Nate Rebolledo (Xibalba)

No messing here. Xibalba, emerging from the thriving southern California scene have really been starting to make a mark in the hardcore world with their apocalyptic, down-tuned stab of brutality, having recently signed to Southern Lord Records. Punknews interviewer Faye Turnbull caught up with frontman Nate Rebolledo before obliterating The Underworld in London where they talked about his conflict with religion, embracing their Hispanic heritage and the importance of a DIY ethic.

Parry Gripp (Nerf Herder)

Recently, we reported that Nerf Herder released a new track called "I'm the Droid You're Looking For" as part of the Crappy Records compilation Have a Crappy Summer. As a follow up to that tid-bit of news, and out of general concern for the heroes of Geek-Punk, staff writer Sean Mikula spoke to Nerf Herder's front man Parry Gripp.

Gripp spoke about his family business, touring with Weezer, being part of the Fat Wreck family, how Waffles led to writing theme songs for Cartoon Network, and of course, the future of Nerf Herder.

Todd Congelliere (Toys That Kill)

The man Todd Congelliere is an institution and a powerhouse. When not running Recess Records, or publicly fronting Toys That Kill, Stoned at Heart, or The Underground Railroad To Candyland, rumors abound on the man -- the legend. For example, Punknews.org correspondent Ollie Ottoman heard he was the original singer for Black Flag, that he turned down a multi-million dollar deal to head the new chill-wave division of Columbia Records, and that he maintains a cat sanctuary at his apartment in the sunken city of San Pedro.

So, what a dream for him to be able to converse with the man himself. Of course, he could have asked Congelliere about all these aforementioned rumors, but of course, he's not that kind of guy. And, this is not that kind of interview. Punknews writer (and The Ottomans member) Ollie Ottoman spoke to Todd about Toys That Kill's long awaited new album Fambly 42, which you would do yourself a favor in picking up and a Toys That Kill Live album available for free to download in the coming months from Red Sound Records.

Loma Prieta

As recent signees to Deathwish Inc., you would think that Loma Prieta were actually a new, upcoming band. Rather, they've made their mark on and have been mainstays of the Bay Area hardcore scene for over half a decade. Delving further into Loma's past, you'll find that I.V. is actually their fourth full-length (imagine that) as well as their Deathwish debut. But don't let the mystery of Loma Prieta fool you: featuring members of the bands you loved from first listen (Punch, Beau Navire, Us Haunted Bodies), they've released four 12-inch records and two 7-inch records overall, mostly on their own Discos Huelga label. To better understand the absolutely immaculate sound Loma Prieta possess, begin at "Trilogy 4" and listen as the suite descends into perfect chaos at "Trilogy 6." This three-minute track is a perfect buildup to the remainder of a perfectly streamlined sound that completes the record, and I.V on the whole hits that mark that the band have strived for with their previous releases. Loma Prieta tracked the 12 intensely emotional songs that make up I.V. under the guidance of Comadre's Jack Shirley at Atomic Garden Studio, taking from Converge, Ampere, Pg. 99 and others to create a beautifully unique combination of each and every one of their influences. Before embarking on a month-long run of European tour dates, Loma spoke with Punknews Copy Editor Amelia Cline to get a better understanding of who and what makes up the band.

Pete the Roadie

Chances are, if you went to a punk rock gig in England circa 1978-1999, or a punk rock gig in the Bay Area circa 2000-2012, then you've already seen Pete the Roadie. An almost ubiquitous presence in the North Cal punk scene, Pete can be seen working like a dog, making sure the stage gets loaded, the mic stands stay up, and the band has everything they need.

An original punk rocker from England's first wave, Pete was worked with many of the most famous bands in punk including The Subhumans, Amebix, Neurosis, Chumbawamba, Fugazi, and Jello Biafra. While he's old enough to be your dad, gig after gig he proves that he still has the enthusiasm of an 18 year old.

