John Crunch comes on to share his story of opening a successful gay bar (The LURE) in the 90's. We also dive into what it was like to discover punk rock & the fact he was gay when he was younger. From there we follow his story to becoming a state trooper at 19, facing harassment/resigning, moving to NYC, getting sober, supporting folk punk and much more. Overall, John is just a regular guy who lived an interesting life & loves folk punk. Enjoy!

Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• John's early life & intro to punk rock
• Having ADHD in the 80's
• Coming to acknowledge he was gay
• Getting hired as a state trooper at a young age
• Difficulties & resigning from a homophobic job
• Thoughts on NYC & Opening a gay bar in the 90's
• The intersection of punk & gay culture
• Why investors of the LURE (gay bar) didn't want their real names to be known
• How mainstream culture viewed the gay community in the 90's
• Complications opening & running a gay bar
• Pros & Cons (for communities) with the rise of the internet/apps
• Discovering & supporting folk punk
• Getting injured & developing a new understanding of disability
• Getting sober
• Favorite folk punk bands
• Song - "I Love You To Death" by Never Say Surrender

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us questions, comments or future topic suggestions to

• [email protected]
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

Follow/engage with the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

***Word of mouth really matters to us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

1. Share your favorite episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
2. Leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this :)

Stay Free until next time!

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

Welcome to the first Back On The Grind Coffee Break. Our Coffee Breaks will appear occasionally & feature moments from our regular or exclusive patreon episodes. The Coffee Break is a way we can give you a quick glimpse into what happens here at Back On The Grind.

This Coffee Break features Ceschi & Pat (formerly Pat The Bunny) discussing musical inspirations.

GET COFFEE ROASTED BY PEPE BANDIT

stayfreecoffee.com/

Support the podcast on Patreon & get exclusive content & merch:

https://www.patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Connect with Back On The Grind

instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/

Listen to more from Ceschi on episode 11 of Back On The Grind:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pGQaUXHR6Felni0LXhZsX?si=0a51b5e02dc146f7

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-on-the-grind/id1681556943?i=1000626427872

RSS - https://shows.acast.com/64262419c18b8b00116c6fb0/64ee61d40ead910011a46d42

Thanks for taking this Coffee Break with us :)

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

"I used to feel like I was constantly fucking up, constantly doing the wrong thing...and that's where I was living for a number of years; always feeling bad about myself."

Michael Schneeweis shares what it was like to release music as Pat The Bunny's younger brother. He then goes on to engage in a deep conversation largely focused on areas of spiritual exploration & practice. Pepe shares a very personal story that spans from his childhood to his recent incarceration. Expect to learn about the Self & the ego as well. If you are curious about engaging with spirituality or wanting to move further along with a current practice, you will find valuable insight throughout this conversation. We close by exploring Michael's several visits to Cambodia. Overall, this is an impactful episode that is both informative & powerful. We close by playing a song Michael wrote about his brother Pat (the Bunny).

Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Releasing music when Pat The Bunny is your older brother
• Why Michael was full of guilt
• The difference between spirituality & religion
• 4 elements innate to all humans (physical, mental, emotional & spiritual)
• Michael's recent change in how he views spirituality
• The path of spiritual cultivation is not linear
• Pepe's personal & spiritual story from prison
• Interpreting the Buddhist concept of "no self"
• Breaking down the ego & building a healthy ego
• The goal is not to annihilate the ego
• Service is an important part of spirituality
• Michael's visits to Cambodia
• Khmer Children Education Organization
• We play the song "Dent"

SUPPORT KHMER CHILDEREN EDUCATION ORGANIZATION:

KCEO Website

khmerchildren.org/

Laptop Drive for KCEO

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiVGF8Gu9WeymNlKdEgYycWYZr8VXe6RaovBWwblMye-lXZQ/viewform

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL SCHNEEWEIS:

Spotify

open.spotify.com/artist/1Mlogkt2ZcQqtMoaSd7AXU?si=QgwidgTrS6-61Pk5UkY4Wg

Bandcamp

michaelschneeweis.bandcamp.com/

michaelschneeweis.com/

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us questions, comments or future topic suggestions to

• [email protected]
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

Follow/engage with the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

***Word of mouth really matters to us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

1. Share your favorite episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
2. Leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this :)

Stay Free until next time!

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

Responding to your questions & comments, Pepe is joined by his wife Lee Bandit as they share thoughts on the things listeners have been saying & asking. It's a wide ranging episode that will leave you even more connected to your host & his wife as they offer some honest, fun & serious answers to what listeners have been wanting to know.

Do you have any questions of your own? Please send them to us at [email protected] or on Instagram instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/ We guarantee results!!!

