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Bandsplain

The Ringerwww.theringer.com
Bandsplain is a show where host Yasi Salek invites experts to explain cult bands and iconic artists—and why people love them.
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Episodes

24 Question Party People: Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene

Kevin Drew stops by the program to talk about the first records he bought, which were in some order: Beastie Boys, Madonna, Cowboy Junkies, and the Jesus and Mary Chain, making him the Doogie Howser of music appreciation. We also discuss his gorgeous new solo record “Aging,” and why authenticity is the most attractive quality, all on another episode of '24 Question Party People'. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kevin Drew Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Producti...

Dec 19, 20231 hr 43 min

24 Question Party People: Evan Dando of the Lemonheads

On this episode of '24 Question Party People,' we talk to Evan Dando about moving to Brazil, new Lemonheads music, the art of letting Boston hardcore legends stay in your closet for undefined amounts of time, and whether he’s more the Gingerbread Man or Ralph from 'Lord of the Flies.' Tales are told, songs are sung, and truths are discussed at length, all in another episode of '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Evan Dando Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris S...

Dec 12, 202354 min

Bandsplain x 60 Songs That Explain the 90’s LIVE

Rob Harvilla, Chris Ryan, and our intrepid host Yasi Salek converge onstage at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, California to do a live draft episode in honor of Rob’s fantastic new book 60 Songs That Explain the 90’s. A heartwarming and funny evening from start to finish that we are so happy to share with all of you. Follow Rob on Twitter at @Harvilla Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisRyan77 Host: Yasi Salek Guests: Rob Harvilla, Chris Ryan, and Rob's Mom Producers: Jesse Miller-Gordon, Jonath...

Dec 07, 20231 hr 47 min

24 Question Party People: Kat Moss of Scowl

Despite being raised with the belief that nobody is special, Kat Moss is a special frontperson for a special band. Since their inception, Scowl have become one of the hardest-working bands out there, constantly touring and releasing challenging, catchy, aggressive music. Kat joins us this week to dive deep with Yasi into having a potentially wild astrological chart, how pivotal your first favorite band can be, and the power of vulnerability. Also, Radiohead is very good. Tune in for all that and...

Dec 05, 20231 hr 48 min

Blondie with Mel Ottenberg

First isn’t always best, and Blondie found that out the hard way. One of the first CBGB bands, the rag tag group started out as a “No Ambition Just Vibes” project before fate and a terrible recording contract motivated them to rise to the occasion. Amidst haters, low expectations, and an ever-changing band line-up, Blondie wrote some of the most iconic songs of the era, many of which remain classics to this day. Interview Magazine’s editor in chief Mel Ottenberg, joins us to plot the long and fa...

Nov 30, 20234 hr 5 min

24 Question Party People: Bret Domrose, Rob Mailhouse, and Keanu Reeves of Dogstar

Bret Domrose, Rob Mailhouse, and Keanu Reeves of Dogstar join us for a very special episode: our first-ever three-person party. The group discusses its new record, 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees'; the thrill of hearing Discharge for the first time; and being starstruck by the guy who sang your first slow-dance song. They also somehow find time in between questions to hold an impromptu band meeting and sneak a little bass practice in. All this and more this week on '24 Question...

Nov 28, 20231 hr 13 min

24 Question Party People: Alicia Bognanno of Bully

Alicia Bognanno of Bully joins the show this week from her home base of Nashville Tennessee to discuss a childhood spent in motion, Matchbox 20 as a musical onramp, and why Sarah McLachlan’s ASPCA ad is a trap, even though crying a lot is a good thing. Oh, and why 'Tubthumping' by Chumbawamba is the perfect funeral song. All of this and more, on another perfect episode of '24 Question Party People'. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Alicia Bognanno Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris S...

Nov 21, 20231 hr 24 min

One Album Wonder: Box Car Racer with Anna Zanes

Box Car Racer is a weird and wild look into the mind of Tom DeLonge. At the height of Blink 182’s success, Tom and Travis set out to make a harder record, a side project. Things are not always what they seem on this album. Songs that are seemingly breakup songs turn out to be about national tragedy. Tom DeLonge’s songwriting is deceptively simple, obfuscating a more complex playing style. The band’s existence and how it was communicated to the public seemingly put too much strain on Blink 182, a...

Nov 16, 20231 hr 43 min

24 Question Party People: Nathan Willett of Cold War Kids

Nathan Willett of Cold War Kids is on the show to talk about the soundtrack of morning school drop-off, the complexities of personal faith as seen through the prism of peak Pitchfork, the CWK shampoo commercial that could have been, and turning down dream tours because it was the mid-aughts and everyone was saying no to things they should’ve said yes to. All of this and more, this week on '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Nathan Willett Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate P...

Nov 14, 20231 hr 43 min

Incubus with Chris Deville

From cutting their teeth playing backyard parties to testing their mettle on the road as the sensitive misfits on the Nu Metal circuit to becoming one of the more experimental bands in popular rock, Incubus have always had a strong sense of self. Pardon us (and special guest Chris Deville) while we burst into flames… Follow Chris on Twitter @chrisdeville Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Chris Deville Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges ...

