Talking all things 'Under a Plastic Bag' with Ben Disaster of Real Sickies

Edmonton’s Real Sickies have been kicking out incredibly high-energy pop-punk for 10 years and their fifth album Under a Plastic Bag is no exception. The fourteen tracks find the band continuing to expand their sound as they incorporate elements from new wave, power pop, and indie rock to create infectious songs that are chock full of moshable moments. Lyrically, the band explores life and death, environmental destruction, love, and wild shows. Under a Plastic Bag is available everywhere now via Stomp Records and you can order a copy here or here. Real Sickies will be playing their album release show on March 16 at Plaza Bowling Co. in Edmonton and will be playing in Saskatoon in April.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Ben Disaster (AKA Ben Crossman) to talk about the new album, dealing with burnout, recording samples in the field, the punk scene in Edmonton, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Ben Disaster took place over Zoom on March 5, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Running on bean brain with Shiv and Nicole of Shiv and the Carvers

Shiv and the Carvers came together in Toronto in 2022 and have been kicking out high-octane punk rock ever since. The band wasted no time introducing the world to their dynamic sound on their 2022 debut single "Meat Machine" which was quickly followed by their extremely dynamic debut EP Physical Capital in 2023. That year also saw the release of their punked-up cover of Shania Twain’s classic song “That Don’t Impress Me Much” which found bassist Annie Jane Marie of Dilly Dally joining lead vocalist Shiv Scott, lead guitarist Nicole Maxwell, and drummer Mike Wiznuk. Shiv and the Carvers are getting ready to release their sophomore EP Tell Me You Love Me Again which contains some of their most powerful songs to date.

It is impossible to remain still while listening to Tell Me You Love Me Again. The four songs are absolutely electrifying whether the band is talking about the end of a friendship on the extremely cathartic opening track “Bully”, celebrating falling in love with a (hot) heartbreaker on the incredibly catchy “Danger Girl”, exploring emotional turmoil on the viscerally expressive “Meltdown”, or reflecting on consumption on the explosive closer “I Want It All”. Tell Me You Love Me Again will be out everywhere on March 14 via Twin Fang Records. You can pre-order the EP here or pre-save it here. Shiv and the Carvers will be playing their album release show at The Baby G in Toronto on March 14. The band will also be playing a handful of shows around Ontario in the spring and will be playing Pouzza Fest in Montreal in May.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Shiv Scott and Nicole “Android” Maxwell to talk about the EP, roller derby, the classic Canadian film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, playing Pouzza Fest for the first time, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Shiv Scott, and Nicole “Android” Maxwell took place on March 4 via Zoom and is brought to you by the magic caffeinated bean juice that keeps us all running. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Contemplating the liminal cake with Cheekface

Since their formation in 2017 Cheekface have stayed true to themselves in every sense of the word. The Los Angeles-based trio has remained staunchly independent and hasn’t let anything stand in the way of making the music that they truly want to make. If they want to lean more into their ska side, they do it. If they want to add in some harmonicas or violins, they do it. And if they want to bring in some friends to create with, they do that too.

Cheekface’s fifth album Middle Spoon is their most dynamic record to date. The band’s signature wit shines through on each track whether they are talking about living under late-stage capitalism, tackling the uncomfortable nature of growth, or exploring the absurdity of the human condition. Featuring guest spots from talented artists including McKinley Dixon, Jeff Rosenstock, JER, and Brittany Luna and Tim Hildebrand of Catbite, this is also their most collaborative album yet. Middle Spoon is out everywhere now and you can grab a physical copy right here. Cheekface will be touring Canada and the US starting in April and will be touring the UK with Martha in July.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist and guitarist Greg Katz, bassist and vocalist Amanda “Mandy” Tannen, and drummer Mark “Echo” Edwards to talk about the album, the importance of having fun, growth, liminal cake, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Greg Katz, Amanda “Mandy” Tannen, and Mark “Echo” Edwards took place on February 28, 2025 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Michael, Chris, Camila, and Kelly of Arenas talk their debut album, 'Truth Come Alive'

