February 17th, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } ––> Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories We couldn't hope to sneak an Alkaline Trio story by, as even a brief mention that a new album is in the works whipped their fans into a frenzy of album ranking and hand wringing. Albuquerque's Scared Of Chaka will reunite along with the Gain at an upcoming Sticker Guy anniversary weekend. Mike McColgan's Street Dogs completed a circle of sorts and signed to his old home at Hellcat Records. Jawbreaker has unveiled more information on their upcoming reissue of Unfun. Pennywise previewed a new song and the track listing to their upcoming and freely–downloadable LP Reason to Believe. Whole Wheat Bread is finally whole again with the addition of their new bassist. They discussed their new full length as well. Actress Scarlett Johansson's Tom Waits cover album is taking shape. With the announcement of a Bowie guest appearance this may become the definitive cultural document of our time. On the same note, Good Charlotte star Joel Madden announced a number of TV and movie roles of his own. Our best wishes go out to Bob Nanna as the Braid / Hey Mercedes frontman is again fighting lymphoma. Bob's current act The City On Film will be playing the final show of Punknews Records act Somerset.

There were plenty of tour announcements this past week. The Asian Man Records Tour, featuring the Queers, Lemuria and others, kicks off soon. We had confirmation on the first handful of dates. The second leg of the Fat Wreck Chords Tour was announced. It'll feature American Steel joining NOFX and No Use For A Name. Fellow Fat act Dead To Me has dates scheduled in the US and Europe. Look for Teenage Bottlerocket and the Copyrights on the road as well. This week saw an acoustic, live video of Against Me!'s "The Ocean," a track from Paint It Black's new record and a cover of Dillinger Four from Leatherface frontman Frankie Stubbs.

So, anyone see the Simpsons do Sid & Nancy tonight? I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week one of our contributors sat down for a chat with vocalist Rody Walker of Ontario's Protest The Hero (interview). The twenty ninth edition of Vinyl File featured a look at some of the vinyl highlights from ska–punk mainstays Less Than Jake.

February 10th, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } ––> It's Sunday, February 10th, 2008. Congratulations go out to our friend Jordan Baker of Pastepunk.com and his wife Barbara on the birth of their son Andrew Louis Baker this past Saturday. Everyone here at the `Org wishes the new family all the best.

Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Ska luminaries the Slackers return this April with a new full length, their first for the Pietasters founded Indication label. Sweden's Millencolin has a new full length on the way titled Machine 15, we saw were provided with a track listing and release dates this week. Decaydance Records has added Four Year Strong to their roster. On the touring front we had details on the Smartpunk stage at Warped which will feature acts like Set Your Goals, the Higher and the Human Abstract. The UK's Download Festival will feature bands like Rise Against, Motorhead and headliners the Offspring. Bad Religion has expanded their residency in California and Nevada and we had new announcements from the Bouncing Souls (dates), Whole Wheat Bread's tour with Authority Zero (dates) and the Weakerthans (dates).

This week saw the breakup of both Folly (1997–2008) and the Format (2003–2008). The Loved Ones are streaming their new full length Build & Burn. New music also arrived from Anti–Flag with the song "Good and Ready." On the video front we saw Dillinger Escape Plan perform "Black Bubblegum" on Conan and Teenage Bottlerocket's clip of "In The Basement." MTV (remember them) also announced that they'll feature punk legends Bad Brains on their 52/52 Campaign.

This week ended with news of a tragedy at a metal concert in Indonesia. Our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the deceased. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives The twenty seventh edition of Vinyl File featured an interview with Andy Nelson of Paint it Black. This week also saw a return of our Editors Picks feature with recommendations for Kate Nash and Social Circkle.

February 3rd, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } ––> It's Sunday, February 3rd, 2008. You know we've had more news submissions on this potential Arrested Development movie than anything else today, purpose of this website be damned. I love you guys. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Top on the list of shows you didn't get get to see last week, ALL reunited on stage in Fort Collins at what was billed as a Drag The River show. Keeping with the reunion theme, Hot Water Music has announced a trio of European festival dates. We also had video footage of the band performing "Turnstyle" at their recent Sayreville, NJ show. The Gaslight Anthem may have delayed their upcoming EP this week, but it also slipped that the band will join the SideOneDummy roster. The real world stepped in as Fox News, for whatever reason, uncovered the "Emo Backlash". Cheers also go out to the Oregon Attorney General for investigating the RIAA.