Nov 09, 20232 hr 21 min

24 Question Party People: Gavin Rossdale of Bush

As the frontman of the band Bush, Gavin Rossdale has written a ton of guitar-rock bangers and captured the hearts and minds of a generation of fans who, like Yasi, probably don't know what the song "Swallowed" is about. This week, he’s on '24 Question Party People' to talk about Bush’s newest release, 'Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023'; his infrared sauna and cold-plunge practice; why he finds actors so inspiring; and his passion for grilling meat. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Gavin Rossdale Produ...

Nov 07, 20231 hr 24 min

Mazzy Star with Meaghan Garvey

Some bands would prefer that you do not perceive them, and Mazzy Star are one of those bands. How does a duo that rejects the concept of modernity so thoroughly come to achieve the prominence and cult-like devotion that Mazzy Star did? With goddamn gorgeous beautiful songs, for starters. This week’s guest Meaghan Garvey joins Yasi to chart how this Los Angeles band found its way into the hearts and minds of listeners everywhere with a decades spanning career that defied convention at every turn....

Nov 02, 20233 hr 17 min

24 Question Party People: Jeff Rosenstock

Jeff Rosenstock has been making good, heartfelt music for most of his life. The singer, songwriter, and composer for children’s show 'Craig of the Creek' stops by the show to talk about his new record, 'HELLMODE,' the good and bad ways to get rockognized, and the enduring glory of “Bump” by Spank Rock. All that and much more this week on '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Jeff Rosenstock Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervi...

Oct 31, 20231 hr 49 min

Rancid with Michael Bingham

From the ashes of Operation Ivy rose Rancid, a hard-working generational punk band from the fertile grounds of the East Bay. This week Michael Bingham from the band Spiritual Cramp joins us to chart the course and enduring music of a band that exists at the intersection of The Specials and Agnostic Front. Follow Michael’s band on Twitter @Spiritual_Cramp Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Michael Bingham Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridge...

Oct 26, 20233 hr 6 min

24 Question Party People: Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem

The Gaslight Anthem are dadded and in their mild era. Brian Fallon comes by the show to discuss this stage of life, describe what pork roll is to an increasingly worried Yasi, and explain why he doesn’t get jumpy around Bruce Springsteen. Join The Ringer’s Rob Harvilla (‘60 Songs That Explain the ’90s’), Yasi Salek (‘Bandsplain’), and Chris Ryan (‘The Rewatchables’/‘The Watch’) at the Teragram Ballroom in L.A. on 11/16/23 to celebrate the release of Rob’s new book based on his hit Spotify podcas...

Oct 24, 20231 hr 25 min

100th Episode! Mailbag with Rob Harvilla feat. Producer Dylan

We celebrate our 100th episode with special guests - our beloved listeners. America’s favorite podcaster and Bandsplain father figure Rob Harvilla joins us for a mailbag episode to answer your burning questions, and occasionally dole out unsolicited advice. Plus, a VERY special guest joins us at the top of the episode for a proper walk down memory lane. Thank you for listening to Bandsplain. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Rob Harvilla, Dylan Rupert Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bri...

Oct 19, 20232 hr 11 min

24 Question Party People: Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince of The Kills

This week on '24 Question Party People,' we have a first—two guests at the party. Together, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince of The Kills reflect on their long-standing friendship, making their first record in seven years, learning new things to make new music, and more. As always, important touchstones like protein shakes for tour prep, navigating a tabloid onslaught, and growing up a bit sensitive are discussed at length. Join The Ringer’s Rob Harvilla (‘60 Songs That Explain the ’90s’), Yasi S...

Oct 17, 20231 hr 25 min

The Singles Soundtrack with Sean Fennessey

In addition to being a gorgeous rom com, the movie Singles also ended up preserving the Seattle music scene of the early 90’s in film amber. Cameron Crowe’s homage of vignettes to his adopted home brought together now iconic artists like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Chris Cornell and Soundgarden, and Mudhoney. Whether the artists thought the project was a good idea or not varied, but the results were undeniable. To top it off, Paul Westerberg was airlifted in from Minneapolis to tie it all togeth...

Oct 12, 20231 hr 52 min

24 Question Party People: Dustin Payseur of Beach Fossils

On this week's '24 Question Party People', Yasi checks in with Beach Fossils' Dustin Payseur about ICP, a candy forward diet, touring with Post Malone all summer, and the gorgeous new Beach Fossils album 'Bunny'. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Dustin Payseur Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Oct 10, 20231 hr 35 min

The Afghan Whigs with Chris Ryan

This week Chris Ryan joins us to discuss the first Sub Pop band East of the Mississippi, the Afghan Whigs. Afghan Whigs are a band that has always been exactly themselves, fronted by an iconoclast who approaches putting together albums like he's making a movie. A dark, f*cked up movie. From their Cincinnati roots to leaving a crater in Memphis partying with Primal Scream, to their breakup, reformation and excellent latest album, we track the story of the Afghan Whigs to unpack what makes this si...

