Episode #699.94 of the Punknews Podcast is now up! In this episode, Em Moore catches up with Angelo Moore and Christopher Dowd of Fishbone to talk about the band's upcoming album Stockholm Syndrome (out tomorrow, June 27!), the current dynamic of the band, growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by the entertainment industry, some lesser-known history of the band, and so much more. Listen to the episode below!
Earlier this month, Richmond, Virginia-based musician Madison Turner released her excellent third album Curtsy When You Land. Madison explores and expands her sound as she mixes together elements of punk, alt-rock, ska, skacore, and folk to create eleven of her catchiest tracks to date. The album unfolds like a movie as we are welcomed into Madison Turner’s world with visual lyrics that are both heartfelt and sarcastic. Curtsy When You Land is available everywhere now via Say-10 Records. You can order a physical copy here or here.
Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Madison to talk about the album, the magic of movies, working in name drops, video games, and so much more. Read the interview below!
This interview between Em Moore and Madison Turner took place over Zoom on June 13, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Earlier this month, Sarah Rose Project, the solo project of Sarah Rose of Sarah and the Safe Word, released her debut self-titled solo album. The eleven tracks are nothing short of sonic alchemy as Sarah weaves together elements from hot jazz, rock ’n’ roll, blues, country, and punk to create a sound that will have you dancing until the sun comes up. The lyrics are visual and action-packed, each song drawing you in and bringing you along for the ride. Much like a great night out, once you press play on Sarah Rose Project you’ll wish it would never end.
Sarah Rose Project is available everywhere now via Say-10 Records. You can pick up a digital copy here or a physical copy here. Sarah Rose Project will be touring around the US with Ratwyfe starting later this month.
Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Sarah to talk about the album, recording in three different cities, writing as a solo artist, taking inspiration from jazz, and so much more. Read the interview below!
This interview between Em Moore and Sarah Rose took place over Zoom on June 10, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
A jam party brought Vanessa Tignanelli, Holly Cunningham, and Linds Sullivan together to form Peach Pact in 2018 and the North Bay, Ontario-based trio has been kicking out excellent grunge-infused punk rock ever since. The band's incredible energy is captured perfectly on their debut album Die Hydrated which was recorded live off the floor at Sudbury’s Deadpan Studios. The nine tracks fly by in a flurry of driving rhythms, dynamic riffs, superb melodies, and powerful vocals. The band’s songwriting prowess is on full display as they explore what it means to stay hydrated in a society that only seeks to drain, tear into societal expectations, discuss the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy, and highlight the importance of community with cathartic lyrics that are impossible not to sing along to.
Die Hydrated will be out everywhere on June 13. You can pre-order the album here and here or you can pre-save the album right here. Peach Pact will be playing their album release show in September.
Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and lead vocalist Vanessa, drummer Holly, and guitarist and backing vocalist Linds to talk about the album, taking inspiration from the desert, what it means to be truly hydrated, creating community, and so much more. Read the interview below!
This interview between Em Moore, Vanessa Tignanelli, Holly Cunningham, and Linds Sullivan took place in May 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Today we are extremely excited to bring you the premiere of the new live EP by Vancouver-based punk rockers Alien Boys!
The EP was recorded in one take at Rain City Recorders and was produced by Jesse Gander. The band rip through four tracks - “Night Mayor” off their 2023 album The Weight of it All, their new single “Punching Concrete” which was released in May, a cover of “Down by the Water” by PJ Harvey, and “Just Another Piece of Acid” from their 2016 record Self-Critical Theory.
The band’s indomitable energy is captured in a video shot by Robert Zawistowski which makes you feel as if you are at one of their shows. You will find yourself singing along and moshing in record time.
We caught up with lead vocalist Sarinn and guitarist Alex to talk about the EP, the recording process, nurturing community, and so much more. Live at Rain City Recorders will be available everywhere on June 11. Watch the video of the EP and read the interview below!
Last month Toronto-based Jayniac Jr. released their excellent third EP Flower Mouth. The four tracks are imbued with their incredible energy whether they are returning to their roots to fuse calypso and punk together on the captivating Ivy Marie-featuring title track, going deep into the mind of a powerful being on the theatrical ska-punk ripper “Zeitchopomp”, or exploring a multitude of anxieties on the gloriously heavy metal-meets-swing track “Death Anxiety”. The EP closes with an unplugged version of the title track which not only showcases their musical range but also lends even more depth to the lyrics. Flower Mouth is available digitally now. Jayniac Jr. will be playing at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on June 30.
Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist Jay to talk about the new EP, songwriting, bringing everything full circle, and so much more. Read the interview below!
This interview between Em and Jay took place on May 29, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation which has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Something special happened in the early-2000s. Bands and artists from small towns across Canada took the world by storm, ushering in a golden age of punk music. These stories haven’t been fully told until now when Toronto-based music journalists Matt Bobkin and Adam Feibel (who is also a part of Survival Club) joined forces to bring them to life in their debut book In Too Deep: When Canadian Punks Took Over The World. The authors take you on a journey through the international rise of Gob, Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Billy Talent, Silverstein, Alexisonfire, Fefe Dobson, and Marianas Trench, with richly researched chapters that highlight what makes each one of them unique.
In Too Deep: When Canadian Punks Took Over The World is out today via House of Anansi Press. You can find a copy at your local bookstore right here.
Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Matt and Adam to talk about bringing the book to life, delving deep into the interconnected web of the music industry, the magic of Canadian punk music, and so much more. Read the interview below!
This interview between Em Moore, Matt Bobkin, and Adam Feibel took place on May 26, 2025 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
It's the end of The Swans. Well, kind of. After the band's current album and touring cycle, founder and leader Michael Gira is going to pare down the band into something more intimate. But, on the eve of the current Swans nexus, the band releases the absolutely mammoth album The Birthing. Of the LP's seven tracks, four are twenty minute epics and only one is less than ten minutes. it's massive and expansive and heavy and far out.
So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Gira about the album and the end of the current incarnation of the mighty Swans.
Earlier this month Irish post-punks M(h)aol released their excellent second album Something Soft. Along with being the band’s first full-length release since becoming a trio, the album is also a celebration of experimentation which finds the band exploring a heavier, more urgent sound. The eleven tracks also showcase the band’s lyrical prowess as they tackle gender expectations (especially in music), talk about intersectional feminism, tear apart the soulless nature of consumerism, delve into digital life, and pay tribute to beloved pets.
Something Soft is available everywhere now via Merge Records and TULLE. You can pick up a physical copy here or here. M(h)aol are currently touring Ireland with Cola and Junk Drawer. They will be touring Europe and the UK this fall.
Through the power of the internet Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist and drummer Constance Keane, bassist and vocalist Jamie Hyland, and guitarist Sean Nolan to talk about the album, becoming a trio, pets, and so much more. Read the interview below!
Last month, Ruinous Time Blade released their debut full-length album Desacralize and with it, one of the heaviest and most politically charged records of the year. The Chicago-based extreme metal quartet (and pioneers of 6th wave emo) kick out nine no-holds-barred tracks that tear into the detrimental impact American imperialism has had and continues to have on life within the country and in the world at large. With intricate riffs, heavy drums (complete with plenty of blast beats), deep bass, and incredibly emotive vocal delivery, the band not only drives their message home but also offers their listeners an immense amount of catharsis. Desacralize is available digitally everywhere now.
Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with drummer Keith and lead vocalist Rudie to talk about the album, being the antithesis of Journey, the vital need for community and solidarity, and so much more. Read the interview below!
This interview between Em, Keith, and Rudie took place over Zoom in May. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Good things tend to come in threes and that's something Casper Skulls know well. Last month the Sudbury and Toronto-based indie rockers released their third album, Kit-Cat, which also marks their first release since becoming a trio. The eleven tracks showcase the band’s musical prowess with creative arrangements that allow everyone to shine including the excellent interplay between Melanie and Neil’s vocals and Fraser’s multi-instrumental mastery. The lyrics hit home whether the band are talking about grief, family dynamics, technology, recurring nightmares, the oil boom in Texas at the turn of the century, or drawing parallels between professional wrestling and relationships. Kit-Cat is available everywhere now via Next Door Records. You can stream the album here and you can order a physical copy here. Casper Skulls will be playing shows around Ontario later this month.
Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Melanie St. Pierre-Bednis, Neil Bednis, and Fraser McClean to talk about the new album, recording in Sudbury, creating the album art, songwriting, and so much more. Read the interview below!