For this episode of Punks Unknown, we travel 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle to Tromsø, Norway, home of Bastard Bar – possibly the most northern punk dive bar in the world.

Liam sits down with Paul, co-founder of Bastard Bar, to hear how a snowboard kid who loved punk ended up running a basement venue that puts on around 180 shows a year in one of the coldest, darkest parts of Europe.

We discuss starting the bar back in 2009, why Bastard Bar became a home for punk, hardcore, and all things loud, and how Tromsø has changed as tourism has exploded.

Paul explains the reality of keeping a DIY venue alive in a city where hotels are full of Northern Lights tourists, and big corporate bar chains are trying to buy up independent spaces.

This really is a love letter to small venues, stubborn punks, and the people who keep scenes alive at the very top of the world.

All music in this episod are from Norwigan Punk bands (Names below), and thank you to Michael Rigby for the intro track 'Punks Unknown' — links to Mike’s music can be found via this⁠ link

Turbonegro - All My Friends Are Dead

Honningbarna - Festen Som Aldri Stopper

The Good The Bad and The Zugly - How To Do Nothing

Blood Command - The Plague On Both Your Houses

Our Christmas special with Obi Fernandez (Westbound Train)

We talk family Christmas traditions, his time at Berklee, a rodie called Eric Andre, the early grind, and how a Hellcat deal changed their path.

Obi opens up about stepping away after 2009, leading worship, and finding a healthier way back with 2022’s Dedication.

We recorded this on the day Sing the Ghosts Away was released (Go pick up a copy of the album) , so we dive into why it matters to him, how he and drummer Eric built it, and what he hopes you hear.

Follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠@punksinpubs⁠⁠⁠ across all social media and give us a⁠⁠⁠ rate and review⁠⁠⁠ while you are at it.

Jose from MakeWar joins us in a proper London boozer to talk barrier-free stages, why small rooms hit harder, and how the Fat→Hopeless move (and debt wipe) landed for bands.

We dig into his Venezuelan upbringing, finding punk through skate and surf tapes, Miami’s Churchill’s open-mic, the New York DIY grind at Suburbia, and why he still writes melody first before lyrics.

Jose also opens up about anxiety, therapy, and what actually helps on the road—plus a nod to the Common Thread tour and a lot of love for fellow artists.

You can support the band by picking up some merch via this link

Follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠@punksinpubs⁠⁠⁠ across all social media and give us a⁠⁠⁠ rate and review⁠⁠⁠ while you are at it.