***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 and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.  1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Support the podcast & get bonus material

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• I'm in my 20's, any advice? Q&A
• Thoughts on controlling your emotions
• Reflections on heartbreak
• 3 ways people respond to difficulties in life
• I have no idea what my passion is, what should I do? Q&A
• Opportunities vs. Passion
• What did you learn from your time in prison? Q&A
• The value in being less agreeable
• Pepe's wife doesn't need him & why that's a good thing
• The meaning behind the name of the podcast
• Pepe changed his mind about hustle culture
• What folk punk bands do you think deserve more listeners? Q&A
• I’m struggling in my relationship of 5 years...Any advice would be appreciated. Q&A
• Learn how to fight as a couple
• What do you do on the weekends? Q&A
• Pat (the Bunny) & Days N Daze coming over for breakfast

Folk Punk Recommendations:

Jo Rodriguez - Practical Advice

Spotify open.spotify.com/track/03EPh8gaTO9xd5YERKXZ7m?si=a95fdebe665a4a19

Bandcamp flowerpotrecords.bandcamp.com/track/practical-advice

The Looms - Mourning Star

Spotify open.spotify.com/track/4XVC9QLLZ6GS7xD71LIkpk?si=ca0be3d4ce004ead

Bandcamp thelooms.bandcamp.com/track/mourning-star

Trash Boat And The Ambush - Benediction

Spotify open.spotify.com/track/0Jf9nigV5SF61l2mVf7kQ6?si=a4ab63de7116443e

Bandcamp trashboatandtheambush.bandcamp.com/track/benediction-2

Swamp Rats - Butcher Knife:

Spotify open.spotify.com/track/02evVEFF5xfItNKiiPSCF1?si=b17d43e065a44891

Bandcamp swampratsmusic.bandcamp.com/track/butcher-knife

Rosa - Scan To Print:

Spotify open.spotify.com/track/0EuNgurxlcPpjqOBlhtPL2?si=93250d909e3c4203

YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=wDInDJby8tc

Send us questions, comments or future topic suggestions to

• [email protected]
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify (we read them all)
• Message us on Instagram

Follow/engage with the podcast

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Stay Free until next time!

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

"I'm not responsible for my disease but I am responsible for my sobriety"

***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 and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.  1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Paulie Think, a punk rock B-boy speaks very openly with Pepe about his struggles with addiction, the behaviors it's caused & his path towards a healthier place in life. Talk of confronting the demons of substance abuse disorder to finding a more spiritual meaning & supporting others along the way. Pepe shares what it has been like the various times he has tried to be a support to someone who is caught up in active addiction. Then they discuss what led Paulie to the B-boy & punk rock subcultures in the 80's & certain aspects of the folkpunk community more recently. We close out playing the track "Suicide" by Paulie Think.

Support the podcast & get bonus material

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Meeting Pat The Bunny in a basement
• Stigma & shame ingrained in the culture kills people
• Stealing from Pepe/the Bandits
• The conversation had when Paulie was using while living with Pepe
• Enabling behavior is coming from a good spot
• Police interactions in the 90's vs now
• Advice if your trying to support someone struggling with addiction
• It's not a shortcoming on you if you can't make someone get sober
• Doing spiritual work in response to addiction
• What led Paulie to the B-boy & punk rock cultures
• Diversity in punk rock
• Staying open minded/challenging our own beliefs
• Song "Suicide" by Paulie Think

Connect With Paulie Think

• instagram.com/pauliethink/?hl=en

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us feedback around this episode (or others) or ask a question for possible discussion on a future episode

• [email protected]

Follow the podcast

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Word of mouth really matters! If you like what you heard, here's two things you can do to help keep this podcast going

1. Share the podcast with a friend who you think will find value in it.
2. Please leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this!

Stay Free until next time!

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

Pepe Bandit & Folk Punk Dad respond to a listener question about building community in a small town. Then they reflect on what it's been like to be podcasting for over a year & they discuss some changes you can expect with the podcast. We close out playing the song "Ghost Of Apartment B2" by Tall Travis because it wasn't ready when we originally released their episode a few months back.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Folk Punk Dad recalls growing up in a small town
• Open mics & other tools to help start building community around music
• Don't limit yourself to folk punk when building community
• The small town community built around the DIY Bandits was not folk punk at all
• Trust is required whenever building community
• Uncomfortable situations within the DIY Bandits community
• The risk associated with building a community open to all kinds of people
• Being welcoming of everyone to help change minds while also setting boundaries to keep some people out
• Unacceptable behaviors of others & extreme intolerance of our own are both problematic
• How books helped Pepe build community in prison
• Seeking an inner circle vs. seeking community
• What the podcast will look like as Folk Punk Dad moves away to a new community
• Thoughts on doing a weekly podcast
• We play "Ghost Of Apartment B2" by Tall Travis

Support the podcast & get bonus material

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us feedback around this episode (or others) or ask a question for possible discussion on a future episode

• [email protected]

Follow the podcast

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Word of mouth really matters! If you like what you heard, here's two things you can do to help keep this podcast going

1. Share the podcast with a friend who you think will find value in it.
2. Please leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this!

Stay Free until next time!

