Published by Ray Harkins
Host Ray Harkins dives deep with creators of independent culture from musicians, artists and other interesting people to find out what inspires them, how they came to be and many other unexpected places.
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 9 min
Kevin Hart has been yelling in hardcore bands since he was a teenager, but Public Opinion is something different, louder in some ways, quieter in others. His dad was a DJ, which means music was never just background noise growing up. These days Kevin processes the hard stuff through songs instead of burdening the people around him, and it shows as Painted On Smile is one of the most genuinely self-reflective punk records in recent memory. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWVINYL (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 16 min
Rich Gaccione built Providence Vegan Deli into something rare; a business that functions less like a restaurant and more like a community hub, where free sandwiches go to anyone who needs one, touring bands eat for nothing, and the line between customer and neighbor gets blurry fast. We talk about how that philosophy took shape, the hardcore and punk roots that inform everything he does, and the seitan operation that started it all. We also get into his time touring with My Chemical Romance and the sandwich on his menu that is his most popular one. Come for the food, stay for the conversation. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWVINYL (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 2 min
This week I sit down with Anthony Lemus, the voice behind Southern California's Stateside. What started as a warehouse job friendship and a shared love of 2000s emo has turned into one of the more exciting bands to emerge from the current hardcore-adjacent scene — and Lemus is the emotional engine at the center of it. We get into how growing up in Southern California's hardcore world shaped him, the deeply personal lyrics behind Where You Found Me , and what it actually feels like when the band that started it all asks you to open for them. It's a conversation about where music comes from, what it costs you, and the surreal moment when your heroes treat you like a peer. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWVINYL (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 12 min
On this episode, I welcome Chad Green from Frozen Soul to the show. We trace his path from growing up around the Texas heavy music community to finding his place in death metal, building Frozen Soul from the ground up, and watching the band become one of the genre's biggest modern success stories. We also dig into the influence of the Texas hardcore scene on his outlook, the confidence it takes to trust your creative instincts when the spotlight gets bigger, and the story behind Chad drawing the now-iconic Frozen Soul logo himself. It's a conversation about believing in your vision, staying authentic as opportunities grow, and why a strong identity can be just as important as the music itself. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWVINYL (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
58 min
Jack Murray, vocalist of 156/Silence, joins the podcast to discuss the road that brought the band to where they are today. From coming up in the Pittsburgh heavy music scene to navigating years of uncertainty, Jack reflects on the relationships, community, and DIY spirit that helped shape both the band and his perspective. The conversation also dives into the moments when it seemed like 156/Silence might not continue, what kept him from walking away, and why persistence has ultimately been one of the band's greatest strengths. Along the way, Jack shares stories from the road, lessons learned through years of growth, and why staying committed to your vision can pay off in ways you never expect. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWVINYL (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 9 min
This week I sit down with Jeremy Walker, co-founder of Fire in the Mountains, for a conversation that goes far beyond festival promotion. Jeremy reflects on the winding path that led him from a life rooted in Vermont to building one of the most unique experiences in heavy music in which a gathering where community, culture, and the natural world carry as much weight as the bands on stage. The discussion explores the evolution of Fire in the Mountains, the mission behind the Firekeeper Alliance, and the responsibility of creating spaces that foster connection, stewardship, and cultural understanding. Jeremy also shares how his relationship with music, wilderness, and community has evolved over the years, and what continues to drive his work today. We also discuss how the Neurosis reunion got pulled together as well. A thoughtful conversation about purpose, place, and building something bigger than yourself. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code TIMETOSAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 11 min
This week Ray is joined by Matthew Dwyer, the voice behind the beloved Texas band Oakwood. For many people, Oakwood occupies a unique place in underground music history of literally playing only 15-20 shows, but having a "comeback" moment that has now turned into something way more real. Matthew takes us through his life in Texas and the environments that shaped both him and Oakwood. The conversation explores the band's connection to the Odessa era, the band came together, and a lot more. We also dig into Matthew's relationship with the broader punk and hardcore world, including formative influences from bands like Paulson and Hot Cross, and how discovering emotionally honest music helped shape his creative voice. Along the way, Matthew reflects on the realities of building a life in Texas, balancing adulthood with creativity, the evolution of DIY culture, and how Oakwood fits into it all. It's a conversation about longevity, community, finding your place in underground music, and what happens when songs continue to connect with people long after they've been written. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code TIMETOSAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 6 min
