Crusher Talk with Hayley

When things go wrong, what can you do? Well, you can make a podcast about it! Reporting from our “meh” hotel room in Los Algodones aka “Molar City” Mexico. Sink your teeth in and commiserate with us.

The Best things that happened to us on the West Coast Post - Hayley and the Crushers on Instagram

Recording vocals in LA!

Molar City Mexico (Los Algodones)

Cookie Dough Twix (pretty gross—try at your own risk)

The Best Shrimp & Fish Tacos in Molar City, Certifiably: Lupita’s

Psychedelic Mushroom Chocolate from Shroom Groove, Detroit

California Comfort Hotel (comes with dental concierge service, which we give 2/5 stars) - Los Algodones

Creepy old Victorian dental ads (for fun)

Hayley and the Crushers on Tour

We’re going on tour opening for the iconic Screeching Weasel starting march 19th in Norwalk, CT! Grab tickets here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

Fresh out of the vocal booth and I am fully unhinged with enthusiasm — mostly because the Kitten Robot Records crew absolutely rules. Today: vocal booth confessions, behind-the-scenes moments from the new album and why you should always do a “bored take.” Trust me.

Also, breaking news: Gidget is apparently the spitting image of an apex predator from Madagascar (please see below: baby Fossa).

People & Places Mentioned:

* Kitten Robot Studios - Historic Filipinotown, LA

* Paul Roessler - The OG L.A. Punk Rock Producer, check out this interview with him here, it’s really quite compelling.

* John Miller - Lead guitarist, engineer, and now co-producer on our new tracks - He is very new to Instagram, but you can Follow him here!

* Bruce Duff - Kitten Robot’s multi-hat mad hatter, LA music veteran (this is an illuminating interview with him so you can get to know him better. And check out his dozens of bands that he plays in while yer at it!)

* Ginger - Lead guitarist for Screeching Weasel, guest shredder on one of our new tracks! Thanks for coming by!

* See some fun pics and videos from our recording session over on our Instagram

* Color TV - My fave LA band that just came out of a 7 year hiatus, only 4 songs online but absolutely killer live (their full length is gonna be SO GOOD). Check out “Anybody’s Girl,” a hit in any era. Plus: Their drummer’s cool performance art project is worth a peep.

Tour Dates:

On tour opening for Screeching Weasel and The Queers starting March 19th! GET TICKETS OR CRY LATER!

* Just announced! Sunday, March 29 - Lager House in Corktown Detroit (Drummer Stacey’s soft launch!)

* May 1 - Space Dive Bar Star Wars Immersive Event, Michigan (Alien Cantina!)

* April - Back-to-back Punk Rock Nights: Louisville Friday 4/24 + Indianapolis Saturday 4/25

Hayley’s Recording Tips for Singers:

* Always do a “bored take” - throw it away like Debbie Harry

* Do a wacky take - vary your intensity

* Don’t be afraid of weird choices (like whisper vocals)

* You’re not the best expert on your own output - trust your team

* Hydrate days before the session, not just day-of

* Get quality sleep leading up to recording (it affects your vocal cords!)

* Ginger tea with a shit ton of honey works

* Unbutton your pants if you need to - no shame ; )

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

Love is in the air. Are you loving yourself, your people, your animals? A quick check-in to share album progress, new interviews and a little Galentine’s magic.

Gidget making good use of her dog bag while enjoying the West Coast winter. : )

Interview with the Luna Collective!

Interview with Out of the Blue Zine!

Photography of Corey P. (She takes amazing band pics. )

Shoutout to my favorite Salon in San Luis Obispo, CA

Sumi-e Japanese Painting Technique

My Essay on Three Years of Sobriety : )

Tickets for our East Coast Tour Opening for Screeching Weasel Starting March 19th!

Shop Crushers Merch - Yes, we have hoodies!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

Thoughts on performance anxiety and how to trust the process—plus a quick detour through a honky tonk dance floor.

The Little Red Hen - Honky tonk dance hall - Seattle, WA

Jenny Don’t and the Spurs - Band - Portland, OR

Hayley and the Crushers on Tour - Get tickets for our opening dates for Screeching Weasel and The Queers

And a video for you beginner two-steppers out there (doesn’t the woman look a heck of a lot like 80s era Josie Cotton?)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

When you hear the phrase “temporary alternative world,” what does that mean to you? The concept—which came up as I was listening to Ezra Klein interview the author of the book “The Art of Gathering”—struck me deep. Because isn’t that exactly what a good gathering, a good concert, a good pool party is? Whether you’re creating your own temporary alternative world or simply wish to be included in one, this pep talk is for you. Remember - YOU are worth including. Include yourself.