Since their formation in 2023, Toronto-based Arenas have been breathing new life into indie rock and this is extremely true on their debut album Truth Come Alive. The quartet’s songwriting prowess is on full display as they kick out eleven tracks full of inventive arrangements, incredible energy, and introspective lyrics. Throughout the album, the band contemplates the state of the world, personal growth, and the role of nostalgia with wit, emotion, and a smattering of video game references. Truth Come Alive is available digitally everywhere right now and you can stream it here. Arenas will be playing their album release show at the Monarch Tavern in Toronto on March 15.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and drummer Michael Scott, bassist and backing vocalist Chris Scott, guitarist Kelly Steinhoff, and guitarist and backing vocalist Camila Milla to talk about the album, balancing nostalgia and growth, video games, cats, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Michael Scott, Chris Scott, Kelly Steinhoff, and Camila Milla took place over Zoom on February 28, 2025. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Emmalia and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor of Bonnie Trash talk their new album 'Mourning You'

In 2013 twin sisters Emmalia Bortolon-Vettor and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor formed Bonnie Trash and the Guelph-based duo has been putting out beautifully crafted, horror-infused heavy music ever since. Their knack for sonic and lyrical storytelling shines bright on everything they’ve released from their debut EP Ezzelini’s Dead to their first album Malocchio to their EP My Love Remains The Same, which found the duo welcoming long-time collaborators Dana Bellamy and Emma Howarth-Withers into the band. Now Bonnie Trash are getting ready to release their second album, Mourning You, which contains some of their most expansive and haunting songs to date.

Mourning You is not simply an album that you listen to, it is an album that you feel deep within your soul. Through deeply textured arrangements and heartfelt lyrics, the nine tracks embody all of the complex emotions that come with grief including the intense pain of loss, the sharp sting of regret, and the beauty of love and remembrance. Mourning You will be out everywhere on February 28 via Hand Drawn Dracula and you can pre-order it right here. Bonnie Trash will be playing St. Anne’s Parish as part of Wavelength Festival in Toronto on February 27 and will be playing shows around Ontario in the spring.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Emmalia and vocalist and lyricist Sarafina to talk about the album, expanding the band to a four-piece, musical and visual storytelling, their work with GGRC+, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Emmalia Bortolon-Vettor, and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor took place on February 17, 2025 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'to you, after 2000 years' with Matt, Owen, and Max of Customer Service

Customer Service have been breathing new life into emo since they formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2021. They channel an incredible amount of heart into everything they do from their 2024 debut EP Live More Forever to their extremely high-energy live shows to their new EP to you, after 2000 years.

to you, after 2000 years packs a lot into six minutes. The three tracks are full of soaring riffs, infectious group vocals, and heartfelt lyrics that find the band exploring love, loss, and friendship. to you, after 2000 years is available everywhere today, February 14, via Royal Mountain Records. You can order the record here and here. Customer Service will be touring the Maritimes starting later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matt Cheverie, drummer Owen Harris, and lead guitarist and backing vocalist Max Hayden to talk about their new EP, the sibling-like bond that holds the band together, what they’d put in a time capsule, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Matt Cheverie, Owen Harris, and Max Hayden took place on February 4 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Tahlena and Mike of Bite Me Bambi talk their new record 'Eat This'

Since their formation in Southern California in 2018 Bite Me Bambi have been kicking out an infectious mix of ska and pop-punk. They bring their songs to life with incredibly energetic live shows, creative music videos, and excellent production which can be heard on their 2020 debut EP Hurry Up and Wait as well as on their upcoming record Eat This.

