Barry Johnson of Joyce Manor joins Yasi for a thorough investigation into Weezer, the early nineties major label breakouts who have served as a gateway rock band for many a preteen since. Barry and Yasi plumb the depths of one idiosyncratic frontman, Rivers Cuomo, while examining the transmutations of alt-rock from the nineties to the aughts, and Weezer’s robustly maintained fandom community who’ve stayed with them to this day. Follow Barry Johnson on Twitter at @joycemanor. Learn more about you...
Jan 20, 2022•3 hr 59 min•Season 2Ep. 6
We’re back! At Bandsplain, all we wanna do is have some fun, and Yasi had the feeling she wasn’t the only one. So this week, friend of the show Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast joins us to make the case for Sheryl Crow. In 1986, Sheryl’s winding road began when she left small town Missouri for Hollywood, where she toured with Michael Jackson, scrapped her own debut album, and survived off trail mix until her breakthrough Tuesday Night Music Club put her on the map. Bethany and Yasi uncover the tr...
Jan 13, 2022•2 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Bob Mehr returns to Bandsplain for an in-depth look at oft overlooked stalwarts of the 90s rock charts, Gin Blossoms. Looking at the history before a slew of hit singles brought the band into the realm of grocery store soundtrack ubiquity (Hey Jealousy, Found Out About You, Follow You Down), Bob leads us through their origins in Tempe, Arizona’s fruitful scene of the late 80s and the tragic story of songwriter Doug Hopkins to the admirable longevity of some of their best-crafted rock songs. Cont...
Dec 09, 2021•2 hr 30 min•Season 2Ep. 4
From Lifter Puller’s scrappy Minneapolis origins to the Hold Steady’s reign as “America’s best bar band,” Yasi is joined by writer Darcie Wilder of Gawker to unpack this pair of critically beloved and certifiably cult bands who culled as much from Catholic symbolism and Springsteenian character studies as they did from the social milieu of the Brooklyn aughts zeitgeist. Follow Darcie Wilder on Twitter @333333333433333 and pick up her book, “literally show me a healthy person.” Learn more about y...
Dec 02, 2021•2 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 3
We’re coming at you from Zebulon in Los Angeles with our very first LIVE episode, where we’re blessed by the presence of Max Collins of Eve 6 as he discusses who he thinks is America’s greatest rock n’ roll band: Fountains of Wayne. Follow Max Collins on Twitter at @eve6. We’re off next week for Thanksgiving. See you back here on Thursday, December 2 for an all new episode of Bandsplain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Nov 18, 2021•2 hr•Season 2Ep. 2
Yasi is joined by journalist Natalie Weiner to unpack the four-decade reign of Reba, Queen of Country, from her humble Oklahoma rodeo origins all the way through her world domination as a multiplatinum-selling artist, award-winning star of screen and stage, and intrepid entrepreneur. Follow Natalie Weiner on Twitter @natalieweiner and check out her podcast, Rebawatchables . Check out Reba’s podcast, Living & Learning with Reba McEntire , only on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Nov 11, 2021•2 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Gina Arnold—author, academic, and architect of Yasi’s youth—graces us with her perspective on Pixies, the seminal cult indie rock band from Boston. Follow Gina Arnold on Twitter at @ginanarchy and check out her books Route 666: On the Road to Nirvana , the 33 ⅓ book on Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville , and Kiss This: Punk in the Present Tense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Nov 04, 2021•3 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 37
If you’re gonna scream, scream with us. Glenn Danzig’s iconic punk outfit The Misfits get the Bandsplain treatment thanks to Mike Gitter, A&R man and progenitor of XXX Fan Zine. Yasi and Mike traverse the spooky landscape of The Misfits, from the history of horrorcore to punks pumping iron on tour, and the countless drummers in between it all. Follow Mike Gitter on Twitter at @TheGitter and pick up his book, “XXX Fanzine 1983-1988: Hardcore & Punk n the Eighties,” wherever fine books are...
