Hayley, Melody, and Beau of Thotcrime talk their new album 'Connection Anxiety'

In exactly one week Thotcrime will be releasing their excellent third album Connection Anxiety into the world. The band is at their heaviest and most danceable as they incorporate elements from rave music, pop, metal, punk, hip-hop (wait until you hear Beau’s rap on “Existent”), and samba into their signature flavour of cybergrind. The band reflects on major moves, celebrates letting their genuine selves shine, pays tribute to fallen friends, and underscores the importance of holding out hope for a better world with lyrics that really hit home. Whether you are singing along, dancing to the beat, moshing, or just absorbing the music, you’ll find that Connection Anxiety is one of the most cathartic and exuberant records of the year. Connection Anxiety will be out everywhere on August 16 via Prosthetic Records. Thotcrime will be touring the US with Anita Velveeta starting later this month and will be playing Dilly Dally Fest in Philadelphia in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Hayley Elizabeth, producer Les Beaux Plastiques, and guitarist Melody Jane to talk about their new album, the evolution of their songwriting process, the importance of community, what gives them hope, and so much more. Listen to the episode below!

This interview between Em Moore, Hayley Elizabeth, Les Beaux Plastiques, and Melody Jane took place over Zoom on July 29, 2024.

Graham Isador on interviewing AFI for 20+ years

This year marks the 25th anniversary of AFI’s seminal album Black Sails in the Sunset. The album was released in 1999 and was their first output to feature their current lineup. The band are currently supporting 30 Seconds to Mars during their summer tour. Toronto-based journalist Graham Isador reflects on AFI’s influence on the punk scene and conducting interviews with the band for over 20 years. Read his article below!

Becoming 'Feral' with Adam Davis of Omnigone

Tomorrow Omnigone will unleash their gloriously chaotic third album Feral into the world. The band are at the very top of their game as they rip through thirteen hardcore ska punk tracks chock full of incredible riffs, ferocious vocals, and their signature propulsive energy. Whether they are discussing the futility of war, tearing capitalist ideology to shreds, taking a deep dive into what it means to grieve, pointing out the unjustness of history, or calling for unity, the band’s lyrics resonate long after each song is finished. Omnigone prove in 23 minutes that ska is needed now more than ever. Feral will be out everywhere July 26 via Bad Time Records. Omnigone are currently touring the UK, will be playing their album release show in September, will be playing Fest in October, and will be touring the US supporting Suicide Machines in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Adam Davis to talk about the new album, the correlation between visual art and music, honouring fallen friends, escape rooms, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Adam Davis took place on July 10, 2024 over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Hitting record with Jarod and Dale of The Readys

Last month Newmarket and Barrie-based punk rockers The Readys released their second album I Don’t Know, I’m High, Let’s Just Hit Record and Hope for the Best. The band welcomes you into their world for the next 22 minutes with their metal-infused frenetic punk, hilarious song titles, and signature wit. The 10 tracks find the band talking about defunding the police, dealing with mental health, celebrating their friendship, and examining what it means to get older with some of their best lyrics to date that are at turns sentimental, contemplative, angry, and humourous. I Don’t Know, I’m High, Let’s Just Hit Record and Hope for the Best is out digitally and physically via Tarantula Tapes.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Jarod Semple and drummer Dale Semple to talk about the album, working with their friends, which potluck foods reign supreme, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Jarod Semple, and Dale Semple took place over Zoom on July 9, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Diving to the world of Donny Crosswell with Graham Isador

Donny Crosswell came on the scene a few years ago with a mission to make country music fun and gay. Now backed by members of Pkew Pkew Pkew, Donny is set to take the stage on July 3 for the Orville Peck pre-show at the Budweiser Stage. Toronto-based writer and Punknews contributor Graham Isador caught up with Donny Crosswell and Mike Warne to talk about the band’s origins and so much more. Read his article below and enter for a chance to win tickets to their July 3 show!

Ray Yao of The Noname talks the band's new album 'Fortress Besieged'

For over 20 years, Chinese punk rockers The Noname have been playing incredible punk rock and they will not be stopping any time soon. The band are getting ready to release their new album Fortress Besieged which finds them referencing Chinese literature, collaborating with friends from all over the world, paying tribute to Joe Strummer, and staying true to their punk ideals. Fortress Besieged will be out everywhere on July 12 via Smith and Miller Records, Abbruch Records, and Pasidaryk Pats Records. The Noname will be touring Europe and the UK starting later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Ray Yao through the power of the internet (email) to talk about the new album, finding community, the importance of collaboration, legacy, and so much more. Read the interview below!

