

Bandsplain
The Ringer
Bandsplain is a show where host Yasi Salek invites experts to explain cult bands and iconic artists - and why people love them - using a curated playlist to help you understand the hype.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 7, 2022 • 3h 35min
Radiohead: Part 2 with Cole Cuchna
We’re back with Cole Cuchna, host of Dissect and Key Notes, for Part 2 of Radiohead, starting from their revolutionary 2000 album Kid A through their continuing evolution both as a band and as individual artists. Steven Hyden, author of This Isn’t Happening: Radiohead’s Kid A and the Beginning of the 21st Century, also joins us for an examination of Kid A’s impact on music criticism and the album’s context within rock music history. Follow Cole Cuchna on Twitter at @dissectpodcast and check out his podcasts Dissect and Key Notes, only on Spotify. Follow Steven Hyden on Twitter @Steven_Hyden, and check out his podcasts Indiecast and 36 From the Vault. Find his book This Isn’t Happening: Radiohead’s Kid A and the Beginning of the 21st Century wherever fine books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 31, 2022 • 2h 44min
Radiohead: Part 1 with Cole Cuchna
Cole Cuchna, host of Dissect and Key Notes, explores Radiohead's early days, 'Creep' evolution, 'Pablo Honey' analysis, Tom's singing style, emotional depth in music, 'OK Computer', abstract lyrics, and band's influence on rock music. Insightful and engaging discussion.

Mar 24, 2022 • 1h 26min
Mailbag Part Deux
Once again, Yasi and Producer Dylan take a little breather from the 60 page Google Docs and 5 hour episodes to answer your burning questions, including: the making of Bandsplain, what bands we’re listening to now, and why we haven’t done Guided By Voices yet. Special shout out to our Gen Z listeners who called in, you are very cool.Check out the artists Yasi and Dylan recommended in this episode:
Turnstile
Enumclaw
Big Thief
Soccer Mommy
Snail Mail
SASAMI
Girlpool
Wednesday
OVLOV
Young Guv
Fucked Up
Niis
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Mar 17, 2022 • 3h 50min
Liz Phair with Niko Stratis
A major figure in the cool girl canon, Liz Phair broke through Chicago’s indie rock scene (and its politics) with her seminal 1993 debut, Exile in Guyville, setting her off on a fearlessly confessional path of continual, defiant self-reinvention. Writer Niko Stratis talks with Yasi about Liz Phair’s bold songwriting and boundary-pushing across the worlds of provincial indie rock and chart-topping pop.Follow Niko Stratis at @nikostratis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 10, 2022 • 3h 37min
311 with Marty Sartini Garner
In honor of 3/11 day, we present to you: 311. Purveyors of positivity as well as amber-colored energies, 311’s extensive career gets a thorough and loving look from writer and known Excitable, Marty Sartini Garner. Follow Marty Sartini Garner at @mrrrty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 3, 2022 • 2h 20min
Randy Newman with Molly Lambert
Songwriter laureate of Los Angeles Randy Newman gets explained by the Valley’s own Molly Lambert. Infinitely more prolific, and controversial, than his common image suggests as the “I Love LA” and Toy Story theme song guy, Molly takes Yasi on a tour of his extensive and complex oeuvre as Hollywood songman. Follow Molly Lambert at @mollylambert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 24, 2022 • 2h 3min
Sublime with Jeff Weiss
Sublime, the ultimate legacy band for stoner kids everywhere, get explained by return guest Jeff Weiss. Jeff joins Yasi to make the case on how Sublime’s Long Beach heritage and their of-its-time infusions of ska, punk, rock, and reggae made them a ubiquitous Southern Californian musical export, even after singer Bradley Newell’s passing in 1996.Follow Jeff Weiss at @passionweiss and check out The LAnd magazine at @theLAndmagazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 snips
Feb 17, 2022 • 3h 54min
Pavement with Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan, editorial director of The Ringer and former grindcore band member, dives into the quirky brilliance of Pavement, a band pivotal to the 90s indie rock scene. He shares nostalgic tales from his own musical journey, including formative experiences with bands and concerts. The conversation examines Pavement's emotional soundscape and their impactful lyrics, while also exploring the unique dynamics and quirks of their music culture. With humorous anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, Ryan reveals how Pavement has shaped fandom and artistic exploration over the years.

Feb 10, 2022 • 2h 51min
Minutemen with Joe Gross
Minutemen from San Pedro, CA were a band of childhood soulmates whose experimental sound, working class roots, and lucid politics made them all-timers in the history of punk. Joe Gross returns to highlight Minutemen’s DIY ethos of “jamming econo,” and the timeless influence they had on the whole of independent music that came after them.Follow Joe Gross on Twitter at @joegross and pick up his 33 ⅓ book on Fugazi’s In On the Killtaker wherever fine books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 3, 2022 • 3h 50min
Nine Inch Nails with Geoff Rickly
Geoff Rickly from Thursday guides us through the extended universe of Trent Reznor, who took the pulse and grit of industrial music into the mainstream with NIИ’s 1989 debut, Pretty Hate Machine, and became one of rock’s darkest and most impactful innovators of the next few decades.Follow Geoff Rickly on Twitter at @GeoffRickly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices