Fawkes and Friends

Ok, both Ian and Ed are exhausted, and happy, and all sorts of post-festival blues and happiness has set in. But, damn, what a great long weekend in Toronto, where Black Guy Fawkes hosted 87.5% of Cowboy Chords and lead the Economics of Being an Independent Artist panel, and Ed filled in to host the other 12.5% of the open mic and drank many, many beers. Hence the delay in this episode coming out. Fawkes and Friends is going to schedule a few more episodes for the year, and then start back up rested and refreshed in 2025 with some more announcements and some new and returning guests. In the meantime, tour dates:

And speaking of that last show… today, the guys are joined by Beans on Toast, whose 17th album Myths & Legends is coming out on December 1st and is available for pre-order now, and who is also touring the US this month and next. He shares his journey from his early days in Essex, where he grew up influenced bythe Beatles, American country music, and the Wu Tang Clan. He reminisces about his highlights in the American visionary art museum and the differences in festival cultures between the UK and the US. The conversation also delves into his songwriting process and experiences with different genres, including a gangster rap phase and subsequent shift to his current style. Furthermore, he shares insights from his time booking shows at London's Nambuca pub and working with other musicians. The episode rounds off with upcoming US tour dates, favorite American foods, and a light-hearted discussion about favorite American beer. 

Beans on Toast isn’t just your average folk singer songwriter - he is a modern one-man band, taking charge of all aspects of his music career, whether it be writing, recording and playing, taking his own press shots, making his own merch and artwork, or shooting his own videos. He is a true DIY artist with true DIY ideals. He's crafted a studio album each year since 2009, and each time he's wandered brazenly into new territory with a diverse range of influences. But the acoustic guitar and his warm hug of a voice is there, dead centre. Each album comes out on his birthday every year, as if giving us all a chance to celebrate what he's learned, what he's felt and feared over 12 months. He assesses his life through music and informs the world he's made it another year. There's nothing average about his insight or his delivery. Once a Beans fan, always a Beans fan – he's not changing for anyone but himself. For tour dates, music, and merch, check out https://beansontoastmusic.com/

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

Hey friends! Another episode, and more dates where you can see Black Guy Fawkes (and sometimes Ed):

Show notes are going to be brief, because Ed is following Black Guy Fawkes all the way up to Toronto for the festival, and needs a good night’s sleep before making that six hour drive. But, hey, that just means more time to get into their conversation with Jon Snodgrass! A Fawkes and Friends Exclusive: Jon Snodgrass shares his Buddies Manifesto, but there’s also a lot of really good advice on living, and some great food recommendations, and the potential beginnings of a song about karaoke composed right here on this very podcast.

Jon Snodgrass was born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, and later settled in Fort Collins, Colorado, before forming Armchair Martian in the early 1990s. In 1996, he started recording songs with ALL singer Chad Price under the name Drag the River. Since then, he has continued putting out music with both bands, as a solo artist, and as a member of Scorpios. https://www.jonsnodgrass.com/

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

We’re back again–twice in one week, making up for lost time. And we have a few more special episodes coming up. Also coming up: more dates where you can see Black Guy Fawkes (and sometimes Ed):

Today on the show is Patrick Windsor from Black Mail House. After they ooh and aahh over his dog Mila, Ian and Ed talk to Patrick about his evolution from metal to dark power pop in his band Black Mail House, the influences from his father’s record collection (which he still has), and other inspirations. Ian and Patrick get into a discussion on time signatures in music. And because Black Mail Houses album “Catacombs” is going to be your new spooky season album, the discussion gets into spooky season (right in time for Halloween) and why Los Angeles is the best city for it. And of course, the quickfire game gets unhinged, and delves into the idea of Muppet yacht rock.

