International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Nitrojuice (Italy)

"NH-N Records (which stands for Now Here, Nowhere) is a relatively young label from Geneva Italy. They've released the full-length album by the Bigoz Quartet and a split with two other bands: Evolution So Far and For I Am Blind. Their newest signing is a band called Nitrojuice from southern Italy that I am spotlighting this week. The debut is called "Dark Room Vernissage" and NH-N will be releasing it in September. Here is the single "Good Morning Syringe" - Tim Krysko of Punk International Nitrojuice - Good Morning Syringe (MP3)
If you're interested in what's coming out Europe these days, check out their cross-label sampler "Know Your Neighbours". It has bands from all over Europe represented by a variety of labels like Funtime Records, Slide Chorus Records, and RP-Punkrock.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

The Apers (Netherlands)

"The Apers have been on the road in support of their new CD "The Buzz Electric", their second full-length on the Rotterdam-based label Stardumb Records, for the past few months. They've been all over the US and Europe, and are currently back in their home country getting ready to play a couple of shows there with their labelmates Wiseguy and the Groovie Ghoulies. If you live in the area, you probably need no introduction to this band, and thousands of people across the continents have already begun taking notice of the Apers as one of the best pop punk bands in the world today. They spent several weeks hovering around the top of Interpunk's best sellers charts. Not bad for a band without a US record deal. Check out an interview with Kevin Aper at Punk International."- Tim Krysko of Punk International The Apers - Love Me Touch Me Feel Me (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Running Potatoes (Argentina)

"This band from Argentina plays fast, melodic punk with a brass section, along the lines of Potshot. The lyrics are in English."- Tim Krysko of Punk International Running Potatoes - Wont Forget You (MP3) Punk International is currently running the first in a series of contests called "Pick Your Prize". The CDs to choose from this time around are Settlefish, 400 Blows, Anberlin, Darkest Hour, Fall Out Boy, and Pseudo Heroes. A new giveaways will start approximately every two weeks with prizes from a variety of different record labels to select.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Nudist Island (Indonesia)

"Nudist Island come from Bandung, a city on the island of Java in Indonesia. They sing some songs in English and some in Indonesian. I chose this one, "Menanti", because I think their Indonesian-language songs sound much better. It is a short and fast, minute-and-a-half melodic punk song. They are also featured on "Pangaea", and you can sample one of their other Indonesian-language songs right here." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Nudist Island - Menanti (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Bora (Lithuania)

"You know that country Lithuania, kinda wedged in between Belarus, Latvia, Kaliningrad, and Poland? Â Hopefully you do, but it might not have occurred to you that they like to mosh it up there just as much as the rest of us. This band is called Bora and this is one of their songs, called "Pries Tave". Â They've got a cool website too with information about their split with Coalition, their EP, and mp3s and wallpapers to download." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Bora - Pries Tave (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Brazen Riot (Sweden)

"I found this band on Interpunk Local about a month ago, and just had to get their CD. They reminded me a little of Refused, and it's not just because they're from Sweden. That's not really the best comparison, but Brazen Riot have a killer electronically-enhanced hardcore sound with a metallic side. Pick up their debut CD "Follow the Mainstream" at Interpunk and visit their label Dogbreath Records." - Tim Krysko of Punk International
Brazen Riot - Trash (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Poket (Dominican Republic)

"A couple weeks ago, there was a request for something in Spanish. So, I'm delivering a song called "La Sobrepoblacion" from Poket, a band in the Dominican Republic. Their last album, "Mas Aceitosos Que Nunca", came out in 2001 on the band's own label La Viuda Negra Records. Their third album is coming out later this year." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Poket - La Sobrepoblacion (MP3)
Tim's got some webspace lined up so soon we'll have the past few months of International Spotlight MP3s up and available to download.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Distemper (Russia)

"We're back in Russia this week for a second Russophone punk band, but first one of the skacore variety. This band is called Distemper and they have an album called "Dobroe Utro" ("Good Morning"). The song is "Pochoroni Ich", one of their more punk-driven songs that ranks right up there with Less Than Jake and Potshot." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Distemper - Pochoroni Ich (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

G.A.S. Drummers (Spain)

"I recently did an interview with one of the members of Spain's G.A.S. Drummers, and discovered that G.A.S. stands for "Go Ahead Single". Why?You'll have to read the interview at Punk International to find out. But first, check out this track "Celebration of Rebelliousness" from the band's second full-length album "The True Charm of Bourgeoisie" released a few months ago on Wild Punk Records. Some interesting rock evolution (and increased political and social awareness) has taken place in the Drummers since their skate punk debut "Proud to be Nothing"." - Tim Krysko of Punk International GAS Drummers - Celebration Of Rebelliousness (MP3)
Check out Wild Punk Records for more info.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Brain Failure (China)

"As announced last week, Brain Failure from Beijing are on tour in the USA. The tour dates can be found here. So, there is no more appropriate international band of the week than these guys. Check out the track "2000" from the 4-band, 2-disc boxset "Wuliao Contingent", available at Scream Records and don't forget to check them out live if they come to your city." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Brain Failure - 2000 (MP3)
Check out Scream Records for more info.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Hitch (Belgium)

"And we're off to Belgium this week to sample the delectable band known as Hitch. Hitch have a new CD out on Divot Records called Monolith, and it goes with recommendation to fans of Fugazi, 31 Knots, or the Paper Chase. "Cause and Effect" is the first song on the CD, and a good representation of rocking the whole CD is. I'm getting set to interview this band too, so if you want to ask them anything, leave your comments below." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Hitch - Cause And Effect (MP3)
Check out Divot Records for more info.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Reflector (China)

"A little something from the People's Republic for y'all this week. This band is called Reflector and they're from Beijing. They have a self-titled EP, of which "Lighthouse Brigade" is the one track that's in English. It's a more melodic song compared to some others, blazing fast with double bass pedal and all. I'll add another song to Punk International in the days to come, since Chinese punk rock isn't all that easy to come for the majority of us." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Reflector - Lighthouse Bridage (MP3)
Check out Scream Records for more info.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Moneyshot (Canada)

"I decided to stay close to home for this week's spotlight. Moneyshot is from Victoria, British Columbia, and this track "Blades of Steel" captures the essence of the Canadian spirit in a single song. "What is the essence of the Canadian spirit?", you might ask. Why, hockey, of course. Punk rock and hockey is not a new concept (the Hanson Brothers are one notable precedent), but "Blades of Steel" is without a doubt the Canadian hockey anthem for this generation." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Moneyshot - Blades Of Steel (MP3)
Moneyshot belongs to Identity Records.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

The Invisibles (Brazil)

"The Invisibles are a pop punk band from Brazil. They released an album called "Summer" in 2001 which just recently arrived at the warehouse at Interpunk. This is a really fun record, sixteen tracks of energy and hooks. One of the tracks, "Souvenir" appeared on my international compilation, "Pangaea." The band is actively working on their second album." - Tim Krysko of Punk International The Invisibles - Marked (MP3)

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Minus (Iceland)

"Considering Minus are a part of one of the biggest and most respected independent labels, Iceland's Minus don't get a lot of recognition. So I am very happy to give their spectacular album "Jesus Christ Bobby" an extra push. The song below, "Chimera", is the 'single' so to speak, but I'd like to point out that the band's website offers minute-long samples of all the tracks, and there are some amazing ones to behold. This band is extremely loud, though, so take that as a warning or an encouragement." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Minus - Chimera (MP3)
Minus is signed to Victory Records. Look out for their new album this summer.

International News International Spotlight 22 years ago

Radical Noise (Turkey)

"This week's band is broken-up, but still very relevant to the international hardcore scene. Radical Noise was one of Turkey's most prominent hardcore bands, with a reputation for blending new school and old school influences. "Plan B" was their final album, and it was released on Istanbul's Hammermuzik. Their CD is still distributed in most countries, and all those details can be found at the label's website. The song for this week is "Angry Son", the first song on that album, and one of my favorites." - Tim Krysko of Punk International Radical Noise - Angry Son (MP3)