Because Pete is still doing the necessary but uncelebrated hustle of roadie work, staff writer John Gentile met up with Pete around the corner from an Antisect gig where they bonded over smuggled beer and hand rolled cigarettes and talked about Pete's perspective on punk, his time roading for Fugazi and his brand new band, Kicker

Jason Black (Hot Water Music)

It's been years since they've done a proper tour with a new album, but Hot Water Music is back in action with their new album Exister , a mini-headlining stint on the coasts and plans for a tour with Rise Against and The Gaslight Anthem later this year. Punknews interviewer Jason Epstein sat down with bassist Jason Black to speak about the hiatus, Exister and the band's plans for the year and beyond.

Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio)

This past May, Alkaline Trio/TheHELL singer and guitarist Matt Skiba released Babylon, an album under his most recent (and definitely not last) artistic moniker of Matt Skiba and the Sekrets. While described as a solo project, Skiba's joined by a very notable backing band that includes Hunter Burgan from AFI on bass and Jarrod Alexander from My Chemical Romance on drums.

At the time of this interview, a haggard-sounding, but talkative Skiba was slowly recovering from a late show the night before, at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas where he was joined on stage by Laura Grace of Against Me!

From his home in Los Angeles (and two weeks before the infamous Chicago show), Skiba openly spoke to Punknews interviewer Gen Handley about some recent turbulence in his life, what the idea of hell means to him and what he sees on his tombstone when death comes a'knocking.

GWAR

After over 25 years of wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting human population, GWAR has faced a tragedy of their own. Although the intergalactic band of heavy metal space barbarians has spent the last 25 years brutalizing the human populace, just over a year ago, their guitarist Flattus Maximus was called back to the stars and one of their most favored servants, Cory Smoot, suddenly passed away due to a previously unknown genetic heart defect. The loss came at a particularly harsh time for the band, for over the past six years, they had been steadily increasing in artistic expression and popularity. It even seemed like that they might finally break from an underground act into one that could actually pay its bills!

In order to see how the band was handling the loss, and to see why GWAR's slaves continue in their wretched servitude, staff writer John Gentile met up with both the bands fearsome vocalist, Oderus Urungus, and the band's longest surviving slave, Dave Brockie to talk about the loss of their members, mortality itself, and of course, the debauchery of San Francisco.

Eve 6

Eve 6 is doing a full tour for their first time in eight years, playing to fans all around the U.S. in support of their new album Speak in Code. It's been a whopping nine years since their last album, but with their new music and live show it seems the band has picked up right where they left off without skipping a beat. Punknews interviewer Jason Epstein sat down with drummer Tony Fagenson and guitarist Jon Siebels at Gramercy Theater in New York City before they took the stage to talk about the album, the tour and the band's future.

Justice Tripp (Trapped Under Ice)

There's no doubt that Trapped Under Ice is one of the biggest names in modern hardcore today and if you're at all familiar with the genre, you probably have some sort of opinion on frontman Justice Tripp - whether it be the image he exudes or hearing stories about breaking a fan's jaw in Germany.

Before playing in Newcastle, UK on the Rock Sound Impericon Exposure Tour with Your Demise and Man Overboard, Punknews interviewer Faye Turnbull sat down with Justice, where he cleared the air regarding people's misconceptions, voiced his disdain for violence in the hardcore scene, and revealed that Justice Tripp is indeed his real name.

Watch Commander (UK)

In the idyllic setting of the concrete steps outside Birmingham's defining landmark, the Bull Ring shopping centre, Punknews interviewer Kristy Diaz spoke with Watch Commander (Worcester, UK) on starting out and the release of their debut album, Clock and Compass, which coincides with a tour in July.

We also discuss their upcoming show at Crash Doubt, and the importance of the festival to the wider UK scene. You'll be able to catch them there on the Punktastic stage on Saturday, June 2nd alongside No Trigger, Heartsounds, Crazy Arm and Bangers, amongst many more.