December 24th, 2006

It's Sunday December 24th, 2006. As I write this I can see the clock ticking ever closer to the start of what looks to be several days of non-stop eating. The Punknews staff will use this added nourishment as fuel for a fury of listmaking. Year end lists are so taxing an exercise that to attempt them with an empty stomach would be both foolish and dangerous. We gormandize for you, gentle readers. The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Fans of Operation Ivy had something to talk about this week, as frontman Jesse Michaels took the stage to perform "Unity" with two of his former bandmates (who now play in Rancid, but you knew that). Those dirty thieves in Green Day keep stealing, first it was that poor brave hero from the Oregon grocery store, and now Oasis. Less Than Jake drummer / lyricist Vinnie has parted ways with Fueled By Ramen, the successful indie label he helped found. One of FBR's biggest hits? That would be Fall Out Boy and this week they debuted the video for "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race." Lifetime, who are signed to a label run by Pete from FOB and are affiliated with FBR, pushed forward their hotly anticipated reunion LP and posted the artwork. On the touring front it looks like My Chemical Romance and Rise Against will be sharing the stage. We had a studio update from popular Canadian act Sum 41 as well. Speaking of Canadians, Bad Religion's Jay Bentley spoke on a number of topics this week, including the Dixie Chicks, band's in makeup and free speech. Oh, about that free speech thing… 45% of the kids really don't see what the big deal is.

We took some time out from the busy holiday season for a chat with San Jose punks the Forgotten (interview). Remember to check out the free holiday gift from Punknews Records, as the entire width and bredth of the label's catalogue is now online to stream (of those archives, may I suggest Somerset and Ryan's Hope?).

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December 17th, 2006

It's Sunday December 17th, 2006. Now there was a time when winter weather created an ice bridge on the Niagara River and we'd all head out for various international merryment amidst the cataracts. Not this year though. It's mid December and I think the mean temperature is somewhere north of Mercury. Granted it makes driving easier, but sooner or later the polar bears are going to push south. Then we'll learn. The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

You know it's December when most of our big stories really have nothing to do with new music. We had the expected controversy as CNN spoke with the so-called "punk preacher" Jay Bakker. While the Org lists are still in the oven Rolling Stone chimed in with their 100 best songs of `06. The grinches at the RIAA, looking for a new way to steal Christmas this year, petitioned to lower artist royalties. Let's hope they're not looking at the global index of illicit markets, because pirated music ranks pretty highly. Fat Wreck at least has the spirit, posting their "Xmas Bonus" with rarities, alternate versions and more audio goodness from bands like NOFX, Smoke or Fire, and Strike Anywhere. Speaking of NOFX, congratulations El Hefe! On a more somber note DeSoto Records has started a support fund for legendary musician/producer J. Robbins and his son Cal, who was born with spinal muscular atrophy.

Since nothing much happens in December we find many bands looking towards 2007. Big D and the Kids Table and Bad Religon were confirmed for next summer's next summer's Warped Tour, while the upcoming Bamboozle added the Blood Brothers, Catch 22 and many others. On the audio front we treated you to full album streams for the holidays, namely Punknews Records acts Somerset and Ryan's Hope.

This week we said goodbye to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun (1923-2006) and Team Spider vocalist Joseph Bernard Zak (1926-2006).

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December 10th, 2006

It's Sunday December 10th, 2006. So I've spent all week on my knees huffing adhesive remover. I curse the idiot who 30 years ago glued green shag directly to the hardwood in my future living room. I have absolutely no idea what's happened in terms of punk news this week, so this is as much a summary for me as it as a refresher for you. The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

This was quite the assorted week. Christian rock band Switchfoot covered Bad Religon's "Sorrow," which raised a few eyebrows round here considering what Mr. Brett told us of the track's intent. Dexter Holland of the Offspring has reached a level most rock stars could never dream of: his own hot sauce. Green Day checked in with a progress report on American Idiot's follow up, apparently having three albums worth of material in the works. Fat Wreck box set anyone? This wasn't a week free of drama, as the Eagles Of Death Metal split from the Guns N' Roses tour, Danzig had a truck of equipment stolen, and From Autumn To Ashes unceremoniously broke with frontman Ben Perri. To top it all off, despite the ongoing lawsuits Hawthorne Heights is working on their next album. Finally we had details on a Warped Tour Exhibit at the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, while details on the next edition of Warped-offshoot Taste of Chaos were announced.

