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.

Sleeping Souls prove they’re more than just a backing band on ‘Just Before The World Starts Burning’

Last year, The Sleeping Souls released their debut album called Just Before The World Starts Burning. They have spent decades being one of the hardest working bands in the business touring relentlessly with Frank Turner and this album showcases their exceptional amount of skill and their ability to branch out into different styles of music. Just Before The World Starts Burning is avilable everywhere via Xtra Mile Recordings. The Sleeping Souls recently played at Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings festival in Toronto, Ontario both as a backing band and on their own. They are currently touring Europe with Frank Turner.

Toronto-based writer Graham Isador caught up with Cahir O’Doherty and Matt Nasir at Lost Evenings to talk about the album, overcoming nerves, playing their first shows without Frank Turner, touring, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Frank Zummo of Sum 41 talks his new documentary and the end of the band

Heavy hitting Sum 41’s Frank Zummo is emotions-deep in the band’s final tour, coasting off of the release of the “Heaven :x: Hell” double album last March. Punknews’s Mike Elfers spoke with the drummer about the car he abandoned in the desert to get to where he is today, celebrating the success of the Canadian punk

'Wearing Out The Refrain' with David Combs and Katie Park of Bad Moves

Last month, Washington, DC-based punky power pop band Bad Moves released their third album Wearing Out The Refrain. The band’s expert use of repetition is on full display as they deftly explore feelings of existential dread, isolation, rage, and hope with imagery-laden lyrics that will make you feel like you’re being swept along by their current. The bright, upbeat instrumentation and wonderful collaborative vocals drive home the point that while things might be bad, nothing is ever hopeless especially with your friends by your side. Wearing Out the Refrain is available now via Don Giovanni Records. Bad Moves will be playing the Black Cat with Velocity Girl and Outer Worlds on November 23.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarists and vocalists David Combs and Katie Park to talk about the new album, finding catharsis through songwriting, incorporating lyrics from The Bananas into "A Lapse In The Emptiness", wearing dog cones for the “Outta My Head” video, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, David Combs, and Katie Park took place over Zoom in October 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking all things 'Rotten' with Abraxas Reflux

Toronto-based hardcore punk band Abraxas Reflux are just days away from releasing their outstanding second EP Rotten. Throughout four tracks the band tackles identity, examines relationships, and explores isolation with lyrics that are both poetic and visceral backed by killer riffs and excellent drum fills. Rotten will be out everywhere on October 19 via Tarantula Tapes. Abraxas Reflux will be playing Tarantula Tapes' fourth-anniversary show this weekend.

Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalists and drummers Krista and Chase, guitarist Al, and bassist Felis to talk about the new EP, working with Tarantula Tapes, songwriting, incorporating movie clips into songs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking 'My Body Is My Sickness' with Meredith Haines of Latter

Chance brought experimental sound artist Meredith Haines (MAIR) and Jon Alvarado of Beach Bunny together in Chicago in 2022 and not long afterward Latter came into being. Last month the duo unleashed their excellent debut album My Body Is My Sickness and introduced the world to their wonderfully heavy, gloriously noisy, extremely cathartic sound. The lyrics are viscerally poetic as Meredith confronts a past relationship, talks about living with chronic illness, and moves toward healing with restorative rage. There is a deep level of connection present in each of the seven tracks which makes My Body Is My Sickness sound even bigger and hit even harder. My Body Is My Sickness is available everywhere now via Damien Records. Latter will be playing at the Archer Ballroom in Chicago on November 16.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Meredith to talk about how Latter came about, the power of sharing stories, chronic illness, the magic of the DIY music scene, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Meredith Haines took place over Zoom on October 3, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Koo Koo are fearlessly committed to the bit

Musical duo Koo Koo recently served as the hosts for Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings Festival in Toronto. Toronto-based writer Graham Isador caught up with them to talk about their origin story, the importance of having fun, crowd participation, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Desmond Zantua of Career Day talks the band's new EP, 'I'll Always Be This'

Today marks the release of I’ll Always Be This, Career Day’s second EP and their first new music in just over 2 years. The New York-based quartet wastes no time as they kick out four tracks full of urgent emo-punk complete with infectious melodies, superb vocal delivery, skillful riffs, terrific drumming, and some wonderful synth parts. The band explores what it means to be well, the importance of remaining sensitive, the vital need to retain your energy in a system that prioritizes profits over people, and how to keep your spark of resistance lit even when things feel hopeless, with honest, visceral lyrics that are their most introspective to date. I’ll Always Be This is self-released and is available everywhere now. Career Day will be touring down to Fest in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Desmond Zantua to talk about the new EP, writing songs while preparing to get married, taking action for causes you care about, playing Fest for the first time, the importance of solidarity, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Desmond Zantua took place over Zoom on September 24, 2024. What follows is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'No Normal' with Matt “Food” Ellis of Kill Lincoln

In just a few days, Kill Lincoln will be releasing their fourth album No Normal. The album captures the band’s kinetic energy perfectly as they blast through 11 tracks full of killer riffs, spirited horn lines, whirlwind drumming, dynamic vocals, and lively shoe squeaks in just over 24 minutes. The band explores mental health, existential dread, the impact that the pandemic has had both personally and on society at large, and the need for community with lyrics that are cathartic and impossible not to sing along with. No Normal will be available everywhere via Bad Time Records on September 27. Kill Lincoln will be touring the US in October and will be playing their album release show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with saxophonist and vocalist Matt “Food” Ellis to talk about the new album, the evolution of the band’s songwriting process, Mike Park writing a song for the album, Riker from Star Trek, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Matt “Food” Ellis took place over Zoom on September 18, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Catching up with Raylin, Adam, and Clarence of The Calamatix

We are just one day away from the release of the debut self-titled album from California’s The Calamatix. The 12 tracks highlight the sonic dexterity of the band as they seamlessly blend elements of traditional ska, reggae, rocksteady, and punk together to create an undeniably groovy sound that will have you dancing in seconds. Lead singer Raylin Joy’s powerful voice is on full display as she delivers lyrics exploring heartbreak, love, staying true to oneself, the power of music, and friendship with heartfelt emotion. The Calamatix will be out everywhere on September 20 via Hellcat Records. The Calamatix start their US tour tomorrow.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Raylin Joy, guitarist Adam Porris, and drummer Clarence “Pocket” Kidd III to talk about the new album, the origin story of the band, the cathartic power of music, working with Tim Armstrong, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Raylin Joy, Adam Porris, and Clarence “Pocket” Kidd III took place over Zoom on September 12, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.