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.

Check out the new Dwarves and Ralph Champagne split single!

Today, we are PSYCHED to debut the new split single by The Dwarves and the mysterious Ralph Champagne.

It's fitting that these two songwriting virtuosos are teaming up for a split release. Blag of the Dwarves has mentored Ralph over the past few years and help Ralph release the most excellent Introducing Ralph Champagne album. And of course, the Dwarves just released the astoundignly great, sprawling masterpiece The Dwarves Concept Album . So, for the team-up, Dwarves release a single remix of their Fred Astaire meets Cheap Trick album opener "Feeling Great." Meanwhile, to contrast the uncharacteristic Dwarves positivity, Ralph turns in downcast "Wanna Die." It's a combo of two songwriting titans looking at both sides of the coin!

The release is out via Rad Girlfriend records (run by Josh of Raging Nathans). You can pick up the split right here… along with a bunch of other rad Dwarves records, Raging Nathans records, Candy Now records, Tandoori Knights (Bloodshot Bill and king Khan) and more!

Meanwhile, check out the new release below right now!… and also check out short interviews with Blag of Dwarves and Ralph Champagne himself!

Catching a 'Third Wind' with David Mitchell of Gulfer

On Wednesday Montreal-based Gulfer will be releasing their stellar fourth album Third Wind. A renewed sense of enthusiasm is palpable throughout the record as the band effortlessly blends elements from shoegaze and indie rock with their signature mathy emo sound. The ten unique tracks leave no doubt that even though Gulfer has been around for over a decade they are still a creative force to be reckoned with. Third Wind will be out everywhere on February 28 via Topshelf Records and Gulfer will be playing two shows in Quebec this spring.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist David Mitchell over Zoom to talk about the new record, listening to the Universe, playing music festivals, dealing with burnout, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and David Mitchell took place in January 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Getting a clue with Mel, Jon, and Drew of Heavenly Blue

Michigan-based Heavenly Blue have been wowing audiences across North America with their excellent style of screamo since their formation in 2022 and they haven’t looked back since. The seven-piece band has harnessed their incredible energy and channeled it into their upcoming debut album We Have The Answer which finds them sharpening their sound. We Have The Answer will be out everywhere on April 12 via Secret Voice. Heavenly Blue will be touring the US with Frail Body starting in March, playing Pug Fest 2 in Michigan in June, and playing New Friends Fest in Toronto in August.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist Mel Caren, bassist Jon Riley, and drummer Drew Coughlin over Zoom to talk about their upcoming album, the first full year of the band, playing New Friends Fest, getting banned from TikTok, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking all things 'Die Laughing' with Cory Swope of ZOMBIESHARK!

Last week Philadelphia-based cybergrind artist ZOMBIESHARK! released one of the most intense albums of the year with Die Laughing. Dark and unsettling industrial arrangements are expertly used to create an ominous atmosphere that builds throughout the album before exploding on the closing track “Blue Mountain”. When combined with the haunting instrumentation, the deeply personal lyrics confronting trauma, depression, and isolation allow catharsis to reign supreme. Die Laughing is out everywhere now via Theoria Records.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Cory Swope to talk about the new album, growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, pop culture references, Monster Energy Drink, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Cory Swope took place in February 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Just How Dumb Are Mean Jeans?

Today, Mean Jeans release their brand new album Blasted, out via Fat Wreck Chords. The album finds the band saluting partying, reveling in wake of the destruction caused by partying, and also how awesome the Troma classic Class of Nukem High is. Oh, also, they sort of contemplate their place in the universe and ponder whether or not punk rock has guided them for the better.

But, despite this deep cosmic contemplation, they still insist that they are a dumb pop-punk band. Punknews' John Gentile spoke to MJ guitarist/singer Christian Blunda to see if the Mean Jeans kuncklehead pop-punk image is a facade, hiding something deeper and infinitely more Aristotelian, or if they really are stupid. You can read the interview below.

Alannagh and Hannah of CHERYM talk their debut LP, 'Take It Or Leave It'

Exactly one week from now Derry-based CHERYM will be releasing their excellent debut album Take It Or Leave It. The album shows the band truly coming into their own as they perfect their pop-punk sound and deliver sincere personal lyrics that rip into misogyny and misogynistic institutions such as the Catholic Church, celebrate queer love, and open the discussion around neurodivergence over the course of ten kick-ass tracks. Take It Or Leave It will be out everywhere on February 16 via Alcopop! Records. CHERYM kick off their tour of Ireland, Europe, and the UK tonight with their debut album show in Derry.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Hannah Richardson and drummer and vocalist Alannagh Doherty to talk about the new album, getting more political in their music, world domination, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Hannah Richardson, and Alannagh Doherty took place in February 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.