Want audio? Check out new music from Cry Tuff Council, a new dub outfit featuring former Bosstones axeman Nate Albert. Dub not your thing? Check out the new Fake Problems collection Spokes and Spurs / Bulls > Matador.

In case you missed it, this week featured a series of three interviews with members of Rise Against. We chatted with bassist Joe Principe (interview) and vocalist Tim McIlrath (part 1 / part 2).

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December 3rd, 2006

It's Sunday December 3rd, 2006. So when "God Saved The Queen" topped the UK charts the powers that be toyed with the listing in a vein attempt to diminish the cultural impact of the song. So here we are now in 2006, the mighty new record from Teh Revolt arrives, and where is it on the Billboard 200? Coincidence? The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

So British music mag Kerrang posted a list of the "top 50 punk albums" on the same week Cracked announced their "Five Most Unintentionally Funny Albums of 2006" and in a stunning upset it looks like Kerrang bested Cracked in the satire department. This week we bid farewell to T.S.O.L. as the long running Californian punk act played their final shows. Over in the mainstream Panic! At The Disco talked about the recent departure of their bassist while Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory announced tour dates with the influential reunited Lifetime. Speaking of Jersey's best dancers, the Lifetime also announced the track listing to their upcoming record. Video footage was posted by Against Me!, who spoke about their upcoming album, as well as +44 drummer Travis Barker, who played a session with rapper The Game. This week we also saw tour dates from AFI / Sick of it All and PETA awards for AFI and Rise Against.

On the audio front we brought you a full album stream of Our Day of Days, the new album from Deltona, FL's No Harm Done. Make sure to tune in next week for a huge three part Rise Against interview.

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November 26th, 2006

It's Sunday November 26th, 2006. Antarctica Uber Alles! A report from an `Org reader stationed in at the bottom of the world has become one of the highlights for us here. If we're providing the daily punk news fix to anyone living under the sea, on the space station, or in some sort of other worldly dimensional vortex from which even light cannot escape, we want to hear from you! The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

I don't know about you but news that the Minutemen's Mike Watt is collaborating with Kelly Clarkson seems a little bit weirder than Jay-Z appearing with Fall Out Boy, but to each their own. The dust clouds have barely settled from this year's jaunt but we already have confirmation that next year's Warped Tour will feature Bad Religion. Strung Out treated fans to some new material this week, putting the track "Downtown" online. Three upcoming releases had you talking this week, including the next from major label pop stars Simple Plan, the hugely influential Lifetime, and popular ska-punk act Big D and the Kids Table. The latter signed with SideOneDummy for their new album Strictly Rude.

Our daily interview streak continued this week as we chatted with Japan's Envy (interview, Stza and Ezra of Leftover Crack (interview), Neeraj Kane of Holy Roman Empire, Suicide File and the Hope Conspiracy (interview), and Jason Reece of …And You Will Know Us By The Trial Of The Dead (interview). To top it all off we were treated to video and audio of a presentation by Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi, the Evens) at Loyala University (interview).

On the audio front we posted music from a number of new releases including Down To Nothing's All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, Planes Mistaken For Stars' Mercy, Avail frontman Tim Barry's solo debut Rivanna Junction, and Anthem Red's Dancing on the Dishwasher.

We said goodbye this week to San Francisco punk rock promoter Dirk Dirksen (1937-2006) and storied jazz pioneer Anita O'Day (1919-2006).

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November 19th, 2006

It's Sunday November 19th, 2006. I was off the grid last week and found it quite easy to resist dropping convertible pesos on internet access to check in here. More money for cigars and rum. It's nice to see that the Org rumbled along without a hitch in my absence, but I'm quite certain any further time off would have killed Chris. Oh, he did an admirable job filling in last week… but I've seen him since. Blood shot eyes, the shakes, questionable bowel control, soulless and adrift. Navel Gazing can crumble the strongest of men.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Political punks Anti-Flag threw their support behind this year's Buy-Nothing Day, and the usual rabble that follows all news from the Pittsburgh act was back in full swing. The fog is slowly lifting on the long awaited new Dillinger Four record. Fans have been clamouring for news on the band's follow up to Situationist Comedy and the group reciprocated with a brief update this week. While they may not have the same buzz these days, the Offspring continue to soldier on with news on their next record as well. This was a week of new media from several major label punk acts, as the first single from Fall Out Boy's new record surfaced, along with a full album stream from Brand New and a new video from Rise Against. Former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra announced a performance with improvisational comedy and sketch comedy group the Upright Citizens Brigade. Finally street punks the Unseen were the latest in a long line of bands to be robbed on the road, as they had gear pilfered in England.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of Ignite performing in Virginia Beach, VA. We spoke with a ton of artists this week, including Darkest Hour guitarist Mike Schleibaum (interview), the legendary J. Robbins of Jawbox, Government Issue and the new act Channels (interview), Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 and now Plus 44 (interview), Blood Brothers guitarist Cody Votolato (interview) and Dan Sena of Bullet Train to Vegas (interview). On the audio front we posted a stream of Bad Astronaut's newest album Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment.

