Hard Core Logo Live with Trigger Happy's Al Nolan

This Thursday, March 9 the play Hard Core Log Live premieres in Toronto, starting a run at the Dance Cave at Lee's Palace that will run through the 26th. The BFL Theatre production will star Al Nolan from Toronto punk legends Almighty Trigger Happy as Joe Dick. Al recently took some time off from rehearsals to talk with Punknews' Adam White about the show.

Hard Core Logo: A Punk-Ass Play is a stage adaptation of Bruce McDonald's cult 1996 film. The play features original music by D.O.A.'s Joe "Shithead" Keithley along with live performances of music from the film.

Sustaining the attack of The Fullblast

After a 10 year break up, the men of The Fullblast has returned to the stage with brand new material. They grew older and more mature as people. Bringing this new found insight to restart something that they hold near and dear to their hearts. They spent some time working to craft and perfect a new EP titled Attack.Sustain.Decay, something the band can feel proud to call their comeback EP. Making sure to keep the new material as energetic and fast as they possibly can with a newfound mature lens on life. The EP is due out February 24, 2017 digitally. Editor Samantha Barrett sat down and spoke to vocalist Ian Stanger about the bands sustaining the attack of fast music while doing it yourself.

Jen Razavi and Poli Van Dam (The Bombpops)

The Bombpops have been a force to be reckoned with in the Los Angeles and San Diego punk scenes for nearly a decade. By releasing several EP's through Red Scare (and self-releasing another in early 2015), playing tons of local and DIY shows and opening for bands such as Swingin' Utters, The Suicide Machines, NOFX and the Descendents they have made quite a name for themselves. 2017 is going to be their year though. They were recently signed to Fat Wreck Chords and they are releasing their first full-length called Fear of Missing Out on February 10, 2017.

Punknews editor Ricky Frankel caught up with vocalists and guitarists Jen Razavi and Poli Van Dam to talk about getting signed to Fat Wreck Chords, the new album, the label "female-fronted band," how Brandon Carlisle of Teenage Bottlerocket helped with what would become one of the songs on the new record, the current Los Angeles punk scene versus the San Diego punk scene and quite a bit more. Plus, Ricky introduces the theme song for his podcast interviews! Listen to the conversation below or on iTunes.

Photo Credit: John Paul Allen

Jess Townsend teaches YOU how to play the drums

Jess Townsend is a freight train crammed into a 5'7'' frame. As the drummer for the band/carnival show that is World/Inferno Friendship Society, Townsend has kept that pack of animals rocking along with her heavy, energetic boom-bap for nearly seven years. Finding anyone who could get the Inferno crew to act in unison is an exercise in futility, but somehow, night after night, Townsend is able to crack the whip and get the crew rocking along with her forceful finesse.

But not only that, she's backed early La punk legend Alice bag on tour, has supported legendary feminist-rocker June Millington, and has played in Parlour Bells.

Now, in addition to drumming in Inferno, she's giving out lessons and you can get schooled on that here. In the meantime, check out Editor John Gentile's interview with Townsend below.

The Best in Punknews Zingers 2016

Happy New Year! We're wrapping up our end of year festivities. We've still got the end-of-year podcast and site wide "Best of" to post, but that's about it. So, today, we're posting some of the most quotable quotes and some of the most delightful declarations from Punknews interviews in 2016. Click "read more" to see what bands and other artists had to say to Punknews in 2016. (FYI- guest "Best of" lists will run in early 2017).

Tim Commerford (Wakrat/Rage Against The Machine/Prophets Of Rage/Audioslave)

Tim Commerford has been involved in music for over twenty years with bands like Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. He was the backbone of both bands because of his high-skilled bass playing and aggressive back up vocals. Now he is doing the same in Prophets Of Rage and he is the lead vocalist of the band Wakrat, who released their self-titled debut on November 8, 2016 (it was no accident that it came on election day) via Earache Records.

So because 2016 has been such a busy year for him, Punknews Editor Ricky Frankel recently interviewed Tim to talk about Wakrat's new album, the future of Prophets Of Rage, some of the more unique moments in Rage Against The Machine's history, the current state of politics and why he pulls out his own teeth. Listen to their conversation below or on iTunes.

Photo Credit: Travis Shinn

The Damned's Captain Sensible on “punk,” Lemmy, and the band's new LP

The fact is, Captain Sensible IS punk rock. Not only is he a founding member of The Damned, one of the first three English punk bands (and the first to put out a record), but, just as the genre was codifying itself based off those early punk masterpieces, Sensible and the boys laughed at the "rules" and suddenly started playing psychedelia, pop, goth, and maybe even a little prog, proving that punk has no boundaries. Since then, the Damned have been hurtling through the galaxy of music, playing whatever tickles their fancy. The fact is, whatever "punk" may be, it's definitely what the Damned are doing, and no one does it like them.

Now, the band is celebrating their 40th anniversary with some UK and USA shows. They also have a new album coming up on the horizon and, knowing the Damned, it could sound like anything. So, Punknews' John Gentile called up Captain Sensible to talk about just a fraction of the adventures that the Captain has had over his four decades of smashing it up. They talked about the concept of "punk," Lemmy, the Ramones, and that time Sting got kicked out of the Damned's dressing room.

Talking, drums, Stranger Things, and Fest with PUP’s Zack Mykula

Toronto punk quartet PUP is touring strong after the release of their sophomore album, The Dream Is Over, this past May. Interviewer Jason Crider spoke with drummer Zack Mykula about the new album, playing drums, and the days leading up to The Fest in Gainesville, FL.

Photo credit: Vanessa Heins

Jack Terricloth on the true meaning of Hallowmas

I think we can all agree that 2016 has been a shit show. Legendary musicians passed away suddenly. People we knew passed away suddenly. The Presidential election is a disgrace. Things are looking bleak. But, there is some hope.

According to Jack Terricloth of World/Inferno Friendship Society, the year begins anew with Hallowmas. On October 31, at the Warsaw in Brooklyn, World/Inferno will throw their annual big blowout bash in which the nine(?) piece, punk-cabaret-soul group summons the ancient deity, The Great Pumpkin, and asks for boons and demands retribution.

To that end, Features Editor John Gentile spoke to Terricloth about Hallowmas, the ethics of voting, and David Bowie.

Talking a year of firsts with Matt of Bong Mountain

2016 has been a year of firsts for Grand Rapids, MI's Bong Mountain. First time at Pouzza, first LP, and now, first time playing The Fest. Drummer and pinball aficionado Matt is going to be extra busy as he' pulling double duty with City Mouse as well as Bong Mountain. Multitasking is nothing new for Matt who also drums in the Grand Rapids hardcore band Shaaaaark. I caught up with him about a month before he was set to play The Fest and he was already noticeably excited. We talked about music, The Fest (duh) and even a little pinball.

On the road to Fest with Western Settings

Southern California punks Western Settings have been very busy this year. The band has released two EPs this year and have been touring the US and Europe. The band released Old Pain this past April and WS in July. Editor Samantha Barrett spoke with vocalist/guitarist Ricky Schmidt about the EPs and touring.