Oct 05, 20233 hr 38 min

24 Question Party People: Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker comes on the program with the unexpected mission of expressing support and admiration for the Sex Pistols' seminal debut single, “Anarchy in the U.K.” OK, he also came on to tell us about his beautiful new record, 'Carolyn’s Boy.' After briefly touching on Yasi’s performance of "Only Wanna Be With You," the two dive into loving R.E.M., despising opening the mail, and much more on this week’s episode of '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Darius Rucker Producer: Jess...

Oct 03, 202356 min

The Smiths: Part 2 with Naomi Fry

Welcome back to the Bandsplain episode that doesn’t see a good reason why it should smile. We join our heroes once again, to find them restless in Manchester (for now). Things move quickly for the quartet and as quickly as they rise to deserved prominence they just as quickly begin to see small cracks in the foundation of the band. Naomi Fry is back to grace us with her knowledge and wisdom, in the face of all those rolling basslines. Follow Naomi Fry on Twitter @FryNaomiFry Listen to songs we d...

Sep 28, 20233 hr 37 min

24 Question Party People: Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, and Folk Implosion

Celebrated musician and fellow podcaster Lou Barlow joins the show this week to compare podcasting styles and scheduling preferences and to share best practices for filing systems and great hacks for spreadsheets. Yasi and Lou don’t really do any of that, but they do chat about matters of the heart, soul, and mind—as well as an Evan Dando party story that you have to hear to believe—this week on '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Lou Barlow Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associat...

Sep 26, 20231 hr 39 min

The Smiths: Part 1 with Naomi Fry

Manchester, so much to answer for. From 1982 to 1987, The Smiths produced more goddamn gorgeous beautiful songs than many other artists do in their entire careers. How did something so fragile burn so brightly in such a dark corner of northern England? How did a stylish young guitar savant find the shyest poet, the one who lurked alone in the corner at every gig in the city? This week we are joined by the fantastic Naomi Fry to discuss all of this and more, on Bandsplain. Follow Naomi Fry on Twi...

Sep 21, 20233 hr 38 minEp. 96

24 Question Party People: Slug of Atmosphere

If you were given $5 to go away in 2007, that would be worth $7.40 in today’s economy. Fortunately, Yasi’s fee has gone up in the years in between, and she reunites with Slug this week to discuss this inciting incident, as well as child-rearing and break dancing. It’s another perfectly normal week on '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Slug Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Le...

Sep 19, 20231 hr 54 min

The 1989 Music Draft with Chris Ryan, Rob Harvilla, and Jon Caramanica

Chris Ryan, Rob Harvilla, and Jon Caramanica join Yasi in the Thunderdome to pick their favorite songs and moments from the year that started the 90’s: the last year of the 80’s. Can someone’s own take also be their draft pick? And who ultimately emerged as the winner of the draft? Listen and decide for yourself, this week on Bandsplain. You can follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisRyan77 You can follow Rob on Twitter @Harvilla You can follow Jon on Twitter @joncaramanica Listen songs we detail in the ...

Sep 14, 20231 hr 49 min

24 Question Party People: Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys

This week on '24 Question Party People' we are joined by Yasi's mate Matt Helders, founding member and legendary drummer of the Arctic Monkeys. Matthew joins us from backstage somewhere on the eastern seaboard to weigh in on his experiences with Lisa Vanderpump and Sir Paul McCartney, starting a band before you play an instrument, true love, and humor as a British cultural value. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Matt Helders Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Produc...

Sep 12, 20231 hr 20 min

Death Cab for Cutie with Michael Tedder

Death Cab for Cutie emerged from the Pacific Northwest in the late 90’s and came to embody the indie sound of the mid aughts, rising to fame alongside the teenage melodrama they helped soundtrack. Today they are still releasing meaningful music while many of their peers faded away. Author Michael Tedder joins Yasi to trace their path from early years to the present. Follow Michael Tedder on Twitter @Mtedder Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Michael Tedder Prod...

Sep 07, 20232 hr 33 min

24 Question Party People: Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie

On this week’s show, Ben Gibbard comes on to chat with Yasi about life, death, and the truth. Other big topics include: Daryl Hall—one of the greatest vocal ad-libbers of all time? Can a live performance make you want to flip a car over? What kind of protein powder are we all using? All this and more is revealed on another riveting episode of '24 Question Party People.' Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Ben Gibbard Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Associate Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Superv...

Sep 05, 20231 hr 36 min

Television with Evan Laffer

Arguably the band to start the CBGBs scene paving the way for the Ramones, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Blondie and more, was a band called Television. One of the most innovative bands of the early New York "punk" scene, Television were there and then they weren’t and then like 15 years later, they were again. Their influence casts a long shadow, and the music continues to influence artists today. Press play to find out why Television didn’t become their own sort of Grateful Dead. Follow Evan Laf...

Aug 31, 20234 hr 5 min
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