Fawkes and Friends

Quick reminder: The Misery Suite, the latest album from Black Guy Fawkes and the Co-Conspirators is out now on all platforms and available through Asbestos Records in the US, Bomber Music in the UK, and Le Noize in Canada. You can also snag copies at upcoming shows, or at IronFest in Newport, KY November 15th..

In this episode, Frank Turner reunites with Ian and Ed as they discuss his recent tour with Dropkick Murphys, the dynamics of being an opening act, and adjusting performances for different audiences. Frank reflects on the significance of his 3000th show, his early performances, and the sense of nostalgia playing at venues he has a history with. The conversation also covers the challenges and rewards of music festivals, the process of writing concept albums, and Frank's physical and vocal preparations for shows. Additionally, the group delves into the importance of community and inclusivity, discussing the decision to host the next Lost Evenings festival in Dallas amidst backlash. The episode wraps up with highlights of memorable experiences with his old punk band Million Dead, juxtaposed with lighter, fun anecdotes. If you’re going to be at any of his US shows on the tour that was just announced, you’ll probably run into Ian at the Baltimore show or Ed at the Pittsburgh one. 

In a partnership that has lasted over two decades, Xtra Mile Recordings has been with Frank Turner every step of the way - from Million Dead, to fledgling solo singer-songwriter and onto global superstardom. Turner is now one of the UK’s most successful artists. He released his tenth studio album ‘Undefeated’ in May 2024 which debuted at Number 3 in the Official Album Chart and Number 1 in the Independent Album Chart. His album ‘FTHC’ (Feb 2022) became his first #1 hit with the previous four albums all peaking in the Top 3. With over a million albums sold worldwide, he has three gold-certified albums and one silver status. Since his first solo gig in 2004, Frank has played his 3000th show in Feb 2025 at Alexandra Palace, London, which sold out within 24 hours of being on general sale. His biggest UK headline shows include aforementioned Alexandra Palace, O2 Arena and Wembley Arena. He has performed at almost every UK venue imaginable, from tiny clubs to stadiums as well as the opening ceremony of 2012 London Olympics. Internationally, Frank has played headline shows in all continents with big followings across Europe and North America. He completed the ambitious 50 States in 50 Days tour in 2022 – the first non-US citizen to do so and his award-winning annual 4-day festival, Lost Evenings continues to sell out at each and every city it takes place in. His full back catalogue is available on Xtra Mile as well as a full range of merch. For more Frank Turner, check out frank-turner.com

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Black Guy Fawkes dot 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

Quick reminder: The Misery Suite, the latest album from Black Guy Fawkes and the Co-Conspirators is out now on all platforms and available through Asbestos Records in the US, Bomber Music in the UK, and Le Noize in Canada. You can also snag copies at upcoming shows, or at IronFest in Newport, KY November 15th..

In this heart-to-heart episode, Ian and Ed catch up with Cassie Jalilie, drummer of Venomous Pinks, as they discuss her musical influences, her connection with her bandmate, and her journey through a challenging year marked by a cancer diagnosis. Cassie shares her thoughts on the political climate, the importance of using their platform for activism, and the therapeutic power of music. They also delve into tour experiences, the punk scene in Hawaii, and their culinary favorites on the road. Through candid conversations and shared memories, this episode highlights Cassie's resilience, passion for punk rock, and unwavering commitment to social justice.

After this episode was recorded, Cassie did have to go through more chemotherapy. From the Venomous Pinks’ Facebook post on it:“We are raising a little support for Cassie as she goes thru chemotherapy if you’d like to chip in, I’d be so grateful! Absolutely no pressure at all — just sharing in case you’re interested.

Venmo: @cassie-jalilie 

PayPal: [email protected]

Gift cards: [email protected]”

The Venomous Pinks are an all-female punk band from Arizona who have been making waves in the scene since 2013. The band is known for their intense and energetic live shows, as well as their catchy melodies and brash punk sound. While every all-female punk band will draw inevitable comparisons to Bikini Kill, few deserve them more and want them less than the Venomous Pinks. They simply want to deliver the most intense, refined, in-your-face, high-energy hardcore punk regardless of gender or background. The Venomous Pinks have shared the stage and earned the respect of a who’s who of punk rock royalty, including Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, and NOFX. They have also played at some of the biggest festivals in the world, such as Punk Rock Holiday, Punk Rock Bowling, and BrakRock. In 2022, The Venomous Pinks released their long-awaited debut LP, Vita Mors. The album perfectly encapsulates who The Venomous Pinks are in 2022: a fusion of unforgettably catchy melodies and brash punk that pushes forth the underlying messages of unity, equality, and positive mental attitude (PMA). Whether you’re looking for the slick hardcore punk musicianship of shredding guitars, pounding bass, and thunderous drums or the oft-inspiring message of a band capable of bringing generations of punk rockers together The Venomous Pinks are very much what the present and future look like. These ladies will rock your world in every room of the house, clear out to the parking lot. While their energetic stage performance exhibits a “work hard and play harder” mentality, this tight, punchy three-piece’s unapologetic style will ravage your ears with their mix of punk and hardcore. For more on the Venomous Pinks, check out their website.

