October 15th, 2006

It's Sunday October 15th, 2006. As we speak the great Patti Smith is closing the doors on the legendary CBGB venue in New York. We've covered this story for some time and while many felt the club had run its course long ago, it's still sad to see a piece of punk history slip away. Not much else happened this week, maybe something about one of the Koreas I think. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about either way.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

We've been sitting on the story for at least a month now, but we were finally given the confirmation that the ink had dried on V2's signing of wildly popular punk act the Alkaline Trio. Killers frontman Brandon Flowers publicly took issue with Green Day's recent success and message, in particular claiming that European audiences couldn't grasp the band's criticism of the US government. Influential and controversial straight edge hardcore act Earth Crisis announced a reunion show at the upcoming Maryland Metal and Hardcore Festival. Up and coming folk punks Two Gallants and Trainwreck Riders had a run in with police at a recent show in Houston, with the resulting clash documented and spread online. Uber-popular mainstream pop-punks Fall Out Boy talked about their upcoming album, which includes guest spots from members of Panic! At the Disco and New Found Glory. The band's contribution to the new Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack was previewed as well. Finally NOFX's storied South American tour continues, this week bringing out the riot police in Peru.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of the Hope Conspiracy. We previewed 1-2-3-4 Go!'s new Replacements tribute We Will Inherit The Earth with a full album stream. Also playing here at the `Org is new music from melodic hardcore act Shook Ones and the much beloved Lillingtons.

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October 8th, 2006

It's Sunday October 8th, 2006. Up here in Canada it's Thanksgiving weekend and down there in the US of A it's Columbus Day. So regardless of the reason there's a whole lot of us enjoying an ongoing long weekend. I'm not entirely sure what Columbus Day involves, but according to Justin you take smallpox blankets out into the streets and pass them to each other, all the while, smiling and offering horses and booze. We just eat turkey up here, but traditions are traditions.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday Plus 44 drummer Travis Barker has been benched due to injury, as he discovers that he's been playing for 3 weeks with a broken arm or possible tumour. The former Blink-182 and Aquabats member will take some time off to heal. The ever-polarizing Avenged Sevenfold spoke about their upcoming album and tour cancellations, promising to unveil a "sound that no one's heard." NOFX was forced to cancel shows in Colombia and Venezuela after the promoter organizing the shows lied to them repeatedly. The retail end of the music industry made some news this week, as it looks like the ill fated Tower Records chain is to be liquidated. We also had some predictions on the future of the indie store. Atreyu follows suit with many of Victory's big sellers, fleeing the powerhouse indie to chase major label success, specifically via Hollywood Records. Finally Weezer filed a lawsuit against the Miller Brewing Company for "grossly misleading and deceptive" use of the band's name in recent advertisements.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of the defunct One Man Army. Check the Interviews archives for recent chats with the Falcon and Red Scare Records (interview), punk legend Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat, Fugazi and the Evens (interview), and the Nintendo maniacs in HORSE the Band (interview part 2).

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October 1st, 2006

It's Sunday October 1st, 2006. So we hit 20,000 articles this week, which if nothing else is a testament to how many hours Punknews has sucked out of the North American labour force. Let's say it averages to 5 minutes per article once you take into account fact checking, interviews and the like. If that's the case we've got 100,000 minutes, which works out to something just north of 41 working weeks for one person. Since we have six people editing here, this is clearly a sign that we have too much overhead. Everyone but Aubin should start cleaning out their desks.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday Rage Against The Machine guitar slinger Tom Morello was arrested this week for unlawful assembly as one of 400 protesters marching to raise awareness for immigrant hotel workers' rights. The original Bad Brains are reuniting for two shows, and with the price of tickets a lot of people are hoping HR can keep it together. `Org favourites like the Falcon, the Methadones and Teenage Bottlerocket are assembling for the first ever Red Scare Fest in October. Popular act My Chemical Romance debuted the first video from The Black Parade, and speaking of the mainstream Good Charlotte previewed a new track as well. Tony was vocally against it, but it looks like Victory Records is finally allowing their catalogue to be sold via iTunes. The label also announced the signing of hardcore act the Warriors. A rarities box set is on the way from beloved ska-punk act Sublime as well.