For over two decades, Patrick Windsor has been recording, writing, and performing music nationally with a taste for music of all genres.Starting by learning the best of Seattle Grunge licks, Patrick went on to study Jazz, Rock, Metal, Bossa Nova, and jumped into the realm of Electronic music as well. He studied Jazz Guitar Performance at Northern Illinois University, but ultimately obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Music and New Media Technology. After graduating magna cum laude, he continued to perform and produce music centralized in the Chicago area. He also taught private guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, and saxophone lessons. While in Chicago, Patrick performed with several bands. He fronted the rock band, 48sin, recording one full-length album and several EP’s. The track, “Sipping Down the Barrel of a Gun,” was picked for Guitar Center’s Fresh Cuts Volume 3, and again the song, “Hymn,” was featured on Volume 5.During the same period, he played guitar for the rock outfit, egostatic. This band performed regularly at Chicago staples like The Metro, and also played live on Chicago’s alternative radio station Q101. The band’s track, “Radio Flatline,” was featured in the first episode of the Showtime series Californication.In 2010, Patrick began playing guitar for the experimental rock band,Tub Ring. He recorded guitar on their final album for The End Records, Secret Handshakes, and toured in support of this album. In 2017, the band reunited for another LP, A Choice of Catastrophes, with Patrick contributing guitar, piano, and song-writing credits. As his time touring with Tub Ring ended, Patrick created Internal Empires with previous band-mates. This metal band released one full-length vinyl LP, and several EPs. They played regionally in the Chicago area, sharing the stage with bands like Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, The Bled, and more. Songs from their debut full-length, “Corruption of Reason,” were featured in the Unstable Ground documentary, “Skull World.” After moving to Los Angeles in 2016, Patrick began writing and recording with a range of artists. He co-wrote the song “Play to Win” on Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers’ album, “Eastwest Sessions,” earning a placement on Billboard’s Blues charts. Patrick’s current project, Black Mail House, is a power-pop band heavily influenced by pop/rock music of the 1960s and 1970s. He is the principle song-writer, while also arranging all horn and orchestral parts. The band’s song, “Don’t Leave Just to Have More Songs That Say I Love You,” was used in the Shudder exclusive film, Lucky (2021).Patrick is well-versed in all styles of guitar playing, as well as music production and recording. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Taking inspiration from 1960s and 1970s Rock 'N Roll, Black Mail House crafts songs with lush arrangements and harmonies. The debut LP, "Resurrectionist," features themes that are sometimes sweet, sometimes dark, but always filled with pop hooks. For fans of Harry Nilsson, the Beatles, the Zombies, and anybody that wants to keep Power Pop alive in contemporary rock music. More info at https://patrickwindsormusic.com/

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

Well, there’s a big announcement in this episode, one that will likely lead to a good bit of poutine and some reunions with friends. But, on top of that one, here are some other upcoming Black Guy Fawkes events you can still get in on:

After the announcements and intros, Ian and Ed sit down with Fat Heaven–the entire band (Jack Counce, Travis Yablon, Gayla Brooks)--whom he met at Punk Rock Saves Lives Punk Rock Hoedown in Las Vegas this spring. This episode is chaos. Everyone hates tomatoes, apparently, but loves Pizza Hut. Altoona, PA comes up a lot–the pizza, the punk scene at McGarvey’s, and fresh pasta. Jack says some things that may or may not be words.

Fat Heaven from Brooklyn, NY consists of the three members Jack Counce, Travis Yablon, Gayla Brooks. The three play pop-punk with rock’n roll as it should be fast and full of melodies. With their aggressive and punchy power trio sound, they clearly fall into this genre, although the band’s penchant for catchy vocal melodies puts them closer to poppier acts like Jimmy Eat World and Green Day. Buy all their stuff at https://fatheaven.bandcamp.com/. 

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

Hello again, friends! Fawkes and Friends is back with another episode, where Black Guy Fawkes and Ed gather with another friend to talk all about creativity. And since gathering with friends over music is so great, here's a shameless plug where you can gather with Black Guy Fawkes:

Today, though, Ian and Ed have gathered--remotely, via the magic of the internet--with another friend: Tim Holehouse. Ian met Tim at Pouzzafest in Montreal this year, and immediately told Ed how great and eclectic his work is. Tim, ever the storyteller, guides Ian and Ed through all sorts of topics you're not likely to hear all in one place: trip hop legend Tricky wearing purple flares, the magic of A&W root beer, how Tom Waits's karaoke catalogue has been pulled from German bars, and the temptation to release music so odd that the record label won't put it out. His latest album "Down the Rabbit Hole" just came out, so it's fitting that the guys went down all sorts of rabbit holes with "punk rock's weird uncle" in this one.