Joey Chiaramonte (Koyo) joins the podcast this week for a conversation about identity, growth, and finding your place both on and off the stage. As the vocalist of Long Island's Koyo, Joey has helped lead one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the modern hardcore and punk scene, blending melodic songwriting with the energy and community spirit that shaped him. In this episode, Joey reflects on Koyo's rapid rise, the unique culture of Long Island music, and how the band has navigated the space between hardcore authenticity and broader appeal. We also discuss songwriting, nostalgia, the importance of community, and what it means to stay connected to your roots while reaching new audiences around the world. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code TIMETOSAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 6 min
More than a decade after his first appearance on 100 Words or Less , Jay Weinberg returns to reflect on a career that has taken him from DIY hardcore basements to some of the world's biggest stages. Ray and Jay discuss the humbling process of ego death, how his perspective on success and identity has evolved over the years, and what it means to rebuild yourself after major life and career transitions. They also dive into Jay's hip surgery and recovery, the physical realities of being a professional musician, and the lessons learned from being forced to slow down. The conversation also explores the unique energy of international audiences, how crowds differ from country to country, and what those experiences have taught him about music's ability to connect people across cultures. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code TIMETOSAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 6 min
Daniel Danger has spent decades building worlds through both sound and image. As a member of The Saddest Landscape and one of the most recognizable artists in underground music, his work has become synonymous with melancholy, memory, and the architecture of loss. Raised in Central Massachusetts by artist parents, Danger's creative life has been shaped as much by DIY hardcore as by late nights spent exploring Sierra point-and-click adventures like The Secret of Monkey Island. His visual work often draws from those formative influences, blending New England landscapes, folklore, and dreamlike storytelling into a singular aesthetic. In this conversation, we discuss growing up in the Central Massachusetts hardcore scene, the unexpected business of turning sadness into art and whether he's effectively "sold and marketed grief" for a living, the creative overlap between music and illustration, and how a pirate adventure game from the golden age of Sierra and LucasArts helped shape his imagination. We also dive into the longevity of The Saddest Landscape, the band's first full-length album in a decade, and what it means to continue creating emotionally resonant work after spending a lifetime immersed in underground culture. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 10 min
From growing up in the shadow of Western Pennsylvania industry to helping shape some of the most abrasive and intellectually confrontational music of the early 2000s hardcore underground, Nathan Martin has always existed in the space between resistance and reinvention. In this episode, we dig into life in Greensburg, PA, the strange collision of small-town culture and radical art, early internet-era hacktivism, and how DIY politics evolve once adulthood, careers, and survival enter the picture. Nathan reflects on the legacy of Creation Is Crucifixion, the paranoia and possibility of the early digital underground, and whether “selling out” is even a meaningful concept anymore when underground culture and corporate branding increasingly speak the same language. It’s a conversation about identity, compromise, creativity, and what happens when the people who once rejected systems eventually learn how to operate inside them. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 11 min
From the suburbs of Rancho Cucamonga to the deeply personal world of Knumears, Matthew Cole joins the show to talk about the path that shaped both his life and music. We get into growing up in Southern California during the 2000s DIY era, discovering bands like Born Against, and how punk and emo became an outlet while navigating suburban isolation and the Inland Empire/OC show circuit. Matthew also talks about balancing life as a carpenter while building Knumears from the ground up, the realities of modern DIY touring, and the slow evolution of the band’s sound and identity over the years. Steve Evetts The GoFundMe Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 13 min
Scott Mellinger has spent decades shaping heavy music from the inside out. Best known as the guitarist and primary songwriter for Zao, his path runs through some of the most forward-thinking corners of underground metal and hardcore that span the chaotic experimentation of Creation Is Crucifixion to the long, evolving arc of Zao’s discography. In this conversation, Scott reflects on what it meant to join Zao at a turning point and help push the band into darker, more atmospheric territory often chasing sounds inspired by bands like Neurosis, even if it started as what he jokingly calls “trying to rip them off.” That instinct to stretch beyond genre expectations became a defining trait of his writing, blending heaviness with tension, space, and mood. We also get into the role of politics in heavy music in how it shows up, when it feels necessary, and when it can miss the mark. Scott speaks candidly about personal belief systems, including the band’s complicated history with Christianity and his own perspective now, and how those shifts shaped both the music and the identity of Zao over time. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 12 min
