On this episode, we break down our favorite records of 2025 with two trusted voices in punk and hardcore: Jeremy Bolm (singer of Touché Amoré [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/touch%C3%A9-amor%C3%A9/433437119], founder of Secret Voice) and Joey Cahill (Wanna Hear It Records [https://www.wannahearitrecords.com/]). We talk standout releases, unexpected favorites, and what made this year hit harder than most. It’s a wide-ranging, opinionated conversation about the music that defined 2025 for us.

Best Of 2025 Playlists

Apple Music Playlist [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/best-of-2025-100-words-or-less/pl.u-kx5VFBRDRq] 

Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4YNK5mQGjHpqRZGZaaGvGK?si=0210556fb8de443f]

------

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code BESTOF (for a limited time only) [https://evilgreed.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BEST OF 2025 w/ Jeremy Bolm and Joey Cahill 

On this episode, we talk with The Unraveling [https://www.th3rdworld.com/collections/the-unraveling] co-authors Karl Buechner and Jeremy Mueller. Karl, best known as the voice of Earth Crisis [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/earth-crisis/122473324], brings decades of perspective from a life deeply rooted in hardcore, while Jeremy offers the complementary lens that helped shape the book’s broader narrative.

Together they dig into what it means to be taken seriously—both as writers and as people coming from subcultures that outsiders don’t always understand. They break down the unique challenge of writing a book with three authors: how to balance tone, divvy up responsibilities, and merge individual viewpoints into one cohesive story.

Karl and Jeremy also explore the parallels between assembling a book and building a band: finding the chemistry, negotiating differences, and letting the collective vision rise above any single contributor.

A candid, thoughtful conversation about collaboration, identity, and the creative process behind The Unraveling.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HEAVY (for a limited time only) [https://evilgreed.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Karl Buechner and Jeremy Mueller, authors of “The Unraveling” (and Earth Crisis)

This week on the show, we sit down with Graeme McKinnon, vocalist, songwriter, and driving force behind Canadian post-punk powerhouse Home Front [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/home-front/284916554]. Before blending icy synths with punk grit, Graeme cut his teeth in the world of hardcore—shaped early on by the tough, street-level bite of Blitz and the chaotic, uniquely Canadian spirit of SNFU. Those bands didn’t just influence his taste; they rewired the way he understood energy, melody, and attitude.

Graeme talks about coming up through Edmonton’s underground, including the kinds of shows that make you who you are—like the time he ended up performing in what could generously be described as a “crack den,” a night that somehow captured the danger, charm, and resilience of DIY culture all at once.

We dive into how those experiences pushed him to embrace new sounds and new creative risks, leading to the sharp, dance-floor-ready tension that defines Home Front today. From punk basements to synth-soaked anthems, Graeme traces the winding path that brought him here—and how staying open to new things has kept the fire burning after all these years.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HEAVY (for a limited time only) [https://evilgreed.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Graeme McKinnon from Home Front

In this episode, I talk with Dan Gump, founder of Life Sentence Records [https://www.instagram.com/lifesentencerecordsofficial/] and vocalist of Excessive Force [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/excessive-force/1840956560], about his unique path through hardcore. We get into his upbringing, discovering punk, and how serving in the Marine Corps shaped his perspective once he became part of the OC and Midwest hardcore scenes.

Dan reflects on what it means to be a straight edge adult, how that identity evolves over time, and how it connected to his work running Life Sentence and fronting Excessive Force. We also dive into stories behind the label, early Orange County hardcore, writing music while deployed, and how he sees the scene—and himself—now.

A focused look at a key figure from a powerful era of hardcore, told with honesty, history, and perspective.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HEAVY (for a limited time only) [https://evilgreed.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Gump from Excessive Force & Life Sentence Records

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Angelacos—the unmistakable voice behind Bloodlet [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bloodlet/191570429], Hope & Suicide, and Hollow Leg [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/hollow-leg/404795284]—to dig into the history, mythology, and lived reality of one of Florida’s heaviest and most influential frontmen. Scott walks us through the early days of Bloodlet, the unique darkness that shaped their sound, and the gritty Florida scene that helped forge so many boundary-pushing bands.

We get into his close relationship with Hatebreed, from early shows and mutual support to the long-standing friendships that grew out of that era. Scott shares stories about practicing in the same building below Death, giving us a rare glimpse into the strange, stacked musical ecosystem of ‘90s Florida—where legendary bands casually crossed paths and influenced each other just by proximity.

And yes, we go there: the wild memories of partying at Tony Brummel’s house, a snapshot of the weird, chaotic, and formative moments that floated around the Victory Records universe at the time.

Along the way, Scott reflects on his creative evolution across projects, the lasting impact of Bloodlet, and what heavy music still means to him today.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code HEAVY (for a limited time only) [https://evilgreed.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scott Angelacos from Bloodlet and Hollow Leg

New episode featuring Petey USA [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/petey-usa/1789154025] — the musician, comedian, and all-around creative dude known for blending vulnerable songwriting with offbeat humor and viral sketches.

We talk about how collaboration has shaped his approach to both music and comedy, what it felt like to throw the first pitch at a Cubs game, and the balance between sincerity and absurdity that’s become his signature.