For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Black Guy Fawkes dot 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

This episode, Matt Nasir joins Ian and Ed from across the ocean via the magic of the internets. He shares insights on band dynamics, challenges of live performances, and working with Frank Turner. Matt recounts his musical journey, influenced by family, transitioning from bass to multiple instruments (and which instrument he “thinks” in when composing).and his involvement in notable tours and projects. Maybe we’ll get to see him score a Bond film one day. Whether reminiscing about special gigs or delving into his musical influences, Matt offers a comprehensive look into his vibrant career in music.Upcoming gigs where you can find Black Guy Fawkes:

Festivals:

Sing Us Home Festival: May 2-4  (Philadelphia, PA) (www.singushomefestival.com)

Pouzzafest: May 16-18 (Montreal, Quebec) (www.pouzzafest.com)

Fforest Fest: June 7 (Morris, IL) (https://fforestfest.com/music/)

Camp Punksylvania: June 20-22 (Gilbert, PA) (www.camppunksulvania.com) (use code BLACKGUYFAWKES for 10% off Camp Punksylvania tickets)

Tour (supporting Apes of the State):

Hamilton, ON (May 13 at Vertagogo)

Toronto, ON (May 14 at Hard Luck)

Ottowa ON (May 15 at Dominion Tavern)

Tour (supporting Pet Needs)

Anaheim, CA (May 27 at House of Blues)

Tempe, AZ (May 28 at Yucca Taproom)

Denver, CO (May 30 at Skylark)

Madison, WI (June 1 at The Bur Oak

Cleveland, OH (June 3 at Grog Shop)

New Kensington, PA (June 4 at Preserving Underground)

Pontiac, MI (June 5 at Pike Room)

Matt Nasir is a composer, arranger, and performer–notably in the Sleeping Souls. For more info, check out https://www.mattnasir.com/ - he’ll be retooling the site in the near future.

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

Upcoming gigs where you can find Black Guy Fawkes:

Festivals:

• Sing Us Home Festival: May 2-4  (Philadelphia, PA) (www.singushomefestival.com)
• Camp Punksylvania: June 20-22 (Gilbert, PA) (www.camppunksulvania.com) (use code BLACKGUYFAWKES for 10% off Camp Punksylvania tickets)

Tour (supporting Apes of the State):

• Hamilton, ON (May 13 at Vertagogo)
• Toronto, ON (May 14 at Hard Luck)
• Ottowa ON (May 15 at Dominion Tavern)

This week, Black Guy Fawkes (and Ed) are talking to Grant Minnick, a local singer songwriter from Indiana, Pennsylvania, who just released his first album Panels!, which is a bit of a meditation on graphic novels–each song is inspired by a different cartoonist’s work. Grant talks about the songwriting process and his influences and gives Ian a chance to really geek out about some comic book related things. Ian and Grant talk about the different mindsets involved in being a songwriter and being a performer, and how the two don’t always go together. 

Grant Minnick is a musician out of Indiana, Pennsylvania. His first album, Panels!, is out on all music streaming platforms. You can find more of Grant at https://www.instagram.com/grantminnick.music/

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 first episode of Fawkes and Friends in 2025 is the preliminary gathering of the Matt Flood of Asbestos Records Appreciation Society, as labelmate Kiri Oliver of the band Early Riser joins Black Guy Fawkes and his pal to talk about a shared love of the album format, the brilliance of Mikey Erg and his unwavering commitment to playing in almost every band at Fest is Gainesville, what Early Riser’s fantastic song “Strays” was written about and how other people can see their own unique situations in it, falling in love with music at a young age before the question of “cool or uncool” comes into play, and so much more.  

Cover photo courtesy of Marc Gaertner

Early Riser is a cello-driven pop-punk band from Brooklyn, NY. They originally formed as an acoustic duo of Kiri Oliver (vocals/guitar) and Heidi Vanderlee (cello/vocals), who released their debut album Currents in 2017. They found their permanent lineup and evolved their sound with the addition of rhythm section Nicole Nussbaum (bass/vocals) and Mikey Erg (drums/vocals), resulting in 2021’s Vocations. Inspired by the songwriting of The Mountain Goats, Against Me!, AJJ, and The Front Bottoms, Kiri writes clever, relatable lyrics about mental health, social relationships, and figuring out what’s important to you. She has a knack for capturing life’s challenges with a sense of humor and a focus on positivity and growth. Her words are elevated by the band’s soaring cello riffs, driving rhythms, and tight vocal harmonies. Early Riser’s third album, Big Life (Asbestos Records, 2024) was helmed by legendary indie rock producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, Waxahatchee) and packs their biggest punch yet with a set of fun and fierce sing-along anthems that explore themes of isolation and connection. 

They have also had the honor of covering songs about cats for the official tributes to two of their favorite artists, The Weakerthans and Jack Terricloth. For more Early Riser, check out their web site at https://www.earlyrisermusic.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

You didn’t think this show was done for the year, did you? Fresh from a tour with their pal’s the P-Nots that took them from Oregon, WI to Pougkeepsie, NY (and all sorts of points in between), Black Guy Fawkes and his less talented but more [insert something positive] friend are back in the swing of things after Black Guy Fawkes headed out on the road again with pal Gab de la Vega for another tour to close out the year.

Today’s guest is no stranger to touring, either. Tim Hause has been working in music since 2014, and has recently completed a tour of his own overseas. Tim talks to the guys about his songwriting process, what his hypothetical fallback plan would be if music didn’t work out (musicians–even ones from musical families–often get asked “what’s your backup plan?”), the production of his upcoming album Pre-Existing Conditions (out 14 February 2015–the first single “Make It Take It” is out now, and the next single “Summerkiss” will be out Friday 15 November 2024), and the best cheesesteak and pizza in the greater Philadelphia area.

Since 2014 Tim has carved out a name for himself as a cowriter, harmony singer, and multi instrumentalist with his brother Dave Hause. For more Tim Hause, check out www.timhause.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

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