Talking all things 'WAS HERE' with Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic

With everything they put out Stand Atlantic continue to expand their sound and that is especially true on their fourth album WAS HERE. The Australian quartet weaves elements from alternative rock, metal, hardcore punk, and hip-hop into their signature pop-punk sound to create 15 high-energy tracks that will have you dancing and belting out their anthemic choruses in no time at all. Their lyrics are some of their most vulnerable to date as they take a deep dive into toxic relationships, explore the existential nature of life, discuss mental health, call out online trolls, and rip into the misogynistic nature of our society. WAS HERE will be out everywhere on August 23 via Hopeless Records. Stand Atlantic will be touring Australia later this month and will be touring Europe and the UK in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Bonnie Fraser to talk about their new album, the therapeutic nature of songwriting, the curse of love songs, dealing with mental health, shoeys, and so much more. Read the interview below!

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

Graham Isador goes country with Stuck Out Here's Ivan Rivers

Ivan Rivers is best known for co-fronting Stuck Out Here. Over the last decade the band has played with heavy hitters in the Southern Ontario punk scene, opening for acts like Pkew Pkew Pkew and The Drew Thompson Foundation, while developing a devoted following on the back of catchy pop-punk hooks and introspective lyrics. But the realities of making music in today’s landscape -- friends living in different cities, scheduling conflicts between both day jobs and different artistic ventures -- often meant that Rivers was writing and performing songs on his own.

Originally at shows Rivers took on a persona, the smalltown hillbilly poet Mikey Chuck Rivers. Brash and lyrical, the singer demanded attention on stage with jokes and banter between compelling tracks. But after a few years of living the gimmick the character became less distinct from the musicians day-to-day before it was dropped entirely. Still, the aspects of humor and heart Rivers developed on stage spill through into his recorded material. Today Rivers releases I GIVE, four tracks of hooky alt-country peppered with hints of punk flair. The singer will be supporting the EP with a residency this September at The Cameron House in Toronto.

Recently Graham Isador had the chance to chat with Rivers about his band, the new work, and his love of songwriting. Read the interview below!

Listen to Punknews Podcast #661 - Brenna Red of The Last Gang!

Punknews Podcast #661 is now up! In this episode John catches up with Brenna Red of The Last Gang to talk about their upcoming album Obscene Daydreams (out September 20 via Fat Wreck Chords), touring, songwriting, and so much more! Listen to the episode below!

Perp Walk talks hardcore at Outbreak Fest

Perp Walk recently played an explosive set at Outbreak Fest in the UK. Punknews' Sam Houlden was on the scene and sat down with the band to talk about their set, how the band came together, and cool new bands.

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.