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

Mike Wilson of Harley Poe talks with Pepe about a wide range of topics like the Grateful Dead, joining Harley Poe & pissing for authority figures. There's plenty of talk about not wanting to work for someone else & the DIY spirit that makes this possible. Expect to hear about the hurdles & challenges (often mental) that Mike & Pepe both faced on their journeys of trying not to have a boss. At the end of the show we play the previously unreleased track "The Night My Cat Went To The Moon" by Mike Wilson. Enjoy!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Why Mike is in a Grateful Dead cover band
• What motivated Mike to open a record shop
• Joining Harley Poe
• Why Harley Poe doesn't tour much
• Bandit Coffee Roasters cease & desist story
• Pepe vs The Minimalist
• Not going back to working for someone else
• Mike's biggest hurdle to starting his own business was a mental hurdle
• How the DIY ethos helped Mike & Pepe to start working for themselves
• Thoughts on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• The shift that seems to happen as you enter the second half of life
• Why Pepe got so involved in the punk scene
• Showing a stranger your butthole & pissing for authority figures
• Mike's Coke Zero addiction
• "The Night My Cat Went To The Moon" previously unreleased song

Connect with & Listen to the music of Mike Wilson:

instagram.com/recordstoreguymike/

open.spotify.com/artist/0pULVNhcCRT9158jRhNaFr

mikewilson.bandcamp.com/

Support the podcast (& get exclusives!)

patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast:

instagram.com/BackOnTheGrindPod/

shows.acast.com/back-on-the-grind

[email protected] - feel free to email us if you have any questions or comments about this episode or others-we promise results!

IF You like what you heard...word of mouth really matters. Please help us keep this podcast going; here's 2 things you can do:

• Share this podcast with 2 friends who you think will find value in it.
• Please rate or review our show. It will help us reach & support more folks like you!

Stay Free until next time!

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

Pepe talks with Ping Lieu who spent 13 years in prison for discussing a potential crime he never actually carried out. This is an older but unreleased episode Pepe recorded while he was fighting his own case and preparing to enter prison himself.

• What led Ping to serve 13 years in prison
• What it was like for Ping to receive his sentence
• The hardest moment of Ping's life & a moment of relief
• Crying & the emotional tension it let loose
• The different security levels in prison
• The hardest aspect of being in prison
• Useful skills learned in prison
• Benefits & challenges of being Asian in prison
• What Ping would've done differently in prison
• Struggles after release
• What Ping started doing after release
• Advice for people potentially facing incarceration

Support the podcast & get bonus material

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us feedback around this episode (or others) or ask a question for possible discussion on a future episode

• [email protected]

Follow the podcast

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Word of mouth really matters! If you like what you heard, here's two things you can do to help keep this podcast going

1. Share the podcast with a friend who you think will find value in it.
2. Please leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this!

Stay Free until next time!

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

Folkpunk Dad sits down with Sister Wife Sex Strike who have been making a name for themselves in the folkpunk community lately. They talk about their recent TikTok fame, their popup Starbucks show, songwriting, anarchism + spirituality & more. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• Getting into folkpunk
• Accessibility within folkpunk
• Blowing up on Tiktok
• Not having personal social media
• TikTok people vs. show people
• Unauthorized popup show in Starbucks
• Songwriting
• Lyrical themes
• Anarchism & religion
• Action & contemplation
• Spirituality in folkpunk
• The gay wave of modern folkpunk

Connect with Sister Wife Sex Strike:

• tiktok.com/@sisterwifesexstrike
• instagram.com/sisterwifesexstrike/

Listen to Sister Wife Sex Strike:

• open.spotify.com/artist/2tEMuU8MNYgXwKX6jJ6l2X

Support the podcast & get bonus material

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us feedback around this episode (or others) or ask a question for possible discussion on a future episode

• [email protected]

Follow the podcast

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Word of mouth really matters! If you like what you heard, here's two things you can do to help keep this podcast going

1. Share the podcast with a friend who you think will find value in it.
2. Please leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this!

Stay Free until next time!

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

"The only thing that saved me was DIY punk."

Punk With A Camera (PWAC) & Pepe discuss having no place to fit in or feel welcomed until finding DIY punk, filming, working with bands & difficult times with parents while growing up. There's talk about starting a project or passion, learning from our mistakes, supporting the community & much more.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• First camera/early filming
• Connecting film & DIY punk
• Mystery Johnny Hobo mini VHS tapes in Pepe's garage
• Growing up with neglectful parents
• Why PWAC has no contact with his mother currently
• Finding punk "parents"/mentors
• Not being scared to fuck up
• Helping people to get where they're going
• Labels taking advantage of musicians
• The concept of "give & take"
• Being uncomfortable talking about money
• Releasing vinyl for bands (& why you can't sometimes)
• Pythons & platypus

Connect with Punk With A Camera:

• instagram.com/punkwithacamera/
• punkwithacamera.com/

Support the podcast & get bonus material

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Back On The Grind Records - DIY, Folk Punk & Music merch:

backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Get coffee roasted by Pepe Bandit:

STAY FREE COFFEE ROASTERS

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Send us feedback around this episode (or others) or ask a question for possible discussion on a future episode

• [email protected]

Follow the podcast

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Word of mouth really matters! If you like what you heard, here's two things you can do to help keep this podcast going

1. Share the podcast with a friend who you think will find value in it.
2. Please leave us a rating or review. It will help us reach & support more folks like you & that's why we do this!

Stay Free until next time!

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