How a Cancer Diagnosis Reunited Sticks and Stones

Sticks and Stones are reuniting for a single show. The band is often spoken about in a sort of reverent tone- they never had a big following, but since their demise, their fan base has grown silently and has grown even more dedicated. The group is hard to define, but frankly, no one, before or since, made music quite like them.

One wishes it was under happier circumstances, but the show is a benefit for rising Jewelry maker Lavender Buttons. Buttons recently had a very serious operation removing a substantial mass of cancer and still is fighting the battle. You can read the story of how the upcoming June 3 benefit gig came together, below.

Thrice's Ed Breckenridge on the band's high-energy return

It’s a typical day for Ed Breckenridge when he’s not on the road with his band Thrice.

“Surfing really sets my brain straight in the morning,” the bass player says as he’s sipping a needed coffee. “It’s something I like to do because it makes me more productive…I think it helps with my playing.”

Breckenridge says he’s excited about the new record, To Be Everywhere is To Be Nowhere , coming out to the world on May 27th and their ninth release since announcing a hiatus 2012.

“I’m looking forward to be doing music with these guys again – it’s been a long time,” the 36-year-old says. “I can’t wait to get out there and play Thrice songs again.”

Before To Be Everywhere is To Be Nowhere is to be released, Breckenridge spoke with Gen Handley at Punknews.org about the new record, playing with his older brother and which Thrice album he thinks has stood the test of time best.

Plow United's Sean Rule on the new LP, Queen, and being an authority figure

Let's just say it: Sean Rule is an emotional guy. The drummer chokes up several times during his interview. But, the thing is, he's in the hyper fast, hyper bombastic Plow United. Rule might be quick to the water works, and maybe he's an introspective guy, but the band plays so fast and so loud, these deep musings blast your skull off like something from Wild in the Street.

Never has this been more apparent than on the trio's new album, Three . It's fast. It's loud. It rocks. And it has has some pretty heavy commentary on the human condition. With all that in mind, Editor John Gentile spoke to Rule about the new LP, his Queen obsession, and being a pops-punk-rocker.

The New Dimension of Mean Jeans

We’re not even half way though 2016 and Mean Jeans have already had quite the year. After a long stint on Dirtnap Records the band transitioned over to Fat Wreck Chords where they have already released the Nite Vison 7-inch and their new full-length Tight New Dimension , which was released on April 22, 2016. The band also went on the pretty extensive Hepatitis Bathtub Tour opening for NOFX and Direct Hit!. With so much going on with the band, news editor Ricky Frankel caught up with Billy Jeans, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, to talk about Mean Jeans’ eventful year thus far.

Photo Credit: John Leonard / Fat Wreck Chords

Melted on gambling, Dr. Pepper, and playing shows in crack houses

Corona, California's Melted is a ripping, garage punk band that likes to drink Dr. Pepper. They worship thee power of thee mighty riff, but also slip surprisingly earnest revelations in their lyrics- "25 Years" is about kinda, maybe, crashing your car on purpose…

The band is embarking a short tour before playing the Vegas segment of Punk Rock Bowling. (We're sponsors!) So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke to Melted frontman Justin Eckley about good gamblin' tips, playing Punk Rock bowling, Dr. Pepper, and that time the band played an actual crack house.

Talking about being an adult with Steven Rawles of Belvedere

Time has a weird way of flying by so quickly sometimes, it really is the case for Canada’s Belvedere. It has been long 12 years since they have has put out a new album. The band has returned with 12 new melodic punk tunes and is excited to share them with the world. The band is releasing their fifth full-length titled The Revenge of the Fifth on May 5th, 2016. Editor Samantha Barrett spoke to Steven Rawles about the new album, growing old and being an adult.

PEARS are seeing stars

There is no question that PEARS took the punk scene by surprise with 2014's  Go To Prison , and with the Fat Wreck Chords release of the musical behemoth that is  Green Star earlier this month, they've made it clear that they're here to stay. But between non-stop touring and trauma Down Under, it is up for debate whether or not they've had a moment to celebrate -- they don't stop for much. Even when confined in a van headed toward Florida to kick off a co- headlining tour with Such Gold, catching up with not only Zach, Brian and Jarret, but manager Dante and brand spankin' new bassist Erich Goodyear, is much like herding conversational cats, if you will. To tackle the task, Punknews editors Stevie Navarre Allen and Ricky Frankel teamed up to check in with PEARS and hear more about the release of Green Star, the insanity that took place before and during their first Australian tour and much more.  

Photo Credit: John Paul Allen

Ara Babajian gives us bowling tips and tells us what's up with the Slackers

Ara Babajian has drummed for punk legend after punk legend- The Slackers, Leftover Crack, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Ari frickin' Up! (Also, he was in a band called "Das Booty.")

In fact, the Slackers just released their new album. It's self titled and has a killer opening tune called "The Boss." On top of that, the Slackers are playing Punk Rock Bowling this year (We're sponsors!)

So, Punknews editor John Gentile called Ara up and asked for some bowling tips. Oh, yeah, they also covered the 5,407 bands that Ara has been in, working with THE Ari Up, and the new Slackers record.

Mike Kinsella on American Football, Cap'n Jazz, and Owls

If you were to ask Mike Kinsella, de facto leader of late 90s quintessential emo band American Football, to play “Never Meant” at an Owen show – the moniker for his solo project post-Football – he would ignore you. No matter whether it is rude – or endearing – to ask an artist to play from the catalogue of their former band, for Kinsella, American Football represented another time and place – one which he was miles from.

But times change. People grow older. Things find a way of coming full circle. After the reissue of their only full length – the eponymously titled genre-standard bearer – in 2014, American Football are busier now then they ever were during their first time around, performing nationally and abroad to fans that never thought such a reunion would happen.

Punknews contributor Matthew Bentel spoke with Kinsella before a recent show in Seattle in late February, where they talked about the evolution of the reunion, the changing of ethics within the alternative music scene, the next step for Owen, and living the life of a character in a Judd Apatow movie.

Jared Hart of The Scandals on tour life and Punk Rock Bowling

So many great bands coming out of the great state of New Jersey. Bayonne’s The Scandals is definitely on its way to being one of them. The band have been together for 12 years and have been churning out great tunes in small doses ever since. Editor Samantha Barrett Spoke with guitarist and vocalist Jared Hart on one very snowy day about tour life and Punk Rock Bowling.

John Marullo of Protagonist talks new EP and tour of their home state

Boca Raton, Florida’s Protagonist has been working on churning out the best punk rock for 17 years. They have paved a way for themselves into the Florida scene. They have released their latest output, titled Jean Jackets in June, on the newly revitalized SmartPunk. Editor Samantha Barrett spoke with guitarist John Marullo about the new release and their tour of Florida.