This week our Video Of The Week featured something very unique this week: members of Strike Anywhere and Inquisition playing an acoustic benefit for the Virginia Fair Wage Aliance. We also spoke with the folks from the Falcon and Red Scare Records (interview), punk legend Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat, Fugazi and the Evens (interview), and the Nintendo maniacs in HORSE the Band (interview part 2).

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September 24th, 2006

It's Sunday September 24th, 2006. Well we've officially entered autumn, and like every year the leaves change colour, the temperature starts to drop, squirrels begin stocking their winter preserves, and Clinton gets angry!

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

This was a pretty varied week. We celebrated the fifteen year anniversary of Nirvana's landmark full length Nevermind. Reflecting on the dissolution of the popular act, Blink-182 drummer Travis Baker lashed out at bandmate Tom Delonge and the actions of their record label. Goldfinger followed in the footsteps of many of former major label acts in returning to the indie world via SideOneDummy Records. The ever-polarizing Avenged Sevenfold cancelled their UK tour to work on their next record, and we heard even more on Bad Religion's progress on their next.

The success of vinyl in our digital world was a topic of discussion this week. After 9 years together Lucky Boys Confusion announced an indefinite hiatus (nobody just breaks up any more eh?). Following their stint on Vagrant, Hot Rod Circuit signed to Immortal and posted a demo of their upcoming record. Finally psychobilly favourites Tiger Army announced that they would soon record with Jerry Finn.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of Rancid on their recent tour appearing in Washington, DC. We also spoke with the folks from HORSE the Band (interview) and Texas is The Reason (interview).

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September 17th, 2006

It's Sunday September 17th, 2006. Chewbacca's appropriate for at least two reasons this week, not that we need a reason to feature such a fine wookiee here on the site. Most obviously, Supernova's back in the news and their tribute to Chewy is really their claim to fame. However with so many music lawsuits going on, at least one has to make use of the Chewbacca defence. Tony Victory, I'm looking at you.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Every three weeks or so is lawsuit week here at the Org. Victory Records struck back at popular act Hawthorne Heights with a countersuit and their own set of allegations. Universal Music CEO Doug Morris lashed out at YouTube and MySpace, claiming the popular website infringe on his company's copyrights and are headed for their own court battles. Pop punk act Supernova triumphed over their televised doppelgangers, as a judge ruled the fabricated "Rock Star" act could not use the name. While legal action isn't involved yet, there were some stern (if tongue in cheek) words from New Found Glory for the moustachioed Lionel Richie due to similarities in their upcoming releases. Speaking of that album (the NFG one, not Richie's) it's now streaming online for your listening pleasure.

Poor Against Me! is a lightning rod for controversy at the best of times, and when Tom Gabel refers to the "punk ghetto" you know people are going to react. Pop-punk act MXPX are helping promote their hometown of Bremerton, WA and were awarded the key to the city as part of the proceedings. We had information on several new records this week, including info on the next Panic! At The Disco album and the upcoming record from My Chemical Romance. Word even leaked that Bad Religion is demoing new material for their 2007 release. We'll cap this update with some tour dates from Dan Andriano of the Alkaline Trio / the Falcon and some signature Clash kicks.

This week our Video Of The Week featured part two of our footage of Strike Anywhere on the opening date our their monster tour with Ignite, A Global Threat, Modern Life Is War and New Hampshire State Motto. We also spoke with the folks from Daggermouth (interview) and Gym Class Heroes (interview).