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November 12th, 2006

It's Sunday November 12th, 2006. So, your "roommate" leaves the country and asks you to take care of his well-maintained "vehicle" while he parties with the communists (good luck making it into the U.S. in January with that on your passport). Do you follow the carefully planned instructions, or do you take it for the proverbial "joyride"? Come on what's my name? Poop, pee, boobs, wiener, damn-ass-crap. Score one for immaturity. Welcome to Navel Gazing, where this week, Adam's star is tainted by my idiocy.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday OR what the kids argued about this week

More drama than a 90210 rerun, we experienced a lot of we said/they said this week. MxPx was initially reported by Alternative Press (via press release) as re-signing to their previous home of earlier releases, Tooth & Nail Records. Then, the band publically deny the story, leaving all involved with a big "WTF?" expression. However, we've yet to hear any disagreement over the announcement of the Ataris signing to Isola Recordings/Sanctuary. There's no dispute over what label the Blackout Pact will be on, as the band called it quits, amid some interesting allegations. Indie rock group Rainer Maria also said goodbye, but in a more positive manner. And on the subject of endings, we reported on the coverage of CBGB's final hours, which should conclude coverage on the historic NYC club, until Leftover Crack plays a benefit when they try to evict the remaining rats. (…crickets…)

It was political n' stuff this week; with el presidente Bush's main-man Rummy getting the axe, and with many important congressional elections taking place the youth of America came out to vote in record numbers. However, I hardly see anything to get stoked about when "record numbers" equates to less than 25% of people under the age of 30. In more reassuring news, the continuous activism of Anti-Flag produced positive results with the release of Eritrean singer Helen Berhane.

In the "HOLY CRAP SOMEONE GET ME VIDEO OF THIS" story of the week, Fear Before the March of Flames vocalist David Marion suffered some nasty injuries via a close encounter with a bass guitar. David gets a high-five from Punknews.org for completing the band's set before heading off for treatment. Speaking of punishment, we discovered that Nick Largen, former bassist of Whole Wheat Bread, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery.

MTV was heavily discussed, with word leaking in of their partnership with upstart pro-wrestling outfit, Wrestling Society X (which coincidentally features Misfits buddy, Vampiro), for a show combining matches with live musical performances from a wide variety of performers and genres. On the subject of shows that make people question the true nature of "reality" television, the network recruited Plus-44 to serve as music supervisors for the Laguna Beach show soundtrack. The band's debut album, When Your Hear Stops Beating, set for release next week, is currently being streamed online.

Guess what? We had some news relating only to music. Lawrence Arms heartthrob Chris McCaughan provided release details on his solo project Sundowner, Green Day's prior Lookout! Records material will be re-released (again) via Warner/Reprise Records, Thrice gave us an update on their upcoming "double double" album, and finally, we got a little more info on the new project titled Black President which features too many people from too many bands to list them all here. Or maybe I'm thinking of this thing?

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of Bigwig performing live in Richmond, VA. We also sat down to talk with Cove Reber of Saosin (interview) and Sergie Loobkoff of Samiam and Solea (interview). Make sure to check back this week for the continuation of "Aubin Likes to flap his gums" month, for his interviews with Darkest Hour, Bullet Train To Vegas, J. Robbins and Envy.

