Ted Leo on the concept of punk, quarantine, and the Lookout Zoomout

Ted Leo has been a fixture of the punk community for over thirty years, first with bands like Citizen’s Arrest and Chisel, and later with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. In 2000, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists signed with seminal East Bay label Lookout Records and went on to release three critically acclaimed LPs and several EPs on the label. Ted Leo is performing this Sunday on the third installment of the Lookout Zoomout concert series. He chatted with Punknews staffer Tyler Barrett about the occasion and his time on the label.

Penelope Houston talks the Avengers, a life in punk, and the Lookout Zoomout

Penelope Houston of The Avengers is a legend. In addition to recording some of the fiercest first wave punk tracks ever, she has recorded tons of solo tracks traversing from punk to folk to pop to punk again. On top of that, she's remained active in the local Bay Area scene and is playing Lookout Zoomout #3 with Dr. Frank and Ted Leo this Sunday.

To that end, Punknews' David Wilkins recently sat down with Houston to discuss the life of a Punk Rock Lifer, playing in the Avengers, and the Lookout Zoomout. You can check it out below.

Dr. Frank of MTX talks the Lookout Zoomout

Ahead of the third installment of the Lookout Zoomout 3 includes Penelope Houston, Ted Leo, Dr. Frank, more">Lookout! Records Zoomout series of livestreams on March 28th, Punknews' Steven Farkas spoke to Mr. T Experience frontman, novelist, solo artist and all round renaissance man Dr. Frank. They talked about about Dr. Frank finally saying yes to a livestream, unleashing his inner detective whilst working on the MTX his solo catalogue reissues, and his strange connection to the FC Dallas MLS soccer team. You can check it out below.

Gary Bennett of Kill Your Idols on the band's new reissue

What is there really to say about Kill Your Idols that wouldn’t be derivative or obvious. They are, simply, one of the most important bands in hardcore and punk. Lucky for us, Chronic Death Record is reissuing the band’s first full-length. The aptly named 12-inch LP was first released way back in 1997 via the long-defunct None of the Above Records. Now, Chronic Death’s reissue treatment includes previously unreleased rehearsal tracks with Deathcycle’s Ron Grimaldi in drums, and three color variants. Punknews' Mike Musilli chatted with founding member Gary Bennett about the reissue, the tragic loss of Vinny Value, and being in a band in the age of COVID.

Simon Small on producing records in Lockdown

We all know that the music business has been decimated by the pandemic. 99.9% of bands rely on tours, merch and other physical sales to make any money whatsoever these days and it’s been extremely hard to keep that going for obvious reasons. The other thing that bands need to keep doing is making music to keep their fan base engaged. And for that, most bands or musicians will need a producer.

Simon Small plays in London-based punk band Apologies, I have None, but he’s also a successful producer in his own right, having worked with artists including MONO, The Front Bottoms, Black MIDI, Ithaca, John Illsley (founding member of Dire Straits) and more besides, even extending to Broadway and West End artists. Punknews' Sam Houlden spoke to him about working in the current situation and how things have changed.

Dikembe talk their new album

Gainesville’s Dikembe want you to stand still in the muddy waters of our human experience. They also want you to wear a goddamn mask. Punknews contributor Ida V. Eskamani spoke with band members Steven Gray, Randy Reddell, and Andy Anaya on their 2020 album Muck and what’s ahead.

Marshall Gallagher of Teenage Wrist talks the band's new album

Today, Teenage Wrist released their new album Earth Is a Black Hole. Punknews' Max Qayyum caught up with guitarist Marshall Gallagher ahead of the release to talk about the LP, the ongoing pandemic, and baking.

Check Out The Melvins Guide to Romance!

While everyone knows that The Melvins are grade-A, first class rockers, few people know that they are also a trio of Romeos. Guitarist Buzz Osborne proposed to his wife just days after meeting her. Drummer Dale Crover has been a family man for decades. Bassist Steven McDonald even recorded a love song to his on the last Redd Kross album!

To that end, this Valentine's Day, the band is releasing the second episode of Melvins TV- and it's focused on LOVE, baby! Not only will the band be playing a live set, but Dale Crover's band provides an opening set, AND there will be interviews and other wackiness. You can check that out here.

Since the crew of weirdo-rockers are also a bunch of lovebugs, we asked them to teach us the art of romance. You can read the Melvins tips on amore below.

Lande Hekt of Muncie Girls on her new solo LP

Lande Hekt, guitarist and vocalist of UK based punk band Muncie Girls, has just released her new solo LP Going to Hell. The album delves deep into her personal experiences, talking about coming out and dealing with anxiety among other topics. Punknews editor Em Moore spoke to Lande on the phone about her new album, the state of punk today, the importance of being true to yourself, and the future. Read the interview below.

Good Friend talk their new EP

Good Friend, who were recently named "Ireland’s sexiest punk band," are not letting any of the multiple global crises slow them down- Pandemic, Brexit, and fascists be damned. You’ll find Adam Carroll, Andy Reid, and Izzy Curran in the ring banging out lion-hearted punk rock with an unyielding resolve. With the release of the Erin Rose EP and a rescheduled tour with Red City Radio, Good Friend are ready for 2021. Punknews Contributor Ida Eskamani interviewed singer Adam Carroll about the band's newest release and what’s ahead.

Vinnie Caruana talks I am the Avalanche's new album

It’s been six years since their last album came out, but I Am the Avalanche are back with DIVE . Punknews Max Qayyum called vocalist Vinnie Caruana over Zoom from a wet and windy England, while Caruna was outside in the California mountains. They discussed what it’s like to release music during a global pandemic, how the band has evolved over the past fifteen years, as well as balancing I Am the Avalanche and The Movielife. Check out the interview below.