Nicolas Couture of Basque talks the band's debut album, 'Pain Without Hope of Healing'

In March Kitchener-based screamo band Basque released their excellent debut album Pain Without Hope of Healing. The seven tracks are filled to the brim with incredible riffs, mathy moments, wonderfully created noise, and heartfelt lyrics that are delivered with power, pain, and hope. It is astounding how much meaning and musicianship Basque are able to pack into eighteen minutes. Pain Without Hope of Healing is out everywhere now via No Funeral Records. Basque will be playing New Friends Fest in Toronto in August.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and vocalist Nicolas Couture to talk about the new album, Basque’s origin story, playing New Friends Fest, Nic Cage, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Nicolas Couture took place on April 16, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Andy and CD of The Slime talk their upcoming EP 'Trapped on Blood Island'

Later this week, Toronto-based hardcore punk band The Slime will be releasing their new EP Trapped on Blood Island. The EP rips by in just over 3 minutes as the band tears through three killer tracks full of huge riffs, inventive arrangements, and abstract lyrics that peer into our society. Along with showcasing how fun and creative hardcore punk can be, “Beyond Dead”, “Blood Island”, and “Nude” also gives listeners a taste of what’s in store on their upcoming yet-to-be-named album which is due out later this year. Trapped on Blood Island will be out everywhere on April 27 via Cursed Blessings Records. The Slime will be playing their album release show that same day at SeeScape in Toronto, Ontario.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Andy Mc and bassist CD Grind to talk about their new EP, their upcoming album, horror movies, what the best non-punk song to two-step to is, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Andy Mc, and CD Grind took place on April 09, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Tara Hahn of Half Past Two speaks about the band's new album 'Talk Is Killing Me'

In two days Orange County-based ska band Half Past Two will be releasing their excellent new album Talk Is Killing Me. The album finds the band infusing more punk elements into their sound, leaning into their anger and redefining themselves in the process. Lyrically the band isn’t shying away from heavy topics as they discuss trauma, shine a light on ableism in our society, and talk about tumultuous times within the band with honest, imagery-filled lyrics. Talk Is Killing Me will be out everywhere on April 19 via Bad Time Records. Half Past Two will begin their tour of the US tomorrow (April 18) in Brooklyn.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Tara Hahn to talk about the new album, finding catharsis through songwriting, the importance of advocating for the disability community, making sure shows are accessible for everybody, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Tara Hahn took place on April 11, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Check out the new track from the new album by JD Pinkus of Butthole Surfers!

Today, we are THRILLED to debut the new video by JD Pinkus of The Butthole Surfers! Plus, we have a Q+A with him, too!

On June 7, Pinkus will release his brand new album, Grow a Pear, via the iconic Shimmy Disc label. As you might expect, the record is totally far out.

The album finds Pinkus cranking out low, rumbling, twisting mindfreak music… and a lot of the tracks have him playing the banjo. Quite uniquely, the LP locks together the spirit of Appalachia with the astral-tripping of dark psyche- think slamming down a pint of moonshine and then eating a bunch of acid. And moreover, many of these songs are actually tunes from a never-to-materialize Butthole Surfers album!

The debut track, "Charmer," has a sinister slithering while Pinkus drops menacing backwater strings over the creepy crawl. The tune feels ancient and metaphysical. Although the track is instrumental, it feels like Pinkus wants you to see the world through the eyes of Serpentes. It's rad.

You can check out the suitably freaky video below, along with a Q+A with Pinkus about the album and a loooong list of tour dates where Pinkus will open for Buzz of The Melvins. All of that good stuff is below. Slither on!

Degenerating with Justin Fornof of Wristmeetrazor

Wristmeetrazor are constantly evolving their sound and their upcoming third album Degeneration is a perfect example of this. The band leans more into their industrial and metallic side while also making use of groovy riffs as they hold a magnifying glass up to the state of the human race. Over the course of 12 tracks (and one hidden one) they explore how society (along with themselves) has degenerated in the past few years with philosophical and oftentimes misanthropic lyrics that explore what it means to be human, the true meaning of revenge, the destructive yearning for fame, the hypocrisy of the world we live in, and dive deep into what it means to lose your identity. Degeneration will be out everywhere on March 29 via Prosthetic Records. Wristmeetrazor will be touring the Eastern US starting in April.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Justin Fornof over Zoom to talk about the album, writing and recording in near-total isolation, philosophy, dental hygiene, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Justin Fornof took place on March 19, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Liz Selfish and Brenner Moate of BRAT talk their debut album 'Social Grace'

Today marks the release of New Orleans-based BRAT’s debut full-length album Social Grace. The self-described bimboviolence band wastes no time showing you what they’re all about as they tear into ten blistering tracks full of brutal riffs, incredible harsh vocals, and fantastic drums. Make sure you stretch before pressing play because you will be banging your head for the entire duration of Social Grace.

Social Grace is out now everywhere via Prosthetic Records. BRAT will be playing their record release show and touring the US later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist Liz Selfish and guitarist Brenner Moate over Zoom to talk about the new album, Stephen King, Hollise Murphy’s life and legacy, breakfast food, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Liz Selfish, and Brenner Moate took place on March 13, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Lexi, Dan, and John of Spaced talk their upcoming album 'This Is All We Ever Get'

In exactly two weeks time Buffalo-based hardcore punk band Spaced will be releasing their excellent new album This Is All We Ever Get. The eight tracks on the album find the band solidifying their signature far-out hardcore sound with plenty of groovy riffs, psychedelic-inspired moments, and excellent lyrics delivered with pure punk ferocity. Make sure you have lots of room around you when you listen to this record, you will be two-stepping, picking up change, and bouncing around within seconds of pressing play. This Is All We Ever Get will be out everywhere on March 22 via Revelation Records. Spaced will be touring the UK with Shooting Daggers, Clobber (who are replacing Going Off), and Uncertainty starting at the end of March.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist Lexi Reyngoudt, bassist John Vaughan, and drummer Dan McCormick over Zoom to talk about their upcoming album, the meaning behind song acronyms, the Buffalo hardcore scene, the best food they’ve had on tour, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Lexi Reyngoudt, John Vaughan, and Dan McCormick took place in February 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.