Yasi is joined by writer and Bandsplain MVP Patrik Sandberg for Part 2 of the Madonna epic. This chapter follows Madonna from 'Like a Prayer ' through 'Bedtime Stories' as she alchemizes religion, sex, fashion, and controversy into one of the most fascinating and powerful runs in pop music history. They talk about the history of “Vogue,” the groundbreaking Pepsi commercial, her major leap with 'Erotica,' the much-discussed 'Sex' book, and, of course, the backlash and what it meant for her creati...
May 14, 2026•4 hr 37 min
Yasi kicks off Bandsplain’s multipart Madonna epic with returning guest and fashion icon Mel Ottenberg. They discuss Madonna’s childhood and upbringing in Michigan, her dance career and the formative relationships that led her to New York City, her history playing in bands, her immersion in the club scene, the breakthrough singles that made her impossible to ignore, her first three albums, and all the major collaborators, major looks, and major breakthroughs along the way. Episode Playlist Liste...
May 07, 2026•3 hr 34 min
Recorded live at the Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Yasi is joined by Sabrina Teitelbaum (a.k.a. Blondshell) to dig into Life Without Buildings, the Scottish cult band whose single and singular 2001 album, 'Any Other City,' is still worth talking about today. They discuss the band’s jagged sound, their art school roots, and the second life they found when “The Leanover” went viral on TikTok two decades after it was released. CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Sabrina Teitelbaum @blondshe...
Apr 23, 2026•1 hr 23 min
Yasi is joined by writer Patrik Sandberg to break down one of Hole’s (many) perfect songs “Boys on the Radio.” They talk Courtney Love’s evolution, her relationship with critics, and the inspirations, intentions, and alternative culture of the 90’s that influenced it all. Then, Melissa Auf der Maur stops by to discuss her new book, Even the Good Girls Will Cry. She discusses her time in Hole, her friendship with Courtney Love, and her wide-ranging life as an artist. CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @ya...
Apr 16, 2026•2 hr 28 min
Yasi is joined by legendary drummer Patty Schemel (Hole) to tell the story of The Runaways, the all-girl teenage band that changed the course of history. They get into the band’s lasting influence, the surprising origin of the song “Cherry Bomb,” the band’s complicated history, and why The Runaways still matter. Episode Playlist Listen to The Runaways playlist here. CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guests: Patty Schemel @pattyschemel Producer: Rob Sundermann Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional...
Apr 09, 2026•3 hr
Yasi is joined by Chris Ryan for a quick trip into the mailbag before they each reveal their favorite new music from the first three months of 2026. Next, Yasi talks with Justice Tripp of Angel Du$t and Trapped Under Ice about Angel Du$t’s latest album, 'Cold 2 The Touch,' and the road that brought him there. Episode Playlist Listen to Our Favorite Music of 2026 So Far playlist here CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guests: Chris Ryan (@chrisryan77) and Justice Tripp (@jurtice) Producer: Rob ...
Apr 02, 2026•1 hr 55 min
Yasi is joined by Chris Ryan and Sean Fennessey to discuss what music best represents the 1980s and build the Bandsplain ‘80s Movie Soundtrack Hall of Fame. They set the rules (sorry, no animated features or scores), decide what truly defines a great soundtrack, and, after some heated debate and meandering side quests, settle on the top 10 Hall of Fame-worthy soundtracks! Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Chris Ryan @chrisryan77 and Sean Fennessey @seanfennessey Producer: Rob Sundermann Editor:...
Mar 31, 2026•1 hr 48 min
Yasi is joined by music writer Arielle Gordon to tell the story of the Get Up Kids, the Kansas City emo band that transformed the genre. They get into the mix of punk energy and big feelings that made the band so influential, the sliding-door moments of what almost was, and the bands that emerged (and dominated) in the third wave of emo that the Get Up Kids helped create. Listen to the Get Up Kids playlist here . Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Arielle Gordon @reallygordon Producer: Rob Sunde...
Mar 12, 2026•2 hr 20 min
Yasi and filmmaker Alex Ross Perry ( Pavements , Videoheaven ) revisit The Decline of Western Civilization films, Penelope Spheeris’s seminal trilogy that began in 1981 with the birth of Los Angeles punk. They discuss the DIY filmmaking that matched the scene it immortalized, the bands and personalities whose legacies were defined on the screen, and the visual language that would influence and shape so much of culture, most evidently in '90s MTV. Next, Yasi is joined by the legend herself, Penel...
Mar 05, 2026•3 hr 3 min
Yasi is joined by artist, author, and musician Pleasant Gehman to discuss the Germs and the chaotic birth of the Los Angeles punk scene, which she witnessed firsthand. They discuss the myth vs. the reality of Darby Crash, the DIY community that formed around the enigmatic singer, and how the Germs became one of the era’s most influential bands despite their short reign. Episode Playlist Listen to the Germs playlist here . Credits Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Pleasant Gehman @princessofholl...
Feb 26, 2026•2 hr 44 min
A Bandsplain Emo Draft recorded live at Something In The Way Festival with Patrick Flynn (Have Heart, Fiddlehead, How Much Art) and The Ringer’s Chris Ryan. In front of a Boston crowd, they draft their picks for emo bands across the decades (yes, the ’90s get two picks), reveal emo origin stories, and get into the eternal question: which bands are actually emo? CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guests: Patrick Flynn @patrickflynnx and Chris Ryan @chrisryan77 Producer: Rob Sundermann Editor: A...
Feb 19, 2026•1 hr 49 min
It’s a special Valentine’s Day mailbag, and The Big Picture’s Amanda Dobbins is here to help Yasi solve all your life problems. Should you avoid your ex at concerts? How do you get over a break up, even if they are a loser? Need mixtape help? Plus, vacuum cleaner advice! Next, Yasi is joined by Barry Johnson of Joyce Manor to discuss their new album ‘ I Used to Go to This Bar’ (1:01:33) . Get a quick tour of their beloved Torrance (they are a Torrance band, confirmed), learn a little Joyce Manor...
Feb 12, 2026•2 hr 39 min
Yasi is joined by Ringer renaissance man Rob Mahoney to tell the unlikely story of American Football, whose widespread recognition grew in the decade following their debut (and immediate breakup). They talk through the band’s Midwestern roots, the alternate tunings and jazz-inspired drumming that influenced a generation, and how time and online canonization turned 'LP1' into a cultural touchstone and the American Football House into an Airbnb destination. Episode Playlist Listen to the American ...
Feb 05, 2026•2 hr 18 min
Yasi is joined by skater, photographer, and Sci-Fi Fantasy proprietor Jerry Hsu to break down how music has shaped skate videos, from their DIY, skit-filled ’80s roots to today’s high-budget, cinematic productions. They dig into Jerry’s iconic part in Enjoi’s 'Bag of Suck' video, make the case for Dinosaur Jr. as a timeless skate soundtrack, and reflect on skate videos’ long-standing role in music discovery. Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Jerry Hsu @internetfamous Producer: Rob Sundermann Ed...
Jan 29, 2026•1 hr 38 min
Yasi and writer Rob Fitzpatrick head back to Bristol to tell the story of Portishead. They discuss the band’s unique and highly detail-oriented approach to crafting music, the uneasy relationship with fame that followed their success, and how music can be both super popular and wholly misunderstood. Listen to the Portishead playlist here . Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Rob Fitzpatrick @rob_fitzpatrick Producer: Rob Sundermann Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin ...
Jan 22, 2026•4 hr 23 min
Yasi kicks off 2026 with music and culture critic Shaad D’Souza to talk through their most anticipated albums of the year. Find out what’s coming, what they’re trying to wish into existence, and just how many truly great albums Madonna might have left. Next, Yasi is joined by Kevin Lee Kharas of Real Lies for a wide-ranging interview about his career, the music he’s listening to (or not listening to) and the impetus and inspirations behind Real Lies’ latest album (and Yasi’s no. 1 album of 2025)...
Jan 15, 2026•2 hr 19 min
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Bandsplain has a very special gift for you. Rob Mahoney and Amanda Dobbins join Yasi to draft the dream holiday playlist: Justin Bieber featuring Busta Rhymes? Of course. Lots of Irish stuff? For sure. My Chem? Why not! Yasi finding a place for Counting Crows? You know it! And because those sleigh bells kept ringing, there’s a lightning-round second draft for even more holiday cheer. Bonus gift: You get to explain to your family and friends why Wham!...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr 14 min
That’s (almost) a wrap on 2025, so you know what time it is. Yasi catches up with Chris Ryan to talk about the albums that defined their 2025. No rankings, no drafts, no winners or losers, just two people talking about the records they loved most this year. Come for the predictable Geese love, stay for the Shallowater you didn’t know you needed. Episode Playlist Listen to the best albums of the year playlist here . Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Chris Ryan @chrisryan77 Producer: Rob Sunderma...
Dec 11, 2025•1 hr 36 min
Yasi is joined by The Big Picture’s Sean Fennessey to dive into the brief, brilliant career of Jeff Buckley. They cover his rise on New York’s café stages and the making of his only studio album, 'Grace,' and they discuss how his singular voice, his wildly varied influences, and his tragic and untimely death helped to shape one of the most enduring myths in modern music. Episode Playlist Listen to the Jeff Buckley playlist HERE CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Sean Fennessey @seanfenn...
Dec 04, 2025•3 hr 58 min
This week on Bandsplain, Yasi and New York Times culture reporter Joe Coscarelli revisit Dig! , Ondi Timoner’s influential 2004 cult documentary that immortalized The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols. They discuss the band’s intertwined legacies, the broken friendships and broken sitars, why Dig! is the platonic ideal of the music documentary, plus last year’s extended cut release, Dig! XX . Be sure to check out Joe’s book Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @ya...