From recording sessions to sketch ideas, Petey opens up about finding inspiration in community, staying grounded as his audience grows, and how laughter and honesty often come from the same place.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code VINYL (for a limited time only)  [https://evilgreed.com/]

Get the best vinyl storage/furniture around with Wicker Wood Works and use the promo code 100words for 10% off orders of over $500. [https://wickerwoodworks.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Petey USA

This week, we sit down with Brett Burnham, vocalist of Torn Apart [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/torn-apart/15405257] and longtime tattoo artist, for a deep dive into the roots of Baltimore hardcore and the winding path that’s carried him from stages to tattoo shops. Torn Apart was one of the most intense and influential bands to come out of Baltimore 90s scene — a bridge between metalcore’s early chaos and hardcore’s emotional core — and their releases on Life Sentence Records captured that moment perfectly.

Brett reflects on growing up immersed in DIY music, how the Baltimore and Erie, PA scenes helped shape his creative worldview, and how tattooing became both a continuation and an evolution of the same spirit that drove Torn Apart. The conversation moves through stories of late-night shows, long drives, and building a life rooted in creativity and community.

If you’re into the intersection of music, art, and identity — or if Torn Apart was ever part of your soundtrack — this one’s for you.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code VINYL (for a limited time only) [https://evilgreed.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brett Burnham from Torn Apart 

Few drummers have shaped punk rock’s heartbeat like Bill Stevenson. From pounding the kit for Black Flag to defining melodic hardcore with the Descendents [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/descendents/2821896], Bill’s fingerprints are all over the sound and soul of modern punk. Now in his early 60s, he’s as sharp, funny, and relentless as ever — splitting time between drumming, producing at his legendary Colorado studio The Blasting Room [https://theblastingroom.com/], and firing off those famously short, no-nonsense emails that have become part of his lore.

In this episode, Bill talks about how it feels to still be chasing perfect takes after decades behind the kit, what it’s like playing massive Descendents gigs after starting out in basements and beach-town garages, and how the band’s documentary Filmage unexpectedly turned his life story into one of punk’s most human tales. He also opens up about what keeps him balanced these days — how his approach to health, caffeine, and the occasional drink has evolved since the early days of late nights and fast food — and why staying connected (even if it’s just through a few curt emails) is his way of keeping life simple.

It’s a conversation about endurance, humor, and clarity from one of punk’s most quietly disciplined minds — a guy who’s still out there chasing ALL at 61.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code VINYL (for a limited time only)  [https://evilgreed.com/]

Get the best vinyl storage/furniture around with Wicker Wood Works and use the promo code 100words for 10% off orders of over $500. [https://wickerwoodworks.com/] 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill Stevenson from Descendents

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Cozens, frontman of Restraining Order [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/restraining-order/6290600], the Massachusetts/Connecticut hardcore band known for blending classic early ’80s energy with modern urgency. Patrick talks about growing up in the New England scene, how Restraining Order first came together, and the balance between being easygoing offstage and all-out intensity onstage.

We dig into how both he and the band have grown over the years—from sweaty DIY shows to playing some of hardcore’s biggest stages—and how the scene itself has shifted since he first got involved. Patrick reflects on the changing spirit of hardcore, the lessons learned through touring, and what personal growth looks like when you’ve spent years living and breathing this music.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist brought to you by Evil Greed

Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/100-words-weekly-reccos/pl.u-WMy3UB4N43]

Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105]

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWMUSIC (for a limited time only)  [https://evilgreed.com/]

Get the best vinyl storage/furniture around with Wicker Wood Works and use the promo code 100words for 10% off orders of over $500. [https://wickerwoodworks.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patrick Cozens from Restraining Order

This episode features a conversation with Esden Stafne, bassist, vocalist, and founding member of saturdays at your place [https://open.spotify.com/artist/69Kp4bE7aUWEPrmTwmhVZR?si=qOAmvP0VQoGzS-50joFHGQ], the Michigan-based band whose blend of Midwest emo, pop sensibility, and raw sincerity has built a passionate following across DIY spaces and beyond.

We dig into Esden’s life offstage—the quiet moments between tours, growing up in the Midwest, and how early influences shaped his outlook on art and connection. He talks about balancing humor and honesty in songwriting, the personal growth that comes from being on the road, and the strange, grounding effect of seeing your music resonate with people you’ve never met.

It’s an open, reflective conversation with an artist learning how to stay true to himself while everything around him keeps moving faster.

Weekly Recommendation Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11xMpD6cIu08GmE3PWpypA?si=83094abaefe04105] presented by Evil Greed

Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_akI_b6HY7yrc2Zc1ciBvw]

Rockabilia sells you officially licensed Merch from ALL your favorite bands (and your Dad's favorite band, your siblings etc...). Use the promo code 100WORDSORLESS for 10% off your order. [https://rockabilia.com/] 

Get 10% off your Evil Greed order by using the code NEWMUSIC (for a limited time only)  [https://evilgreed.com/]

Get the best vinyl storage/furniture around with Wicker Wood Works and use the promo code 100words for 10% off orders of over $500. [https://wickerwoodworks.com/]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Esden Stafne from Saturdays At Your Place

Host Ray Harkins dives deep with creators of independent culture from musicians, artists and other interesting people to find out what inspires them, how they came to be and many other unexpected places.

100 Words Or Less: The Podcast