In this conversation, former political prisoner Eric King shares his experience of incarceration & the profound impact of relationships during his time in prison. He discusses the journey that led him to federal prison, the challenges of maintaining connections with loved ones, & the unique bond he formed with his wife, Rochelle. He highlights the importance of emotional support & understanding in navigating the complexities of love behind bars. Eric emphasizes the need for vulnerability & the significance of being valued as a person, despite the dehumanizing nature of the prison system. The conversation also touches on the societal perceptions of relationships with incarcerated individuals. Eric discusses the fleeting moments of joy that allowed him to escape the harsh realities of incarceration & the transformative power of love that helped him navigate his difficult journey. He reflects on the emotional complexities of his release day, the struggles of adjusting to life outside prison, & the importance of community support. Eric emphasizes the significance of finding joy & maintaining a smile as acts of resistance against the trauma of his past, while also highlighting the impact of art & connection in the healing process...particularly through seeing Myles Bullen perform live.

Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• What led Eric into prison
• Prison relationships often face skepticism from the outside world
• Emotional vulnerability is essential for maintaining connections
• Visits from loved ones can be emotionally taxing & scrutinized
• Women often bear the emotional burden of supporting incarcerated partners
• Exploring how love can transform one's experience in prison
• The complexities and challenges of getting married in prison
• Moments of joy can provide relief from the harsh realities of incarceration
• The emotional turmoil leading up to release day.
• Navigating the challenges of the halfway house experience
• Finding joy & resistance in the aftermath of incarceration
• The power of a smile as an act of defiance against trauma
• Thoughts on Myles Bullen & the importance of community & art in the healing process

Follow Eric King on Instagram

• instagram.com/supportericking/

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you; roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

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

• Share your favorite episode with a friend who you think will also enjoy it.
• 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.

For the final installment of our Johnny Hobo Q&A, Brook Pridemore joins Pepe to offer some more perspectives on the questions listeners sent in. They also discuss some of the general happenings of the folk punk scene from the mid to late 2000's. Enjoy! (There will be some additional Pat The Bunny questions answered by Pepe on our Patreon feed)

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Brook's first show with Johnny Hobo/Pat The Bunny
• What was the average Johnny hobo show like at the time? Was it a solid consistent line up or mostly pat showing up with a guitar?
• What was the farthest pat toured during that period?
• Some differences between the Pan-It-X crew & the DIY Bandits crew
• The role of "place" & how it influences music & scenes
• How much did the Johnny Hobo songs actually reflect Pat's real life at the time & how much was just him singing in character?
• Were things like hitchhiking & riding freight trains stuff Pat actually did?
• Thoughts on the tinder Box in Brattleboro VT.
• Brook taking people to Harmony Parking Lot
• How do you all feel about being so popular with train hoppers & homeless kids, particularly those who take inspiration from Pat's early nihilistic, self-destructive lyrics to be nihilistic and self-destructive themselves?
• Does an artist have a responsibility to their listeners. Eg glorifying drugs, suicide, violence, crime etc or is the first responsibility to the art itself?
• How do you feel about fans putting people like Pat & Benjamin Tod on pedestals? Seemingly holding them solely responsible for their recoveries?
• "These days folk-punk is suffering because the artists aren't". It seems like the music was better when the people involved were "worse". Can you speak to that idea?
• Can I become rich & pay off my student loans with my old CDs. Asking for a friend :) + What’s that most yall have seen these albums go for?
• Did he ever give a reason for the disbanding of Johnny Hobo? If so what was it?

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you, roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Listen to Johnny Hobo & The Freight Trains music

• open.spotify.com/artist/7Mv8pqnyBgJGpNTRwbi7kl?si=my2hVoEARMiILPtdwUQyjg

Listen to part 1 of this series

• Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0eLXoYgmbVI3XiBCZcRrvo?si=aac159d382414ccb
• Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-on-the-grind/id1681556943?i=1000680412865

Listen to part 2 of this series

• Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5IzB3AHtsMhsGp75bacHxY?si=b8e3cc3f85ec4f24
• Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-on-the-grind/id1681556943?i=1000684064945

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.

Wondering what the upcoming Friends In Real Life album will be like? Well, here's a sneak peek...

The day after Pat (fka Pat The Bunny) announced he will be releasing music for the first time in 10 years, Pepe decided to chat with friends April Hartman of Apes Of The State & Julio "Ceschi" Ramos of Codefendants about the new album. Expect to hear what Pat's return means to them & the scene overall, April's top 3 picks from the album, Ceschi's break down about how the song (& upcoming video) "Surf Rock Anthem" came to be & much more. This one got emotional...

REMEMBER THERE IS STILL HOPE LEFT IN THIS WORLD

A longer version of this interview is available through our Patreon

Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you, roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Listen to Friends In Real life

• open.spotify.com/artist/6k9PWB6N0siXTYtRn6hV6s?si=KTNJHKAOTHSmnPDx49KqRw

Listen to Ceschi & Codefendants

• Codefendants - open.spotify.com/artist/6HBfXt98QpP7QVDPLHjHTe?si=d4BAH4nYQSm0oyALZotM9w
• Ceschi - open.spotify.com/artist/78t5ObID5m0cLVrpZernKV?si=2l6QbrF5SOaTPpC6KBV5qA

Listen to Apes Of the State

• open.spotify.com/artist/4HemfSCDgnPiHQh8Z6iyd6?si=6oweZzS4SWi6OAcfljFk9g

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.

