Daryl Jenifer (Bad Brains)

There are some bands that don't always translate on the first listen. You could love a band. They could represent some great time in music, but when playing them for a friend to hear the first time, it won't carry. Maybe that friend needs some kind of context or narrative to explain why Lifetime was such an important band. Then maybe after a few listens, and a mixtape or two, they'll get it.

That is not the case with Bad Brains. Nobody is going to argue whether or not The Bad Brains are important. It's pretty much accepted that they were the first band to play the style that would become known as, "hardcore." Their first album is unquestionably a perfect record. Their records are peppered with reggae tracks that provide an often much needed respite from the hardcore blitzkrieg of songs like, "Supertouch," and they did a great deal to break down the color barriers of a music scene that was predominantly white.

Punknews interviewer Jon Reiss recently spoke with member Daryl Jenifer shedding some light on went into the making of this band that engendered a genre, gave rise to a whole new style of mosh and introduced a slew of people to the word, "Jah."

Adam Pfahler (Jawbreaker/Blackball Records) - Part 2

We pick up part two of our interview with Jawbreaker's/Blackball Record's Adam Pfahler, right where part one left off (logically). In our second section Pfahler and interviewer Rich Verducci discuss the potential Jawbreaker documentary, legal woes and even have time to touch on the hazy definition of "org-core". For those interested you can pick up the reissue of Unfun here or check out some of the vintage Jawbreaker t-shirts (which are discussed in this interview) here.

Mike Huguenor (Classics of Love, Hard Girls, Shinobu)

Mike Huguenor is a busy man. Moonlighting in Shinobu, Hard Girls and Classics of Love it's amazing to think this man gets any sleep. . Shinobu put out their last full length Strange Spring Air on Quote Unquote last year and are putting the finishing touch on a B-sides collection. Hard Girls put out the Hello EP last year as well and are working on a split with Kudrow. Classics of Love released their debut in 2009 and are gearing up to record a new full length. Mike sat down with Tim McGowan and talked about song writing phenomena, South American tours, and made jokes about Operation Ivy and space age book reading technology.

Adam Pfahler (Jawbreaker/Blackball Records) - Part 1

2010 has seen the 20th anniversary of Jawbreaker's monumental full length debut, Unfun. Not so coincidentally, it also featured the first formal remaster and reissue of the album in 20 years by Adam Pfalher's own Blackball Records. To help go over the five W's Pfahler dialed in for a marathon phone call with Punkews own Rich Verducci. In the first part of this two part interview, Pfahler discusses the process of remastering Unfun, as well has his plans for future Jawbreaker reissue.

John Joseph (Cro-Mags)

If you saw John Joseph in the middle of NYC, you'd take one look at his web of faded tattoos, one look at his massive stature, and one look at his chiseled scowl and think to yourself, "That's one dude I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley!" But really, you wouldn't want to meet him in the debate hall either.

Nearly 30 years ago, Joseph was one of the founding members of the Cro-Mags, one of the first bands to blend hardcore and heavy metal. But beyond that, following in the footsteps of his mentor H.R. of Bad Brains, Joseph was also one of the first songwriters to bring spirituality to punk rock, which at the time, was plagued by a glut of nihilism (although Joseph is quick to point out that he's never pushed his beliefs on anyone). While many punk bands were wallowing in self destruction, Joseph, a practitioner of what is commonly referred to as Hare Krishna, espoused a positive life view, arguing for the better treatment of both the fellow man as well as one's own body.

Since then, he's espoused biting commentary on Monsanto corporation, explained his views on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and brought the Cro-Mags back from the dead. Between staying active in the hardcore community for almost 30 years, running a healthy living center in one of New York's toughest neighborhood for almost a decade, and skewering multi-national corporations, its a wonder Joseph has time to do anything except breath. But somehow, he's managed to write Meat is for Pussies(available at www.meatisforpussies.org) a guide to healthy living. So, Punknews interviewer John Gentile sat down with Joseph to get the inside info on the purpose of his new book, his view on spirituality, and what's good to eat.

