Jason Lubrano (Iron Chic)

When Iron Chic announced last spring that they had signed to Bridge Nine Records, flannel-wearing bearded and non-bearded punks alike rejoiced. It had been nearly three years since their brilliant debut full length, Not Like This, and while they managed to release a few 7-inch records and played some shows, there was always a lingering concern that at any moment the Huntington Station, NY band could just up and collapse.

It's no secret that all of them are pushing - if not already - 30 years of age, and they did almost break up once before. News that The Constant One, the sophomore follow up, was planned for a fall release was exciting. Now, after letting it whet punk palates everywhere, Iron Chic are gearing up for a trek across the US, taking them to cities they've never been before. To psych you up, Punknews staffer Matthew Bentel called up vocalist Jason Lubrano to discuss the shift in the new record, the DIY scene and crowd surfing.

Rad People Who Make Rad Art: Zak Kaplan

Zak Kaplan is the packaging man. He designed the huge Rancid 7-inch box set (though the bat wasn't his idea). In his band Detournement, he made a flexi-disc that could double as an assault weapon. He made a heart-shaped disc that quoted the Mao-ist doctrine.

On top of that, he makes striking posters that combine Cold War and communist imagery with modern punk aesthetic. He made a None More Black poster with the Russian scythe raised perilously in the air. He placed dinosaurs next to exploding volcanoes for Catch-22. He drew a cat for Off with their Heads!

Because Kaplan is the go-to guy for packaging, and because World/Inferno Friendship Society gave him a special "thanks" in one of their jackets for unspecified reasons, Features Editor John Gentile spoke to him about his inspiration, that Rancid bat and records that might qualify as class three firearms.

Augusta Koch (Cayetana)

Philly-based Cayetana have started off 2014 strong. They are currently in the studio working on a full length record and last Tuesday they released a brand new 7-inch titled Hot Dad Calendar via Tiny Engines. The previous month they embarked on a short run of dates along the East Coast with Waxahatchee.

Interviewer and Contributing Editor Armando Olivas was able to chat over the phone with guitarist/lead singer Augusta Koch right before the release of their single. The two talked about the lack of hot dad calendars on the calendar market as well as the band's plans for the rest of the year.

Rad People Who Make Rad Art: Mitch Clem

Mitch Clem. You know him, most of you love him, and he's one of the premiere punk rock comics writers today. After penning the punx-satire strip Nothing Nice to Say, he shifted over to more autobiographical, revealing strips, including the recurring My Stupid Life.

Lately, Clem has been working on direct-to-print work, and focusing on issues both inside and outside the punk rock world. Because Clem has a bunch of stuff coming out, features editor John Gentile spoke with him about his influences, his current work, and THA HATERZ.

Click Read More to up the punx.

Chuck Robertson (The Mad Caddies)

It's been seven years since The Mad Caddies released a record. During that time the band played an occasional show and several members went on to form Ellwood. Now the band is back and ready to take on the world with a renewed vigor as well as a brand new album in the works.

As the band gears up for a west coast tour set to begin early next month contributing editor and interviewer Armando Olivas was able to share a few words with lead singer Chuck Robertson. The duo talked about what to expect from the band's next release, the state of ska music today, and plans for the band's upcoming 20-year anniversary.

Sam Trapkin (Diamond Youth)

Diamond Youth is gearing up for the release of their new EP, Shake, out February 4, 2014 via Topshelf Records. The ever plucky Armando was able to have a rather detailed chat with founding member Sam Trapkin. In their discussion they briefly touch upon the EP in question before engaging in a much more interesting conversation on plethora of topics vaguely related to the band.

At one point the topic of professional athlete Deion Sanders and how his inspirational speaking ability was integral to forming the band came up; truly a story reserved for the likes of VH1 or at the very least a Spinal Tap rip off.

Brendan Kelly (The Lawrence Arms)

Do you know Brendan Kelly? He likes to read heavy-duty literature like The Brothers Karamazov and he also watches dirty movies like Greased Big Butts 7. He's a guy in The Lawrence Arms and they have a new album out called Metropole today, which is basically Org-core made tangible.

Because one of the Punknews readership's most anticipated albums of the year hits the shelves today, Features Editor John Gentile met up with Kelly where they spoke about the new album, sex in punk rock, and how the universe works… or something.

Jason Cruz (Strung Out)

More than four years since their last album, Strung Out has spent time dabbling in other projects, seemingly trying to re-establish that progressive, infectious energy surging through most of their beloved discography. Lead singer Jason Cruz spent the years with a new baby daughter, his impressive noir-Americana painting and photography, as well as his similarly styled alt-country project The Howl.

Only a day before they began recording the new, very anticipated Strung Out record, Transmission Alpha Delta, the contemplative frontman spoke to Punknews interviewer Gen Handley about rediscovering passion with the new album, how revisiting the past has helped him move forward and why 2013 was a "motherfucker."

Greg Horbal (The World Is A Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die)

Before heading out on a US tour soon with Into It. Over It. and A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Punknews interviewer Xan Mandell caught up with Greg Horbal of The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die to try and dissect the difficulties of being in a band with eight people, as well as talk about the new music they're writing.

During the discussion, Horbal said in regards to being one of the hype bands for the emo revival, "It's not even really worrying, we're kind of waiting for it to end."

It was a small, but very important statement. When a new wave of music comes around, a band that is at the forefront of it usually soaks it in, trying as hard as they can to ride it and stay at the top of their game, but not The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. No, they're not in it to win it. They're in it for the pure joy of expressing themselves and enjoying doing so with strangers in sweaty venues. The honesty of their music doesn't just come out of headphones or speakers; it comes out of them, as human beings.

Crazy and the Brains

Crazy and the Brains are a wild-as-hell, totally-kickin', mad-energetic bunch of weirdos that happen to be in a band with a xylophone. They cut two and a half minute stompers that rock like Jerry Lee Lewis and roll like Little Richard. Also, they might be insane. They released Let Me Go in 2013 and it was one of the best records of the year.

In order to get a taste of this crew first hand, features editor John Gentile met up with them at a secret show following their tour where they talked about the latest album, macking on Lindsay Lohan, and The Jersey Shore.

Kris Megyery (The Brokedowns)

The Brokedowns are probably not coming to your town. The Elgin, Illinois band is made up of guys with jobs and kids, which prevents them from hitting the road much. They keep busy in the studio, though. They just churned out a slew of songs for a new full-length, on top of releasing two splits this year - one with Vacation Bible School on It's Alive Records and another with The Slow Death on Red Scare Industries. Punknews Copy Editor Adam Eisenberg caught up with singer/guitarist Kris Megyery to talk about The Brokedowns' penchant for putting out splits, the band's low self-esteem and why he desperately needs help with his holiday shopping.