This week we sit down with Piper Ferrari from Roman Candle for a conversation that drifts between isolation, creativity, and the strange ways identity takes shape. Piper talks about growing up in the kind of desert environment where time moves differently and where boredom, space, and silence end up shaping how you see the world. That sense of distance bleeds into everything, from songwriting to how you connect (or don’t) with people. We also get into how graphic design became part of her life almost by accident literally falling into it through necessity, curiosity, and the endless feedback loop of the internet. What starts as function slowly turns into another creative outlet, blurring the line between visual identity and music. A big thread through the conversation is the tension between online life and real life where the push and pull of building something in public while trying to stay grounded in something real. Piper opens up about how that balance affects her work, her perspective, and the way she navigates being a creative person right now. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about finding your voice in strange places and figuring out what actually matters once you do. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 2 min
In this episode, we talk with Travis Shettel of Piebald about the band’s unique mix of humor and sincerity, and how their songs have aged into something more universal than anyone expected. Travis reflects on the early days, including working with Kurt Ballou, and how that era shaped both their sound and perspective. We get into longevity, cult status, and why Piebald feels more like a living band than a nostalgia act. At the core of it all: keeping things fun, staying connected, and embracing the idea of never breaking up again. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWWAVE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 8 min
Ryan George is on the podcast this week and we discuss the Central Coast beginnings pre-Carry On, to A Life Less Plagued , to where things sit now with the Carry On reunion shows. We talk about that early 2000s moment when hardcore was shifting, how Carry On fit between youth crew and the darker wave that followed, and what it’s like playing those songs again in front of a new generation. We also get into The Adored era, finding a different lane outside of hardcore, and how all of that fed directly into Youth Code . Past, present, and everything in between. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HYPE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 15 min
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Hydro of Turmoil to trace the arc of a band that helped define late ’90s metallic hardcore scene. Jeff takes us back to Turmoil’s early days in the Lehigh Valley hardcore scene, unpacking how that tight-knit Pennsylvania community forged their identity, intensity, and work ethic. From there, we get into life on the road in Europe specifically what it was like linking up with Madball during a time when U.S. hardcore was exploding overseas, and how those tours cemented Turmoil’s global reputation. We also dig into the complicated legacy of a band that didn’t just reunite once but twice. Jeff reflects on what pulled Turmoil back together at different points in time, how each reunion felt creatively and personally, and what it means to revisit something that never really left people’s lives in the first place. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HYPE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 8 min
In this episode, I sit down with Leah B. Levinson of Agriculture to trace a path that starts in the unlikely corners of Poway, California—where punk and hardcore weren’t just genres, but survival tools—and stretches into the band’s fully realized, ecstatic take on heavy music. Growing up around DIY spaces and tight-knit scenes, Leah carries that foundational ethos into everything they do, whether it’s the emotional directness of their lyrics or the communal energy embedded in Agriculture’s sound. We get into the instrument that’s become central to their voice—the Jazz bass—and how its tone and feel shape the band’s sense of movement, melody, and release. There’s a real conversation here about joy, too—what it means to actively choose it within a genre that often leans toward darkness, and how that perspective connects back to punk’s original promise of belonging, expression, and building something honest with the people around you. From Poway punks to expansive, life-affirming black metal, this conversation highlights an artist who’s less interested in fitting into a scene and more focused on expanding what those scenes can hold. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HYPE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 3 min
This episode features Jennifer Finch — musician, photographer, archivist, and cultural lifer whose work stretches far beyond her time in L7. We get into her earliest bands, including the experimental duo Uh and Sugar Babydoll / Pagan Babies with Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland, her move back to Los Angeles before joining L7, and what it felt like to be inside a band that became part of a larger cultural shift. We also talk about her post-L7 projects like Other Star People — recorded near Lake Havasu at Roy Thomas Baker’s studio and released on Interscope — and The Shocker, which toured Europe and Turkey as part of a loose Los Angeles collective scene. This is a deep one about scenes, memory, music, and what it means to spend your life both making culture and trying to hold onto it. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HYPE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
1 hr 9 min
Uri Avila from Trauma Ray joins the show to talk about the band’s path from the Texas DIY scene to the release of their new EP Carnival . We get into his early musical upbringing playing church music, how those experiences shaped his sense of melody and atmosphere, and the unexpected ways things like karaoke and video games fed into his creative life. Uri also talks about how Trauma Ray evolved from a loose recording project into a full band, finding their place between shoegaze, post-punk, and heavier underground scenes, and what it’s been like seeing the project reach a wider audience while still holding onto that homegrown identity. Along the way we discuss songwriting, growing up in Texas, and the small personal influences that end up defining a band’s sound more than any genre label ever could. Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed Apple Music Spotify Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HYPE (for a limited time only) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .