Street Bulldogs (Brazil)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

One of the Brazilian bands we've been following at Punk International for a number of years is the Street Bulldogs. They've been around since the mid-90s, toured almost every state of Brazil, and released four albums (not to mention live CDs and splits), the latest of which is "Tornado Reaction". They play the sort of skate punk that's getting harder and harder to come by in North America, so check these guys out.

Street Bulldogs - Don't Stay By My Side (MP3)

Rakias (Greece)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

One of the most interesting pieces of music I've heard all summer came to me from Greece. The label is called Run Devil Run, a brand new company with just two releases under their belt so far. Record number 002 in their discography is called "Street Parade", by a band known as Rakias. I don't want to begin trying to describe this band's sound, because it's not like anything I've heard before. But just know that it's really infectious, in sort of a chill Mediterranean way. Here's the album's fifth track, "Maryloo".

Rakias - Maryloo (MP3)

Austria - Ephen Rian

Since most of the Punknews.org staff is from North America, it seemed appropriate to enlist the aid of our friends at Europunk in order to spotlight some acts making waves on the other side of the Atlantic.

This update comes from Tom Adriany editor of Europunk and a native of Brussels, Belgium:

Austria is where it all started for me, with Remedy Records releasing the first full-length from RedLightsFlash, and since then there's been a whole string of Austrian bands rocking my world. Rentokill, Jan Feat U.D.S.S.R., Antimaniax, Random, Estate and more recently the undeniable Ephen Rian, whom delivered an astounding debut with their "Heroes Don't Ask Why" demo. The band just signed to Italy's Wynona Records, where they will be releasing their debut EP, "The Special Referendum", the 24th of October. With pounding "metallic" rhythms that will appeal to fans of Strung Out and Thrice alike, mosh-able breakdowns, and enough melody to slap across the back of the whale, the band is fast growing to be one of my favorite contemporary outfits.

Two tracks are available on the band's myspace page.

The Psyke Project (Denmark)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

If you like the typical output of a record label like Abacus, this week's band is one you'll want to hear - that is, if you didn't catch them a couple years ago, the last time I featured them on the international spotlight. The band is Denmark's Psyke Project, and they've returned with their second full-length, "Daikini". Already a pretty vicious band to start with, their new stuff is darker, moodier, and - of course - startlingly noisier. Here's a track called "The Chaplin's Dream".

The Psyke Project - Chaplin's Dream (MP3)

Fokofpolisiekar (South Africa)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

My favorite new band of 2004 was a band out of Cape Town, South Africa called Fokofpolisiekar. Their Afrikaans-language debut "Lugsteuring" is incredible, and I've yet to hear a South African tell me this band is not the hottest thing in their country's music scene right now. The good news is, it didn't even take a year to get a second recording from these guys. "Monoloog in Stereo" is a seven-song acoustic EP for Rhythm Records that wound up being elaborated into a near-sophomore effort. Check this stuff out, if for no other reason than to hear the rare treat of indie rock sung in Afrikaans.

Fokofpolisiekar - Opp Vir Misinterpretasie (MP3)

Scalping Screen (Finland)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

I've been missing from action for most of the summer, so coming back my first thought is naturally, "where do I begin?". I'm going to start with Scalping Screen - a band I first featured here in January of 2004 when they released their debut album on Godschild Music in Hong Kong - and as good a pick as any. They've since put out their sophomore record, Blood Out, and improved on every aspect of their debut. This is metal from the European north, but not like the stuff that part of the world is usually known for. Scalping Screen are styled more along the lines of Pantera and NYC hardcore.

Scalping Screen - Deny The Truth (MP3)

Argument 5.45 (Russia)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Argument 5.45 is the Moscow-based hardcore band featured on the split CD with Riga, Latvia's When My Authorities Fall (last week's featured band, and still available for download). Both of these bands are excellent and highly creative; it's not too often I hear a split where it doesn't sound like one band is carrying the other. Visit the Russian label Old Skool Kids for more information on these guys, and some of the other best-kept-secrets of Eastern European hardcore.

Argument 5.45 - Don't Sleep (MP3) Recent Spotlights: When My Authorities Fall (Latvia), King Ly Chee (Hong Kong).

When My Authorities Fall (Latvia)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

There's a great hardcore label in Moscow called Old Skool Kids, and I've featured a few of their Russian and Latvian bands here before (Changes, In.Stora). A new release of theirs that's really excellent is a split CD featuring When My Authorities Fall and Argument 5.45. Both bands on this split impressed me tremendously, and I want to showcase both of them. So, this week check out When My Authorities Fall, politically-charged and highly energetic hardcore from Riga, Latvia.

When My Authorities Fall - Smile Cry Sleep Enough (MP3) Recent Spotlights: King Ly Chee (Hong Kong), FC Five (Japan).

King Ly Chee (Hong Kong)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Since there's an Asian theme running through this month of international spotlights (though we missed one week), I thought it would be a good idea to include the kings of Hong Kong hardcore, King Ly Chee. I first featured them here almost two years ago, before they put out their first album, "Stand Strong". That album's out there now, and they're working on new material. Among the new material is this track, "Terror", one of the band's many five-minute-plus hardcore epics. They're definitely improving a lot, so check them out.

King Ly Chee - Terror (MP3) Recent Spotlights: FC Five (Japan), Thirteen Steps (Korea).

FC Five (Japan)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Following up on last week's entry of excellent East Asian hardcore from Thirteen Steps in Korea, this week I want to jump across the strait to Japan for one of my favorite hardcore bands, FC Five. These guys recently came across the Pacific to record their second album at the Blasting Room studio in Colorado. The album will be their debut on Roadrunner Records Japan, and the title appears to be "Come to the End". I can't tell if their website lists a release date yet. Their latest album is called "Memories", released by 1138 in Japan. They also have an EP on Godschild Music which is distributed internationally by Interpunk. These guys are top notch hardcore.

FC Five - Monsters (MP3) Punk International recently received a design overhaul, so check it out. They're currently looking for news writers, so if you've got an ear for the international punk scene give then contact Tim for more info. Recent Spotlights: Thirteen Steps (Korea), Bankrupt (Hungary).

Thirteen Steps (Korea)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

I first heard Thirteen Steps a year ago or so on a split they did with fellow Korean hardcore band Samchung. They were alright, I thought, pretty average old school hardcore. Now they have their own full-length, titled "This Is The Reality We Confront", and wow, have they ever turned it up. I recommend listening to it with the new Comeback Kid record back to back.

Thirteen Steps - Brotherhood (MP3)
Thirteen Steps - Good Fellas (MP3) Punk International recently received a design overhaul, so check it out. They're currently looking for news writers, so if you've got an ear for the international punk scene give then contact Tim for more info. Recent Spotlights: Bankrupt (Hungary), Antigama (Poland) .

Bankrupt (Hungary)

Eastern Europe Month concludes. Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

The last stop in this month's tour of Eastern Europe is Hungary, home of melodic punk band Bankrupt. Their second album, "Bad Hair Day", came out in December. Most of the songs are in English, but the few in Hungarian sound much tighter. The CD's for sale at Interpunk, and more from it can be heard at PureVolume and Myspace.

Bankrupt - Szilikon (MP3) Visitors in Eastern Europe are welcome to contact Tim about other good bands in their area. Drop him a line at tim@punkinternational.com. Recent Spotlights: Antigama (Poland), In Stora (Latvia), Analena (Croatia).