Tahlena and Mike of Bite Me Bambi talk their new record 'Eat This'

Since their formation in Southern California in 2018 Bite Me Bambi have been kicking out an infectious mix of ska and pop-punk. They bring their songs to life with incredibly energetic live shows, creative music videos, and excellent production which can be heard on their 2020 debut EP Hurry Up and Wait as well as on their upcoming record Eat This.

From start to finish Eat This is an explosion of creativity that finds Bite Me Bambi truly coming into their own. The band pulls no punches as they celebrate being themselves and take a deep dive into love and relationships with exceedingly danceable arrangements and lyrics that are full of bite. Eat This will be out everywhere on February 14. You can pre-save it here or pre-order it here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Tahlena Chikami and keyboardist Mike Berault to talk about the record, the importance of making the music you want to make, their favourite gas stations, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Tahlena Chikami, and Mike Berault took place on January 31 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Becoming clouds in the morning and rain in the evening with ameokama

Whether you’re familiar with Aki McCullough from A Constant Knowledge of Death, Nu House Studios, or her time in Dreamwell, one thing is certain: she is a creative powerhouse. Aki has channelled that creativity into every aspect of her solo project ameokama from the nine tracks that make up her debut album i will be clouds in the morning and rain in the evening to the detail-filled visuals that accompany the record.

i will be clouds in the morning and rain in the evening commands your full attention from the first line of “my fears have become fetishes” and doesn’t let you go until the final haunting note of “gila river” fades away. The experimental nature of ameokama is on full display as she uses the expansiveness of metal, the danciness of electronic music, and the beautifully heavy textures of noise to create extremely dynamic songs that embody a multitude of emotions. The viscerally poetic nature of the lyrics back this up as she explores a wide range of topics including mental health, identity, and intergenerational trauma. i will be clouds in the morning and rain in the evening will be out everywhere on February 7. You can pre-order it right here and you can support Aki on Patreon here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Aki to talk about the album, her creative process, taking inspiration from queer literature and Japanese mythology, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Aki McCullough took place in January 2025 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity. 

Cheetah Chrome talks A.I., the new Dead Boys album, and Jake Hout

It's been a rocky few weeks for Dead Boys. They just released a really good archive live album recorded in 1977… then, current singer Jake Hout quit the band saying that Cleopatra records wanted to use him as an A.I. model for new recordings featuring "Stiv Bators." Then, Cheetah Chrome of Dead Boys responded stating that no, they were not making a fake A.I. stiv album. But, Dead boys are releasing a collaborative album with Clem Burke, Glen Matlock, James Williamson. So, everything is in a state of chaos and everyone is arguing and no one seems to be explaining what exactly is going on.

To that end, Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Cheetah about the whole thing… about one hour ago. You can read that interview below.

Celebrating 4 years of Ska Punk International with Chris Reeves

On October 30, 2020 Chris Reeves (aka Cool Chris) released the first episode of the Ska Punk International podcast with the goal of shining a light on the amazing ska and punk music that exists all over the world. He dipped his toes into releasing records in 2021 with the benefit comp Songs For Moms and hasn’t stopped since. Now, with 35 artists on the roster and over 40 releases (including albums, EPs, splits, comps, reissues, and singles), SPI has grown into a global powerhouse, putting out records from bands all across the globe and building an outstanding community around the label while doing so. You can feel the incredible amount of heart that Chris and his team pour into each thing they do, whether that’s releasing records, throwing the annual SPI Fest, putting together benefit comps and merch drops, or interacting with fans both on and offline. It is clear that Ska Punk International will continue to put out music they believe in and expand their community for many, many years to come.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Chris to reflect on four years of SPI, talk about what goes into getting music ready to release, discuss the importance of building community, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Chris Reeves took place over Zoom on October 22, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Photo Credit: Carly Reeves