Oct 28, 2021•2 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Here is part two of our Metallica episode, because nothing else matters. Journalist Joe Gross takes us through the latter years of Metallica. We investigate the ups and downs of their musical explorations, personnel changes, and famously documented self-help odyssey, all of which follows their 16x platinum blockbuster, the self-titled Black Album. Follow Joe Gross on Twitter at @joegross and pick up his 33 ⅓ book on Fugazi’s In On the Killtaker wherever fine books are sold. Learn more about your...
Oct 21, 2021•2 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 35
For whom the pod casts: we bring you part one of our mega-episode on Metallica, the biggest heavy metal band of all time. Rolling Stone senior writer Kory Grow has spent years writing about the band, and takes us through the beginning half of their career, from their origins to tragedy to triumph, and off to never never land. Follow Kory Grow on Twitter at @korygrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Oct 14, 2021•2 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 34
We’re back with guns blazing. Yasi dons her top hat and talks with storied Guns N’ Roses associate Riki Rachtman, former host of MTV’s Headbangers Ball and original co-owner of the legendary rock n’ roll hangout the Cathouse Hollywood. Follow Riki Rachtman on Twitter at @RikiRachtman. Further reading: “Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction” by Marc Canter “Slash” by Slash “It's So Easy: and other lies” by Duff McKagan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
Oct 07, 2021•3 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Today, Yasi and Producer Dylan open up the listener mailbag to dish out flawless and meaningful life advice, as well as compelling answers to your burning questions. We do it for you, Reply Guy Army. We do it for you. We’re taking a week off and Bandsplain will be back on October 7th! In our break, check out our new show, The 33 ⅓ Podcast , hosted by Prince Paul. Each week we dive into one iconic album with a brilliant guest, using the source material of the 33 ⅓ book series. Learn more about yo...
Sep 23, 2021•49 min
The Scottish dreampop progenitors Cocteau Twins have a surprisingly dramatic backstory for being known as the ultimate band of ethereal, cryptic musicians. We get into all of it with Rolling Stone alum Claire Shaffer, who helps us decode their mystique, as well as to champion the “no English, just vibes” lyrical philosophy of one brilliant Elizabeth Fraser. Follow Claire Shaffer on Twitter at @claireeshaffer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 16, 2021•2 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Cosmic country pioneer, Emmylou Harris collaborator, Keith Richards bestie, and spiritual grandfather of any country-twinged rock of the last half century, the one and only Gram Parsons is celebrated by our new friend John Strohm, president of Rounder Records, founding member of the Blake Babies, and former member of the Lemonheads. Follow John Strohm on Twitter at @johnpstrohm and Rounder Records at @RounderRecords. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 09, 2021•2 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Writer Ann-Derrick Gaillot takes us through the decades-spanning career of Tracy Chapman, whose breakout hit Fast Car propelled her into the canon of singer-songwriters when she was just 24 years old. Follow Ann-Derrick Gaillot at @AnnDerrickG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 30
We strip down the mythical, mysterious layers of foundational band The Doors and the original rock n’ roll martyr, Jim Morrison. Fellow child of LA Jeff Weiss of the LAnd Magazine is our guest. Follow Jeff Weiss at @passionweiss and check out The LAnd magazine at @theLAndmagazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 26, 2021•2 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Return guest and best friend Rob Harvilla of The Ringer’s 60 Songs That Explain the 90’s takes us through the humble Irish beginnings to era-defining rock superstardom of U2. Follow Rob Harvilla at @harvilla on Twitter and listen to his The Ringer podcast, 60 Songs That Explain the 90s , only on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 19, 2021•3 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 28
With the help of writer and DJ Jason P. Woodbury of Aquarium Drunkard’s Transmissions podcast, we examine the sprawling and experimental output of Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco, from its alt-country roots to the dad rock clichés and their many genre-transcending moments throughout. Follow Jason P. Woodbury on Twitter at @jasonpwoodbury and check out Transmissions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 12, 2021•2 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 27