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September 10th, 2006

It's Sunday September 10th, 2006. Now this is actually picture option #2 for last week's recap. I figure you're all only a week into this school year and so it's still fairly topical. It also allows me to avoid mentioning the fact that I've been out of town for the past three days and thus phoning this one in. Err…

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

This week had a little something for everyone. News leaked that influential post-hardcore act Texas is the Reason was planning to do a reunion show this Thanksgiving. Less Than Jake's latest work seems to polarize, but they still garner a ton of good will when fans go over their catalogue. The long running ska-punk act asked for suggestions for their upcoming set lists this week. Just after the release of their debut full length, straight edge hardcore act Betrayed called it quits. We've been following the ongoing saga of 1-800-SUICIDE, and it looks like the organization and government have reached a compromise that will allow it to continue. For their political efforts since the release of American Idiot Green Day will be honoured by People For the American Way as part of their 2006 Spirit of Liberty Awards. This week saw a full album stream of the Mars Volta's latest epic Amputechture and details on a number of anticipated new releases. We heard news of a Leftover Crack / Citizen Fish split on Fat Wreck, a 7" series from Hot Water Music's Chuck Ragan, and a retrospective LP from Lifetime / Kid Dynamite / Paint It Black member Dan Yemin. Oh, and for the punk who has everything: Danzig toys.

This week our Video Of The Week featured footage of Strike Anywhere on the opening date our their monster tour with Ignite, A Global Threat, Modern Life Is War and New Hampshire State Motto.

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September 3rd, 2006

It's Sunday September 3rd, 2006. So tomorrow's labour day (or "labor day" if you're south of the 49th and hate the Queen) and that means many of you are soon headed back to school. I can't say I miss it much, but soon enough you'll also learn freedom from the cyclical schedule of student life. The rest of us have the luxury of rocketing forward towards the grave completely unabated. It's awesome. You'll see.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday Rancid remains atop the newsmakers chart this week. The band's world tour took a hit as guitarist Lars Frederiksen collapsed on stage in Montreal suffering an apparent seizure. Also this week frontman Tim Armstrong launched the first song from his free online solo album to the delight of fans. The Alkaline Trio, who we suspect will be back on this chart in a week or so, released details on an upcoming rarities compilation. Green Day meanwhile is back in the studio working on the follow up to their wildly successful American Idiot. In an odd move a new covers soundtrack for the old Tim Burton movie Nightmare Before Christmas was announced. It will feature popular acts like Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco. Of course the periodic PETA2 publicity stunt is always good for stirring up an argument, particularly when names like Rise Against, Propagandhi and NOFX are involved. Speaking of Propagandhi, they announced that they'd soon tour eastern Canada and the UK (of course, this was just an announcement that tour dates would be announced later… Propagandhi does everything in about 8 more steps than other bands). On the new music front we heard three new songs from the Falcon's Unicornography as well as hotly anticipated new music from Plus 44. Finally this week saw bands like the Misfits, Adicts and UK Subs drop off the pending Riot Fest.

This week Punknews spoke with Chuck Ragan, solo artist and of course member of the sadly shelved Hot Water Music (interview). We also had a chance to chat with Billy Werner of Hot Cross (interview) and Chris Owens of Lords (interview). Our Video Of The Week featured footage of Grey Area live at CBGB in New York.

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August 27th, 2006

It's Sunday August 27th, 2006. Now if you think about it, the whole Gimme Gimmes controversy this week can be summed up by this image. See, Sam Neill represents Spike Slawson, and the island of Isla Sorna is sort of like PNC Park. Now, the velociraptors are, well velociraptors, but… The important point…

I really need to write these things away from the TV.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

There's nothing like an out of context quote to get people riled up, and one from Bob Dylan just set the place ablaze this week. The legend rails against the sound of modern recordings and studio technology, but many of you felt he was calling out well, all music in general written in the past twenty years. Oh well, it was sort of our fault for the summary, but how does that abbreviation go? RTFA? There's probably more than a few Dylan fans in Against Me!, who just announced they had roped in Butch Vig to produce their sire debut. Vig's of course worked on classic albums by Nirvana and Sonic Youth. There was lots of news from Me First & the Gimme Gimmes this week, as the band posted the artwork and track listing for their new record and managed to enrage baseball fans in Pittsburgh. Once again we can't talk about Fat Mike without having to check in on his buddies in Underoath. That band dismissed rumours that they were breaking up this week. Three album updates had you talking this week, as we took peaks at the Falcon's Unicornography, My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade and the Offspring's next. Finally this week saw an amazing line up announced for the Fest V, featuring bands like Dillinger Four, Lifetime, Minus the Bear, Toys That Kill and so many others.

