Burning it all down with Eevie Echoes of Eevie Echoes and the Locations

Earlier this month, Brooklyn-based punk band Eevie Echoes and The Locations released their excellent debut album, The Cons of Being a Wallflower. The album follows the band as they explore the hardships and triumphs that go along with coming out and detail the journey to self-love and self-acceptance with honest, heartfelt lyrics that open discussions around parental acceptance, religious trauma, anxiety, trust, and community. Throughout the album, they make use of dynamic arrangements that take cues from ska-punk, garage rock, emo, spoken word, and chiptune to create a killer sound that is uniquely their own. Along with centering around a journey of self-discovery, The Cons of Being a Wallflower is also a perfect example of a band coming into their own.

The Cons of Being a Wallflower is out now via Ska Punk International. Eevie Echoes and the Locations will be playing their album release show on January 27 (this Saturday!) in Brooklyn, will be playing around Brooklyn next month, and will be hitting some festivals in the spring.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead guitarist and vocalist Eevie Echoes over Zoom to talk about the album, working with Reade Wolcott, protecting your energy in a capitalist society, the importance of using your voice, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Eevie Echoes took place in January 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The Melvins reflect on the 40th Year of The Melvins

2023 was the FORTIETH year of the Melvins. They've released 30+ albums. They've played thousands of shows. They've changed the landscape of rock music itself.

And yet, in the year 40 A.M., the band, instead of running around saying "We're 40! We're the best! Give us praise!", they decided to put out a TON of new releases and played a special tour. But, just before the band was set to jump off and play their iconic album Bullhead in full on the road, drummer Dale Crover had to have emergency back surgery. how could the tour go on without their crucial, illustrious drummer?! And yet, the Melvins, ever the artists and workmen, smashed forward through the tour and through the hurdles and through the year.

Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Melvins Buzz Osborne and Steven McDonald and some of the band's compatriots about the band's 40th year… and their place in history. You can read that below.

Blag Dahlia talks art, violence, and the new Dwarves album

The Dwarves have just released their latest masterpiece- the sprawling The Dwarves Concept Album . The album finds the band dipping their toes in everything from punk to pop to dance to whatever the feel like. Yet again, it shows that they Dwarves are a band that just can;t be pigeonholed, all they while walking the line between camp and serious dissection of the modern American artist… or something like that. Punknews' John Gentile just interviewed Dwarves frontman Blag Dahlia and you can read his very deep thoughts below.

Lizzie from Teens In Trouble and Bailey from Desert Mambas talk their new split EP

Raleigh’s Teens In Trouble and Los Angeles’ Desert Mambas have created something wonderful together on their new split EP. Teens in Trouble kick out two gloriously fuzzy punky indie tracks that explore what it means to live in the moment and what to do when your therapist ghosts you. Those are followed by Desert Mambas’ two brilliantly bluesy rock songs that dive into longing, identity, and mental health. The strong friendship between Lizzie Killian of Teens In Trouble and Bailey Moses of Desert Mambas can be felt in every aspect of the EP as they highlight the importance of creating art with your friends and the joy that collaboration can bring. Teens In Trouble / Desert Mambas is available everywhere today via Asian Man Records and Kill Rock Stars. Teens In Trouble and Desert Mambas will be touring the US together in December.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Lizzie and Bailey over Zoom to talk about the new EP, songwriting, The Artist’s Way, Elvis, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Photo credit: Rochelle Shipman

Mandy and Lindsey of Death Cassette talk their new EP 'Get Rid Of It'

Winnipeg’s Death Cassette are just days away from releasing their excellent new EP Get Rid Of It. The band’s electric energy is present on all six tracks as they refine their grunge punk sound. From the short, fast punk ripper “Get Gone” to the deep, grunge-y slow burn that is “Solstice” the band are on top of their game. Get Rid Of It will be available everywhere on November 17 via High End Denim Records and Cat’s Claw Records. Death Cassette will also be playing a release show for the EP at Good Will Social Club in Winnipeg on November 17 with Screaming At Traffic, MOSA, and howtoboilwater.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Mandy and guitarist Lindsey to talk about the new EP, Evil Dead, wanting to play Pouzza Fest, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Marc Whelan talks Fuming Mouth's new album

PN staffer Sam Houlden spoke to Fuming Mouth’s Marc Whelan in the hours leading up to the new Fuming Mouth album(Last Day of Sun)’s release about the complex development of the record and what it has resulted in.

Going 'Legend Tripping' with Erik Button of Dollar Signs

Exactly one week ago, North Carolina-based punk rockers Dollar Signs released their superb fifth album Legend Tripping. The band asks themselves what it means to return home as they explore the contradictions of the Southern US, take a close look at the passage of time, and celebrate friendship over the course of 11 tracks. The songs are packed with exciting, layered arrangements and lyrics that burst with horror imagery, folklore, and history. Legend Tripping is available everywhere digitally now and is available physically via Self Aware Records. Dollar Signs are currently touring the US.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Erik Button over Zoom to talk about the new album, growing up in the South, the importance of folklore, cryptids, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Biting the hand that feeds with KT and Mikey of Upchuck

Earlier this month Atlanta-based punk rockers Upchuck released their excellent second album Bite The Hand That Feeds. In just under half an hour the band rips through thirteen extremely high-energy tracks that will have you dancing, moshing, and looking for a shopping cart to crowd surf in within seconds. Throughout the album, you can hear elements of doom, garage rock, and psychedelia interwoven with punk rock which makes their sound that much heavier. Bite The Hand That Feeds is out now via Famous Class Records and Upchuck are currently on the road with Faye Webster.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist KT and guitarist Mikey over Zoom to talk about the new album, filming tour documentaries, paying homage to Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and so much more. Read the interview below!

John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday talks their new album '152'

Tomorrow, Taking Back Sunday will be releasing their eighth studio album 152. The album sees the band continuing to expand musically as they incorporate elements from classic rock and pop into their unique sound. They explore their relationship with the past and what it means to grow with heartfelt lyrics, a healthy dose of optimism, and infectious melodies. 152 will be out everywhere on October 27 via Fantasy Records and Taking Back Sunday will be hitting the road in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead guitarist John Nolan over Zoom to talk about the new album, playing house shows, throwing out the first pitch for the Mets, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Creating 'Chaos Magick' with Michi and Mike of Mega Infinity

Last week Long Island-based Mega Infinity released their new genre-bending EP Chaos Magick into the world. The EP sees the band leaning more into their ska influences while continuing to explore their mathier prog-rock side over the course of four tracks. They tackle toxic masculinity, channel their energy into their community, and bring Skalannis Morrisette to life with plenty of heart, a great deal of passion, and a little help from their friends. Chaos Magick is available now via Ska Punk International. Mega Infinity will be playing Bat Mary's Skalloween Skapunkalypse tonight at Mr. Beery's in Bethpage, New York and will be playing their EP release show on their Twitch channel (https://www.twitch.tv/megawednesday) on October 25.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Michi and Mike DiGiulio over Zoom to talk about the EP, the parallels between being married and being in a band, practicing chaos magick, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Walter of Quicksand talks reunions, Riot Fest, and retrospectives

The name Walter Schreifels is certainly not foreign to fans of hardcore or post-hardcore. Most first became familiar with his legendary work in the seminal New York hardcore band Gorilla Biscuits. Following their breakup, he formed the genre defining Quicksand. Beyond Quicksand, Walter has worked on many projects including Rival Schools. Punknews staffer Jason Baygood had the chance to catch up with Walter at this year’s edition of the annual Riot Fest in Chicago where he pulled triple duty, including performing the debut Quicksand album Slip in full.