Jon Simmons (Balance and Composure)

Doylestown, Pennsylvania-based band Balance And Composure recently made headlines via an accident that destroyed their van and trailer. Prior to that, the band was cruising along on tour with Title Fight, Cruel Hand, and Slingshot Dakota, supporting their second album for No Sleep Records titled The Things We Think We're Missing.

Punknews staff interviewer Gregg Harrington got a chance to speak with vocalist Jon Simmons via phone about the band's new album and plans for the future.

Nick Tape (Coke Bust)

You'd be hard-pressed to find people with more stamps in their passports than the guys in Coke Bust. The D.C. hardcore band recently completed a month-long journey through more European countries than are represented at Epcot. That came on the heels of another month spent traversing North America, all in support of an album that hasn't even been released in the U.S. yet. Punknews staffer Adam Eisenberg caught up with Coke Bust lead singer Nick Tape to talk about the band's recent travels, discuss D.C.'s all-ages scene and find out which exotic locale Coke Bust is headed to next.

Fest Edition We'll Do It Live: Brendan Kelly

Punknews is a proud sponsor of the Fest and during the month of October we'll be featuring weekly live sessions with folks playing in swampy Gainesville later this month. Tonight's special guest is Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms who will be performing Sunday, November 3 at 10p at the Florida Theater of Gainesville as part of Fest 12. Brenden will also be performing his solo work at 8 Seconds on Saturday, November 2. The Lawrence Arms just finished recording their sixth full-length album which will be their first full-length since 2006's Oh! Calcutta!

So if you have a burning question for Brendan, post it in the comments section and look for a response via username drbeexo. FYI: Editors may delete comments that are harassing or unnecessarily rude or offensive. Please play nice and everyone can get something cool out of this. Show's over! Big thanks to Brendan for spending an evening with us and thanks to everyone who participated. You can read the complete Q&A below. Next week we're bringing you Bob Nanna from Braid. See you then!

Warren Oakes (Sunshine State, Against Me!)

Since leaving Against Me! five years ago, Warren Oakes has focused on his career as a restaurateur and stayed pretty quiet musically. That changed this summer when his new band, Sunshine State, started practicing in earnest, recorded some demos, set up a Bandcamp, and started playing shows. Interviewer Megan Rosenfeld talked with Warren about Sunshine State's upcoming recording plans, his thoughts on this year's Fest line up, and recent developments at Boca Fiesta, his restaurant/venue.

Ryan Patterson (Coliseum)

Coliseum has mastered the art of keeping a strong pace in both touring and album writing. Even with numerous releases under their belt, front man Ryan Patterson, keeps himself busy with not only leading Coliseum but is a graphic designer by trade, juggles two of his own side-projects (Whips/Chains and Black God) and is the co-owner of online merch and record distro, Shirtkiller. With a new addition to their line-up and constant touring, Amelia Cline was lucky enough to have the chance to talk with him a few weeks back and now a few months after their release of Sister Faith on Temporary Residence and before the band takes off on a month-long run around the U.S.

Fest Edition We'll Do It Live: Mikey Erg

That's all, folks. Big ups to Mikey and everyone who participated. You can read the complete Q&A below. We're going to (try to) do these Fest Edition We'll Do It Live joints each week in October.

As a proud sponsor of The Fest, each week in October, we'll host an artist performing in Gainesville later this month as a special "We'll do it Live" series. This series gives our readers the opportunity to engage in a live question and answer session.

Tonight's special guest is Mikey Erg of The Ergs!, Star Fucking Hipsters, The Dopamines, The Unlovables, Dirtbike Annie, and Parasites.

So if you have a burning question for Mikey, post it in the comments section and look for a response via username devodoo. FYI: Editors may delete comments that are harassing or unnecessarily rude or offensive. Please play nice and everyone can get something cool out of this.

Ben Murray (Heartsounds, Creator-Destructor Records)

San Francisco's very own Heartsounds draws influences from their melodic-metal past and their love of punk to create a musically unique sound. Their third LP Internal Eyes is set to release on October 15, 2013 on Creator-Destructor Records (which, we posted a stream of the new song "Cycles" earlier today). Interviewer Samantha Barrett spoke with Ben Murray to discuss the makings of Internal Eyes and running a record label.

Joe Keithley (D.O.A.)

After 35 years, DOA is coming to an end. Led by Joe Keithley, D.O.A. pounded out massive three chord punk jams during punk's first wave, released countless records, trail blazed tour routes across the Canada and as always, promoted their slogan "Talk - Action = 0."

Well, last year, Keithley really put his mouth where his money was, and ran for a NDP nomination… and he lost! But, not one to be deterred by temporary set backs, Keithley decided to draw DOA to an end in order to continue his political aspirations for the sole purpose of making a difference in his community.

Because DOA is, well, you know, one of the most important punk bands of all time, features editor John Gentile rang up Keithley in the great white north and they talked about the band's final release Welcome to Chinatown, politics, and that one time DOA almost brawled with The Clash.

Garrett Dale (Red City Radio)

Garrett Dale plays guitar and sings in Red City Radio but to say he's their "singer" may be a bit of a misnomer. Not because his gruff and soulful voice isn't as rich and luscious as a shag carpet but with all four members sharing vocal duties, it's very much a team effort. Still, Dale's heartfelt lyrics and strong delivery are a hallmark of the band and their debut album, The Dangers of Standing Still.

On the verge of their sophomore full-length, Titles, Dale took time out of his day to talk to Punknews interviewer Rich Verducci about all things music, the WWF (not "E"), why dogs are awesome and what it's like to be disemboweled on camera.

Rad Women Who Make Rad Art: Lora Norton

Over the next few weeks, Punknews is running a series called Rad Women who Make Rad Art. The series is a string of interviews with some of the most exciting female visual artists that have connections with music, today. You can check out the previous entries with Nation of Amanda, Kristen Ferrell, and Liz Prince. Today's segment is with the lovely but, also fierce-as-hell, Lora Norton.

Lora Norton is one fiery woman, I will tell you that. The first time I saw her singing for her band, The Chuck Dukowski Sextet, her howl was so scary that I ran and hid in the bathroom for the rest of the set (she also has a beautiful singing voice, too, and the band straight up rocks).

But, on top of that, Norton is a visual artist making art that is trippy, scary, and beautiful. She's got one drawing of a rabbit zapping people's brains. There's another with a green, pregnant woman. I really like the one where a woman's hair is turning into ghosts and snakes.

Click Read More to see features editor John Gentile's interview with Norton.

Bill Orender (Captain, We're Sinking)

The year 2013 has been a whirlwind year for Captain, We're Sinking. Between releasing a new full-length The Future Is Cancelled and heading out on a highly successful US tour, the band has much to be proud of. Punknews Interviewer Christopher Barrett spoke will drummer Bill Orender about awesome people, crazy shows, touring in a car, and hopes for what's next.