Tour Stories/The Check-In with Joe Plummer

Will Schwarz and Lynn Truell are two of the four founding members of Imperial Teen. Their newest record All Over You is due out October 9th via Merge Records. Will and Lynn tell us how supportive and caring collaboration plays a role in the bands creative process and longevity. We learn how All Over You reflects the current state affairs and why Will took a playfully pessimistic approach to his writing. The three discuss the resonating power of modular song titles like All Over You, Will and Lynn share their experience making the video for the new single Overdrive...

Dawn Moraga and Tim Lusk are the guitarists, singers and founding members of the Kill Devil Hills based band Cor De Lux. Their third full length and Ipecac Records debut Year Of he Horse is due out on September 18th. Tim and Dawn share their live performance focused songwriting process, the evolution of singing duties in the band and why all rehearsals begin with their version of a therapy session. Dawn tells us why her vocals come second to playing guitar in the band, how she’s controls the energy in each song and why she’s apprehensive of trad...

Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) and Tracy Sawyer (The Husbands, The Flying Tigers, The Lies) are the founding members of Heavens To Betsy. They are set to release their first project since 1994: baby’s gone, a 16-track mission statement comprising a never-before-heard demo tape originally recorded by Bratmobile’s Molly Neuman. The two tell us how it feels to get back together as both friends and bandmates after a lifetime apart and why they feel better equipped to celebrate the power of these songs and connect with their audience. We hear why they see this release as a gift and why the...

Chris Leo is the guitarist, singer and a founding member of The Van Pelt. Their newest record Remain Obscure is out on September 18th via Earnest Jenning records. Chris and Joe discuss the 20+ year journey of The Van Pelt, why the band finds themselves consistently reuniting and the unique circumstances that brought them back together for the new record. Chris tells us how his writing has evolved into what it is today, why it’s still a process in motion and a sustainable vehicle for his expression. We learn why Chris felt he needed to leave his home state of...

Thao Nguyen is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland California. Her newest record Show Me drops October 30th via Kill Rock Stars. Thao share’s her experience growing up just outside of D.C and how playing small clubs as a teenager and the preconceptions of female musicians motivated her to operate on higher level from the get-go. She tells us what brought her back to recording and touring after a 6-year break, how a desire for communion came out of a personal reckoning and why Show Me comes from a more centered perspective. The tw...

It's that time again, my annual Michael Cera episode. Yes, the first face you see when you open Netflix is Michaels from the forever giving show Arrested Development. Yes, three generations of humans understand ALL the jokes from his hit movie Superbad. And finally, yes he played the most iconic character in film history in Barbie, the most watched film in film history. But none of this helps the guy who played the most powerful bass player in the world in Scott Pilgrim recover his lost/stolen bass in real life. The world and our perspectives have changed drasticlly...

Chelsey Hahn is a singer, organist and founding member of Perennial. They’re newest record Modernism will be released on September 18th via Earnest Jenning Record Co. Chelsey tells us how the band approached the new record and why capturing their live energy is essential to all of their recordings. She shares the band’s dual vocal and writing process, how their instrumentation allows them to maximize their performance and why playing hi-energy shows is Perennials main objective. Joe and Chelsey commiserate on the power and beauty of an All Ages community and we hear a couple new tunes.

Jim Blaha is a singer, guitarist and a founding member of The Blind Shake. His debut solo effort Hang From A Cloud from his new project I Will Die In This Jean Jacket is due out August 21st via Swami Records. Jim shares how his songwriting process became the catalyst for the new record and why it steps away from the punk garage sounds of The Blind Shake. Joe and Jim commiserate on the importance of skate punk in their musical lives, Jim tells us how his vocals and lyrics have evolved and the role isolation played on the...

Mallory Hawk is a singer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia by way of Fayetteville NC. Her self-released debut record Chinook is out July 31st. Mallory shares her experience growing up in a music rich household and why she ultimately settled with guitar as her main instrument. We learn how her songwriting style has evolved for the new record, she tells us the story behind the record title and how a military upbringing influenced the concept. The two discuss Mallory's process in the studio, how this elaborate group of songs retain a cohesion as a record over all and...

Lily Wolter is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and along with her brother Jack, a founding member of Brighton based band, Penelope Isles. Their newest release, 3 is due out September 25th via Bella Union. Lily shares her experience growing up on the Ilse of Mann, how that shaped her relationship with music and what motivated her and her brother to start playing music together. She tells us why the band took a three-year break, what they did with that time, and why Penelope Isles feels stronger than ever. Joe and Lily discuss her story telling style, the songwriting connection that these...