***Please take the poll in the Spotify show notes & tell us what Johnny Hobo music we should repress on vinyl***

Pepe answers questions you all sent in, largely about Pat The Bunny during the Johnny Hobo days while also reflecting on his own journey through the folk punk scene. He shares personal stories of struggle, inspiration, & the DIY ethos that defined the era. Pepe emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams, even in the face of adversity, & the organic development of the folk punk scene without the constraints of commercial expectations. He discusses lost & unreleased music & the potential for future represses. He touches on the importance of community and personal growth, while also addressing the disbanding of Johnny Hobo and the choices that led to it & much more. Enjoy!

Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS

• Reading from an old letter Pat wrote
• What Pat said about remembering the early days
• Was Love Songs For The Apocalypse really recorded on a phone?
• Did you have a contract when you released music by Johnny Hobo & the Freight Trains?
• A question from John Warmb of the band Rent Strike
• What's the most you've seen this music sell for?
• Represses ever?
• Why & how the hell did Pat go to Australia?
• Any interesting stories with Pat & the authorities?
• How do you feel reflecting on yourselves back then compared to now?
• What is the lasting impact Pat's music had on your life personally?
• Did Pat give a reason for disbanding Johnny Hobo & The Freight Trains
• Do you relate to the person you were back then?
• Pepe's children recall being young kids & experiencing the early Johnny Hobo/folk punk days

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you; roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Listen to Johnny Hobo & The Freight Trains

• open.spotify.com/artist/7Mv8pqnyBgJGpNTRwbi7kl?si=my2hVoEARMiILPtdwUQyjg

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.

Matt Pless & Pepe explore many engaging topics. Expect to hear about music & creativity from the time of early humans to the age of social media. Matt shares his extensive journey through the music scene & his time hanging out with Pat The bunny. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating between different musical worlds & environments & the impact it has. Matt & Pepe delve into personal experiences of betrayal & rebuilding trust, particularly in the context of addiction. The conversation concludes with insights into Matt's upcoming projects & we play a track of his.

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Hitting the road coast to coast
• What helped Matt spread his music around the country
• Folk punk french toast tips
• Why small towns can have the best shows
• Childhood interest in The Monkees
• How Matt was perceived as a kid in school
• What it's like to live between worlds in prison & music
• The songwriting process for Matt involves a mix of chaos & order
• Creativity in prison
• Does an artist have a responsibility to the listener first or the art first?
• Audience capture, social media & monetized art
• Birds & their connection to the origins of music
• Music was more impactful & felt differently for pre-civilized peoples
• Pepe connects Dante's Inferno, Pat The Bunny & betrayal
• Matt's views on addiction & betrayal with his brother
• Trimming weed
• Upcoming projects
• "Comin' through the Rye" played

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you; roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Listen to Matt Pless

• open.spotify.com/artist/3yQ3jD3d0ytK5DdnsiM2e5?si=RlSXrc81Seq4rFl5D9__gQ

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.

In this informative episode, Pepe takes us on a journey to revisit the early days of folk punk with a focus on Pat the Bunny (Johnny Hobo) & the DIY Bandits label that released much of his music. He enlists the support of longtime friends Dani Chaoflux & Mark Leonard who also spent time with Pat during those days. Together they explore a fascinating origin story that sparked a local community that eventually helped ignite a country wide scene. This is part 1...stay tuned for parts 2 & 3!

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

HIGHLIGHTS:

• "What were you thinking?" during the early Bandit days
• Creating the Love Songs For The Apocalypse layout
• What was a typical day like at Bandits HQ back then?
• What happened to the DIY Bandits website?
• Who were the DIY Bandits?
• Remembering the first Johnny Hobo shows
• Escaping security story
• Favorite memory about Pat The Bunny
• Did the Johnny Hobo music actually reflect who Pat was?
• What was the scene like?
• Would you do it all again if you knew how it ended up going?
• We didn't use the term "folk punk" in the early days
• Folk punk bands then & now
• Touring with Johnny Hobo & the Freight Trains
• What was the folk punk scene like in CT. in the early-mid 2000's?
• What was the difference between the early shows and current day shows?
• We like ska!
• Reflecting on Pat The Bunny during the Johnny Hobo era
• Some Thoughts on the podcast

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you; roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.

Todays COFFEE BREAK features The Homeless Gospel Choir discussing the song writing process & touring.

Listen to the full interview here:

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6a0xC8MZqfVjEzwAnOAtGN?si=c0dad602914d42b8

Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeless-gospel-choir-a-hopeful-conversation-around/id1681556943?i=1000618989421

Support the podcast & get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you; roasted by Pepe himself

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.

In part two of this shadow work series, Pepe explores examples & thoughts about the shadow through Apes Of The State, Rent Strike, Carl Jung & his own personal journey in prison & more. Expect to learn what you can gain from doing shadow work yourself & some practical action steps to help you begin the process as well as a couple book recommendations to start with. No longer let the ghosts of your past rule your life in the present.

Listen to part 1 here:

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/2e8o5zHHCWDNcU65yWQ4Mo?si=318ea54398634f6b

Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-all-haunted-by-what-resides-in-the-shadows/id1681556943?i=1000673130662

Support the podcast to get bonus episodes + goods

• patreon.com/BackontheGrind

Get Coffee for the Bandit in you; roasted by Pepe

• StayFreeCoffee.com

Follow the podcast on Instagram

• instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram

Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

• Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
• Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)

***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.