This week Punknews spoke with up and coming Fueled By Ramen act Paramore. Check the interview out.

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August 20th, 2006

It's Sunday August 20th, 2006. This seems like it was a quiet week. I mean, there were no new lawsuits or outright combat between bands and labels (unlike last week) nor was there a huge Warped Tour controversy to chew on (unlike the week before that). Maybe after what's been a pretty gruelling summer everyone's just starting to slow down a bit. That's quite alright with me.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

It's a symptom of the `Org that even the slightest tertiary mention of Propagandhi in a story whips the place into a frenzy, so you can imagine what happens when the band has some actual substantial news. With the announcement that the Winnipeg act had added a new guitarist our server nearly exploded. Ditto for the latest revelations from Mark Hoppus on the demise of Blink-182 and the resulting rise of both Angels and Airwaves and his own Plus 44. We had a remarkably positive response to news that Naked Raygun, the Blue Meanies and Bollweevils were reuniting for Riot Fest 2006, great news for our readers from the US Midwest. On a serious note, we saw allegations of police brutality from Boston hardcore band Cut Throat

On the new release front the Blood Brothers unveiled cover art and other details on their next full length, while a song from the Against Me! live record was posted at Fat Wreck. We had a few interesting look at the hardcore and metal scenes this week, as one mainstream article took a look at political sentiment in the genre while the folks at Decibel talked to Botch, Faith No More and others about the acceptance of homosexuality in the scene.

This week Punknews cretins sat down to chat Fenton, Michigan's the Swellers (interview) as well as the folks to run up and coming label Seventh Rule Recordings. We were also happy to announce a ton of new site features all stemming from our bands archive, which as of this article is home to some one thousand eleven hundred and four acts.

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August 13th, 2006

It's Sunday August 13th, 2006. So it's been a little while since I've been to a large gathering of the yoot' so this year's Warped Tour involved a good deal of people watching. A few years ago all you crazy kids were sporting your choo-choo train hats, this year? I just couldn't figure it out. You're slackin' folks… I mean if the emo kids aren't standing around watching Joan Jett or Helmet… where the hell could they be?

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

Lawyer fight! The legal fists were flying this week as a number of bands and labels launched lawsuits and pleas for public sympathy. Most prominently Hawthorne Heights moved to cut their ties with powerhouse Victory Records accusing the label of all sorts of bad business. Keeping to the mainstream, the former bassist of Panic! At The Disco filed suit against that band as well. They've been out of the news for a while now but Baltimore's Oxes launched a case against clothier Old Navy for appropriating the band's name for a t-shirt. Finally Whole Wheat Bread bassist Nick Largen looks to be facing several years in prison over charges of larceny. Also this week has been a roller coaster for the Asian Man / Hopeless Records supported 1-800-SUICIDE organization, which received its termination notice and then gained a temporary reprieve over the course of a few days. After all the fighting, it was nice to hear some good news for fans, as rumours of Strung Out's demise were greatly exaggerated.

The Warped Tour's winding down but that's not stopping bands from dropping off. This week mewithoutYou joined that crowd. Members of both Thursday and NOFX offered their theories as to why so many bands this year can't seem to keep up. We learned details on the upcoming efforts from Lifetime and Converge this week, as the former is recording in Brooklyn and the latter is gearing up for the release of No Heroes. On the touring front the big news this week was the upcoming Bouncing Souls, Street Dogs and Whole Wheat Bread dates that kick off this October. Finally we saw a new Anti-Flag video hit this week for "This Is The End."

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