There was lots of touring news this week, with the Warped Tour confirming its 2008 routing and further news on the metal–focused spinoff tour featuring bands like Mastodon and Dragonforce. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones announced a Los Angeles show with the Street Dogs and Pietasters, as well as an appearance at the Bamboozle. Similarly, the west coast Bamboozle Left will feature a reunion performance from Face To Face. We're waiting on dates for two upcoming tours, one to feature Anti–Flag will the Briggs, Street Dogs and Fake Problems, the other an Asian Man Tour with Queers, Lemuria and Bomb The Music Industry.

This week saw the break up of street punks Clit 45. Upcoming releases for the mall punk crowd were discussed, including Fearless Records' "Punk Goes Crunk" compilation and Panic At The Disco's upcoming "Pretty. Odd." Not on the horizon? Good Riddance's live DVD. It's probably not going to happen. Between some new music from Anti–Flag ("The Bright Lights of America") and Fake Problems ("Viking Wizard Eyes, Wizard Full of Lies") this has been a pretty full week. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives Our Video of the Week featured the first part of an interview and performance with Bomb The Music Industry!. The twenty seventh edition of Vinyl File featured an interview with Dan Yemin (Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black and Armalite) and a look at upcoming releases. On the new music front we previewed three upcoming 7" releases from Toronto power–pop act Marvelous Darlings, featuring Ben Cook of Fucked Up and No Warning.

January 27th, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } ––> It's Sunday, January 27th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Thanks to Aubin for covering last week while the majority of us were out in Vegas for Punk Rock Bowling. Punknews Team 1 did surprisingly well, boosted by truly massive handicaps that the debacle of 2007 earned us. Team 2 is best left unmentioned. A big thanks goes out to the Stern brothers and Julie at BYO for throwing such an awesome party year after year. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories The 2008 release schedule's starting to shape up. That long awaited new Rancid album now looks like it'll arrive in June. Popular act My Chemical Romance are planning a return to "punk rock" on the follow up to their theatrical recent work. Good Riddance set a date for their live album and unveiled the track listing. Labelmates No Use For A Name released the art from their new one as well. Millencolin unleased all sorts of information, including a new song, artwork, and album title. New Found Glory are headed back into independent territory, with plans for a 7" via hardcore label Bridge Nine. Beijing's Brain Failure spoke about their next one and discussed the challenges of performing in China. I suppose that's a different level of censorship then you get at Disneyland, but the UK's Gallows still managed to get themselves banned by the mouse

East Bay punk rock supergroup Pinhead Gunpowder, featuring members of Crimpshine and some unknown band called Green Day, are reuniting for two shows. The Vandals have a short set of North American dates scheduled before they hit Australia.The Dropkick Murphys and Big D and the Kids Table are touring in March. Looking for more? Avenged Sevenfold are supporting Iron Maiden soon and the Civic Tour will feature Panic At the Disco and Motion City Soundtrack among others. On the new music front we got a preview of the Night Marchers (ex–Hot Snakes, Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu), a new epic from prog monsters the Mars Volta and a new tune from Fake Problems. This week also saw news of Minor Threat's Jeff Nelson selling some unique hardcore merch and an upcoming "Greatest Punk Songs" special on Sirius. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke to Oregon pop–punkers Broadway Calls (interview). The twenty sixth edition of Vinyl File featured a look at the vinyl history of Dan Yemin, including detailed discographies of Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black and Armalite.

January 20th, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } It's Sunday, January 20th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Politics ruled this week, but lawsuits came a close second.. Adam is away this weekend, so you'll have to settle for me. Rest assured though, he will be back soon and all will be right in the world. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories It's surprising, but somehow the combination of Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and presidential hopeful Barack Obama got your attention. By the same token, the news that former Blink–182 drummer Travis Barker was suing Rockstar Beverages, a big sponsor of tours sent some people to the comments.

As far as other news, people were certainly excited about Against Me!'s new video for "Stop", some hard details about Anti–Flag's second major label album, more music from Rise Against and news on the long–awaited record from Rancid. Though the band has reunited numberous times before, the thought of the Sex Pistols recording new material led to some interesting comments. (Our favorite here)

The signing of H2O to Bridge 9 must have come as some relief to fans who have been waiting for years for a new album from the melodic hardcore band. No Dillinger Four news this week, but their spiritual brothers in Propagandhi look to be reducing their mean–time–between–albums. (Of course, if you miss D4, you can always check out that Arrivals record.)

From the music 'biz side of things, Tom Delonge proposed his solution for life, the universe and everything. (It wasn't 42.) EMI fired some people and floated the idea of sponsored bands, Pepsi presents American Idiot anyone?