Talking all things 'PINKNDARK' with Goddess

Since Goddess formed in 2022, the Hamilton-based quartet have been pushing rock to new heights and this is extremely evident on their new album PINKNDARK. The band effortlessly blends the urgency of punk, the sleaziness of glam, the crunchiness of rock, and the brightness of electronic music together to create a listening experience that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to another realm. The band’s energy never lets up for a minute and shifts with the lyrics as they explore love and lust, talk about mental health, dive into A.I., and confront systemic oppression over the course of 10 tracks. PINKNDARK is available digitally everywhere now and you can stream it on Spotify right here. Goddess will be playing their ‘Nightmare In Pink’ show on October 31 at Vertagogo in Hamilton and there will be an afterparty at Goddess House following the show.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Praveen, vocalist Pramuk, bassist Nicky, and drummer Eric to talk about the new album, throwing events at Goddess House, creating community, A.I., and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Praveen, Pramuk, Nicky, and Eric took place over Zoom on October 25, 2024 while they were on their way to a show. What follows is a transcription of their conversation which has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Sleeping Souls prove they’re more than just a backing band on ‘Just Before The World Starts Burning’

Last year, The Sleeping Souls released their debut album called Just Before The World Starts Burning. They have spent decades being one of the hardest working bands in the business touring relentlessly with Frank Turner and this album showcases their exceptional amount of skill and their ability to branch out into different styles of music. Just Before The World Starts Burning is avilable everywhere via Xtra Mile Recordings. The Sleeping Souls recently played at Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings festival in Toronto, Ontario both as a backing band and on their own. They are currently touring Europe with Frank Turner.

Toronto-based writer Graham Isador caught up with Cahir O’Doherty and Matt Nasir at Lost Evenings to talk about the album, overcoming nerves, playing their first shows without Frank Turner, touring, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Frank Zummo of Sum 41 talks his new documentary and the end of the band

Heavy hitting Sum 41’s Frank Zummo is emotions-deep in the band’s final tour, coasting off of the release of the “Heaven :x: Hell” double album last March. Punknews’s Mike Elfers spoke with the drummer about the car he abandoned in the desert to get to where he is today, celebrating the success of the Canadian punk

'Wearing Out The Refrain' with David Combs and Katie Park of Bad Moves

Last month, Washington, DC-based punky power pop band Bad Moves released their third album Wearing Out The Refrain. The band’s expert use of repetition is on full display as they deftly explore feelings of existential dread, isolation, rage, and hope with imagery-laden lyrics that will make you feel like you’re being swept along by their current. The bright, upbeat instrumentation and wonderful collaborative vocals drive home the point that while things might be bad, nothing is ever hopeless especially with your friends by your side. Wearing Out the Refrain is available now via Don Giovanni Records. Bad Moves will be playing the Black Cat with Velocity Girl and Outer Worlds on November 23.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarists and vocalists David Combs and Katie Park to talk about the new album, finding catharsis through songwriting, incorporating lyrics from The Bananas into "A Lapse In The Emptiness", wearing dog cones for the “Outta My Head” video, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, David Combs, and Katie Park took place over Zoom in October 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking all things 'Rotten' with Abraxas Reflux

Toronto-based hardcore punk band Abraxas Reflux are just days away from releasing their outstanding second EP Rotten. Throughout four tracks the band tackles identity, examines relationships, and explores isolation with lyrics that are both poetic and visceral backed by killer riffs and excellent drum fills. Rotten will be out everywhere on October 19 via Tarantula Tapes. Abraxas Reflux will be playing Tarantula Tapes' fourth-anniversary show this weekend.

Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalists and drummers Krista and Chase, guitarist Al, and bassist Felis to talk about the new EP, working with Tarantula Tapes, songwriting, incorporating movie clips into songs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking 'My Body Is My Sickness' with Meredith Haines of Latter

Chance brought experimental sound artist Meredith Haines (MAIR) and Jon Alvarado of Beach Bunny together in Chicago in 2022 and not long afterward Latter came into being. Last month the duo unleashed their excellent debut album My Body Is My Sickness and introduced the world to their wonderfully heavy, gloriously noisy, extremely cathartic sound. The lyrics are viscerally poetic as Meredith confronts a past relationship, talks about living with chronic illness, and moves toward healing with restorative rage. There is a deep level of connection present in each of the seven tracks which makes My Body Is My Sickness sound even bigger and hit even harder. My Body Is My Sickness is available everywhere now via Damien Records. Latter will be playing at the Archer Ballroom in Chicago on November 16.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Meredith to talk about how Latter came about, the power of sharing stories, chronic illness, the magic of the DIY music scene, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Meredith Haines took place over Zoom on October 3, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Koo Koo are fearlessly committed to the bit

Musical duo Koo Koo recently served as the hosts for Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings Festival in Toronto. Toronto-based writer Graham Isador caught up with them to talk about their origin story, the importance of having fun, crowd participation, and so much more. Read the interview below!