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Pepe Bandit Gets Interviewed: Folk Punk, Community, DIY Bandits, Prison, Spirituality & Future Plans #64

Season 4, Ep. 64
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Things get flipped in this conversation & Pepe gets interviewed. He explores the journey of the DIY Bandits, a record label that emerged from personal struggles & a desire to create community through music. The discussion covers Pepe's unique work of blending folk punk & hip hop, & the challenges he faced, including being poor while raising a family, rejection from some of the folk punk community & his eventual incarceration. Pepe reflects on the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions & the role of music & spirituality as an outlet during difficult times. Hear about upcoming music & book releases & the conversation closes on the evolution of the folk punk community, its current state & its potential going forward.

**This interview was conducted by Jarda (Smažená pikantní škeble) for the online Czech magazine Alarm. We play a song of their's at the end. There's links below to the print version if you want to read it or see some pictures of me since I don't post myself online much :)


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HIGHLIGHTS:

  • DIY Bandits started as a response to personal struggles
  • Bridging genres was a key focus from the beginning
  • Community engagement was essential to the label's mission
  • The label was rooted in working-class experiences
  • Incarceration led to significant personal reflections
  • The importance of taking responsibility for one's actions
  • Support from family & community was crucial during confinement
  • Spirituality deepened through Pepe's solitary experiences
  • The journey of writing a book was initially daunting
  • The folk punk community is evolving & becoming more inclusive
  • The importance of giving back to the community is emphasized
  • Pepe feels a sense of responsibility to share his journey
  • Song "Going Postal" by Smažená pikantní škeble



Support Jarda (Smažená pikantní škeble) who arranged & conducted this interview:

  • smazenapikantniskeble.bandcamp.com/music
  • Read the interview (english) medium.com/@michljarda/what-supports-you-when-theres-no-one-left-to-support-you-bab448d386d8
  • Read the interview (czech) denikalarm.cz/2025/10/folk-punk-pro-me-vzdycky-znamenal-neco-vic-nez-jen-hudbu-rika-pepe-bandit/




Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)

  • StayFreeCoffee.com


Back On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:

  • backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/music


Follow the podcast on Instagram

  • instagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engram


Reach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions to

  • Podcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.com
  • Leave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)



***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:

  • Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.
  • Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)


Stay Free,

Pepe Bandit

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