The Binz

Without pretension and without much exception, The Binz is one of Vancouver’s most exciting and refreshing bands to emerge from a growing scene with their raw, back-to-the-basics style of punk rock and roll.

"Yeah, I don’t think there’s anything superfluous with our music," bassist Rob Mangelzdorf says. "It’s not too self-indulgent, I don’t think. When we play live, we just try to play fast and loud and not take ourselves too seriously – and the crowd likes it. We owe it to them to play as hard and fast and the best we can."

On a sunny afternoon over several lukewarm Budweisers, Mangelzdorf and lead singer and guitarist Gary Robert sat down with Punknews interviewer Gen Handley to chat about Vancouver’s increasingly notable music community, their excellent new album, How to Freak Out Responsibly About the Rise of the Robots, and how public urination played a pivotal role in naming the band.

Somos

Monstrous choruses are Somos’ MO. The Boston based pop/rock band are hoping to grab the ears and hearts of those who have grown past the nasally groans of pop-punk bands.

The band is aware that fans of the "Pop Punk Isn’t Dead" phase are slowly growing older, which translates into a hunger for richer, deeper and more refined songs that are still calculated and concise. With their debut release Temple of Plenty, they’ve taken pop-punk through puberty and matured it into a sound that is guilt-free and accessible to all. It has clearly worked out for them as they’ve secured an opening slot for an I Am The Avalanche tour and are playing both Chicago and Toronto’s Riot Fest dates.

When they passed through Chicago on their headlining tour, Punknews interviewer Xan Mandell grabbed the chance to talk to the entire band about the history behind their debut full-length, Temple of Plenty , as well as their songwriting process and got to the bottom of why they put nine songs on their debut, Temple of Plenty, instead of 10 or 11.

Tigers Jaw

Tigers Jaw has been through a lot in the past year, but never once have they decided to throw in the towel because of the difficulties. In fact, even in the face of 3/5 of the band moving on, Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins persevered. They pushed forward, and committed themselves 100 percent to seeing Tigers Jaw through, because they believed in the band, and believed in their fans' support.

On top of this, recently at Tigers Jaw show in Williamsburg, a fan jumped on stage and forcibly tried to kiss singer/keyboardist Brianna Collins. Luckily, she was able to notice him before he could actually kiss her, but it wasn't just the kiss itself that impacted Collins, it was that someone had the audacity to believe that was an appropriate action. But in true Tigers Jaw fashion, Collins pushed forward, and though still processing the incident, she had courage to get right back on stage the next night.

Punknews Interviewer Xan Mandell spoke with Walsh and Collins just two days after the incident, and only four days into the "comeback" tour. It was obvious they were excited to be back on the road, and it looked like they were starry eyed at the large positive response they've been getting. They went into detail about the kissing incident, while also touching on what it feels like to be playing again, the support of their fans and what the future holds for the band.

Seth Decoteau (Topshelf Records)

You probably own something from Topshelf Records. The prolific Boston-area label has been cranking out records lately, including recent releases from Frameworks, Wild Ones and Diamond Youth, and there’s little sign of a slowdown. In July, Topshelf will release No Coast, Braid’s first full-length in 19 years.

Handling all of those releases keeps label founders Seth Decoteau and Kevin Duquette extremely busy, but Punknews editor Adam Eisenberg found a minute of Seth’s time to talk about the label’s roots, how they juggle so many releases and where Topshelf Records goes from here.

Brian Sella (The Front Bottoms)

The Front Bottoms are gearing up for an eventful summer as the band prepares to release a new EP (today!) as well as embark on a tour with Say Anything this month. The aforementioned EP is the first in a series of releases dedicated to each of the band members' respective grandmothers, this EP being dedicated to drummer Mathew's grandmother Rose.

Punknews veteran Armando Olivas had the opportunity to ring Brian up for a quick chat about the band's busy schedule for the next few months. The two had a vivacious conversation about how the EP series came to fruition, Brian's wrestling persona " The Schwing" and a random assortment of other topics.

Chuck Ragan

Chuck Ragan is a guy with a beard who wears flannel and drinks whisky. He recently released his solo record Till Midnight. Dave Hause and Jenny O are on it.