Dent May is an LA based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His 7th full length record The Big One is due out August 14th via Carpark Records. Dent share’s his experience growing up in Mississippi and why his connection to music was so meaningful both as a child and in his formative years. He tells us how his production approach rides the line of maximalist and minimalist, why he chose to track live and how he wrangled his array of influences to create a unique sound for The Big One. Dent and Joe talk about the connection that artist Jo...

Evil Island have announced their debut album, Terraform The Afterlife, arriving August 14 via Blowed Out Records. Born from the creative firestorm that followed The Blood Brothers' 2024 reunion tour, the record finds Johnny Whitney, Cody Votolato, Mark Gajadhar and Autry Fulbright pushing their collective chemistry into bold new territory. In this episode, Johnny and Cody explain the story behind Evil Island, how The Blood Brothers 2024 tour was the springboard for the new band and why it feels like they are operating at the height of their songwriting. The two share their views on the importance of a good producer/band...

Dawson Daugherty is a singer, songwriter and founding member of Almost Monday. Their second album Thank God It’s Almost Monday is due out September 9 via Hollywood Records and are on tour now with Young The Giant and Cold War Kids. This week Joe reports from the back of a tour bus where Dawson share’s the unique origin of Almost Monday, how surfing played a role in the formation of the band and why Dawson with inspired to delve into songwriting as a youngster. The two discuss the sophomoric pressure for the new record, how it came from extr...

This is a special episode. We would like to present As Many Weirdos As Possible, a documentary photography project honoring the Pacific Northwest music scene from 1985 to 1995. A team of photographers is capturing portraits of bartenders, musicians, engineers, journalists and others from the community, in places that tie them to their stories. Through portraits and handwritten memories, it spotlights the creators and unsung figures who shaped a movement that changed the world. In this episode we hear from Steve Manning at a Seattle Town Hall event on April 17th 2026. Steve Manning has lived everywhere cool in the PNW (Tacoma...

Bob Bert is a New Jersey based drummer, writer, and punk rock veteran whose resume includes Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Knoxville Girls and Lydia Lunch. His debut solo record Beach Bongo Bloodbath is due out June 12th via Bar None Records. Bob shares the process and inspiration behind the new record, which is largely made up of an eclectic collection of covers. We learn how a specific percussion setup shaped the record, how he chose the songs to record and why Beach Bongo Bloodbath is a guitar-free recording.The two discuss Bob’s recording process, Bob shares the details fo...

Melanie Radford is a bassist, singer and songwriter based in Seattle. Her debut solo album For The Sake Of Stillness is due out June 26th via Jealous Butcher Record. Melanie shares her experience in the Boise music scene and why she shifted her playing from jazz to rock. We learn how For The Sake Of Stillness is both a personal mediation and a need for stillness and grounding. She tells us why field recordings operate as the core of the record and how they operate as a living collaborator. Joe and Melanie discuss her writing and recording process, why...

Beck Zegans is a Queens based singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Her newest record Engraving Of Armor is out now via Exploding in Sound records. Beck tells us why Engraving Of Armor has taken her to a new level and sound in songwriting. She shares the collaborative process it took to make the new record and how arranging, mixing, and writing simultaneously shaped the overall sound. We learn how she accidently joined a ska band as a youngster, Joe and Beck discuss the art of the photobooth relay and we hear some tunes of the new record.

Beck...

Alden Hellmuth is a NY based saxophonist and composer. Following her acclaimed 2024 debut album Good Intentions, Hellmuth returns with the aptly titled Tether, an eight-track exploration of jazz, punk and freeform improvisation. Alden share’s the inspiration behind the new direction and sound on Tether, what it was like writing for two basses and how mixing and processing played a role on not only in the production, but the composition as well. The two discuss the significance of texture in Alden’s recordings and she unpacks the personel that contributed to Tethers ambiance. Alden tells us how she was like...

Kevin Barnes is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for of Montreal. aethermead, of Montreal’s 20th studio album is due out June 5th via Polyvinyl Record Co. Kevin shares the unusual heartbreak story behind the new record, why it felt right to go with a more collaborative approach and how the invented record title relates to a very important part of his daily routine. He tells us how limited time shaped the record and brought more life than expected into the songs. The two discuss Kevin’s lyrical approach, how it can be a complicated version of projection and why...

Nick Thorburn is the singer and founding member The Creem, a new collaborative project with Ratatat’s guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Stroud. Their debut release The Taste of Cherry is due June 5th, with two irresistible singles Goodbye and Taste of Cherry available now.

After a quick catch up from the Mister Heavenly bandmates, Nick shares the slow blossoming story behind The Creem and how it finally came to fruition. The two discuss the 70’s FM sound, how those artists we’re celebrating the Beatles in a new way and why The Creem is its own elaboration of tha...

