questions drive the rest: day jobs outside the mic, whether episodes ever get scrapped, how guests are chosen, why the show spans so many genres, and the hard-earned lessons learned along the way—including the interviews that changed how these conversations are approached altogether. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 BESTOF (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.

On this episode, we break down our favorite records of 2025 with two trusted voices in punk and hardcore: Jeremy Bolm (singer of Touché Amoré, founder of Secret Voice) and Joey Cahill (Wanna Hear It Records). We talk standout releases, unexpected favorites, and what made this year hit harder than most. It’s a wide-ranging, opinionated conversation about the music that defined 2025 for us. Best Of 2025 Playlists Apple Music Playlist Spotify Playlist ------ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 BESTOF (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.

On this episode, we talk with The Unraveling co-authors Karl Buechner and Jeremy Mueller. Karl, best known as the voice of Earth Crisis, brings decades of perspective from a life deeply rooted in hardcore, while Jeremy offers the complementary lens that helped shape the book’s broader narrative. Together they dig into what it means to be taken seriously—both as writers and as people coming from subcultures that outsiders don’t always understand. They break down the unique challenge of writing a book with three authors: how to balance tone, divvy up responsibilities, and merge individual viewpoints into one cohesive story. Karl and Jeremy also explore the parallels between assembling a book and building a band: finding the chemistry, negotiating differences, and letting the collective vision rise above any single contributor. A candid, thoughtful conversation about collaboration, identity, and the creative process behind The Unraveling. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube 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 HEAVY (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.