Joe Plummer's friends share their stories from life on the road. We hear funny, sad and sometimes scary tales from musicians and comedians. Have a tour story? Send a message to [email protected]. Tour Stories is produced by Ruinous Media. htt...
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 Italy, doodles and we get a taste of the newest, rip roaring, hard funk blues single, (God Created) Lock And Key.
This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.
Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Schecter Guitars
Distrokid
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 from Eel Sparkles.
This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.
Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs
Mentioned in this episode:
Schecter Guitars
Izotope
Distrokid
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 Ruinous Media for their network support. Thanks to Baby Tyler Band for use of our theme song “Needs” off their self-titled album. Thanks to Waylon Thornton for the bumpers. Thanks to Tyler Nickell for the podcast’s artwork.
Find Punk This Week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and on any podcatcher via this RSS link. Find Nina Corcoran on Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter; find see/saw on Instagram and Bluesky.
Have a question you’d like to hear addressed on the show? Want to talk about a new record we didn’t discuss? Want to send a HARD PIVOT bumper? Join us on the see/saw Discord or email us: [email protected].
Punk This Week is made possible by see/saw subscribers; please consider a subscription if you enjoy this podcast. You’ll learn about way more punk records than we can pack into the pod!"
This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.
Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Distrokid
Schecter Guitars
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. The two drummers successfully avoid talking about drums the entire episode and we hear a few new tune.
This episode supported by our friends at Izotope. This episode is produced with Ozone 12, the newest from Izotope. Head over to izotope.com now for savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 and RX 11 and master with the best and solve the unsolvable. Use code FRET10 at checkout.
Ep supported by Distrokid . Distrokid now offers Bandzoogle where you can build your bands website and store in minutes. Tour stories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories.GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Episode sponsored by Schecter Guitars. Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world.Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price. Go Schecter for all your guitar needs
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Distrokid
Schecter Guitars
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 savings on all their production software. Go check out Ozone 12 Now! 20 plug-ins for mastering mastery. Use code FRET10 at checkout.
Ep supported by @distrokid. Distrokid now has Banzoogle, where you can build your website and store in minutes. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH @distrokid
Companies mentioned in this episode:
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Schecter Guitars
Distrokid
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 highlight their favorite skate videos, Jim shares a fanboy moment, and we hear some songs for the new record.
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments .
Lovingly, Joe
Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts.
Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now!
Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price.
Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs.
Tour Stories is sponsored by Built In Sun and Kingston Union
Mentioned in this episode:
Schecter Guitars
Distrokid
Izotope
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 person. Joe and Sari discuss the distinct neighborhood music scenes in New Orleans, the importance of working out songs live before recording them and we get a sneak peek of Freak.
Threadheads Cultural Foundation
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments .
Lovingly, Joe
Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts.
Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now!
Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price.
Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs.
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Distrokid
Schecter Guitars
MEMORIALS is Verity Susman (Electrelane) and Matthew Simms (Wire, Better Corners, It Hugs Back, Uuuu, Fitted). Their newest single In The Weeds is out now via Fire Records. This is their first release since the acclaimed debut album, Memorial Waterslides. The duo tell us how both film scoring and the band Sterolab brought them together and why the formation was an accident in reverse. Verity and Matthew share how their recording approach has changed and how physical space and concision play a role on the new recordings. They discuss the beauty of imperfect instruments verses digital tools and what’s right about the wrong way of creating. We learn why their lyrics don’t always come from a preconceived idea, how they translate their songs into the live performance, and we dip our ears in the new single.
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments .
Lovingly, Joe
Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts.
Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now!
Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price.
Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs.
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Schecter Guitars
Distrokid
Jamie Cheller is a founding member and guitarist of Brighton based indie dance rockers, congratulations. They will release their debut album Join Hands on February 13th, 2026, via Bella Union. Jaime shares the story behind the formation of congratulations, why musicianship is important to them and how a combination of experimental music and 80’s rock energy seeped into their overall sound and delivery. Jamie tells us why the band walks the line of seriousness and humor and how that plays a role in the collaborative nature of the band. Joe and Jamie discuss the production behind Join Hands, how it was to work with friend/producer ICEBEING (Luke Phillips) and why Jamie feels like Join Hands is the bands best work yet. The two commiserate on Deerhoof, the importance of “moving butts” and why the new record is best heard LOUD.
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments .
Lovingly, Joe
Please visit and support Izotope Schecter and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts.
Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now!
Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s premier guitar companies, offering electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles. They offer high-quality instruments with professional components at an affordable price.
Go to https://www.schecterguitars.com/ for holiday deals and all your guitar needs.
Will Epstein is a composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist based in Woodstock NY. His newest release, Yeah, mostly (out January 9th via Fat Possum Records) takes a turn from his avant-guard and soundscape tendencies and very comfortably settles into a more traditional form of song writing and direct lyricism, but retains the sonic intrigue of his earlier work. Will shares his experience of growing up in an artistic atmosphere in NYC, how that shaped his expression over the years and how he found himself playing saxophone for a member of the Velvet Underground as a youngster. Will tells us why Yeah, mostly has helped him find his lyrical language, how the recording process freed him up creatively and why he thinks more direct and literal lyrics can bring the listener into reality in a psychedelic way. Joe and Will discuss the fruitfulness of the “song a day” exercise, their love for costume dramas and how Will heard John Coltrane in Animal Collective. Will tells us why laughter can be an indication of his best work and we hear some new tunes.
SPECIAL REQUEST FROM JOE ..."if you like this podcast, please subscribe and tell all your friends. also, if you love, hate or kinda sometimes like Tour Stories/The Check In, please express yourself loudly in the comments .
Lovingly, Joe
Please visit and support Izotope and Distrokid for continued exclusive listener discounts.
Izotope is the leader in audio repair, mixing and mastering. Ruinous uses Izotope and you should too. Trust us. Check out Ozone 12 now!
Ep supported by @distrokid. Distro now connects direct to TikTok!!!!! with exclusive access to your tiktok artist account. @thetourstories listeners get 30% off at distrokid.com/vip/tourstories. GET YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE! ITS EASY WITH Distrokid
Mentioned in this episode:
Izotope
Schecter Guitars
Distrokid