We take an inspired, heartfelt journey into the slacker mythology and enduring albums of iconic 90s rockers the Lemonheads. Friend of the ‘Splain Chris Black returns to travel with us into the extended Evan Dando universe and beyond. Follow Chris Black on Twitter at @donetodeath. Subscribe to How Long Gone on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Aug 05, 2021•2 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Issaquah, Washington’s indie rock torchbearers Modest Mouse get ‘splained by The Ringer’s in-house Modest Mouse guy, Justin Sayles. Follow Justin Sayles on Twitter @doxellis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Author and critic Ann Powers maps the pioneering path of one of pop music’s most inventive, mystical, and artistic trailblazers: Kate Bush. Follow Ann Powers on Twitter at @annkpowers, and find her latest book, Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music wherever fine books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 22, 2021•2 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 24
We dive into the DIY legacy and hardcore lineage of DC legends Fugazi with none other than writer, editor, and artist manager Brandon Stosuy. Follow Brandon Stosuy on Twitter at @brandonstosuy, and check out thecreativeindependent.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 15, 2021•2 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Pitchfork associate editor Sam Sodomsky takes us on a bountiful journey through the smooth stylings, guitar virtuosity, and unavoidable boomer nostalgia of Dire Straits. Follow Sam Sodomsky on Twitter at @ssodomsky, find his writing at Pitchfork, and check out his podcast Late Era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Tracking their evolution from the Berkeley punk scene to rock stardom, and all of the sell-out discourse in between, Dan Ozzi joins us this week to talk about Green Day. Follow Dan Ozzi on Twitter at @danozzi and pre-order his book, Sellout: The Major Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore, out Oct. 26, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In honor of the 50th anniversary of her masterwork, Blue, author and critic Jessica Hopper comes on the show to demystify the groundbreaking genius of the one and only Joni Mitchell. Follow Jessica Hopper on Twitter at @missjesshop. Find her books, The First Collection of Criticism By A Living Female Rock Critic , Night Moves , and the upcoming No God But Herself: How Women Changed Music in 1975 (out fall 2022). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 27 min
Do you ever get scared that when you do psychedelics, your brain will break and you’ll get stuck in that place forever and never be normal again? That’s what happened here. Our brains broke somewhere along the way researching for this Red Hot Chili Peppers episode, and we will never be the same again. Fuck it, FOUR* HOUR BANDSPLAIN. *Nearly. Featuring Rolling Stone staff writer Brittany Spanos (@ohheybrittany on Twitter) and writer and Sundance-winning producer of Questlove’s upcoming documentar...
Jun 17, 2021•2 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Suzy Exposito, music reporter for the LA Times, joins us to unpack the story and innovative musical style of Deftones, a band from Sacramento that never stopped evolving, through genres, trends, and even tragedy. Just don’t call them nü-metal. Find Suzy Exposito’s writing at the Los Angeles Times and follow her on Twitter at @HexPositive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Alex Pappademas returns to explain Ween, America’s first and only band "sprouted from the demon-god Boognish," and the one-of-a-kind bond between Boognish’s earthly conduits, Gene and Dean Ween. Alex’s book on Steely Dan, Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, Babylon Sisters, and Other Soul Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan is out in 2022 on University of Texas, Austin Press. You can follow Alex at @pappademas on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 17
REM is your favorite band’s favorite band. They’ve influenced countless musicians and had an immeasurable impact on the following decades of indie rock. Veteran music journalist Caryn Rose takes us through the lifespan and wide-ranging impact of Athens, Georgia’s own REM. Follow Caryn Rose on Twitter @carynrose. Her upcoming book, Why Patti Smith Matters , is out on University of Texas Press in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 57 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Counting Crows are an essential inclusion to the sensitive nineties male rocker canon, one that is very close to Yasi’s heart. Music critic and author Steven Hyden joins Yasi to count the ways they love the Crows and reimagine a context in which they should be reconsidered as good and cool. Follow Steven Hyden on Twitter @Steven_Hyden, check out his podcast Celebration Rock on Spotify, and find his books "Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me" and "Twilight of the Gods" wherever fine books are sold. ...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 15