Mini Serrano and Jojo Lavina-Maldonado are the founding members of the Philadelphia based band Cold Court. Their debut EP Hands Up is out June 19th with lead singles Burn and Nina available now. Mini and JoJo tell us how they’re music interest and proficiency evolved from their pre-teens to now and why they are increasingly relinquishing genre mixing rules to create their own identity. We learn why Hands Up was a sonic shift for them, how it is a product of experimentation and frustration and the two un-pack the lyrics on the single Nina. We learn how the in...

Alexander Attitude and Kendra Cox are the founding members of Seattle based Telehealth. Their second full length and Sub Pop debut Green World Image will be available May 15th. Alexander and Kendra share the origin and evolution of Telehealth, how they secured an airtight record deal with Sub Pop and why the band partially functions as a coping mechanism. We learn how their pessimistic and satirical approach make’s sense of tech culture’s destruction of human culture and relieves the anxiety of a tech driven future. They unpack the structure and lyrics behind the single Things I’ve Killed...

Jacob Turnbloom is the singer, guitarist and founding member of Mrs. Magician. The newest record Spiritual Hangover is due out May 15th via Swami Records. Jacob tells why the new record is driven by a heftier sound, what inspired that and how the magic of The Foo Fighters Studio 606 brought it to fruition. He tells us how his song-writing perspective has evolved, what role humor plays in his lyrics and why he’s increasingly involved in the visual presentation of Mrs. Magician. The two celebrate the virtues San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill venue, Joe tells a quick tour...

Evan Cartwright is a composer, collaborator, and drummer for the band Cola. Cola’s third LP, Cost Of Living Adjustment is due out May 8th via Fire Talk Records. Evan tells us how the band allowed themselves more time and space in the writing process for Cost Of Living Adjustment and how that contributed to the sound of the record. Joe and Evan discuss the of the newest single Conflagration Mindset, Cola’s songwriting process and Evans history with the band. The two drummers delve into the freedoms and limitations of playing with tracks, the importance of the energy in t...

Rae Chen is a singer, songwriter and guitarist operating under the moniker tofusmell. His debut full length album All My Time is due out April 24th via Hardly Art. Rae tells us how he grew up in Florida on the edges of both a pop punk and worship scene, and why he picked up the guitar and eventually found himself in Winnipeg. We hear how his approach to writing gives a feeling of sonic closeness, how he responded to more production on All My Time and the role ambiance plays on the new record. Joe and Rae discuss how...

Carla J Easton is a Glasgow based singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. Her newest record, I Think That I Might Love You is due may 8th via Ernest Jenning Records. Carla tells us why the new record is more guitar focused than her previous releases and how it changed her view on the creative process. We learn why she in more comfortable with her lyrics and how that has has translated into a more evocative delivery on I Think That I Might Love You. Carla share’s her collaborative experience of making the record and why a more live approach ca...

Billy Fuller is a song writer, bass player and founding member of the band Beak>. Billy’s debut solo album Fragments is a sonic journey that spans time as it collects fragments of Billy creating alone in his home studio over the last few years. The songs not only inspire the visual, but they hypnotize, pulse and guide the listener through a hazy, atmospheric, and groovy motorik landscape. Fragments is available April 3rd via Invada Records, with two singles out now. Billy tells us how this record came to fruition, and he shares his process for compiling the songs, wh...

Bach Artillerie is made up of multi-instrumental wizards Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) and Curt Sydnor. This absurdist take on the nine canons from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations and his Brandenburg concerto no. 5. will be released on April 24th via Ernest Jenning Records. We get a unique perspective from both Greg and Curt not only on Bach’s musicality, but his work ethic, the root of his dissonance and why Bach has a grounding influence on their own music creation. They discuss how a Lutheran work ethic relates to music making today and why being less productive may be bett...

Alex Edkins is a singer, song writer and guitarist for Weird Nightmare, Noble Rot and Metz. The newest Weird Nightmare album Hoopla is out May 1 via Sup Pop Records and is the quintessence of power pop punk rock and roll. Alex tells us why the new record leans into a more direct and fun approach and where his love for power pop began. We learn how his lyrics have moved to a more personal delivery and why Hoopla is in many ways a sentimental and reminiscent journey. Alex share’s how his song writing and level of effort for We...

Austin Brose is the percussionist, drummer, and a founding member of The Nude Party. Their newest record, Look Who’s Back” is out now just ahead of an extensive North American tour. Austin shares the origin of The Nude Party, the inseparable and nomadic nature of the group and why he thinks learning to play their instruments together has forged a healthy evolution of song writing. He tells us why the band landed in Joshua Tree to make the new record, how 70’s NYC and glam rock may have seeped into some of the recording, and he shares a wild a...

