Walk The Line

Walk The Line

Author: Tyler Short and Brian Wallace October 9, 2025 Duration: 2:16:17

This episode has it all: clowning on the Blood Brothers, extensive gig talk, random Memphis anecdotes, and a deep dive on 2005's Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line. Honestly, this movie is even better than you remember. Join us as we retroactively diagnose Johnny Cash's autism. "We're all goin' to hell for the songs we sing."


What happens when two musicians from the hardcore punk scene fall down a rabbit hole of storytelling songwriters? Hardcore Troubadour is that deep dive, hosted by Tyler Short and Brian Wallace. This isn't a formal music history lesson; it's the sound of two friends with a shared obsession, unpacking the entire catalog of Steve Earle as a starting point. Each episode focuses on an album, but the conversation naturally spirals into the wider worlds of country, folk, rock, and Americana that orbit Earle's work. You'll hear them connect the raw, working-class narratives in these songs to the ethos of their own backgrounds in bands like Inclination and Perfect World. The discussion often takes detours into adjacent records and artists that influenced or were influenced by the topic at hand, creating a rich tapestry of musical connections. Expect a podcast that treats this music with the same passionate, detailed analysis you'd find in a punk basement, full of genuine enthusiasm and a keen ear for the stories behind the songs. If you've ever wondered how the spirit of rebellion translates across genres, or just want to hear two knowledgeable fans geek out about great songwriting, this is for you.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 64

Hardcore Troubadour
Podcast Episodes
Sidetracks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:17
This week we're diving into Sidetracks, a compilation of covers, soundtrack songs, and other often overlooked material that contains some real gems. And also some dirt. To the FBI agent assigned to listen to this podcast…
Damn Sure Not Suffering From A Lack of Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:00
Let's watch a little-known-but-really-cool Dutch documentary together, exploring Steve's pathway to sobriety and life in Nashville. Don't cut too much off of that bonsai.
Transcendental Blues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:50:45
Join us as we pay tribute to the incredible activist, singer, and truth-teller, Sinéad O'Connor, before diving into Steve's ninth studio album, Transcendental Blues. Candles on the altar, penny in your shoe.
Without Getting Killed or Caught [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:42
Join us as we welcome another special guest, friend of the pod and Louisville hardcore legend Scott Keeling, to hang out and discuss some of our favorite records by Guy Clark, Tré Burt, and Drive-By Truckers. Rock and ro…
The Mountain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:02
Join us as we explore The Mountain, where Steve teams up with the Del McCoury Band and makes it sound like he's been playing bluegrass since he came out of the womb. Let's keep singing, just as long as our luck and our l…
Tom Petty Part II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:36
For all of us who still can't get through "Wildflowers" without tearing up. Whether your day is a diamond or a rock, I hope you'll spend part of it with us.
Tom Petty Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:25
We're back, with a tribute to one of the greatest songwriters to ever live, Mr. Thomas Earl Petty. We picked six albums from his massive discography, and dive into three of them here. Remember, even the losers get lucky…
El Corazon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:51
Let's talk about a record that AP writers called "one of the top 10 best pop albums of the 90s." Right up there with Dr. Dre, Beck, Lauryn Hill, and Portishead. Come on, let's go. This ain't Louisiana. Your mama won't kn…
To Hell and Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:19
On June 25th, 1996, Steve Earle played a show at the Cold Creek Correctional Facility in West Tennessee, as a condition of his parole. In addition to making a killer live recording, MTV was also on-hand to make a mini-do…
Tears Don't Matter Much [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:53
This week we are joined by our good friend, Tom Sheehan (Indecision, Most Precious Blood, Axe To Grind Podcast), who was gracious enough to come hang with us and talk about some of our favorite records. Come hang out as…