Bob Byrne of Legions of Metal Fest talks throwing a big gig

Legions of Metal is an annual multi-day festival dedicated to the best in underground heavy metal. This festival takes place at Reggies Rock Club in Chicago featuring bands playing on two stages. This unique festival rivals metal festival lineups from all over the globe. The fest has had a natural progression from initial focus on traditional metal to now even the inclusion of hard rock. Punknews' Jason Baygood recently had the chance to sit down with one of the fest's organizers Bob Byrne to discuss the past, present and future of Legions of Metal. You can check out the interview below.

Christian of Mean Jeans recorded a solo record! It ROCKS!

You all know the Mean Jeans- they're one of punk's most cherished modern bands. They take the Ramones formula, do it justice (like few bands can) and then spin their own '80s Troma vibe over the top. Well, here's a treat…

During Covid quarantine (and semi-quarantine) guitarist Christian Blunda recorded a solo record. It's called Funky Punks in Space and it is AWESOME. The release has a sort of classic Mean Jeans foundation- three chord bubblegum bazzsaw and all the jazz… but the kicker on this release is that Christian bolts down BUMPING 80s dance synths on most of the tunes, which really, hasn't been done quite in this way before. Funky Punks has the hard driving energy of a punk record, but it has the beats and catchiness of groups like Modern English, New Order, and even Dead or Alive.

The further twist is that while the album is a dance-slammer, pretty much every track is about feeling isolated and lost in the time of covid (and as exacerbated by being in one's late 30s). All of it is a clever mix that is at once serious and self-effacing. Frankly, considering the past two years, this is the record America needs right now.

The album is out April 2 on Dig! records (vinyl and digital formats). You'll be able to pre-order the record right here. In the meantime, you can read a short interview with Christian about the album, below!

How a Dog Bite Saved Catbite

Earlier this year, Philadelphia's Catbite released Nice One . The record is a snappy mix of punk, two-tone, ska, and power pop that address personal and the political. There is also a very cool Selena cover.

To that end, Punknews' John Gentile spoke with the band about the new LP, ska itself, and jazz onions. You can read it below.

Dani Miller of Surfbort talks the new album, suicide, and Twin Peaks

Surfbort are looking on the brighter side of things. While the band's excellent first album found them thrashing abound during the destruction of the world, their new record, Keep On Truckin' is a bit more positive- even if it does have songs about "white claw enema bong hits" and eating yourself to death with junk food. The new LP, which was recorded with Linda Perry, has the band looking through the chaos of the world and finding the spirit to push on through the band times, all while spreading love to humankind. Also, it is frikkin' great.

So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke to singer Dani Miller about the record. Also, the band just released a video for "Killed by food"! You can check out the video and interview below.

Photo credit: Parker Day

Dan Vapid talks his new album

Dan Vapid is certainly no stranger to the world of punk rock. He has served time in many of your favorite bands such as Screeching Weasel and the Queers. On his own, he founded the amazing Sludgeworth, Methadones and the Cheats. Dan is an accomplished musician and songwriter. On November 5th, Dan Vapid and the Cheats will be releasing their 4th proper full length, entitled Escape Velocity. Punknews' Jason Baygood had the opportunity to chat with Dan recently about topics such as his career, today’s music scene and the new album.

Buzz Osborne: Behind the Mumu

Today, The Melvins release their four LP behemoth Five Legged Dog. The album finds the band reworking THREE DOZEN tracks from their discography (along with a few choice covers) in an acoustic style. As with most Melvins projects, it's daring, unexpected, and kind of funny.

But still, as with many Melvins projects, the actual intent of the release isn't immediately clear, particularly considering the extremity of the album. Most bands, when doing an acoustic release, kick out 10 or so quiet numbers. The Melvins cranked out 36 and to boot, they aren't "normal" nice and quiet acoustic takes. These tracks are heavy and creepy sounding.

So, to try to get inside the minds of one of music's most mettlesome maniacs, Punknews' John Gentile sat down with Melvins guitarist Buzz Osborne to talk about the new LP, his background, and being nice.

The Muslims talk their new album and their 401ks

Punknews writer, David Wilkins, just sat down with QADR and Fara7 of The Muslims, to discuss their signing to Epitaph and their general need to see the destruction of everything that was, in an effort to build the world anew. Check it out below.

Check out an excerpt from Architects of Self-Destruction: The Oral History of Leftover Crack!

Tomorrow sees the release of Architects of Self-Destruction: The Oral History of Leftover Crack. The book was written by Leftover Crack guitarist Brad Logan and Punknews' John Gentile. The pair interviewed nearly 100 people, including every member of LoC, and tell the band's entire history.

You can pre-order the book at Rare Bird Lit. FYI, today is the last day to get the zine and t-shirt.

Today, we are psyched to debut a chapter from the book. In this segment, the band gets threatened by a gang in Florida and their van gets smashed… check it out below.

Attila of Mayhem talks his punk roots

Little do people know that Mayhem, perhaps the most heralded band in extreme metal, has something of a punk background! Just recently, the Norwegian black metal titans released Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando. The A-side of that record served as a companion to 2019's lauded Daemon album… and the flipside had an interesting twist… Mayhem kicked out four punk covers! Discharge, Dead Kennedys, Rudimentary Peni, and the Ramones each get a spin!

To that end, Punknews' John Gentile spoke to vocalist Attila Csihar (who is from Hungary) about his early punk history, his early band Tormentor, and buying records behind the iron curtain. You can check out the interview below.

Brendan Kelly talks his upcoming tour

Brendan Kelly needs no introduction. A prolific rebel-rouser of The Lawrence Arms, Slapstick, Broadways, The Falcon, the Wandering Birds, and on his own, he’s already left an indelible imprint in punk. But when it comes down to it, Kelly is a man convinced of his luck, and that he’s never doing enough. Punknews Contributor Ida Eskamani interviewed Kelly about his upcoming “Here Goes Nothin’ Tour” and his three-decades in music.

A chat with the Lockdowns

Hailing from Houston, Texas, The Lockdowns formed in the spring of 2020. While bars, restaurants and music venues were shuttered, this foursome got to work practicing and writing songs for a new EP. Self-described as “Ramones-core,” the lockdowns are far from a basic three-chord punk group. The new EP, simply titled The Lockdowns was released in January, 2021.

The band has two distinct vocal styles.. Guitarist Jimmy and bass player Alex both take turns fronting songs and singing backup vocals. Combined, the two styles compliment each other giving listeners a fresh new sound reminiscent of The Lillingtons or Screeching Weasel.

Contributor Rob Gorczyca spoke to the band about their new EP. Check it out below.