Mike Haliechuk (F*cked Up)

If you've ever seen Fucked Up live, then you know that between their gigantic, bald, half naked singer, their THREE guitars, and wall of sound attack, they put on one hell of a raucous show. But, despite the chaos all around him, founding member and lead guitarist Mike Haliechuk never seems to flinch. While bodies are flying all about (including his own) Haliechuk never seems to smile or grimace or sneer- he just stares nearly unblinkingly at the audience… like a Canadian terminator. Frankly, it kind of creeps me out! Just what is going inside that head? Haliechuk has been responsible for taking punk to a new level, writing songs about illegal police searches as well as the effervescence of the sun. He's been adamant in supporting local charities and has also been fiercely ardent in the concept of bands controlling their own destinies as opposed to being the subject of whims and record labels. But on the other hand, for years he spread mis-information about the band, released records in obscure and outdated formats… all while remaining 100 percent accessible via e-mail. Punknews interviewer John Gentile recently talked with Haliechuck in an attempt to clear up some of the mysteries still surrounding the band and we fear that he may have simply found myself to be a rat in a maze…

Ben Grey (Scarlet Grey)

The music scene is full of bands who claim to have a fire inside with their charismatic frontman, deep punk roots and catchy choruses. While the verdict is still out there, Los Angeles-based Scarlet Grey is determined to show the critics that they are different from the pack and their music comes from an honest place. Scarlet Grey frontman and guitarist Ben Grey spoke to Punknews interviewer Gen Handley about the new EP, Fancy Blood., why they are not an AFI cover band and their short-lived relationship with Jordan Knight.

Band on Band: Mischief Brew/Guignol

In our latest Band on Band we feature two unique acts who have made a musical career (non-paying career) out of doing things their own way. Mischief Brew and Guignol continue to make their own rules releasing a collaborative full length, Fight Dirty on Erik Peterson of Mischief Brew's own Fistolo Records earlier this year. The two acts took some time out of endless musical projects and day jobs to discuss Iron Maiden, aging in punk rock and world travel.

You can click "Read More" for all the details.

Jack Terricloth (World/Inferno Friendship Society)

It looks like World/Inferno Friendship Society might be in the middle of some tough times. Composed of an ever revolving cast of miscreants and sounding like a cross between prohibition jazz and the Dead Kennedys, World/Inferno has forged a name for itself through explosive live shows and a wry disdain for authority. But, while their earlier albums were filled with joyous odes to thievery, flipping off cops, and just generally being a gleeful rascal, the new tunes that have been popping up live and on the net seem to have a more somber tone.

Instead of being chased by cops through a restaurant's kitchen, the characters in the new songs have their backs against the walls. Instead of chewing out former lovers, they lament that they will never see each other again. But are things really that bad or is the band just tugging at our heart strings to see the effect? Recently, Punknews interviewer John Gentile chatted with World/Inferno's lead singer Jack Terricloth to get the scoop on the group's new LP, how the fight against capitalism is going, and why the group has lost so many members as of late.

Andrew Bayliss (Sharks)

Despite having an average age of just twenty years old, England's Sharks have already clocked up an impressive array of achievements. Their debut EP, the five track Shallow Waters won them widespread critical acclaim in 2009, and earned the band a single deal with Atticus Black as well as tours with the likes of Gallows, The Ghost of a Thousand and Crime In Stereo. Currently adding the finishing touches to their highly anticipated new EP Show of Hands, the four-piece are set to hit the road for some of their biggest shows to date alongside New Jersey's Gaslight Anthem. Sharks guitarist Andrew Bayliss took time out to tell Punknews writer Ryan Gallagher about recording the EP, his respect for Tom Jones and why artists are really just glorified vagabonds.

Russ Rankin (Good Riddance, Only Crime)

On May 27th, 2007, seminal California punk band Good Riddance took the stage for what would be the final time in band's 12+ year career. Now, some three years after that fateful night, the band has provided fans with one last "hurrah" by culling together 21 of their best, rarest, and unreleased songs to be released this July on their long-time home, Fat Wreck Chords. Punknews interviewer Sean Jain had a chance to speak with singer/songwriter Russ Rankin about the collection, the legacy of Good Riddance, the title of the album, Capricorn One, and what the future holds for Rankin, Good Riddance, and Rankin's other band, Only Crime.