Fawkes and Friends

• Fawkes and Friends: Frank Turner (again)

  Quick reminder: The Misery Suite, the latest album from Black Guy Fawkes and the Co-Conspirators is out now on all platforms and available through Asbestos Records in the US, Bomber Music in the UK, and Le Noize in Canada. You can also snag copies at upcoming shows, or at IronFest in Newport, KY November 15th..In this episode, Frank Turner reunites with Ian and Ed as they discuss his recent tour with Dropkick Murphys, the dynamics of being an opening act, and adjusting performances for different audiences. Frank reflects on the significance of his 3000th show, his early performances, and the sense of nostalgia playing at venues he has a history with. The conversation also covers the challenges and rewards of music festivals, the process of writing concept albums, and Frank's physical and vocal preparations for shows. Additionally, the group delves into the importance of community and inclusivity, discussing the decision to host the next Lost Evenings festival in Dallas amidst backlash. The episode wraps up with highlights of memorable experiences with his old punk band Million Dead, juxtaposed with lighter, fun anecdotes. If you’re going to be at any of his US shows on the tour that was just announced, you’ll probably run into Ian at the Baltimore show or Ed at the Pittsburgh one. In a partnership that has lasted over two decades, Xtra Mile Recordings has been with Frank Turner every step of the way - from Million Dead, to fledgling solo singer-songwriter and onto global superstardom. Turner is now one of the UK’s most successful artists. He released his tenth studio album ‘Undefeated’ in May 2024 which debuted at Number 3 in the Official Album Chart and Number 1 in the Independent Album Chart. His album ‘FTHC’ (Feb 2022) became his first #1 hit with the previous four albums all peaking in the Top 3. With over a million albums sold worldwide, he has three gold-certified albums and one silver status. Since his first solo gig in 2004, Frank has played his 3000th show in Feb 2025 at Alexandra Palace, London, which sold out within 24 hours of being on general sale. His biggest UK headline shows include aforementioned Alexandra Palace, O2 Arena and Wembley Arena. He has performed at almost every UK venue imaginable, from tiny clubs to stadiums as well as the opening ceremony of 2012 London Olympics. Internationally, Frank has played headline shows in all continents with big followings across Europe and North America. He completed the ambitious 50 States in 50 Days tour in 2022 – the first non-US citizen to do so and his award-winning annual 4-day festival, Lost Evenings continues to sell out at each and every city it takes place in. His full back catalogue is available on Xtra Mile as well as a full range of merch. For more Frank Turner, check out frank-turner.comFor more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Black Guy Fawkes dot com or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

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• Fawkes and Friends: Cassie Jalilie (The Venomous Pinks)

  Quick reminder: The Misery Suite, the latest album from Black Guy Fawkes and the Co-Conspirators is out now on all platforms and available through Asbestos Records in the US, Bomber Music in the UK, and Le Noize in Canada. You can also snag copies at upcoming shows, or at IronFest in Newport, KY November 15th..In this heart-to-heart episode, Ian and Ed catch up with Cassie Jalilie, drummer of Venomous Pinks, as they discuss her musical influences, her connection with her bandmate, and her journey through a challenging year marked by a cancer diagnosis. Cassie shares her thoughts on the political climate, the importance of using their platform for activism, and the therapeutic power of music. They also delve into tour experiences, the punk scene in Hawaii, and their culinary favorites on the road. Through candid conversations and shared memories, this episode highlights Cassie's resilience, passion for punk rock, and unwavering commitment to social justice.After this episode was recorded, Cassie did have to go through more chemotherapy. From the Venomous Pinks’ Facebook post on it:“We are raising a little support for Cassie as she goes thru chemotherapy if you’d like to chip in, I’d be so grateful! Absolutely no pressure at all — just sharing in case you’re interested.Venmo: @cassie-jalilie PayPal: [email protected] cards: [email protected]”The Venomous Pinks are an all-female punk band from Arizona who have been making waves in the scene since 2013. The band is known for their intense and energetic live shows, as well as their catchy melodies and brash punk sound. While every all-female punk band will draw inevitable comparisons to Bikini Kill, few deserve them more and want them less than the Venomous Pinks. They simply want to deliver the most intense, refined, in-your-face, high-energy hardcore punk regardless of gender or background. The Venomous Pinks have shared the stage and earned the respect of a who’s who of punk rock royalty, including Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, and NOFX. They have also played at some of the biggest festivals in the world, such as Punk Rock Holiday, Punk Rock Bowling, and BrakRock. In 2022, The Venomous Pinks released their long-awaited debut LP, Vita Mors. The album perfectly encapsulates who The Venomous Pinks are in 2022: a fusion of unforgettably catchy melodies and brash punk that pushes forth the underlying messages of unity, equality, and positive mental attitude (PMA). Whether you’re looking for the slick hardcore punk musicianship of shredding guitars, pounding bass, and thunderous drums or the oft-inspiring message of a band capable of bringing generations of punk rockers together The Venomous Pinks are very much what the present and future look like. These ladies will rock your world in every room of the house, clear out to the parking lot. While their energetic stage performance exhibits a “work hard and play harder” mentality, this tight, punchy three-piece’s unapologetic style will ravage your ears with their mix of punk and hardcore. For more on the Venomous Pinks, check out their website.For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Black Guy Fawkes dot com or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

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• Fawkes and Friends: Matt Nasir (Sleeping Souls)