On the subject of politics, things are still heating up with neither the Democrats and the Republicans falling in line behind a front runner. If you're in a primary state, do your research and participate. If not, keep up with the news and make an informed decision for November.

January 13th, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } It's Sunday, January 13th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Last week we had big Jawbreaker news, this week the Clash. 2008's batting .1000 so far. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories It's rare, but ladies and gentlemen this week has news on the Clash. Drummer Topper Headon and guitarist Mick Jones reunited on stage at a recent Carbon/Silicon gig and we have the footage to prove it. Less Than Jake broke the silence on their post–Warner plans, forming their own label dubbed Sleep It Off and announcing plans for a new record. Speaking of new records, we had plans from a number of high profile acts. Death Cab For Cutie is promising a louder, abrasive and more dissonant new album. Weezer has finished their sixth record and they're feeling really good about it. Hatebreed is planning a covers record and a number of other projects like a coffee table book. Propagandhi also titillated their fanbase by announcing their tentative 2008 roadmap. There was some harrowing news for fans of the Shins this week, as keyboardist Marty Crandall was arrested for domestic assault, only to have the charges dropped soon after. Also on the lawsuit front, Billy Bean from No Trigger has filled suit against the Orlando PD based on an incident from the most recent Fest.

Anti–Flag has announced Australian shows with Rage Against The Machine and European tour dates. Smoke Or Fire and Fake Problems will soon hit the road together. Civet will tour soon, sharing the stage with bands like Guttermouth and the Unseen. Dillinger Four is playing a free show at the University of Wisconsin Union. There was a recent free show in Toronto featuring Strung Out and the Flatliners. Lagwagon was supposed to be there but couldn't make it past the border. Against Me! has also announced plans for additional Harvest of Hope benefits The Loved Ones posted the new song "Sarah's Game" while the Alkaline Trio posted a live version of "Nose Over Tail." I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives The twenty fourth edition of Vinyl File featured a chat with a massive Against Me! collector and looked at some upcoming releases. Our Editors' Picks of the week featured music from Rochester's Sakes Alive!!! and horror punk outfit the Epidemic. We featured new music this week from Lemuria, streaming their full LP Get Better at the band's Punknews.org Profile.

January 6th, 2008

.ng–section1 { font–size: small; border–bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font–weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng–section2 { font–size: xx–small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } It's Sunday, January 6th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Last week when the Punknews staff sounded off on our favorites of 2007 the readership rallied that a certain band wasn't getting it's due. A few keystrokes later and we had our first ever reader's choice chart. You folks make this site happen, and this year we're planning to get you involved in a big way. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories There's no finer way to kick off the year then with Jawbreaker news. While providing an update on their upcoming documentary Adam Pfahler revealed that the members of the influential band got back together a few months back and even played a few songs together. The audio's under wraps for the time being. Roger Miret of Agnostic Front and Zoli Teglas of Ignite spoke out against digital music and lauded the benefits of sticking with CDs, an opinion that may put them at odds with many of their fans. Orange County's Slick Shoes are back together after a period of inactivity, but we also had word that North Carolina' Hopesfall down for the count. You gain one, you lose one. This week also posed the eternal question if there has been a band as significant as Nirvana since their time.

Horse The Band win points for ambition, planning a true world tour that should take them to 40 countries before they rest. Hot Water Music continues to slowly reveal details of their reunion, this week confirming a SXSW appearance. Reader favourites A Wilhelm Scream are already looking towards their next record, but in the meantime they'll tour the UK and the US with the Unseen joining them Stateside. It's a small tour so far, but fans are salivating at a March billing of Strike Anywhere, Paint It Black and the Riverboat Gamblers. On the audio front we had a new track from Teenage Bottlerocket, a preview of Goldfinger's SideOneDummy debut, something new from Panic! At the Disco, a new single from the Gaslight Anthem, and a live set from Chuck Ragan. There's no new audio yet from that upcoming Offspring record, but we did get a progress report. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives The twenty third edition of Vinyl File spoke with Gilead Media founder Adam Bartlett and looked at some upcoming releases. This past week we also ran our end of year features for 2007. We had staff picks from editors Aubin, Adam White, Brian Shultz, Justin August, Meg Reinecker, Chris Moran and Ben Conoley, a list from alumni editor Scott Heisel, and picks from reviewers Greg Simpson (Greg0rb), Jesse Raub, Jordan Rogowski (Anchors), Darren McLeod, Tyler Barrett (GlassPipeMurder), and Jon Daley. Via some wacky math we even calculated an overall Punknews.org list that had the Weakerthans at the top. More importantly though, you folks stepped up and via your individual ratings created the readers picks list that gave huge props to A Wilhelm Scream. Editors' Picks of the week featured ––>