From start to finish Eat This is an explosion of creativity that finds Bite Me Bambi truly coming into their own. The band pulls no punches as they celebrate being themselves and take a deep dive into love and relationships with exceedingly danceable arrangements and lyrics that are full of bite. Eat This will be out everywhere on February 14. You can pre-save it here or pre-order it here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Tahlena Chikami and keyboardist Mike Berault to talk about the record, the importance of making the music you want to make, their favourite gas stations, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Tahlena Chikami, and Mike Berault took place on January 31 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Becoming clouds in the morning and rain in the evening with ameokama

Whether you’re familiar with Aki McCullough from A Constant Knowledge of Death, Nu House Studios, or her time in Dreamwell, one thing is certain: she is a creative powerhouse. Aki has channelled that creativity into every aspect of her solo project ameokama from the nine tracks that make up her debut album i will be clouds in the morning and rain in the evening to the detail-filled visuals that accompany the record.

i will be clouds in the morning and rain in the evening commands your full attention from the first line of “my fears have become fetishes” and doesn’t let you go until the final haunting note of “gila river” fades away. The experimental nature of ameokama is on full display as she uses the expansiveness of metal, the danciness of electronic music, and the beautifully heavy textures of noise to create extremely dynamic songs that embody a multitude of emotions. The viscerally poetic nature of the lyrics back this up as she explores a wide range of topics including mental health, identity, and intergenerational trauma. i will be clouds in the morning and rain in the evening will be out everywhere on February 7. You can pre-order it right here and you can support Aki on Patreon here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Aki to talk about the album, her creative process, taking inspiration from queer literature and Japanese mythology, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Aki McCullough took place in January 2025 via Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity. 

Cheetah Chrome talks A.I., the new Dead Boys album, and Jake Hout

It's been a rocky few weeks for Dead Boys. They just released a really good archive live album recorded in 1977… then, current singer Jake Hout quit the band saying that Cleopatra records wanted to use him as an A.I. model for new recordings featuring "Stiv Bators." Then, Cheetah Chrome of Dead Boys responded stating that no, they were not making a fake A.I. stiv album. But, Dead boys are releasing a collaborative album with Clem Burke, Glen Matlock, James Williamson. So, everything is in a state of chaos and everyone is arguing and no one seems to be explaining what exactly is going on.

To that end, Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Cheetah about the whole thing… about one hour ago. You can read that interview below.

Celebrating 4 years of Ska Punk International with Chris Reeves

On October 30, 2020 Chris Reeves (aka Cool Chris) released the first episode of the Ska Punk International podcast with the goal of shining a light on the amazing ska and punk music that exists all over the world. He dipped his toes into releasing records in 2021 with the benefit comp Songs For Moms and hasn’t stopped since. Now, with 35 artists on the roster and over 40 releases (including albums, EPs, splits, comps, reissues, and singles), SPI has grown into a global powerhouse, putting out records from bands all across the globe and building an outstanding community around the label while doing so. You can feel the incredible amount of heart that Chris and his team pour into each thing they do, whether that’s releasing records, throwing the annual SPI Fest, putting together benefit comps and merch drops, or interacting with fans both on and offline. It is clear that Ska Punk International will continue to put out music they believe in and expand their community for many, many years to come.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Chris to reflect on four years of SPI, talk about what goes into getting music ready to release, discuss the importance of building community, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Chris Reeves took place over Zoom on October 22, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Photo Credit: Carly Reeves

Talking all things 'PINKNDARK' with Goddess

Since Goddess formed in 2022, the Hamilton-based quartet have been pushing rock to new heights and this is extremely evident on their new album PINKNDARK. The band effortlessly blends the urgency of punk, the sleaziness of glam, the crunchiness of rock, and the brightness of electronic music together to create a listening experience that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to another realm. The band’s energy never lets up for a minute and shifts with the lyrics as they explore love and lust, talk about mental health, dive into A.I., and confront systemic oppression over the course of 10 tracks. PINKNDARK is available digitally everywhere now and you can stream it on Spotify right here. Goddess will be playing their ‘Nightmare In Pink’ show on October 31 at Vertagogo in Hamilton and there will be an afterparty at Goddess House following the show.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Praveen, vocalist Pramuk, bassist Nicky, and drummer Eric to talk about the new album, throwing events at Goddess House, creating community, A.I., and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Praveen, Pramuk, Nicky, and Eric took place over Zoom on October 25, 2024 while they were on their way to a show. What follows is a transcription of their conversation which has been lightly edited for length and clarity.