Brendan Kelly (Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds / The Lawrence Arms)

Brendan Kelly can be called many things but, "unproductive," is not one of them. Kelly has been recording music since the age of 10, touring in bands since high school, appeared on dozens of albums and somewhere found time to graduate college. Now, Kelly leads a bit more formatted lifestyle but has managed to stay productive and connected, first through his blog (The Bad Sandwich Chronicles) and more recently with a short film (The Spirit of Transparency) and the release of his solo debut, I'd Rather Die Than Live Forever. Older, darker and perhaps a bit wiser, Kelly makes a notable departure from the style he popularized with The Lawrence Arms and delves into creepier, more diverse territory.

Somewhere between juggling a million tasks (and two children), Kelly sat down to talk with Punknews Editor Rich Verducci about the new album, what it's like to be a dad and why there are so many dudes jacking off on Chat Roulette.

The Chuck Dukowski Sextet

There is probably no other bassist in punk rock as influential as Chuck Dukowski. An early and key member of Black Flag, Dukowski helped invent, and then de-construct, hardcore punk rock through songs that were at once emotional, explosive, and raw. While Dukowski himself would venture far outside the stereotypical "punk" sound, it seemed that no matter who was wearing leather rackets or had mohawks, Dukowski was the one who truly understood what "it" was all about.

His music has continued to evovled, while retaining its core, and for the past eight years or so, Dukowski has been recording with his Chuck Dukowski Sextet. Although the CD6 started out as an avant-garde jazz-freak out based group, they evolved into something unique that has some elements of punk, heavy metal, folk, and a whole lot of that unquantifiable ingredient- Dukowski. The members too have shifted so that now, 75% of the band is from Dukowski's own household (and the last 25% is a close family friend).

Because the CD6 has an album slated to be release in May, with a single preceding the LP in April, staff writer John Gentile met up with the CD6 to talk about the inter-workings of a family band.

Max Bemis (Say Anything)

Say Anything might be the last band you would ever consider to be punk, but remember doing things on your own terms is the essence of what punk is. For the latest release, Anarchy, My Dear, the band delivers a love letter to the core of what "norms" would believe to be punk delivering their most fiery album to date. And behind it all is Max Bemis.

Max is just like us. He likes to read comics, enjoys watching movies and is aware that he himself is becoming stranger, older and slower. Eager to get details, Staff Interviewer Justin Dickman recently spoke to vocalist/guitar play Max Bemis about the new record, Max's Song Shop and his love affair with anarchy.

Russ Rankin (Good Riddance/Only Crime)

When Good Riddance parted ways five years ago, many fans (including this interviewer) were surprised – shocked even – that this social and musical force would no longer continue to play the songs that had become so adored over the 10 years the band was together. A couple of months ago, Good Riddance shocked fans a second time when they announced that they were reuniting to play a few shows, but with no promises of extensive touring or new music.

Just before sitting down to watch the Dallas Stars-Pittsburg Penguins game in his Santa Cruz home, lead singer Russ Rankin spoke to Punknews interviewer Gen Handley about the reunion, the GR album he would love to reissue, and the team he thinks will win the Stanley Cup this year.

Tom Rheault (No Trigger)

In 2006, No Trigger went from being what one reviewer on this site called "the best melodic hardcore/punk band you're not listening to" to a band many found themselves playing repeatedly when Nitro put out the Massachusetts quintet's debut full length, Canyoneer. And then, despite the band touring on the album for quite some time, a period of relative inactivity over the last few years led to plenty of speculation over the whereabouts of No Trigger. But the band bounced back at the end of 2010 with the EP Be Honest on Mightier Than Sword Records and hit again just last month with a new full-length called Tycoon for No Sleep Records. It seems they've still got a lot to offer the punk music scene, and plenty more to say. Vocalist and lyricist Tom Rheault got on the phone Thursday, March 1, in the midst of a Massachusetts snowstorm, with Punknews writer extraordinaire Bill Jones to chat about the new album and where the hell they've been for so long.

Anthony Anzaldo (Ceremony)

On the clenched fist that is hardcore, Ceremony sticks out like a sore thumb and on that thumb Ceremony guitarist Anthony Anzaldo sticks out like a polished, painted nail. Where most hardcore bands write the same minute-ten thrasher over and over and over, Ceremony is rapidly evolving. Although they cut the powerviolence masterpiece,

Dave Williams (Crusades)

Hailing from Ontario, Canada and arising from the ashes of several local bands, Crusades has been gaining notoriety within the punk community, especially after the release of The Sun Is Down and The Night is Riding In late last year. The album mixes themes usually associated with black and death metal with the catchy, chorus-driven nature of pop punk, which has drawn a diverse following. Staff interviewer Andrew Clark sat down with guitarist/lyricist/vocalist Dave Williams to talk about the band's emergence, taking risks through punk, and what is up next for Crusades this year.

Mariel Loveland (Candy Hearts)

New Jersey band Candy Hearts has been quite busy as of late. Last month the band released a new EP titled Demo, which continues to develop the catchy, pop-influenced sound Candy Hearts is known for. Additionally, the band has recently embarked on a national tour with Man Overboard. Staff interviewer Andrew Clark was fortunate enough to speak with lyricist/vocalist Mariel Loveland in between tour stops about being a fellow Jersey resident and what the band is up to this spring.

The Story So Far

Following the release of their debut full-length Under Soil and Dirt last summer, The Story So Far seem to be going from strength to strength. Punknews interviewer Faye Turnbull caught up with vocalist Parker Cannon and guitarist William Levy before playing with Man Overboard in Kingston, UK, where they talked about their "hype," being able to balance band life with college, and writing music while high.

Anders Friden (In Flames)

Melodic death metal pioneers In Flames are back with a full North American tour promoting their newest album Sounds of a Playground Fading. Punknews interviewer Jason Epstein sat down backstage with singer Anders Friden to chat about the tour, the album and more.

“Fat” Mike Burkett (NOFX/Fat Wreck Chords)

Get this - Fat Mike of NOFX has recorded a soundtrack to a fetish porno film. Now, get THIS, the entire soundtrack is ragtime music!

Taking a break from writing funny and/or political punk songs in his mainstay, iconic band, Mike Burkett has just released the soundtrack to Rubber Bordello. Because the film is set at the turn of the 1900's, Mike and a few other pals recorded instrumental ragtime music for the film watch stars his girlfriend, Soma Snakeoil, and other ladies, punishing unlucky souls with a variety of rubber contraptions.

In order to penetrate the concept behind the soundtrack and film, staff writer John Gentile phoned up Burkett where they talked about Ragtime music, porno and… well, if you're still reading the into after the words "Ragtime" and "Porno," maybe AmishNews.org is more suited to your tastes than this site.