Catch Hayley and the Crushers on tour with Screeching Weasel and the Queers next month! Tickets are on sale now. Grab yours!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

Hello from our final installment of Crusher Talk from the Van, at least for the time being. We’ve FINALLY made it to California and Dr. Cain can’t help but run his mouth! No links today because we are tired. So very tired. Over 100 hours on the road will do that to you.

Tune in this Thursday for tales from the Crusherverse Vault, and grab tickets for our tour dates opening for Screeching Weasel coming up this Spring if you haven’t yet!

TICKETS - Crush with us on tour!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

Greetings from Twin Peaks, Washington, where we’re spending the week exploring the city and living out our Agent Cooper fantasies at the Double R Diner!

The cherry pie verdict - $7/slice, scone-like crust with coarse sugar, worth every penny. Coffee: 7/10 on the diner scale, but the mugs were disappointingly meh.

Double R Diner (Twin Peaks Diner aka Twede’s) - North Bend, WA

Twin Peaks on Paramount Plus - streaming now (I’m a late convert!)

Order Twin Peaks cherry pie world wide (not cheap, but kinda cool they ship!)

Swedish Hasbeens clogs - $10 score at Out of the Closet, Capitol Hill

Glossier makeup counter - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Neumo’s Records Seattle - Capitol Hill

Timewarp Seattle - Capitol Hill Pinball Bar (we also played PONG!)

H-Mart

Ramen Kukai - Northgate Seattle (various locations in WA, OR, CA IN and TX!)

Snoqualmie Casino - Where Dr. Cain lost $7.70!

Snoqualmie Falls - The Great Northern Lodge Twin Peaks location

The Smoke Shop - Ballard, Seattle (smash burgers & pinball)

For more pics from our trip through Twin Peaks, check out our Instagram or Facebook

Tour Dates with Screeching Weasel & the Queers - Grab Tickets here!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

I don’t care how old you are. You should be doing water aerobics! Seriously, it is magical. Today, I (hopefully) help you whip up some feel-good chemicals during a dark time. At this point, all we can do is keep swimming...

Busy Bones Mini for small-to-medium-sized dogs

Raincoats for dogs (maybe your dogs will actually like them)

Vintage Synchronized Swimming clips : )

From the Crusherverse Vault: My Kathy Valentine piece for BUST Magazine, revisited:

Hayley and the Crushers 2021 song Cul-de-Sac (our first single on Kitten Robot Records - more backstory on this tune in Thursday’s vault):

More watercolor and now water aerobics? WHO AM I? #grandmacore

Don’t forget to grab tickets for our Spring tour opening for The Queers Screeching Weasel!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

UNLEASH THE CRUSHER! About my 2026 word of the year, why you can never have enough garlic, and the girl-fight that ensued at my first-ever punk show!

Art Supply Center PDX, Portland OR

Honey Latte Cafe, Portland OR - Dog friendly inside and out

Midpoint Food & Drink, Portland OR (Great brunch - Get the Creston omelette or Spencer’s fave, chicken-fried steak and eggs)

Bottlerocket PDX Food Truck, Portland OR

Bacon-wrapped black cod with spinach and capers - My aunt made this and it was surprisingly good. Turn the leftovers into chowder and call me when it’s ready.

My favorite 90s teen /prom movie - Jawbreaker (yeah, it still holds up)

Moose Master Game - More fun than you think! Safe for all ages, you will LOL

Have a burning question about the Crushers, garlicky food or other such thing? Comment on Substack or DM me on Instagram - I want to know what you want to know : )

See us live! Tickets on sale now

Catch us opening for the mighty Screeching Weasel and The Queers! I TICKET LINKS HERE (more deets to come)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com

Thrifting tips, cursed objects, fashion time loops and the King of cherry-flavored soda.

Dr Pepper Zero Sugar CherrySurprisingly elite? Here is what Reddit has to say.

Dairy free? Ask for the Starbucks almond milk cold foam on top of your vanilla brown sugar iced shaken espresso

Sanford and Son on Tacoma’s Antique Row - 20 shops!

The cursed sculpture Dr. Cain Esq bought (Not confirmed haunted, but also not not haunted.)

SW homemade art found in a random thrift store and brought to the show in Warrendale PA

“Bort” Simpson “Eat Pant” Grafiti in Portland

Y2K warehouse in Glenwood Springs, ColoradoA full sensory flashback. Think early-2000s mall culture, loud colors, and chaotic nostalgia.

Ugly Coogi sweaters

’90s does the ’60s fashions

’80s does the ’50s fashions

Shoulder pads are backBig silhouettes, strong lines, and zero subtlety. History repeats itself.

Danelectro Spring King Pedal

Weaselrite Guitar - as seen below in Ruben’s Basement, Denver, CO

Hayley / Crushers Puzzle X-Mas Gift! (Thanks to Dr. Cain for putting it together in 2 days)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hayleycrusher.substack.com