Kenny Bridges (Moneen)

Brampton, Ontario based rock act Moneen have been one of Canada's finest musical exports in recent years. The prolific five-piece have been crafting their dynamic and melodic brand of nu-emo over a succession of critically acclaimed albums. Their new full length, The World I Want To Leave Behind is no exception, as the band reaches deep down to their explosive core to deliver one of the year's finest rock records. Punknews contributor Matt Pagirsky recently had a chance to speak to lead vocalist/guitarist Kenny Bridges about the new album, their newly birthed partnership with Canadian indie Dine Alone Records, their upcoming national tour with Org-favorite Say Anything this October and much more.

Steve Brodsky (Cave In)

When Cave In declared their hiatus three and a half years ago, no one knew what to expect for the quartet's future. Everyone knows that a hiatus is more often than not a prelude to the breakup. Not so, however, for Cave In, who has just released the dynamic, raging Planets of Old on Hydra Head. Listening to it, it's hard to believe that the band was apart for so long. The songs are as tight as ever, and the lyrics spin dark, haunting tales against the heavy, ethereal sound scape of the EP.

Steve Brodsky talked with Talia Miller about the new album, his recent interest in writing, and what it's like to play together again after being apart.

Andrew Vivian Horne (Bangers)

Hailing from Falmouth, Cornwall, a beach town in Southern England, Bangers are a three-piece pop rock/punk band. Winning fans with frequent gigs all over the UK and a couple of split releases bursting with raucous, gruff yet melodic anthems, you need this band in your life. They like beer and Propagandhi and are all-round great guys. Already causing a buzz on the UK punk scene, they've recently played some shows in mainland Europe and preparing to head to Gainesville, FL to get drunk and play songs at The Fest.

In an interview with Ian Chaddock, bassist/vocalist Andrew Vivian Horne tells Punknews about their history, split releases, their excitement to be heading over for The Fest and bad encounters with gypsy girls.

Shane Told (Silverstein)

Silverstein's Shane Told took time out of a busy touring schedule supporting his band's latest record, Shipwreck in the Sand, to speak with Punknews' Zack Zeigler about a variety of topics. He covered how Axl Rose and Metallica paved the way for his entry into the punk rock scene, the ways utilizing modern technology has helped the Canadian quintet's popularity grow, what it means to be "sort of friends" with Fat Mike and what's on deck for the band now that their four-album deal with Victory Records has been fulfilled.

Chris Wollard

When Hot Water Music disbanded a few years ago, many fans, including myself, were left wondering, "Will rock and roll ever be its honest, rebellious self again?" Well, not only has HWM started playing together again, but its individual members are spreading their sincere, Gainesville love under different monikers. Last winter, the good word was spread further with Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves - 10 smoky snapshots of Chris' optimistic, but unsettled world. With a bunch of dates being announced for the fall and winter, including some international shows and an appearance at Gainesville's Fest 8 in late October, Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves are ready to spread their nautical tales out to the rest of the world.

Chris sat down with Gen Handley for a frank conversation about tour withdrawal, the serious joys and perils of writing music and why he's just a ship thief at heart.

Paul Pendley (Red City Radio)

Some bands labor for years in obscurity before writing an album that makes people take notice, while other bands find a sound early on that resonates well with listeners. Oklahoma City's Red City Radio are a band that came seemingly from out of nowhere this year with a stellar EP titled To the Sons & Daughters of Woody Guthrie and began attracting attention from many people, including the fine folks at The Fest.

Recently, Red City Radio toured in support of their EP, and RJ Cresswell had a chance to chat with guitarist/vocalist Paul Pendley at a construction site in Austin, TX across the street from Snake Eyes Vinyl.

Nick Bergheimer (Landmines)

As one of Paper + Plastick's flagship signings, Richmond VA's Landmines have been busy building a name for themselves having released their debut self-titled album last year in addition to sharing the stage with bands like Dirty Tactics, Less Than Jake, The ERGS! and Bomb the Music Industry. As part of Punknews' interview series on this year's Fest, Sean Jain exchanged emails with guitarist Nick Bergheimer, to talk about Landmines' forthcoming EP Hell Is What You Make It, which comes out tomorrow, as well as their upcoming European tour and their appearance at The Fest 8.

Mike McLeod (madcowboys)

Calgary, Alberta, Canada's madcowboys play fast and loose punk rock calling to mind the likes of Dillinger Four, with a vocal style and beats that are truly coming into their own on the band's third full-length, a self-titled effort. They also keep things fun with a sharp sense of humor. After heading into the studio with Sir Ian Burton and releasing madcowboys on New Black in June, vocalist and guitarist Mike McLeod exchanged emails with Pads & Panels purveyor and Punknews staff writer Bill Jones at the end of August. The interview helped unearth the origins of the band, dig into the new album and find out why madcowboys haven't brought their great sound Stateside just yet.

You can click Read More for the interview.

Davey Havok (AFI)

Whether you classify AFI as hardcore, goth, techno, punk, alternative or progressive, over the years their sonic evolution has created as many new fans as it has surprised the old ones. Tomorrow, A Fire Inside releases the newest entry in this continual progression: Crash Love. Punknews interviewer Jason Epstein had a phone chat with AFI singer and songwriter Davey Havok about the band's past, present, future and their new album, Crash Love.

David “Spoonboy” Combs (The Max Levine Ensemble)

Punk rock celebrity cum radio personality Ben Weasel raised eyebrows earlier this year with an on air, ten-minute diatribe against DC area pop punk trio The Max Levine Ensemble. Now, the band has struck back with a tongue-in-cheek new "split" 7" titled Ben Weasel out now through their website. TMLE frontman and sometime solo artist David "Spoonboy" Combs checked in recently with Punknews' G'Ra Asim to discuss the irony of Weasel's vehement disapproval, the emotional side to political music, and how it feels to be identified as the literal definition of folk punk. Catch Combs on his European solo tour now through October 15. More information is available at the Spoonboy website at www.iloveyouthisisarobbery.com

Rory Henderson (American Steel)

American Steel are in full on support mode for their most recent Fat Wreck Chords release, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts. Tonight we bring you an interview between our own John Numbskull and American Steel's Rory Henderson.