Formed in Yogyakarta, based in Jakarta, Grrl Gang is an Indonesian indie pop band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Angee Sentana, bassist/vocalist Akbar Rumandung, and guitarist/vocalist Edo Alventa. Their newest maxi-single release Online 24/7 is out now via Green Island Music. Angee and Akbar share the origin of the band and how The Stone Roses not only changed Akbar’s life but played a role in the formation of the Grrl Gang. Angee tells us why her approach to the new songs is more direct and how their fans influenced this approach. She explains why she wanted to address th...

Asher White is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC. Her newest release, Jessica Pratt, is a full album cover of Jessica Pratt’s self-titled debut LP (out now on Joyful Noise). Asher share’s her love for the Pratt record, the motivation behind covering an entire record and how the kernel of this idea may have stemmed from a tiny fib. She explains why the recording already written songs was both challenging and fun, how that changed her approach and how trust in someone else’s writing played a role in the process. Asher tells us how she deals...

James Petralli is the singer, songwriter and founding member of the now Los Angeles based band, White Denim. The newest release 13 will hit the streets on April 24th via Bella Union. Second time guest Petralli share’s the thoughtful and sonically aggressive nature behind the new record and how it relates to his personal experience his community and the state of affairs in the US. The two discuss James’s approach to recording and his adherence to a collective process. They share thoughts on the band Geese, idiosyncratic songwriting, and creative integrity. Joe and James express their love for Ital...

Andrew Becker is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and founder Human Potential. The newest release Eel Sparkles in out on March 6th via What Delicate Recordings. Andrew tells us how band dynamic drove him start his solo project and why he puts music before self in his expression. He shares his approach to learning other instruments outside of drumming and why he dedicated himself to the craft of song writing. Joe and Andrew commiserate on the life changing power of the Bad Brains record Rock For Light, Charles Hayward’s (This Heat) drumming iconic drumming style and we sample some tunes fr...

Zak Sally, a Minneapolis resident, talks with Joe about the unwarranted and ill planned ICE invasion of his city that resulted in the murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Read Zak's thoughts on the ICE invasion here. Zak Sally

Zak's music here. The Hand

Mentioned in this episode:

Distrokid

Izotope

Schecter Guitars

Joe drops the newest episode of PUNK THIS WEEK and sneaks onto the show to welcome Nina and Even to the Ruinous Podcast Network.

"As of this moment, our podcast has joined Ruinous Media! We get a check-in from our new pod father Joe Plummer (Tour Stories, The Check-In) before we even had a chance to sweep up all the crumbs from our conversation about Wheatsville popcorn tofu, Jet’s turbo crust, and Cel-Ray.

Discussed this week are excellent new records from DBR, Gylt, Teini-Pää, Rifle, Poor Girl, and Fuckin’ Warheads.

Thanks to Ruinou...

Louis Bradshaw is the drummer and a founding member of Brighton based band Plantoid. They’re second full-length album Flare is set to be released on January 30 via Bella Union records. Louis tells us how the new record quickly slipped from a writing session to a recording session on the edge of the Welsh national park, Snowdoina. We learn why the band pivoted from a live recording approach to a more intentional slowed down and thoughtful process.The two discuss the role of repetition on the new songs and how that created a platform for a more emotive expression. Th...

Nate Mendel is the bass player of the Foo Fighters. He cut his teeth in the Northwest punk rock scene touring and recording with Diddly Squat, Christ On A Crutch and Sunny Day Real Estate, to name a few. In this episode Nate shares the curious history of nudity in his rock n roll career.

Music by Nate Mendel, Lieutenant, and Joe Plummer.

⁠https://lieutenantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/if-i-kill-this-thing-were-all-going-to-eat-for-a-week

This episode supported by our friends Izotope This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for sa...

Today we celebrate the release of the new All Smiles record Skate Videos From Memory (out January 6). Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy, Modest Mouse) and Joe discuss the visual inspiration behind the record and how skate videos shaped the sound. They talk about the impact that skate culture has had on not only their own music, but their general mindset and approach to life. We learn why the new record is a prayer to the universe, why Jim and Joe are celebrating more reflexive music and they muse on why rock music maybe be taking a less cerebral turn. The two...

Sari Jordan is a vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in New Orleans. Their debut album Perfect Be The Enemy is due out May 2026 with the video and lead single Freak hitting the streets on January 9th.  Sari tells us how New Orleans has shaped and nourished their musical life and why it’s a healthy and challenging scene. Sari shares how their approach to recording has changed from the previous EP, why the new record comes from a place of both lightness and existential contradiction and how the single Freak is a celebration of a win as a transgender per...