Tim Barry (Avail)

Katie Ellsweig recently gave us a wonderful interview she did with Avail front man and solo artist Tim Barry. She explained:

Tim Barry doesn't know why he writes songs. Sometimes it's because he's lonely, sometimes he's angry and sometime's he's had one too many beers down by the river James. Whether he's singing in seminal punk band Avail , or writing folk songs with his siblings, Barry makes sure that whatever comes out of his mouth also comes out of his heart. "Rivanna Junction," his debut solo effort, is a collection of acoustic guitars, violins, pianos and stories about a life lived hopping trains, driving trucks, writing songs and trying to keep up. Go ahead, ask Tim Barry if he's happy.

Mad Caddies

Our favorite South African Evan recently emailed back and forth with Chuck from the Mad Caddies, talking about their upcoming album Keep It Going, the follow-up to Live From Toronto: Songs In The Key Of Eh.

The two talked about their new album, touring in South Africa and more. The band is playing a string of dates in South Africa this week.

Keep it Going was released May 01, 2007 and you can hear the full thing at here at the 'Org.

The Paper Chase

I recently exchanged some emails with John Congleton. Congleton is a noted producer who has worked with everyone from the Appleseed Cast and Explosions in the Sky to Kirk Franklin and Bono. He, along with friends in Explosions in the Sky, also is responsible for the music on the network television drama Friday Night Lights.

But despite all those projects, his other love is his own band, The Paper Chase, which combines hardcore punk, avant garde and pop into a truly unique concoction. The band released their latest album, the universally acclaimed Now You Are One Of Us last year on Kill Rock Stars.

Keeley Davis (Glos, Engine Down, Sparta, Denali)

We recently spoke to Keeley Davis, the former frontman of Engine Down, bass/synth player for Denali and current member of Sparta. Keeley talked to us about his new side project Glos (or "Glös") and answered some questions about the new project as well as reuniting with longtime collaborator Cornbread Compton and his sister, Maura Davis.

The band recently released their debut full length, Harmonium, and you can find some music from the album on their Punknews.org Profile.

Nikola Sarcevic (Millencolin)

We were recently the recipient of an interview with Millencolin frontman and solo artist Nikola Sarcevic. Nikola is currently gearing up for the release of his sophomore solo album, Roll Roll and Flee. The record was previously released in Europe via Burning Heart but is now coming to North America via Freedumb Records.

The interview was handled by Caroline, of the French Canadian webzine, Punk Me Up.

The Thermals

I recently exchanged a few emails with Hutch Harris, frontman of Portland, Oregon's The Thermals. Last year, the band released their third album for Sub Pop, the explosive and angry concept album, The Body, The Blood, The Machine.

It was an interesting experience to say the least, as Hutch furiously described his feelings about Hummer, Fugazi's Brendan Canty and describes the band's lost record.

The Reason

Our own Ben Conoley recently spoke to Burlington, Ontario-based The Reason. The band recently released their third album, Things Couldn't Be Any Better on Smallman Records. The album is a huge departure from their previous work like Ravenna, and sees synth beats replacing screams and melody replacing breakdowns. Vocalist Adam White took some time to discuss how the band arrived at this point and what they hope for with the new album.

American Hardcore: Paul Rachman & Steven Blush

We recently had a chance to speak with Paul Rachman and Steven Blush, the film makers behind the recent documentary, American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock (1980-1986). The film was one of the most thorough looks at the rarely examined influence of the second wave of Punk Rock, particularly the vast influence of bands like the Bad Brains, Minor Threat and Black Flag.

Spiritually adapted from Steven Blush's controversial book, of the same name, the film speaks with all the notable figures from that period, including Greg Ginn, Ian MacKaye, Keith Morris and many, many others. The film presents a window into that world, eschewing narration or any exposition to present the original stories from the original people involved.

Mêlée

Typing their name may make you thankful for cut-and-paste, but it certainly hasn't hindered Mêlée. After the release of their 2004 full length debut, Everyday Behavior, the band was snapped up by Warner Bros and entered the studio with producer Howard Benson to record their major label debut, Devils and Angels.

I had a short conversation with the band and we talked about the record, Hall & Oates and their plans for the future.

Smoke Or Fire

Dateline's most wanted, Dante3000, had a chit-chat with Jeremy and Ken from Smoke or Fire at their most recent trip through San Francisco. The trio talked about the band's new album, , along with their new drummer Dave and even managed to get in a jab at Guns N Roses.

For all that plus a pretty neat insight into the band's writing process and approach to albums, click Read More.

Also, check out Sound Scene Revolution where you can hear the full audio from the interview.

Love Me Destroyer

Dante "I take off my shirt at inappropriate times" 3000 recently sat down with Colorado's Love Me Destroyer and chatted it up with them when they stopped in San Francisco alongside Smoke Or Fire and Love Equals Death. As always, Richard's interview contains little to nothing about the actual music, but instead focuses on things like threesomes and Guitar Hero. Go figure.

Also, you can go and listen to the full interview over at Sound Scene Revolution. They're running a contest where you can win schtuff from the band.