Making memories with Dealbreaker

Yesterday (May 7, 2025) officially marked one year since Welland-based punks Dealbreaker first got together to jam and what a year it’s been. Since that fateful day, the band has released two EPs - Run It Again and Quick Split - along with a single called “Power Moves” which has been used as an alternate opening song to the podcast of the same name. Along with kicking out a multitude of rocking punk tracks, the band has been bringing their high-energy shows to venues across Ontario with more shows on the way. Dealbreaker will be touring down to Pouzza Fest with Pro Wrestling The Band and Het Up! starting tomorrow, playing a handful of shows in June, and playing Buddies Fest in Tillsonburg, Ontario in July. You can see their full tour dates below.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Connor, guitarists Nick and Bil, and drummer Scott to talk about the formation of the band, the origin of 1-800-DEALBREAKER, power moves, their upcoming tour dates, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Connor, Nick, Bil, and Scott took place over Zoom in April 2025. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Exploring 'NOPLACE' with Wife Patrol

You can feel the attention to detail and amount of care that goes into each and every Wife Patrol release, no more so than on their sophomore album NOPLACE. They continue to grow their alt-rock-meets-punk-meets-indie-meets-pop sound as they effortlessly weave their instruments and voices together to create inventive arrangements (keep your ears peeled for some rad ukulele and saxophone parts!) that showcase their range and celebrate collaboration. Throughout 10 tracks the band reflects on living in Indianapolis, the current state of the world, and the importance of togetherness with lyrics that will stick with you. NOPLACE is available everywhere now. You can find it on streaming here or you can order a physical copy here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and vocalist Nicole O’Neal, guitarist and vocalist Greg O’Neill, and drummer and vocalist Natasha O’Neill to talk about their new album, growing as songwriters, living in Indianapolis, the importance of friendship, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Nicole O’Neal, Greg O’Neill, and Natasha O’Neill took place in late April 2025 over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Brenna Red of the Last Gang talks Punk Rock Bowling, Rumors, and Worf… from Star Trek

The Last Gang is continuing their sprint. the band has been at full power for the last couple of years- they released Obscene Daydream, they've been on tour non-stop, and they are Playing Punk Rock Bowling Memorial Day weekend. So, to that end, Punknews' John Gentile check in with singer Brenna Red about the new album, PRB, and Star Trek. You can read the nerdy conversation below.

Getting to know Seth Robinson of Nowhere Fast

Having played the midwestern music circuit for the last decade or so, Nowhere Fast has been out an about playing shows all over the region with singer/songwriter/guitarist Seth Robinson at the helm of the duration. The band made up of friends, blend together rock and roll and punk to create their own blend of music. Contributing Editor Samantha Barrett sat down with Seth Robinson to speak about their latest album.

Melvins 1983 talk their new album, 'Thunderball'

Today, The Melvins release their new album Thunderball. This one is in their Melvins 1983 incarnation, which for this record, is original, original, original Melvins guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Mike Dillard. They are joined by electronic artists Void Manes and Ni Maitres.

Interestingly, Thunderball finds Melvs '83 moving away from the punky humor of the first two releases under that moniker and into something darker and sinister.

Punknews' John Gentile spoke to Osborne and Dillard about the new release, the early day of the Melvins, and how the pair have remained pals for over 40 years.

Setting Your Pussy Free with NOBRO

It's been a rad few years for NOBRO- they got shortlisted for a Polaris music prize, won a Juno… oh, and they also put out some rad music. Set Your Pussy Free, the band's debut LP, finds the band mixing punk with garage rock with politics with humour witrh ripping riffs. Oh, also… they are playing Punk Rock Bowling! PRB is memorial day weekend in Vegas and the NOBRO crew play the street party stage on Sunday. So, they've got a lot going on.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with NOBRO to talk about winning a JUNO, dealing with censorship, welcoming new members into the band, playing PRB, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking 'Black Hole Eats the Tornado' with Creature of Rebelmatic

Rebelmatic are a creative force to be reckoned with and this is extremely apparent on their new album Black Hole Eats The Tornado. The band continues to expand their sound as they seamlessly blend elements from hardcore punk, funk, soul, hip-hop, post-hardcore, jazz, and alt-rock together to create a sound that is groovy, propulsive, and distinctively their own. The band’s lyrical prowess is also on full display as they explore a wide range of topics including mental health, the significance of resistance and resilience, the Tulsa massacre, the vital need for knowledge, and the healing power of good art.

Black Hole Eats The Tornado will be out everywhere on April 11 via Say-10 Records. You can pre-order a physical copy here or find Rebelmatic on Spotify here. Rebelmatic will be touring the US starting later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Creature to talk about the new album, visual art, working literary references into the lyrics, the importance of making the music you want to make, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Creature took place over Zoom on April 2, 2025. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'This Ain't Gonna End Well…' with Milli of Mean Bikini

Cumberland, British Columbia’s Mean Bikini pour their heart and soul into everything they do and that is extremely apparent on their new album This Ain’t Gonna End Well…. The band’s indomitable energy infuses each of the 13 tracks which find them building on their dynamic punk sound as they take cues from hardcore punk, skate punk, and a hint of surf to create a sound that is uniquely their own. Powerful music needs powerful lyrics and Mean Bikini has those in droves whether they are talking about mental health, shining a light on the worsening state of the world and harmful policies, exploring their experiences with neurodiversity, or celebrating community. No matter how bleak things may seem, Mean Bikini proves that there is a light in the darkness that burns brighter when we come together.

This Ain’t Gonna End Well… is available now via Outhouse Records. You can order a digital copy here and you can pre-order a physical copy here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Milli Lyman to talk about the new album, harm reduction, neurodiversity, building community, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Milli Lyman took place on April 4, 2025 over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Falling In Love with Pro Wrestling the Band

London, Ontario’s Pro Wrestling The Band are getting ready to unleash their previously vinyl-exclusive album Falling In Love With Pro Wrestling The Band on streaming services for the first time. The album collects the band’s 2024 EP along with 7 of their singles, all of which were mastered for vinyl by Kyle Ashbourne who made them sound even fuller than before. The 13 songs show a band coming into their sound as they hone their songwriting chops, build up their high-energy blend of punk, power pop, and alt-country, and kick out so many infectious hooks that it is impossible to pick just one to sing along with.

Falling In Love With Pro Wrestling The Band hits streaming services for the first time on April 4 and you can pre-save it here. You can also order a physical copy of the album from Grooves Records Records right here. Pro Wrestling The Band will be touring around Ontario this spring and will be playing Pouzza Fest in Montreal in May.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist and vocalist Danny Kidd and drummer Nathan Stock to talk about their decision to release the vinyl masters on streaming, the community-oriented scene in London, playing Pouzza Fest, wrestling, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Danny Kidd, and Nathan Stock took place over Zoom on March 28, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking all things 'Under a Plastic Bag' with Ben Disaster of Real Sickies

Edmonton’s Real Sickies have been kicking out incredibly high-energy pop-punk for 10 years and their fifth album Under a Plastic Bag is no exception. The fourteen tracks find the band continuing to expand their sound as they incorporate elements from new wave, power pop, and indie rock to create infectious songs that are chock full of moshable moments. Lyrically, the band explores life and death, environmental destruction, love, and wild shows. Under a Plastic Bag is available everywhere now via Stomp Records and you can order a copy here or here. Real Sickies will be playing their album release show on March 16 at Plaza Bowling Co. in Edmonton and will be playing in Saskatoon in April.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Ben Disaster (AKA Ben Crossman) to talk about the new album, dealing with burnout, recording samples in the field, the punk scene in Edmonton, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Ben Disaster took place over Zoom on March 5, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Running on bean brain with Shiv and Nicole of Shiv and the Carvers

Shiv and the Carvers came together in Toronto in 2022 and have been kicking out high-octane punk rock ever since. The band wasted no time introducing the world to their dynamic sound on their 2022 debut single "Meat Machine" which was quickly followed by their extremely dynamic debut EP Physical Capital in 2023. That year also saw the release of their punked-up cover of Shania Twain’s classic song “That Don’t Impress Me Much” which found bassist Annie Jane Marie of Dilly Dally joining lead vocalist Shiv Scott, lead guitarist Nicole Maxwell, and drummer Mike Wiznuk. Shiv and the Carvers are getting ready to release their sophomore EP Tell Me You Love Me Again which contains some of their most powerful songs to date.

It is impossible to remain still while listening to Tell Me You Love Me Again. The four songs are absolutely electrifying whether the band is talking about the end of a friendship on the extremely cathartic opening track “Bully”, celebrating falling in love with a (hot) heartbreaker on the incredibly catchy “Danger Girl”, exploring emotional turmoil on the viscerally expressive “Meltdown”, or reflecting on consumption on the explosive closer “I Want It All”. Tell Me You Love Me Again will be out everywhere on March 14 via Twin Fang Records. You can pre-order the EP here or pre-save it here. Shiv and the Carvers will be playing their album release show at The Baby G in Toronto on March 14. The band will also be playing a handful of shows around Ontario in the spring and will be playing Pouzza Fest in Montreal in May.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Shiv Scott and Nicole “Android” Maxwell to talk about the EP, roller derby, the classic Canadian film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, playing Pouzza Fest for the first time, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Shiv Scott, and Nicole “Android” Maxwell took place on March 4 via Zoom and is brought to you by the magic caffeinated bean juice that keeps us all running. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.