July 15, 2012

Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:

• The Briggs' Jason Larocca released a statement in response to the German promoter who refused to work with The Briggs due to Joey Briggs' ties to scientology.
• Ex Cro-Mags bassist, Harley Flanagan, has gained help from supporters and given his side of the story about the stabbing at Webster Hall last week.
• Frank Turner proved he is not a fan of Nicki Minaj.
• Travis Barker of Blink 182 said he would reconsider flying to Australia with the possibility of sedation after he stated earlier this week that he would not be in Australia with the band due to his fear of flying after a terrible plane crash he experienced in 2008.
• They didn't get knocked down but they also won't be getting back up again for Chumbawumba have called it quits after 30 years.
• The Rolling Stones celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first gig.
• Be sure to wish folk legend, Woody Guthrie, a happy 100th birthday.

With that, we hand over this Sunday evening to the Punknews community, where anything is possible, from the next amusing-then-overwrought meme, to the creation of bands and message boards, to alienating sports chatter. So talk amongst yourselves, spin some tracks in the Navel Gazing turntable.fm room and we'll see you Monday morning.

The People Must Have Something Good To Read

In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:

• Nate Rebolledo of Xibalba
• Parry Gripp of Nerf Herder
• Todd Congelliere of Toys That Kill
• Loma Prieta
• Pete the Roadie
• Jason Black of Hot Water Music

Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%

Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. Add your photos to our Flickr Pool and they'll appear in the sidebar here on Punknews. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.

Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:

Q: Why have you remained mum on Buzz Media-related questions?

A:We really haven't. I'm a low man on the punknews pole and don't really like to get all into the business end of things but others have answered in comments section and through direct contact. I'd write about nothing but jokes and Batman if time permitted. It doesn't though. Anyhow, here's the rough copy from the higher ups. I'm not really adding anything because I don't want to cause any confusion:
Answer:
BuzzMedia handles all of our advertising. They do this for a number of music and lifestyle websites and as such we're a member of their advertising network. Ads pay our bills.

1. Who owns content? (You do, except for a non-exclusive license to the site)

2. Does Buzz Media exert any influence? (No, and no one can because FCC regulations require disclosure of any paid editorial content. We can post news from an advertiser, but we can't promise a good review to anyone, etc.)

3. Did anyone make us write about Band X, Y or Z? (No, see question 2. Still illegal, big fines and not ethical regardless).
(Back to Rich's opinion)
It's like you kids have never seen ads on the internet. I know you get your music for free but bandwidth and shit still costs money.

-Rich

Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @amilianne, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @MsApocalypse, @mattycantfail, @wackymondo, and @BrittStrummer's every move at Twitter.

Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.

July 8, 2012

Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:

• Henry Rollins gave his opinion on gay marriage.
• Violence broke out at a recent Cro-Mags show in which Cro-Mags bassist, Harley Flanagan, was involved in a stabbing.
• Propagandhi released a sort of new song on Bandcamp.
• Bowling For Soup's Jaret Reddick will be adding Chuck E. Cheese mascot to his résumé.
• Against Me!, Andrew Jackson Jihad, and Joyce Manor will be heading out on a small tour of the west coast.
• All Time Low are back on Hopeless Records.
• John Lydon of The Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited recently discussed the war on drugs and banking fraud on the BBC's Question Time.

With that, we hand over this Sunday evening to the Punknews community, where anything is possible, from the next amusing-then-overwrought meme, to the creation of bands and message boards, to alienating sports chatter. So talk amongst yourselves, spin some tracks in the Navel Gazing turntable.fm room and we'll see you Monday morning.

The People Must Have Something Good To Read

In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:

• Todd Congelliere of Toys That Kill
• Loma Prieta
• Pete the Roadie
• Jason Black of Hot Water Music
• Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio
• Gwar

Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%

Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. Add your photos to our Flickr Pool and they'll appear in the sidebar here on Punknews. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.

Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:

Q: Why aren't there more bands like Propaghandi?

A: All joking aside, there simply couldn't be. Propaghandi occupies such a specific section of punk rock that there simply isn't room for another. There can be other political bands but one that occupies the thrash/metal/political/caustic/kindadouchey realm that Propaghandi can only exist one at a time.
Though I'd like to see more bands follow their lead.

-Rich

Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @amilianne, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @MsApocalypse, @mattycantfail, @wackymondo, and @BrittStrummer's every move at Twitter.

Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.

Radio Free Punknews

Check out the Punknews Music page to stream all sorts of new music from recent or upcoming releases. Our latest additions include:

• The latest release from Philadelphia, PA's Glocca Morra
• A new track from Albany, NY's Drug Church
• The latest release from Purchase, NY's Sirs

Also, don't forget to check out a new song from London's Pacer and a teaser from Philadelphia, PA's The Holy Mess.

We've also expanded our podcast empire to something that will eventually resemble a network. Be sure to check out the original Punknews Podcast (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Jesse and Goodrich's metal/hardcore/jokes bonanza The Wizard's Beard (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Bryne Yancey's Florida music podcast Overheated (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), First World Problems, hosted by Ray Harkins (peta2/Sound & Fury, ex-Taken, Mikoto, Century Media), Joey Cahill (6131 Records/Sound & Fury) and Scott Arnold (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour, and Greg Simpson and Greg Moore's Two Gregs One Podcast.

July 1, 2012

Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:

• Dustin Kensrue revealed more details about his new project and the Thrice break up while Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem defended his choices.
• Canada doesn't like The Used.
• Pantychrist's lead singer will be serving 3 years in prison for robbery.
• Hot Water Music help you tell the time.
• Teenage Bottlerocket released a new song.
• The dude who punched Danzig is releasing a book.
• Lamb of God's vocalist was charged with manslaughter.

With that, we hand over this Sunday evening to the Punknews community, where anything is possible, from the next amusing-then-overwrought meme, to the creation of bands and message boards, to alienating sports chatter. So talk amongst yourselves, spin some tracks in the Navel Gazing turntable.fm room and we'll see you Monday morning.

The People Must Have Something Good To Read

In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:

• Loma Prieta
• Pete the Roadie
• Jason Black of Hot Water Music
• Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio
• Gwar
• Eve 6

Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%

Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. Add your photos to our Flickr Pool and they'll appear in the sidebar here on Punknews. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.

Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:

Q: Most will agree that Chris Brown is a terrible person. Yet, James Brown beat women too, but he is thought of as a legend. What is the difference? Does making amazing music as opposed to mediocre music give you a free pass? Is it a symptom of the tech age?

A: James Brown was undoubtedly a troubled man with a lot of problems. I do believe it's two part. Yes, it was pre-digital media so it was easier to forget. People talk about the digital age and how short everyone's attention span is, yet simple incidents have the power to follow a person for the entire length of their career (everyone still remembers shaved head Brittany and the Howard Dean scream). But additionally, I don't know how many people forgive Brown for his problems versus acknowledge what he did musically. In that capacity I'd put him along side people like Ike Turner (who is undoubtedly a questionable figure, at best). I wouldn't want to associate with either but both made amazing music and helped craft what we listen to even today.

Place that against Brown, who merely seems to occupy a vacant spot in the pop music landscape and it's easy to see why there's more focus on Brown as a person and not as a musician. It's because there's nothing of note in his music, it's hallow and designed for no other purpose than sell soda, chewing gum or shoes. It's worth talking about in the same way the Mentos jingle is worth talking about.

-Rich

Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @amilianne, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @MsApocalypse, @mattycantfail, @wackymondo, and @BrittStrummer's every move at Twitter.

Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.