Nov 20, 2025•1 hr 20 min
On this week’s episode of Bandsplain, Bre Morell of Crushed joins Yasi to talk about reluctant genre inventing geniuses Massive Attack. We talk through the rich music history of Bristol, their sound system DJ origins, the visual signatures, all the musical influences that fed into their sound, and the many artists that sprung up or morphed their sound in their wake. Episode Playlist Listen to the Massive Attack playlist here CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Bre Morell @bremorell Produ...
Nov 13, 2025•3 hr 5 min
It’s mailbag time, and once again Rob Harvilla is here to help Yasi answer your most pressing questions. Is 31 too old to go to shows? What would you recommend to impress a hardcore Swedish punk gamer? Why do all the kids these days look like Geese (the band)? And who was stage diving at a Riff Raff show?! Next, Yasi is joined by Militarie Gun’s Ian Shelton to discuss their new album God Save The Gun. And along the way they talk getting over your embarrassment, therapy through songwriting, and s...
Nov 06, 2025•2 hr 7 min
Chris Ryan is back to help tell the Jimmy Eat World story. CR and Yasi talk about the power of the split seven inch, Clarity vs Bleed American , and the magically accidental path from playing pop punk in used clothing stores in Mesa, AZ to their (don’t call it) emo explosion into mainstream success. EPISODE PLAYLIST: Listen to the best of Jimmy Eat World HERE CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Chris Ryan @ChrisRyan77 Producer: Rob Sundermann Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production ...
Oct 30, 2025•2 hr 41 min
Evan Dando is back with a long-awaited memoir and a brand-new Lemonheads album, and there’s only one guest who could do them both justice: the artist formerly known as Producer Dylan, aka Dylan Tupper Rupert. In this episode, Yasi and Dylan dive into their takeaways, learnings, and surprises from the book, Rumors of My Demise and also discuss the first original Lemonheads album in 19 years, Love Chant (it’s good!). CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Dylan Rupert Producer: Rob Sundermann...
Oct 23, 2025•1 hr 21 min
With her 1996 best-selling album Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette bet on herself, turned pain into pop poetry, and gave an entire generation a new emotional vocabulary. She also broke records and made space for an entire wave of worthy female musicians to be heard in her wake. And since then she’s continued to do what she does best - turn her experiences into gorgeous musical reflections on the psyche and the self. This week on Bandsplain, Alicia Bognanno of Bully joins Yasi to talk about t...
Oct 16, 2025•2 hr 28 min
In today’s episode we’re heading back to the Sunset Strip — a leather clad world of teased hair, tight pants, and pure chaos. Guest Molly Lambert helps us remember the golden era of hair metal, when bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Ratt made the Sunset Strip their glitter covered playground. Turn it up, spray it higher and relive the excess and freedom of the 80s with us. Episode Playlist: Listen to Hair Metal Fall of Fame Here CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Molly Lambert Produ...
Oct 09, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 145
We love Mötley Crüe. Mötley Crüe loves partying (so so much). In this episode you’ll hear how Nikki, Tommy, Vince, and Mick put on their make-up and pioneered a genre, how they turned their pain, trauma, talent, and ambition into an unstoppable chart-topping force, leaving a trail of sleaze and destruction in their wake. Cruise down the Sunset Strip with Yasi and her iconic guest Mel Ottenberg, next stop the Cathouse (followed by rehab)! Episode Playlist: Listen to the best of the Crüe here ...
Oct 02, 2025•3 hr 50 min•Ep. 144
Rob Harvilla and Rolling Stone senior writer Kory Grow join Yasi to discuss Ozzy Osbourne’s bodies of work with Black Sabbath as well as solo, his incredible impact on not just music but pop culture at large, and his enduring legacy. Read Kory’s piece ‘Ozzy and Me: How I Got to Know the Real Ozzy Osbourne’, HERE CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kory Grow, Rob Harvilla Producer: Rob Sundermann Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cose...
Jul 25, 2025•53 min•Ep. 143
Yasi chats with New Yorker staff writer, Pulitzer prize–winning author, and known Pavement aficionado Hua Hsu about the 2025 film 'Pavements.' Is it a documentary? Is it a biopic? Is it a secret third thing? Did we like it? All these questions and more are answered. Plus, Yasi has a nice long chat with director Alex Ross Perry about the film and several other things, including but not limited to his take on vocal fry, 'Some Kind Of Monster,' and different approaches to mythmaking. Host: Yasi Sal...
Jul 17, 2025•2 hr 9 min
Boots on the ground from Notting Hill, Yasi unpacks the inimitable Elastica with music journalist Miranda Sawyer. Thanks to their angular, concise music, incredible style, and unapologetic live chops, they seized charts and stages on both sides of the Atlantic in their short but mighty tenure as a band. Miranda puts it best: “Elastica were everyone’s favorite.” CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer Producer: Liz Sánchez Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additiona...
Jun 19, 2025•2 hr 43 min•Ep. 141
