

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2023 • 2h 55min
Depeche Mode: Part 1 with Patrik Sandberg
The story of how a few synth-curious teenagers became one of the most influential - and enduring - musical institutions of our time. In Part 1 of our wild two part ride, Yasi and her guest Patrik Sandberg follow the lads of Depeche Mode from their humble but ambitious Basildon beginnings as they develop their sound by way of a variety of powerful influences, including Daniel Miller of Mute Records, Genesis P-Orridge, and their second home, the city of Berlin, dropping hit single after hit single along the way to their Black Celebration.
You can follow Patrik on Twitter @PatrikSandberg
Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE
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Mar 23, 2023 • 4h 1min
Joy Division with Anthony Anzaldo
Joy Division made a huge impact in a very short amount of time. The iconic Manchester outfit that would tragically have to turn the page and become New Order were formed quickly in the wake of a Sex Pistols show, and released some of their most prominent tracks after the passing of their lead singer, Ian Curtis. Anthony Anzaldo of the band Ceremony joins Yasi to explore this shooting star of a band that helped bring in a new sound and way of doing things.
You can follow Anthony Anzaldo via his band on Twitter @Ceremony
Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE
This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please keep this in mind when deciding if, how, and when you’ll listen. For resources on these topics, visit spotify.com/resources.
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Mar 16, 2023 • 2h 58min
The Cure: Part 2 with Hanif Abdurraqib
Hanif and Yasi continue on their voyage, picking up in the heart of the Cure’s discography. Did we leave you with your Head on the Door? Don’t Disintegrate. Our heroes pick up right where they left off and take you to present day.
You can follow Hanif Abdurraqib on Twitter @NifMuhammad
Listen to the accompanying playlist here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/647QhOpb2HfJUhYiIF1KmD?si=87156fa1f52f4ed8
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Mar 9, 2023 • 4h 40min
The Cure: Part 1 with Hanif Abdurraqib
We're back babe and we're bringing you an epic two-parter on the Cure, with a Bandsplain favorite repeat guest, the renowned poet, critic, and author Hanif Abdurraqib joining us once again. The Cure are bigger than any one genre with a decades-spanning discography to match and you better believe we cover it all. Part 1 takes us from their humble beginnings in the distant London suburb of Crawley through the divisive album The Top. LFG.
You can Follow Hanif Abdurraquib on twitter @NifMuhammad
Listen to the songs we detail in this episode here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0DBAp7KjsYPkslgtnzza7I?si=0bfb920cfc854b82
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Mar 2, 2023 • 29sec
Bandsplain Returns March 9th
Bandsplain returns with brand new episodes Thursday, March 9th.
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Dec 22, 2022 • 1h 42min
The 1992 Music Draft
To wrap out the year and our first season at The Ringer, we thought it would be fun to do our own cute little draft. So here it is, The 1992 Music Draft, in which Rob Harvilla and Chris Ryan join Yasi to decide what the best albums, rap songs, rock songs, pop songs, wild cards and music videos of 1992 were. The choices herein may shock even the most passionate of heads.
You can follow Rob Harvilla on Twitter @harvilla and Chris Ryan on Twitter @ChrisRyan77
Thanks for listening this year, we’ll see you all back here in 2023 for more episodes of Bandsplain!
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Dec 15, 2022 • 4h 12min
Teenage Fanclub with Ben Gibbard
Teenage Fanclub emerged from the fertile Scottish rock scene of the late 80s as a fully formed power pop band and went on to lead a long, prolific, and often surprising career; from beating out Nirvana to land the top spot on SPIN's best albums of 1991 list to teaming up with De La Soul for a song on the legendary Judgment Night soundtrack to being anointed Liam Gallagher's second favorite band (after Oasis of course) and so much more. Joining Yasi to discuss his number ONE favorite band is Death Cab For Cutie and Postal Service frontman Ben Gibbard
You can follow Death Cab For Cutie on Twitter @DCFC
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Dec 8, 2022 • 2h 12min
The Clash Part 2 with Brian Fallon
Brian Fallon and Yasi wrap up their journey through the long legacy of The Clash, picking up in 1979 with the release of the iconic London Calling, straight on through Sandinista!, Combat Rock and the end of an era.
Follow Brian Fallon on Twitter and Instagram, follow The Gaslight Anthem on Twitter and Instagram
Some of the books we consulted while working on this episode, if you want to read along:
Redemption Song
Passion Is A Fashion
A Riot Of Our Own
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Dec 1, 2022 • 3h 26min
The Clash Part 1, with Brian Fallon
The Clash were the undeniable breakout stars of the explosive UK punk rock scene. The Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon joins us as we dig deep into the history of the only band that matters. Yasi and Brian discuss the 101ers, Joe Strummer's many name changes, almost Sex Pistol Mick Jones and legendary Clash manager Bernie Rhodes.
Follow Brian Fallon on Twitter and Instagram, follow The Gaslight Anthem on Twitter and Instagram
Some of the books we consulted while working on this episode, if you want to read along:
Redemption Song
Passion Is A Fashion
A Riot Of Our Own
Join us next week for part 2 of The Clash with Brian Fallon!
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Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 22min
Listener Mailbag Part Three
Producer Dylan returns to join Yasi in another dive into the listener mailbag! Questions include guilty pleasures, if we ever hear from the bands we talk about and how we find new music to love.
Speaking of, here’s a list of some bands we recommend in this episode:
Crushed
Luster
Narrowhead
Temple of Angels
Gel
Momma
Fleshwater
Blondshell
Gradient
AZ Power
Fime
Wild Pink
Soul Blind
Teenage Wrist
Superbloom
Superheaven
Money
Cloakroom
You can subscribe to Producer Dylan’s newsletter HERE and Producer Niko’s HERE
No episode next week, but join us back here on December 1st for a new episode of Bandsplain!
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