December 30th, 2007

It's Sunday, December 30th, 2007. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. I'll level with you guys: this was a pretty meagre week. This happens every December mind you, the well of music stories pretty much runs dry by the end of the month. Look for things to ramp up rather quickly following New Years. Get your news pants ready. Gimme Shelter tour doc. A DVD release has been secured for the N.Y.H.C documentary, which features bands like 108 , Madball , Sick Of It All and Agnostic Front discussing their scene. This week brought us another volley in the RIAA's war on the public, another look at the loudness war, and the nominations for the Shortlist award, including bands like Bad Religion, Against Me! and Gogol Bordello.

As a holiday gift from us here at the `Org check out a video of a full set from New Jersey's Gaslight Anthem, performed at this year's The Fest 6. This week we spoke with Ryan Young of Off With Their Heads (interview) and Justin Pedrick of Eyeball act The Number Twelve Looks Like You (interview). The twenty second edition of Vinyl File brought you a listing of upcoming releases that'll compete for your dollar in 2008. Editors' Picks of the week featured ––>

December 23rd, 2007

It's Sunday, December 23rd, 2007. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. In fact, as is the season we're consumed by such retrospectives. Make sure to check out our most popular stories, most popular reviews and the onslaught of year end lists from the collective music press. Our own are on their way this New Years. Pogues' classic "Fairytale of New York," which features a word you now apparently can't say anymore on British radio. Fucked Up and Xiu Xiu launched a class action lawsuit against Camel Cigarettes and Rolling Stone over that recent "Indie Rock Universe" feature. Rancid has completed writing their next album, which is sure to drum up more than its fair share of press here in `08. On the tour front we saw the full Taste of Chaos 2008 schedule unveiled. It will feature Avenged Sevenfold. Atreyu and Bullet For My Valentine among others. The Loved Ones and the Gaslight Anthem announced dates for `08 featuring bands like the Ergs! and New Mexican Disaster Squad. We also had word that System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian will join the much ballyhooed Foo Fighters / Against Me! tour.

Did you miss the Lemonheads show in Lancaster, PA? Then you missed Milo Aukerman sharing the stage with a few fellow Descendents members. Too bad. The Lawrence Arms posted an acoustic version of their "Warped Summer Extravaganza" tune while Angels & Airwaves chatted up legendary rock journalist Larry King. MTV mused that 2007 was the "Year The Music Industry Broke" while Def Jam CEO Jay–Z talked 360 deals and Radiohead's free–for–all digital release. Finally this week we looked fondly back on Elvis Costello's legendary Saturday Night Live stunt. This week we spoke with London, England's Enter Shikari (interview). The twenty first edition of Vinyl File featured a conversation with Mike Park of Asian Man Records. Our Editors' Picks of the week featured a look back at Rain.

December 16, 2007

It's Sunday, December 16th, 2007. Dial "A" for AWESOME more like it. Since I'm filling in, I decided to let you know that Adam's not the only 4th level dork around there parts. On to this week's news. "Album of the Year" by Spin and made appearances elsewhere as well. Rumor has it Tom tied the knot this weekend as well, congratulations!

Another Gainesville band you might have heard of added Lucero, the Lawrence Arms, Static Radio and Samiam to various shows while Chicago's favorite drunks posted a track from their recent BBC Sessions. Their alter–ego Cornish Gay Men ended up on a "Worst Names of '07" list alongside The Color Fred, the Graduate and a few others. A year–end list of note also surfaced from Mr. Brett of Bad Religion.

Blink182 posted a Christmas classic from their early days (Blink–182: "I Won't Be Home for Christmas") while Sir Tom mused about Angels and Airwaves' plans for '08. Touring with the White Stripes won't be on the bill, as they may swear off the road forever, Beatles style. Against Me! are on the road however, this time with the Foo Fighters. Other plans for '08 included Panic! At the Disco setting a date

In the "Left Field" category there's Fearless taking punk to crunk. Who knew? Similarly, but far more ridiculous was a writer blamimg Conor Oberst for Omaha shootings. Also, apparentlymum's the word when it concerns Foxboro Hot Tubs and you're in Green Day. You can grab their debut EP.

We interviewed San Franciscans via Renoicans Cobra Skulls: Cobra Skulls (interview Part 1). This week's Vinyl File was an interview with Mike Park and a chance to win Goddamnit

This week we sadly said goodbye to Lynette Knackstedt of Skankin' Pickle.