Global touring musicianTim Holehouse brings experimental acoustic sounds. For the past 16 years, Tim has been one of the most hard working in the industry, travelling the globe, touring throughout the UK, US, Canada Europe, and beyond. His touring adventures have brought influences to his sound today. Breaking the 250-300 gig mark most years, Tim leads somewhat of a nomadic existence, but for all intents and purposes, treats London as his home when not out playing his trade to international and domestic audiences. Tim is equally prolific with his recording as he is with his travels, when not gigging his way round the world, he has found the time to release 20 albums and countless split releases, often with artists he tours with. Tim's own sound is hugely varied, he’s often able to adapt to performing sets depending on the atmosphere of a show. He has been known to release folk, blues, experimental music and covers many other genres. Tim's songs come from a place of honesty and a keen ear for anything creative regardless of genre. His own philosophy is that, 'if music is good, it's just good, right?' To get a feel for Tim's wide and varied talent, be sure to check out his eclectic sounds and as Tim often quotes from one of his favourite films, 'Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure': 'Be excellent to each other.” For more Tim Holehouse, check out his website https://timholehouse.com.

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

It’s been so long, we actually forgot how to upload a podcast (and, at times, how to create one). But, hey, Black Guy Fawkes is off the road and back in the studio, recording album number five (5!) and back with his own personal project 2520, Ed, to put out a new slate of episodes before getting back out on the road--Pittsburgh 8/26 with Littlefoot, and Winchester 9/27 with Joey Harkum and Meager Kings, and others to be announced. This episode is a special one–their very first non-musician guest.

Ian and Ed met Alex Stein at Lost Evenings in Anaheim last year and were blown away by his spoken word performances on the Cowboy Chords open mic stage (I think Ed’s actual reaction on the Saturday was “we… we have to follow him?” after Alex did his piece “Rock and Roll Manifesto”). Alex sits down with the guys to discuss his creative process, the community of punk rock (and this specific subset of punk rock in particular), how dyslexia can be a challenge and a benefit in terms of approaching art and creativity, and, of course, some Mount Rushmores at the end that, as they often do, go pretty far off the rails.

Photo credit: David Fang, we're pretty sure

Alex M. Stein is an award winning writer and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. He has devoted his entire adult life to stories and storytelling and is a mainstay of the Los Angeles storytelling community. He ran a weekly storytelling show for two years. He has won the Moth multiple times and is the author of the personal essay collection “No, Mr. Bond, I Expect Your Dreams To Die” and the short-story collection “Tales From the Trail: Short Fiction About Dogs, Mushing, and Sled-Dog Races.” He recently won an Art of Creative Unity Award from the International Human Rights Arts Festival for his personal essay “Black Water.” He has worked extensively in film and television development and works as a story consultant for production companies, studios, individual writers, and more. For more Alex Stein, you can find him all over the internet and the world, but specifically at alexmstein.com Echoes of Iceland is available at echoesoficeland.com and at Patreon at patreon.com/echoesoficeland. Twitter or X or whatever is @coldfootfilms and he’s on Blue Sky as well at alexmstein.bsky.social.

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

By and large, this episode of Fawkes and Friends is a little more serious than most. Of course, there is still talk about Black Guy Fawkes’s upcoming shows in Denver (for Punk Rock Saves Lives), Gilbert, PA (for Camp Punksylvania), and Cumberland, MD (for the 6th annual Fawkes and Friends festival at Dig Deep Brewing Company), and the guys and the guest still play the quickfire game at the end, but today, Jessica Guise joins Ian and Ed to talk about her music and  her writing process. As her non-music work is in the field of mental health, the conversation steers itself to some more serious places–the stigma of seeking out help with mental health, resources for mental health help in both the UK and the US, and how addressing mental health concerns can lend itself to the creative process. Of course, there is also talk about shitty American light beer, as well as favorite musicals and karaoke songs, but it’s important to stress that this episode is, at times, a bit more serious than previous episodes.