  This episode, Matt Nasir joins Ian and Ed from across the ocean via the magic of the internets. He shares insights on band dynamics, challenges of live performances, and working with Frank Turner. Matt recounts his musical journey, influenced by family, transitioning from bass to multiple instruments (and which instrument he “thinks” in when composing).and his involvement in notable tours and projects. Maybe we’ll get to see him score a Bond film one day. Whether reminiscing about special gigs or delving into his musical influences, Matt offers a comprehensive look into his vibrant career in music.Upcoming gigs where you can find Black Guy Fawkes:Festivals:Sing Us Home Festival: May 2-4  (Philadelphia, PA) (www.singushomefestival.com)Pouzzafest: May 16-18 (Montreal, Quebec) (www.pouzzafest.com)Fforest Fest: June 7 (Morris, IL) (https://fforestfest.com/music/)Camp Punksylvania: June 20-22 (Gilbert, PA) (www.camppunksulvania.com) (use code BLACKGUYFAWKES for 10% off Camp Punksylvania tickets)Tour (supporting Apes of the State):Hamilton, ON (May 13 at Vertagogo)Toronto, ON (May 14 at Hard Luck)Ottowa ON (May 15 at Dominion Tavern)Tour (supporting Pet Needs)Anaheim, CA (May 27 at House of Blues)Tempe, AZ (May 28 at Yucca Taproom)Denver, CO (May 30 at Skylark)Madison, WI (June 1 at The Bur OakCleveland, OH (June 3 at Grog Shop)New Kensington, PA (June 4 at Preserving Underground)Pontiac, MI (June 5 at Pike Room)Matt Nasir is a composer, arranger, and performer–notably in the Sleeping Souls. For more info, check out https://www.mattnasir.com/ - he’ll be retooling the site in the near future.For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

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• Fawkes and Friends: Grant Minnick

  Upcoming gigs where you can find Black Guy Fawkes:Festivals: Sing Us Home Festival: May 2-4  (Philadelphia, PA) (www.singushomefestival.com) Camp Punksylvania: June 20-22 (Gilbert, PA) (www.camppunksulvania.com) (use code BLACKGUYFAWKES for 10% off Camp Punksylvania tickets)Tour (supporting Apes of the State): Hamilton, ON (May 13 at Vertagogo) Toronto, ON (May 14 at Hard Luck) Ottowa ON (May 15 at Dominion Tavern)This week, Black Guy Fawkes (and Ed) are talking to Grant Minnick, a local singer songwriter from Indiana, Pennsylvania, who just released his first album Panels!, which is a bit of a meditation on graphic novels–each song is inspired by a different cartoonist’s work. Grant talks about the songwriting process and his influences and gives Ian a chance to really geek out about some comic book related things. Ian and Grant talk about the different mindsets involved in being a songwriter and being a performer, and how the two don’t always go together. Grant Minnick is a musician out of Indiana, Pennsylvania. His first album, Panels!, is out on all music streaming platforms. You can find more of Grant at https://www.instagram.com/grantminnick.music/For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

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• Fawkes and Friends: Kiri Oliver (Early Riser)

  The first episode of Fawkes and Friends in 2025 is the preliminary gathering of the Matt Flood of Asbestos Records Appreciation Society, as labelmate Kiri Oliver of the band Early Riser joins Black Guy Fawkes and his pal to talk about a shared love of the album format, the brilliance of Mikey Erg and his unwavering commitment to playing in almost every band at Fest is Gainesville, what Early Riser’s fantastic song “Strays” was written about and how other people can see their own unique situations in it, falling in love with music at a young age before the question of “cool or uncool” comes into play, and so much more.   Cover photo courtesy of Marc Gaertner Early Riser is a cello-driven pop-punk band from Brooklyn, NY. They originally formed as an acoustic duo of Kiri Oliver (vocals/guitar) and Heidi Vanderlee (cello/vocals), who released their debut album Currents in 2017. They found their permanent lineup and evolved their sound with the addition of rhythm section Nicole Nussbaum (bass/vocals) and Mikey Erg (drums/vocals), resulting in 2021’s Vocations. Inspired by the songwriting of The Mountain Goats, Against Me!, AJJ, and The Front Bottoms, Kiri writes clever, relatable lyrics about mental health, social relationships, and figuring out what’s important to you. She has a knack for capturing life’s challenges with a sense of humor and a focus on positivity and growth. Her words are elevated by the band’s soaring cello riffs, driving rhythms, and tight vocal harmonies. Early Riser’s third album, Big Life (Asbestos Records, 2024) was helmed by legendary indie rock producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, Waxahatchee) and packs their biggest punch yet with a set of fun and fierce sing-along anthems that explore themes of isolation and connection.  They have also had the honor of covering songs about cats for the official tributes to two of their favorite artists, The Weakerthans and Jack Terricloth. For more Early Riser, check out their web site at https://www.earlyrisermusic.com/ For more Black Guy Fawkes, check out Music | Black Guy Fawkes (bandcamp.com)or https://asbestosrecords.bigcartel.com/. He’s also on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, etc as Black Guy Fawkes–spelling is extremely important here and, not surprisingly, he’s on music streaming services as well: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can probably find Ed drinking in a karaoke bar or in the crowd at a punk show. The show also now has a playlist of music from guests that have appeared, and guests who will be appearing, and you can check that out on Spotify as well: Fawkes & Friends: The Playlist - playlist by Ian Robinson | Spotify

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