Everyone keeps telling him that he’s manly, and frankly, a lot people dress exactly like him. People might actually want to be him. He knows how to fish and has probably whittled something before. Also, as a member of Hot Water Music, he basically invented what you all call "Orgcore."

You can click read more to see John Gentile's interview with Ragan about the new album, skating to Creedence and his mom’s ventriloquist skills.

Twink (The Pink Fairies, The Pretty Things, Tomorrow)

Twink just might be the nexus between hippies and punks. Named after a popular pomade, Twink formed bands in the early British R&B scene before becoming a member of early psychedelic band Tomorrow. After that, Twink moved onto The Pretty Things were he helped create the very first rock opera, SF Sorrow.

And then things got really good. After leaving the Pretty Things, Twink created the mind-melting Think Pink album which was equal parts summer of love and gothic horror… Maybe think Pink Floyd meets Bauhaus. Then, after that, he formed the legendary Pink Fairies, a band that was equally happy going on space-rock freakouts as it was kicking out hard-driving biker jams. For instance, "Do It!" and "The Snake" kinda sorta laid the foundations for the sound of the early punk scene… just ask the Damned and The New York Dolls.

Now Twink is back and re-energized. He just released the fabulous You Reached for the Stars album which picks up where he left off with the Pink Fairies and now he's about to start working on a sequel to the massive Think Pink. Editor John Gentile spoke to Twink about the new album, asking John Lennon to write him a song and… well… THE PINK FAIRIES MAN, THE. PINK. FAIRIES.

Nate Gangelhoff (Banner Pilot)

Many bands like to experiment with the writing process of a new album. As for Banner Pilot, not much has changed in three years. The dudes had a year to complete their fourth full-length album and came out with the catchy punk we've grown to love and expect.

They have achieved a mixture of the same old Banner Pilot songs with a new flare. On April 15, 2014, Banner Pilot released Souvenir on Fat Wreck Chords. Interviewer Samantha Barrett spoke to Nate Gangelhoff to talk about the new record and some weird chords.

Buzz Osborne (The Melvins)

Buzz Osborne has gone acoustic. His new solo album, This Machine Kills Artists, features just Osborne and a guitar kicking out 17 sparse, stripped down songs.

But, this isn’t your average namby-pamby wah-some-guy’s-dad-didn’t-spend-time-with-him-waaaaah long player. Instead, Osborne strikes down on the strings with an aggressive force and conjures up hard, haunting, cold chords. On top of that darkness, he sings songs like "Drunken Baby" and "Useless King of the Punks."

To see why Buzz pulled the plug on himself, Punknews’ John Gentile spoke to the guitarist about the new album, obscure movies and why wasted Melvins fans tend to be the most knowledgeable.

Stacey Dee (Bad Cop/Bad Cop)

As one of the newer and more unknown bands on the Fat Wreck Chords roster, Bad Cop/Bad Cop is a band that is sure to gain some attention. The all-female four-piece punk band is looking to make a statement, have some fun and make you dance. Punknews staff interviewer Christopher Barrett spoke with Stacey Dee about coming together, smashing labels and flipping tables.

Bruce Duff (Cheetah Chrome, Twisted Roots, ADZ )

Bruce Duff has done it all. He was in the Twisted Roots with Paul Roessler and Dez Cadena. He jammed with Wayne Kramer of the MC5. He was Epitaph Records’ first publicist. He’s hung out with Bo Diddley. He was the Circle Jerks’ PR man. He recorded a concept album with Finland’s biggest prog band. He’s on Metal Massacre 5. He ran the day-to-day basics of XXX Records. He rocks out with Cheetah Chrome of the Dead Boys on a regular basis. He opened for GG Allin before GG’s main thing was pooping on himself.

And now, he’s spilling his guts. In his new book, The Smell of Death, Duff tells the wild tales from the road -- and also, the long, grueling hours that go with it. There are also French skinheads mentioned.

Because Duff is putting it out there for all the world to see, Punknews’ John Gentile spoke to him about the book, if Bo Diddley is cool and that time the Circle Jerks made a girl cry.