M.C. and Zach of The Dreaded Laramie talk their debut LP 'Princess Feedback'

In a little over a week, Nashville-based rockers The Dreaded Laramie will be releasing their excellent debut album, Princess Feedback. The album sees the band pushing their signature blend of power pop, rock, and punk to new heights as co-lead guitarists M.C. Cunningham and Zach Anderson sharpen their amazing guitarmonies (guitar harmonies for those yet to be initiated) and lead singer M.C. showcases her incredible vocal range. The band’s songwriting prowess is on full display on each of the 10 tracks as they explore the nonlinear nature of healing, embrace the messiness of fully feeling their feelings, and wrestle with self-doubt with introspective lyrics that are at turns vulnerable and humorous. They also work in several pop culture references so keep your ears peeled. Princess Feedback will be out everywhere on July 5 via Smartpunk Records. The Dreaded Laramie will be playing their album release show on June 29 and will be hitting the road this summer with Pinksqueeze, Teens In Trouble, and Bat Boy.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with M.C. and Zach to talk about the new album, working with Dave Schiffman, how their guitarmonies came into being, what has helped them to embrace their emotions, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, M.C. Cunningham, and Zach Anderson took place over Zoom on June 4, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking all things 'Bad Jazz' with Casey Crawford of Virginity

In three days, Central Florida-based Virginity will be releasing their super third album Bad Jazz. The album finds the band leaning into their more improvisational side as they imbue their blend of indie rock, power pop, emo, and punk rock with the innovative and collaborative spirit of jazz. You can hear the band letting loose and having fun throughout the album as they tackle topics such as existential dread, loss of sense of self, self-doubt, and love with lyrics filled with sincerity and plenty of humour. Bad Jazz will be out everywhere on June 28 via Smartpunk Records and Virginity will be playing Fest in Gainesville in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Casey Crawford to talk about the new album, adding humour into songs, coming-of-age stories, getting revenge on the stage that murdered his knee, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Casey Crawford took place over Zoom on June 18, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Anthony Green talks his new solo album 'Doom. Spun.'

Whether you’re familiar with Anthony Green from Circa Survive, Saosin, L.S. Dunes, The Sound of Animals Fighting, or his solo music there is no question that he pours his entire being into every single thing he creates and that is especially true on his upcoming solo record Doom. Spun. The 13 tracks find him at some of his most experimental as he dives into noise rock, brings intimacy to electronic music, delivers a poignant recitation of a poem by French Surrealist poet Robert Desnos, and reimagines three tracks from 2022’s Boom. Done. A sense of connection also permeates the album and serves to drive home the fact that it is impossible to create without it. Whether Anthony is working with collaborators, involving the audience, telling a story, or exploring how certain songs make him feel, you feel like you are along for the ride with him.

Doom. Spun. will be out everywhere on June 26 via Born Losers Records. Anthony Green will be hosting two listening parties (one in-person and one virtual) next week and will be playing solo shows around the US starting in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Anthony to talk about the new album, what goes into reimagining songs, his creative process, finding connection through music, frogs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Anthony Green took place on June 12, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In conversation with Aki and James of Nu House Studios Part 2

Earlier today, Nu House Studios announced that they will be releasing their third benefit compilation album called Trans Rights II: WE ARE NO LONGER ASKING. They released their first comp, Nu House Studios Trans Musician Fund Compilation, in 2022 and their second one, Trans Rights Or Else!, in 2023. Trans Rights II: WE ARE NO LONGER ASKING features tracks from 13 artists including The Holy Ghost Tabernacle Choir, Deafening, bottom surgery, rotting in dirt, Vi Viana, Yagrum Bagarn, and ameokama.The base $10 from the comp will go to the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund with any additional proceeds going into the studio’s Trans Musician Fund, which was touched on in part 1 of our interview with Aki McCullough and James Goldmann (read that right here!). The Trans Musician Fund aims to make recording and audio engineering services more accessible for trans musicians and you can read more about it in our conversation below. The comp will be out on July 12 and you can pre-order it right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Aki and James to talk about the upcoming comp, the Trans Musician Fund, manager Raven (R.I.P), mixing the live sets from New Friends Fest 2023, nu-metal, and so much more. Read part 2 of the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Aki McCullough, and James Goldmann took place on March 5, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity. All photos used in this interview are credited to Sheri Furneaux except for Aki holding Raven which is credited to Jared Shute.

A look at this weekend's Punk Rock Tattoo Expo in Vegas

The Punk rock Tattoo expo is this weekend at the Punk rock Museum in Las Vegas. It shows the connection between punk rock and body art… and you can get some fresh ink, too. Punknews writer Jason Murray spoke to Vinnie Fiorello and tattooist Tokyo Hiro about the event. You can check it out below.