Listen now | In this episode, Matt and Angela explore how punk culture and neurodivergence intersect, highlighting the ways subcultures can serve as a refuge for authenticity and self-discovery.
Ween is the first thing I think of when I hear the phrase "punk country." They have a 1996 record of country songs, and they are also a punk band.
Hole's video of "Violet" was brought to my attention a couple years ago on an autistic group, because of Courtney Love's mannerisms during the video being fairly obviously autistic. (Of course she's on record as saying she's autistic, but this would have made your episode a little longer maybe, if you could have shown a clip, which you probably couldn't due to copyright.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH_rfGBwamc
Thanks for your comment! I’m Sami, the content manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast. 😊 Totally agree—Ween’s “12 Golden Country Greats” is such a fascinating mix of punk and country, and its humor and genre-defying chaos feel so autistic-coded!
As for the “Violet” video, you’re absolutely right—Courtney Love’s mannerisms in it are striking and resonate with her being openly autistic. While copyright constraints make it tricky to feature clips, it’s such a powerful example of autistic expression in media. Thanks for sharing the link and your perspective—it’s definitely a great conversation starter!
Do you have any other albums or music videos that feel like they belong in the autistic-coded canon? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Hi! I’m Sami, the content manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast!
Phish is *absolutely* autistic-coded! The fan culture, the improvisation, the deep dives into musical themes—it all screams autistic creativity and hyperfocus. You’ve got me thinking about how their music and community reflect autistic joy and connection.
This could totally be a fun idea for a future episode. Thanks for the suggestion—keep them coming!
Hi! I’m Sami, the content manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast! 😊
“Fireflies” went triple platinum in my house when I was in middle school, and knowing that Adam Young is a self-identified autistic person makes it even more meaningful. His dreamy, whimsical style and the way he captures sensory experiences in his lyrics feel so deeply connected to autistic expression.
It’s amazing how his music gives us a way to connect and process the world through our own lens. Thanks for bringing this up—Adam’s openness about his autism is such a win for representation in creative spaces!
Great episode! Definitely resonated with me. Love Hole and so many other punk/hardcore bands. Also love me some Henry Rollins who has mentioned being on the spectrum.
Hank Williams III is absolutely country punk, aka Cowpunk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowpunk). And yes, he is of those country Hanks. Looks just like his grandpa.
I loved this episode! Music is one of my long-standing special interests. Punk isn't my top genre, but I appreciate the aesthetic. One of my friends idolized Courtney Love and was a big fan of Hole back in the day. I had no idea Courtney was diagnosed autistic, but I suppose I'm not surprised. Of course, we all listened to Nirvana at the time. Blind Melon is my favorite band of the era, I still keep that self-titled album in the rotation today! Their lead singer, Shannon Hoon, died tragically back when I was still in high school, the year after Kurt Cobain died. Those were rough times for grunge music fans.
The concept of shutting up the inner narrator! 🤯 I can certainly catch a moment of this when vibing at a concert, the bass vibrating my whole body. Also, being in/around water. My brain can be so peaceful when I'm gliding through a backwater in a kayak. Otherwise ... non-stop multiple channels of chatter, music, short films, etc.
Great discussion of intersectionality in punk. Lots to think about!
Johnny Rotten's story mentioned he has a "hunchback", which my brain immediately free associated to Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. And omg The Secret Garden is autistic af! Actually, broadly-nd and disabled af. I'd love to hear a discussion on the show!
The original novel by Burnett was one of the books I read over and over again as a kid. Later on as a high school theater kid (loved the musicals episode btw!) I fell in love with the musical when our local community theater did a production. I still love the soundtrack, so brilliant!
This is my first comment on Substack. Long-time listener here. Hope you enjoyed this essay-length response. 😝
I used to listen to my dad's record collection too! Tom Petty, Chicago, The Eagles, The Jackson 5, The Beatles (I loooove The Beatles), Steely Dan, The Mamas & the Papas, John Denver, Elvis Presley (never did care for Elvis). I found Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead on my own in high school. I saw Dead & Co live a few years ago. I've seen RatDog (Bob Weir's band) a couple of times too. ✌🏻
Ween is the first thing I think of when I hear the phrase "punk country." They have a 1996 record of country songs, and they are also a punk band.