GUISE is the heart and soul of pop-folk singer-songwriter Jess Guise. Possessed of a remarkable folk lilt, she sings with delicacy whilst landing some vicious asides - by turns sweet, funny, and haunting. Whilst locked down with her husband, Frank Turner, Jess won the hearts of his large and welcoming fan base through their weekly livestreams raising funds for live venues, and a buzz rose up around her music in that world. Jess has been building on that buzz honing her live craft on the road, supporting and sharing stages with the likes of Richard Thompson, Frank Turner, Will Varley, The Arkells, Grace Petrie and Sean McGowan. More info at her website.

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

No lengthy preamble here–it’s not needed when Black Guy Fawkes and Linh Le from Bad Cop / Bad Cop get together. They talk about sharing the stage at Lost Evenings, the Bassists Against Racists campaign, and their shared love of Ted Lasso. Linh and Ed also share their love of karaoke, and everyone combines like a three-part Voltron to talk about performing, the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia, and the best parts of what make the punk scene more than a scene, but a community.

Linh Le is the bassist for Bad Cop / Bad Cop. You can find their upcoming tour dates here, including Camp Punksylvania. She’s also one of the folks behind Bassists Against Racists, which raises money for different causes each month. Ian and Ed both adore her and her band, so you should check out all of their stuff. 

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

The tour is mostly over–Black Guy Fawkes gets to spend some time at home and traveling to see other folks perform this month before making a few more appearances:

And, well, Ed’s trivia team Blood, Sweat, and Beers came in first place for the first time ever, so he has stuff going on, too.

This episode is a special one–Ian has called Beyond the Lamplight one of his three favorite bands of the past few years, and today, the guys are joined by Ian Cook from Beyond the Lamplight. They talk about the songwriting process and influences for Beyond the Lamplight, how they hooked up with Flail Records, reflecting on his eclectic upbringing in a Beatles-loving household and his diverse musical interests ranging from blues to punk rock

Beyond The Lamplight is a force of nature. Hailing from Bend, OR in the heart of the high desert it’s no wonder. Their music reflects the extremes of the region’s climate. Encompassing equal parts folk, punk, rock and a touch of jazz, they’ve carved out quite a niche in a short time. Founded by former Larry And His Flask lead singer and songwriter Ian Cook, he sought to continue on with the spirit of his previous band by mixing fierce banjo picking with rock n roll guitars, soaring 3-part vocal arrangements and a hot brass section. The end result is Beyond The Lamplight. For more Ian Cook and Beyond the Lamplight, check out their webpage at https://flailrecords.com/beyond-the-lamplight/ or their Bandcamp.

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

Black Guy Fawkes is still out on the road, having just finished Punk Rock Hoedown in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be playing in Nashville, Tennessee at Springwater May 29th, and then at Jortsfest June 1st. The tour has been a whirlwind of an adventure, and that adventure continues through June and July, with volunteering with Punk Rock Saves Lives at Pride in Pittsburgh, and then shows in Denver, CO, an appearance at Camp Punksylvania, and then the annual Fawkes & Friends festival in Cumberland, MD on July 13th–a line-up announcement episode will be coming up soon for that. Forget soon, though–let’s talk about today. Ian and Ed got the chance to sit down with Chuck Ragan to talk about Hot Water Music’s new album VOWS, important life lessons from recording and touring, the importance of mentoring and being mentored, and the four best meats to smoke for BBQ.

For more Chuck Ragan, check out his website or the Hot Water Music website. Hot Water Music is currently on tour promoting their latest album VOWS, with upcoming dates in Louisville, KY; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; and many other cities before touring Germany in November.

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify