Husking Bee (Japan)

Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Around this same time last year, my girlfriend went to Japan and brought me back the latest Husking Bee CD of the time (though it was a year old by then, The Steady State Theory). Thesame happened again this year, and she brought me back 2004's Variandante. Produced, recorded, and mixed - like most of their albums - by the great Mark Trombino, Variandante once again makes me mad that nobody has stepped up to license Husking Bee CDs for North America since Doghouse Records stopped after putting out the amazing 4 Color Problem. Buy that album. And regarding Variandante, as soon as I heard this track, "Just a Beginning", it became my instant favorite Husking Bee song ever.

Husking Bee - Just A Beginning (MP3) Check out Japan's country profile. Recent Spotlights: Beatbrats (Austria), Nikmat Olalim (Israel).

Beatbrats (Austria)

Here's Tim Krysko with the return of our International Spotlight:

A heavy work schedule, a family vacation, and a Punk International server move have kept me out of commission for a couple weeks, but it's time to get back on track. To start with, here's a band that's been in the queue for a while, as I've been waiting for some news to come out of their camp before I post their song. Here's the Beatbrats from Austria, and a song from their 2002 album Tainted. It's a great punk rock record and I can't wait for something new from these guys.

Beatbrats - 12 Feet 10 (MP3) Check out Austria's country profile. Recent Spotlights: Nikmat Olalim (Israel), 99Anger (Korea/Canada).

Nikmat Olalim (Israel)

Here's Tim Krysko with this week's International Spotlight:

Israeli political hardcore punks Nikmat Olalim have been making headlines lately, so now's the perfect time to get a track of theirs online for all to hear. This comes from their latest CD, Battle Legacy, which came out on their label Boshet Records - your home and mine for anti-Zionist Israeli punk rock.

Nikmat Olalim - Talking Activist (MP3)

Check out Israel's country profile. Recent Spotlights: 99Anger (Korea/Canada), Ilegality (Slovakia).

99Anger (Korea/Canada)

Here's Tim Krysko with this week's International Spotlight:

Back in January of 2003 I featured the Korean punk band 99Anger and their mp3/video for the song "Stay Far Away" off their CD Who Comes First. The two permanent members Sean (guitar) and Nicole (bass) have since moved to Vancouver, Canada, but recorded a brand new EP back in Seoul earlier this year. Now 99Anger is officially a Vancouver-based band getting ready to make a go out of promoting this EP called The Anger & The Sadness

99Anger - I'm Not Afraid (MP3)

Check out Korea's country profile. Recent Spotlights: Ilegality (Slovakia), Falcongate (Hungary).

Ilegality (Slovakia)

Here's Tim Krysko with this week's International Spotlight:

I got to hear this band on a split CD with the Czech band Svine that came out the Czech label Pohoda Records. They're from Slovakia, they sing in Slovak, and their website is all in Slovak. But punk rock knows no borders: their half of the split with Svine is called Kto je Kto and it absolutely rips.

Ilegality - Spasitel (MP3)

Check out Slovakia 's country profile. Recent Spotlights: Falcongate (Hungary), Street Bulldogs (Brazil).

Falcongate (Hungary)

We've been hopping from one side of the Atlantic to the other for more than a month now. Not to break that pattern we follow up last week's visit to Brazil with a look at Hungary. Here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Falcongate is a veteran band rocking Hungary for over ten years. They've released numerous demos, EPs, and albums, and 2004's Blood Red Roses is their latest. The album is full of catchy tunes, like this one called "Wrong Way".

Falcongate - Wrong Way (MP3)

Check out Hungary's country profile. Recent Spotlights: Street Bulldogs (Brazil), Protest Urban (Romania)

Street Bulldogs (Brazil)

From Romania last week to Brazil this week, here's Tim Krysko with our International Spotlight:

Well, there's so much good music coming out of Brazil that I could easily sustain a weekly Brazilian spotlight. Street Bulldogs are one of the many bands from south of the equator I wish could catch a break up here in the north. They have a new album called Unlucky Days and here's one of the tracks, "Sweet Threat." Have a gander at their label's website, 13 Records.

Street Bulldogs - Sweet Threat (MP3) Recent Spotlights: Protest Urban (Romania), Mulligan (Dominican Republic)

Protest Urban (Romania)

Punknews international correspondent Tim Krysko took the first direct airship from the Dominican Republic to Romania for this week's assignment. Here's his report:

Romania is definitely a developing country when it comes to its underground music scene. They were one of the last former-communist countries to produce punk and hardcore bands. Protest Urban is a band from the Black Sea coastal city of Constanta, and they're working hard to promote Romanian independent music, touring to bring their aggressive style of music to different parts of the country. They don't have a CD yet, but here's one of their songs, "Schimbare."

Protest Urban - Schimbare (MP3) Recent Spotlights: Mulligan (Dominican Republic), Shugar (Kyrgyzstan)

Mulligan (Dominican Republic)

Fresh off last week's assignment in Kyrgyzstan, Punknews international correspondent Tim Krysko took the earliest direct flight from the former Soviet republic to the Caribbean for this week's report:

Chung Ho Records out of the Dominican Republic is going to great lengths to foster the punk rock scene in their little Caribbean country. In March, they hosted Belvedere on their South American tour and this summer they're planning the Mala Pasta 04 tour specifically to bring local punk music to new towns in the Domincan Republic. Here is Mulligan, one of the many bands serving their country musically, and their song "You'll Get Nothing and Like It".

Mulligan - You'll Get Nothing And Like It (MP3) Recent Spotlights: Shugar (Kyrgyzstan), The Psyke Project (Denmark)

Shugar (Kyrgyzstan)

Ever so conveniently following the previous story, our International Spotlight returns to the former USSR. Here's the info from Tim Krysko of Punk International:

Just this week my good friend Luk at Tian An Men 89 released his five newest additions to his fine discography of global underground punk music. Among the releases is a 7" compilation of bands from the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, called Bishkek Is Burning. And among the plethora of fine Kyrgyz punk outfits is this band, Shugar. And since I'm sure there's many readers who have not even heard of Kyrgyzstan let alone of its punk scene, I highly recommend listening to this song "Leto".

Shugar - Leto (MP3)

Recent Spotlights: The Psyke Project (Denmark), The Invisibles (Brazil)

The Psyke Project (Denmark)

Our spotlight's back in Europe this week. Here's the scoop from Tim of Punk International:

One of the many great unsigned bands of the world, Copenhagen's Pyske Project are promoting their first proper album Samara the good old-fashioned way. This song "Blood Red Sun" is pretty characteristic of what they're all about. Their sound reminds me of Minus on their Jesus Christ Bobby album, and that suits me just fine. Hear more Scandinavian noise like this at the band's own website.

The Pyske Project - Blood Red Sun (MP3)

Recent Spotlights: The Invisibles (Brazil), FC Five (Japan)

The Invisibles (Brazil)

This is the third or fourth time we've visited Brazil with our Spotlight. Here's Tim from Punk International:

The Invisibles have been one of my top 3 favorite Brazilian bands since their debut album Summer in 2001. Their second effort is titled Fireworks and it's finally available in North America and beyond through Interpunk, released o n Urubuz Records. They're more or less a pop punk band, but they're set apart because most of their influence comes from 90s alternative rock instead of California pop punk. Check out the intro track "Hello" and see what they're all about.

The Invisibles - Hello (MP3)

Recent Spotlights: FC Five (Japan), Weeshirt (Andorra)