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November 5th, 2006

It's Sunday November 5th, 2006. Fest, Fest, Fest, Fest. You tired of hearing that yet? Now that the Fest is over I'm not really sure what we're going to do. It's not often we see such a convergence of the so-called "Orgcore" to that degree -- It's a bit like looking into the sun. There really isn't much to talk about now that it's done. I'm at a bit of a loss…

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Bands seem to swap members all the time these days, but there aren't many acts around with line-ups as stable and well known as Rancid's. Brett Reed may have been the least outgoing of the four, but his departure's still a shock. To say nothing of his unlikely successor: Brandon Steineckert of the Used. Updates are trickling in the new Against Me! album, with a video update talking about "selling out." Tom Delonge's been a lightning rod of controversy since the demise of Blink-182, and the comments made by the Angels and Airwaves frontman on Larry King are no exception. The legendary Bad Brains are sticking together, and following up their CBGBs send off by completing their long in-the-works new album. Jason Shevchuk, frontman of None More Black and the much adored Kid Dynamite now has a new band to his name, and the solo project OnGuard was announced this week. The war of words between Atreyu and From First To Last continued this week, with the former commenting twice on the latter's departure from their tour. NOFX are gearing up for 2007, announcing a series of Californian dates supported by bands like Strike Anywhere, Love Equals Death, and Dead to Me. Finally we end the week by revisiting Victory's legal battle with Hawthorne Heights as major label EMI/Virgin are drawn into the fray.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage Richmond's VCR performing at the Fest V. In fact we had a number of Fest released media for you this week, including clips of Lifetime and Dillinger Four along with audio from No Trigger and a ton of photos. Check out our Fest Feature for all the fun.

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October 29th, 2006

It's Sunday October 29th, 2006. I worked in a grocery store for about three years while I was in high school, and between stacking oranges and unloading trucks into the freezer I had written most of Fugazi's The Argument. I played some of the rough demos once for the buggy guy and, well… I sure hope Ian MacKaye can sleep at night.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Oh Green Day, you are so busted. We're on to you, you and your album stealing shenanigans. Not to break our "journalistic objectivity" and take a side in this conflict, but the claim that an Oregon grocery store clerk wrote American Idiot more than 10 years ago is so solid an argument, so obvious a connection, that we can't help but take his side. For shame. Propagandhi at least writes their own songs, and were rewarded for doing so this week by taking home the Echo Canadian songwriting prize. On both ends of the spectrum this week brought us new media from Converge, who launched a full album stream of No Heroes, and pop stars Good Charlotte, who premiered a new video. Protest The Hero lashed out at border guards on the Canadian / US border, voicing a common concern for musicians that cross the 49th. Speaking of crossing borders, NOFX announced plans for 2007 that'll have them doing just that throughout Asia, Europe and Central America. Finally we ended the week with a bit of controversy on the part of From First To Last, who were unceremoniously booted from the Atreyu, Every Time I Die, Chiodos tour.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of a number of bands who played The Fest, including the Lawrence Arms, None More Black, and Smoke or Fire. We also spoke with Jim Ward of Sparta about the band's new album Threes (interview).

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October 22nd, 2006

It's Sunday October 22nd, 2006. I don't know about you, but this has been a remarkably depressing week, weather wise. We've had nothing but rain `round here. Of course, as far as I know Buffalo's still recovering from that freak snow storm and not even light has escaped from that area since more than a week ago. I guess they have it worse. We're just wet, not doomed like they are.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Dave Grohl's the man - always has been - and he proved it again this week. The frontman met with a mine collapse victim who requested Foo Fighters music to help him pass the time to his rescue. Of course he bought the beer. Against Me! have begun recording their major label debut with star producer Butch Vig. Two Gallants discussed their recent police incident while Fake Problems had one of their own. A ton of new recorded material arrived from some mega popular acts, as you could stream the new full length from My Chemical Romance, and preview new Nightmare Before Christmas covers from Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco. The latter act knows that they've made it when even their flippant remarks can cause a fervour, let alone yet another in a sea of reissues. We had news on a Sick Of It All tribute that will feature Rise Against, Kill Your Idols and Pennywise among others. Details were released on the next Smoke Or Fire release while the world got it's first taste of new Lifetime recordings. Topping this week off we had details on the soundtrack to video game Tony Hawk Project 8, which will see contributions from Bad Religion, the Ramones, Dead Milkmen, Zeke and many others.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of the Street Dogs and Bouncing Souls on stage as part of the Gold Tour. We previewed new music breakneck punk act Bullet Treatment, cover stars Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and the aforementioned Street Dogs.

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