

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

20 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 3h 58min
Jeff Buckley With Sean Fennessey
Yasi is joined by The Big Picture’s Sean Fennessey to dive into the brief, brilliant career of Jeff Buckley. They cover his rise on New York’s café stages and the making of his only studio album, 'Grace,' and they discuss how his singular voice, his wildly varied influences, and his tragic and untimely death helped to shape one of the most enduring myths in modern music.
Episode Playlist
Listen to the Jeff Buckley playlist HERE
CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Sean Fennessey @seanfennesseyProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 20min
MOVIE NIGHT: 'Dig!' with Joe Coscarelli
Joe Coscarelli, a New York Times culture reporter and co-host of Popcast, dives into the cult documentary Dig! Recognized for its raw footage and the rivalry between The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, he explores the intricacies behind their intertwined legacies. Joe reflects on how the film shaped his career, comparing its narrative to classic storytelling. Discussions on authenticity in documentaries and why musicians often disown their candid portrayals are also highlighted, plus insights into the newly released Dig! XX.

Nov 13, 2025 • 3h 5min
Massive Attack with Bre Morell
Bre Morell, a musician from Crushed and expert on Massive Attack, dives into the unique origins of the iconic band. She reveals how they unintentionally pioneered trip-hop in Bristol’s vibrant scene. The duo discusses the Wild Bunch collective’s blend of punk, reggae, and hip-hop, and how key figures shaped the group’s aesthetic. They explore the groundbreaking album Blue Lines, emphasizing its genre fusion and collaborations. Insightful stories about their evolution, cultural impact, and darker sounds in Mezzanine round out this captivating conversation.

Nov 6, 2025 • 2h 7min
Mailbag with Rob Harvilla, Plus An Interview with Militarie Gun’s Ian Shelton
It’s mailbag time, and once again Rob Harvilla is here to help Yasi answer your most pressing questions. Is 31 too old to go to shows? What would you recommend to impress a hardcore Swedish punk gamer? Why do all the kids these days look like Geese (the band)? And who was stage diving at a Riff Raff show?!
Next, Yasi is joined by Militarie Gun’s Ian Shelton to discuss their new album God Save The Gun. And along the way they talk getting over your embarrassment, therapy through songwriting, and some less controversial topics (like God).
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guests: Rob Harvilla @harvilla, Ian Shelton @militariegun
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Editor: Adrian Bridges
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 30, 2025 • 2h 41min
Jimmy Eat World with Chris Ryan
In this engaging discussion, Chris Ryan, a podcaster and music writer, dives into the fascinating journey of Jimmy Eat World. He recounts their early days in Mesa, AZ, and the pivotal split seven-inch that connected them to the emo scene. The conversation contrasts the pop-punk era with their breakthrough album, Bleed American, exploring themes of panic disorder and emotional depth. Listeners will enjoy insights into their creative process, the impact of Napster, and the band's remarkable resilience in maintaining humility and longevity in the music industry.

Oct 23, 2025 • 1h 21min
BOOK CLUB: Evan Dando’s Memoir plus the new Lemonheads album with Producer Dylan
Evan Dando is back with a long-awaited memoir and a brand-new Lemonheads album, and there’s only one guest who could do them both justice: the artist formerly known as Producer Dylan, aka Dylan Tupper Rupert.
In this episode, Yasi and Dylan dive into their takeaways, learnings, and surprises from the book, Rumors of My Demise and also discuss the first original Lemonheads album in 19 years, Love Chant (it’s good!).
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guest: Dylan Rupert
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Video Editor: Kevin Pooler
Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 16, 2025 • 2h 28min
Alanis Morissette with Alicia Bognanno
Alicia Bognanno, the talented frontperson of the band Bully, joins to explore the profound influence of Alanis Morissette on emotional expression in music. They discuss how 'Jagged Little Pill' transformed pain into relatable pop poetry, providing a voice for a generation. Alicia shares her personal connection to Alanis's work, while they dive into themes of vulnerability, industry pressures, and the authenticity of Alanis's songwriting process. They also reflect on cultural impacts, from iconic singles like 'You Oughta Know' to Alanis's enduring legacy.

Oct 9, 2025 • 2h 3min
Hair Metal Hall of Fame with Molly Lambert
In today’s episode we’re heading back to the Sunset Strip — a leather clad world of teased hair, tight pants, and pure chaos. Guest Molly Lambert helps us remember the golden era of hair metal, when bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Ratt made the Sunset Strip their glitter covered playground. Turn it up, spray it higher and relive the excess and freedom of the 80s with us. Episode Playlist:Listen to Hair Metal Fall of Fame HereCREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Molly LambertProducer: Rob Sundermann Video Editor: Ashleigh SmithAudio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles, Juliana RessTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
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Oct 2, 2025 • 3h 50min
Mötley Crüe with Mel Ottenberg
We love Mötley Crüe. Mötley Crüe loves partying (so so much). In this episode you’ll hear how Nikki, Tommy, Vince, and Mick put on their make-up and pioneered a genre, how they turned their pain, trauma, talent, and ambition into an unstoppable chart-topping force, leaving a trail of sleaze and destruction in their wake. Cruise down the Sunset Strip with Yasi and her iconic guest Mel Ottenberg, next stop the Cathouse (followed by rehab)! Episode Playlist:Listen to the best of the Crüe hereCREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Mel OttenbergProducer: Rob Sundermann Audio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 25, 2025 • 53min
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne, with Kory Grow and Rob Harvilla
Rob Harvilla and Rolling Stone senior writer Kory Grow join Yasi to discuss Ozzy Osbourne’s bodies of work with Black Sabbath as well as solo, his incredible impact on not just music but pop culture at large, and his enduring legacy.Read Kory’s piece ‘Ozzy and Me: How I Got to Know the Real Ozzy Osbourne’, HERECREDITS: Host: Yasi SalekGuest: Kory Grow, Rob HarvillaProducer: Rob SundermannAudio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