Hole's video of "Violet" was brought to my attention a couple years ago on an autistic group, because of Courtney Love's mannerisms during the video being fairly obviously autistic. (Of course she's on record as saying she's autistic, but this would have made your episode a little longer maybe, if you could have shown a clip, which you probably couldn't due to copyright.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH_rfGBwamc
Thanks for your comment! I’m Sami, the content manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast. 😊 Totally agree—Ween’s “12 Golden Country Greats” is such a fascinating mix of punk and country, and its humor and genre-defying chaos feel so autistic-coded!
As for the “Violet” video, you’re absolutely right—Courtney Love’s mannerisms in it are striking and resonate with her being openly autistic. While copyright constraints make it tricky to feature clips, it’s such a powerful example of autistic expression in media. Thanks for sharing the link and your perspective—it’s definitely a great conversation starter!
Do you have any other albums or music videos that feel like they belong in the autistic-coded canon? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Just about everything Kate Bush has done, for one.
Kate Bush is a genius and a goddess... I'm a huge fan.
I thought of another music-themed idea for a podcast episode. Phish is autistic! Trust me, at least some of them are. 😂
Hi! I’m Sami, the content manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast!
Phish is *absolutely* autistic-coded! The fan culture, the improvisation, the deep dives into musical themes—it all screams autistic creativity and hyperfocus. You’ve got me thinking about how their music and community reflect autistic joy and connection.
This could totally be a fun idea for a future episode. Thanks for the suggestion—keep them coming!
While we're on the music train, yall know that Adam Young, better known as Owl City (y'know, Fireflies?), is a self-identified Autistic, right?
Hi! I’m Sami, the content manager for The Autistic Culture Podcast! 😊
“Fireflies” went triple platinum in my house when I was in middle school, and knowing that Adam Young is a self-identified autistic person makes it even more meaningful. His dreamy, whimsical style and the way he captures sensory experiences in his lyrics feel so deeply connected to autistic expression.
It’s amazing how his music gives us a way to connect and process the world through our own lens. Thanks for bringing this up—Adam’s openness about his autism is such a win for representation in creative spaces!
OwlCity has been on our episode list from the beginning but hasn't quite made the cut - yet!
Great episode! Definitely resonated with me. Love Hole and so many other punk/hardcore bands. Also love me some Henry Rollins who has mentioned being on the spectrum.
Hank Williams III is absolutely country punk, aka Cowpunk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowpunk). And yes, he is of those country Hanks. Looks just like his grandpa.
Yes! Cow Punk was my first thought! That lead directly to Rockabilly/Psychobilly!
I loved this episode! Music is one of my long-standing special interests. Punk isn't my top genre, but I appreciate the aesthetic. One of my friends idolized Courtney Love and was a big fan of Hole back in the day. I had no idea Courtney was diagnosed autistic, but I suppose I'm not surprised. Of course, we all listened to Nirvana at the time. Blind Melon is my favorite band of the era, I still keep that self-titled album in the rotation today! Their lead singer, Shannon Hoon, died tragically back when I was still in high school, the year after Kurt Cobain died. Those were rough times for grunge music fans.
The concept of shutting up the inner narrator! 🤯 I can certainly catch a moment of this when vibing at a concert, the bass vibrating my whole body. Also, being in/around water. My brain can be so peaceful when I'm gliding through a backwater in a kayak. Otherwise ... non-stop multiple channels of chatter, music, short films, etc.
Great discussion of intersectionality in punk. Lots to think about!
Johnny Rotten's story mentioned he has a "hunchback", which my brain immediately free associated to Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. And omg The Secret Garden is autistic af! Actually, broadly-nd and disabled af. I'd love to hear a discussion on the show!
The original novel by Burnett was one of the books I read over and over again as a kid. Later on as a high school theater kid (loved the musicals episode btw!) I fell in love with the musical when our local community theater did a production. I still love the soundtrack, so brilliant!
This is my first comment on Substack. Long-time listener here. Hope you enjoyed this essay-length response. 😝
I 100% loved this essay length comment! Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!
I used to listen to my dad's record collection too! Tom Petty, Chicago, The Eagles, The Jackson 5, The Beatles (I loooove The Beatles), Steely Dan, The Mamas & the Papas, John Denver, Elvis Presley (never did care for Elvis). I found Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead on my own in high school. I saw Dead & Co live a few years ago. I've seen RatDog (Bob Weir's band) a couple of times too. ✌🏻
Alpine Valley is where I saw Dead & Co!
Wow! Some history there.
I live less than an hour from the venue, but the cops and $25 drinks make it a lot less fun than it used to be. 😆