John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats)

For almost 20 years, The Mountain Goats have been turning out literate, evocative folk-rock. Their latest album, The Life of the World to Come, is among their best yet, coupling religious images with stories both personal and fictional. It's their, I believe, 434th full-length release, and the group shows no signs of artistic fatigue. I was able to secure some talking time with frontman John Darnielle during a break from touring, via e-mail. He was awfully coy in places - especially when I asked him some questions about his appearance on The Colbert Report - but pretty open on others. Here now are his thoughts on touring, Barbara Streisand, anniversary shows, and the Bible.

Matt Hawks (Hit the Switch)

Hit the Switch almost made it. The Chino, California punks signed to Nitro in 2006 to rerelease "Domestic Tranquility and Social Justice," only to have the label go the free download route, and shortly thereafter get out of the business of releasing new albums altogether. But the guys are trying not to let it get to them; they've simply continued playing shows and got in the studio, several times, to record the latest effort, Observing Infinities, which released in May.

Guitarist and vocalist Matt Hawks exchanged emails in September with Punknews staff interviewer and Pads & Panels purveyor Bill Jones. Hawks opened up about the Nitro experience, how the band has gotten back on track, the confusion surrounding the release of their latest album and what's to come.

Shawn Stern (BYO Records)

There's a poignant moment in Do You Remember? 15 Years of the Bouncing Souls, in which members of the New Jersey band recall their first conversation with the Stern brothers of Youth Brigade/BYO Records. They were, it seems, more excited to have talked to the Sterns on the telephone than to have found out that they'd be joining the legendary BYO Records roster.

After talking to Shawn Stern, vocalist and guitarist for the band as co-owner (with his brother Mark) of BYO Records, I can understand where the excitement came from. All those bands you've heard about, or seen video of, or seen reunion tours – he was there the first time. And he was in one of them! We talked for a while about the early LA scene, how BYO could've signed bands like The Offspring, Sublime, AFI, and Jawbreaker, and about the brand new documentary as well its adjacent compilation and book.

Dominic Maggiolo (I Refuse)

Melodic hardcore band I Refuse have seen a lot of action over this past summer. The band enjoyed a North American tour, which included dates in Canada and the United States. In addition, they recorded and released their newest EP, Speaks Fork-Tongued, a recording replete with as many political overtones as chugging guitars. Self-proclaimed "foodie" and guitar player for I Refuse, Dominic Maggiolo, gives us some insight behind the band's moral underpinnings and ruminates over what it means to be a modern-day punk rocker in this candid discussion with Brandon Campbell.

Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb The Music Industry!)

Jeff Rosenstock and his computer started Bomb the Music Industry! after his previous outfit, the Arrogant Sons of Bitches, called it quits. Since then, BTMI has become a nationally renounced touring act, Jeff has founded the first donation-based record label in Quote Unquote Records, and the focus of that first BTMI song has retired from the White House. Gene Axton recently talked to the BTMI frontman about The Fest 8, managing a record label, and more.

Editors note: This interview was conducted well before the Fest, but fell back in the queue.

Title Fight

Kingston, PA's Title Fight has been rapidly gaining popularity among a variety of punk fans over the last six years. Their brand of pop-punk earns them spots on line-ups across the board – from Trapped Under Ice to Tigers Jaw. Their latest EP, The Last Thing You Forget, was released in June on Run for Cover Records, and their first full-length is finally in the works after a handful of seven inches. After just wrapping up a full U.S. tour, they're already back on the road with New Found Glory for a few East Coast and Midwest gigs. Stephanie Thornton talked with this up-and-coming band about the latest EP and future material, influences, and the effect this band has on its underage members.

Although many know this band by their tricky Guitar Hero entries, DragonForce fans have propelled their latest album Ultra Beatdown toward both a Grammy and Top 20 charts around the world. Punknews interviewer Jason Epstein sat down with DragonForce bassist Frédéric Leclercq before their show in Poughkeepsie, NY on October 10th to talk about the band's past, present and future.

Ki Seok So (The Geeks)

Undoubtedly the most popular hardcore band based Korea, The Geeks should be one of the first coming to mind when you think of Asian hardcore. Among the "K-Pop" permeating the entire country – Rain, Big Bang, Wondergirls– the substantial hardcore scene causes a great sigh of relief. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, The Geeks sit tight on both Korea's Townhall Records and Florida-based Think Fast! Records. Their brand of positive melodic hardcore does well in both hemispheres. While they rarely get a chance to visit the West, their LP Every Time We Fall is available for your listening pleasure on their Punknews profile page, and they are currently working on a new EP. Recent Korea resident Stephanie Thornton talked with lead singer Ki Seok So about The Geeks' reputation, the hardcore scene in Korea, and cultural differences playing into the same international scene.

Sam Sutherland (Junior Battles)

Newcomer's Junior Battles will be stirring up quite the ruckus over the next few months with appearances up and down the east coast, making stops along the way at Suedefest II and The Fest 8. With the well received debut of Hotel Bibles and a full-length album planned for 2010 you will be hard pressed not succumbing to the buzz this four piece has trailing them. Punknews' Bill Leary caught up with vocalist Sam Sutherland before the band loaded into their van for their current string of shows.

Greg Barnett (The Menzingers)

The Menzingers may be young, but they've definitely started to turn some heads. Coming out of what seemed like nowhere, they've managed to somehow master the art of the slow build-up and the gigantic, singalong chorus. Taylor Cocke sat down with Greg Barnett to talk about where they come from, the new record, and of course, the Fest.

The Swellers

Detroit, Michigan has endured a tumultuous year thus far. The city's calling card automotive industry has been suffering a downright crisis and is still attempting to bounce back to some sense of normalcy. Compound that with the Red Wings losing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Tigers not making the playoffs, and things have been looking pretty grim. However, a glimmer of hope does shine from the Motor City this year, with Fenton based pop-punk act The Swellers releasing their new full length album, Ups and Downsizing. Punknews contributor Matt Pagirsky recently had an e-mail exchange with brothers Jonathan and Nick Diener about the new album, their recent signing to Fueled by Ramen, as well as their upcoming appearance at the Fest 8, and their national run with Paramore.