News of Dear Landlord sent pop-punk fans atwitter. Half Copyrights, half Rivethead, it sounded like the 'Org's answer to a design-your-own-super-group question. It was a shock when the record managed to live up to its hype. Drummer and songwriter Brad Lokkesmoe talks with Sarah Collins about the meaning of Dream Homes, his other super-group The Gateway District, and who he'd like to start a band with.
With their inaugural release on Fat Wreck Chords, Collapser, available today, Nick and Nate from Minneapolis' Banner Pilot spoke with Punknews' Zack Zeigler regarding the differences between Collapser and their last release, Resignation Day, how comments – both positive and negative – from Punksnews' readers can actually make a difference in the band and the steps Banner Pilot takes to ensure the production of their records don't fall into the "mall-punk" category.
Portland based rock act Portugal. The Man recently released their fourth full length album, The Satanic Satanist on Equal Vision Records. The band is currently on a club and festival tour in support of the album and recently wrapped up stints at the Bonaroo Festival in Manchester, TN and Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL. Punknews contributor Matt Pagirsky caught up with lead singer/guitarist John Gourley and bassist Zachary Carothers at the tour kick off show on August 4th at Union Pool in Brooklyn. They discussed the new album, their thoughts on how to prevent early leaks, how art and money are intertwined, as well as plans for another new album and a live DVD set for tentative release this coming winter.
In a statement made via MySpace video in 2007, Brett Gurewitz, songwriter for Bad Religion and founder of Epitaph Records, suggested that Gallows' debut Orchestra of Wolves "is the best punk album to come out since the Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come." It's not that this statement is at all inaccurate; there is something undeniably revolutionary about this record's raw, aggressive energy. It's just that, considering their most recent release, Mr. Brett's comparison seems premature.
After signing with Reprise Records in 2008, Gallows was afforded the funding to write Grey Britain, a record that seems to capture the dynamic, dramatic, sometimes psychotic nature of the Refused's final full-length better than their previous release. Epic and operatic in scope, Grey Britain uses restless, heart-wrenching rock 'n' roll; somber swells of strings and piano; and the sounds of the streets (trains, sirens, and so on) to paint a bleak picture of Britain. As a band, Gallows has never hesitated to criticize what they love, whether it's the state of their homeland or the state of punk-rock. In an interview with Dane Erbach, drummer Lee Barratt discusses the motivation behind Grey Britain, their time on the 2009 Warped Tour, and why there's more to Gallows than merely making music.
With members of such notable acts as Ignite, Rise Against and Death By Stereo rounding out their line-up, Nations Afire's polished blend of punk, rock and hardcore is no accident. This underground super group (which released their first EP The Uprising in April) is poised to do great things. Punknews interviewer Jason Epstein recently exchanged e-mails with Nations Afire guitarist Chris Chasse. They discussed upcoming plans for the bands first full length, touring and the DIY life.
Growing up worshiping Pop-Punk Rock in the 1990s, Rev. Norb was as important a figure as it could get. The anticipation of his new article in Maximum Rock N Roll or awaiting his bands new LP or 7". With his band Boris The Sprinkler, Rev. Norb the self proclaimed voice of geek America released 8 LPs, 4 EPs and a very prolific 17 singles. The good reverend, was nice enough to talk with Michael Kane for an interview with Punknews.
In the ten years of its melodic and angry existence, Strike Anywhere has consistently grabbed listeners with a passion that comes straight off of the band members' heart-covered sleeves. Any music fan does themselves a disservice not to see this band live – to witness and partake in the flurry of fists all lead by a chorus of one. The raspy eloquence continues with the new album, Iron Front, on October 6, almost exactly a decade after they played their first show ever. Lead singer Thomas Barnett generously took a break from his morning coffee and Patsy Cline to speak to Gen Handley over the phone about the new album, how to evade Nazi skinheads in Moscow as well as some sound advice he received from a fellow punk vocalist.
The Used are back with their fourth album, Artwork. Change was a consistent trend throughout the writing and recording process with a switch from long-time producer John Feldmann to Matt Squire, the creation of a much dirtier sound and the first album appearance of drummer Dan Whitesides to name a few. Whitesides has been instrumental in the new direction the band is currently taking. He took some time to sit down and chat with Mark Millard about the writing process behind Artwork, the adjustments needed in order to join the band and the motivation behind the changes they have made over the last few years.
Reno, Nevada's Cobra Skulls have already kicked off a massive celebratory tour in honor of recently released American Rubicon, their third full-length on Red Scare Records. They've gained mixed feedback for the new album just as they've attracted mixed crowds to their shows. Punk, rockabilly, folk and more all combine for a sound that dodges sweeping labels and keeps a variety of listeners hooked. Cobra Skulls show no signs of slowing down. Vocalist Devin Peralta and Stephanie Thornton recently talked about the new album, tour, his reaction to a mixed fanbase, politics, and goals for the band once the current hectic schedule subsides.
As Orlando, FL's New Mexican Disaster Squad began winding down last year, vocalist Sam Johnson began writing songs that would eventually become Virgins debut album, Miscarriage. With Virgins in motion and a new band with former band mates all ready started, No Friends, Sam shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He will be playing with both bands at this years FEST 8 on Oct 30-Nov 1. Here Sam talks with Adam Sever about the endings of New Mexican Disaster Squad, the beginnings of Virgins, growing up in Orlando, plus he shares his experiences of previous years' Fests.
Getting in touch with the Re-Volts' frontman Spike Slawson wasn't easy. It's not surprising when you take into account that the guy has three other bands besides the Re-Volts to keep tabs on -- Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Swingin' Utters and Filthy Thieving Bastards. When Punknews' Zack Zeigler finally did catch up with Spike, he was in Winnipeg, Canada passing out flyers to promote a string of shows.
Despite stopping periodically to flag down a passerby for directions, or to let them know when and where to catch the next Re-Volts performance, Slawson discussed his stance on the "retarded" unwritten rules of punk, how hitting the road adds stability to his life and why musically he's not ready to admit to being happy.