'Growing in Strange Places' with Thank You, I'm Sorry

Exactly one week from today, indie band Thank You, I’m Sorry (who are currently based between Minneapolis and Seattle) will be releasing their wonderful third album Growing In Strange Places. The band, now with the addition of their long-time collaborator Abe Anderson on guitar and synths, mixes together indie rock, emo, punk, and dream pop to create a sound that is introspective, honest, and energetic. Over the course of 13 tracks, they look at what it truly means to grow and they do not shy away from exploring the struggles that come with change or the emotional complexities that growth can bring. The band tells us that, much like the plants that adorn the cover of the album, when we give ourselves the space and time to develop, we will bloom into who we are truly meant to be. Growing In Strange Places will be out everywhere on September 29 via Count Your Lucky Stars and Thank You, I’m Sorry will be touring the US and Canada starting in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Colleen “Lleen” Dow, bassist Bee Schreiner, and drummer Sage Livergood over Zoom to talk about the new album, self-growth, tour snacks, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking all things 'Cheap Grills' with Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer

Sincere Engineer are one day away from releasing their stellar third album Cheap Grills. The album is chock full of infectious hooks and references to Chicago as the band explores growing up, anxiety, longing, burnout, and more with Deanna Belos’ signature lyricism that is both heartfelt and humourous. Cheap Grills will be out everywhere on September 22 (tomorrow!) via Hopeless Records. Deanna Belos will be playing a handful of solo acoustic shows this month and Sincere Engineer will be touring the US as a full band starting in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Deanna over Zoom to talk about the new album, baseball, corn dogs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

James McHenry of Blind Equation talks new album 'DEATH AWAITS'

Chicago-based emotional cybergrind band Blind Equation are one day away from releasing their excellent new album DEATH AWAITS. The album dives deep into betrayal, fear of the future, and self-doubt with honest, hard-hitting lyrics that are delivered with unwavering intensity whether they are sung or screamed. They mix together elements from metal, hardcore, chiptune, pop, and more to create a wonderfully chaotic sound that will have you head-banging, moshing, and dancing all at once. DEATH AWAITS will be out everywhere September 15 (but you can listen to it early over at Metal Injection now) via Prosthetic Records and Blind Equation will be playing shows across the US this fall.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with James McHenry over Zoom to talk about the new album, making Blind Equation into a full band for live shows, songwriting, which lemon-lime pop reigns supreme, and so much more. Read the interview below!

The Ape-Ettes talk their new EP, 'Simply'

In July, Sudbury-based garage rock trio The Ape-Ettes blessed the world with their first new music together in almost 6 years with the release of their EP Simply. The EP sees the band exploring motherhood, talking about breakups, and discussing the importance of wearing hearing protection over the course of 4 songs that are chock full of melody, humour, and spirit. From the grungey, garagey opener "Trampoline" to the sweet punk rock of "Ré​mi" to the introspective psych-rock of "Inner Child", The Ape-Ettes are bound to get you moving. Simply is available now via Reta Records and Snappy Little Numbers.

Through the power of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with the band to talk about their new EP, writing in both French and English, maintaining "cool mom" vibes, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Basking in the 'Half Glow' with Travis Miles of The Penske File

It’ll take a lot more than a stolen van and a global pandemic to stop The Penske File. During these hardships, the punk rock trio channelled their indomitable will and formidable bond into the 12 tracks that make up their fourth album Half Glow. They explore coming of age in the modern world, delve into the duality of life, and celebrate friendship with poetic lyrics, infectious hooks, and unwavering energy. Half Glow is available now via Stomp Records and The Penske File will be touring Canada starting next week.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist and vocalist Travis Miles over Zoom to talk about the new album, the importance of reconnecting with your friends, poems about the gold rush, and much more. Read the interview below!

Alice Cooper talks his new album, his dead friends, and A.I.

Alice Cooper is 75 and he’s STILL on the road. But, the kicker is, he STILL rocks. He sounds great and the band rips. Indeed, as a paean to his own never-ending journey, Alice releases Road tomorrow *(out via earMusic). Cut with his crack touring band, Alice details the glory and gruesome guts of touring life. He talks about speeding down the highway while on crank, seeing people as interchangeable objects, the fire you get from a crowd, and the heartbreak of living your partner for four months.

Also, the record rips. So, Punknews’ John Gentile spoke to Alice about the new LP, his influence on punk, and A.I. You can check out the interview below.

Listen to a new track by Night Witch and read an interview with Rosie Richeson!

UPDATE: The day this interview dropped there was a horrific shooting at Minneapolis-based DIY venue Nudieland that left one person dead and more injured. You can help out the victims at the link right here. Night Witch, the formerly Tallahassee-based hardcore band, are gearing up to release their final album. The album is called Host Body and brings the band’s incredible run to a close in a flurry of gloriously urgent hardcore. They tackle mental health, the lack of accountability in the punk scene, overcoming trauma, the hell that is living in a capitalist society, and so much more in just under 10 minutes. You can get a taste of the album below with our premiere of the third track called “Clout”. Speaking to Punknews about the track, lead vocalist Rosie Richeson said,

"'Clout' is about how I kinda regret tying this band to one of the worst things that’s happened to me. A ton of our lyrics are about the sexual assault I experienced over 10 years ago - the shame, doubt, pain, and fear it caused me for many years after. On one hand, I’m very grateful to have been able to work through the pain of my assault through literally screaming about it and commiserating with other punks who have been through similar experiences. On the other hand, having our songs tied to this very traumatic thing prevented me from fully healing from it for years. Every time I shared my story over the mic it would open up that wound over and over.

After gaining some small recognition as a band, talking about my assault felt like it became our “brand” and that made me feel REALLY WEIRD AND BAD. Again, I felt good that I could contribute to the conversation of sexual assault in the DIY punk scene and connect with people over very fucked up things that have happened to us BUT it felt bad that THAT was the thing our band was known for. "Clout" emphasizes the thoughts in my head that came after that realization - keep talking about your trauma in order to keep any success. They only like you cause of the horrible shit you’ve been through. (Also I KNOW that’s not the only reason people like our band but that’s the connection my shitty brain made and it took me a really long time to get out of that line of thinking.)"

Host Body will be out everywhere on August 31 and you can pre-order it right here. Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Rosie over Zoom to talk about the new album, the decision to call it quits after 10 years, the power of being a superfan, wrestling, and so much more. Listen to the song and read the interview below!

Crazy Tom and Monty talk the re-release of DFL's 'My Crazy Life'

Today, DFL are reissuing the seminal '90s hardcore album My Crazy Life via Trust Records. At the time, the band was composed of skateboarder Tom Davis, first wave punker Monty Messex, Beastie Biy Adam Horovitz, and Tony Converse- together, they cut a fast'n'fierce record that threw back to the early '80s scene while most other bands were getting poppier and lighter. The resulting LP, My Crazy Life is 15 lightning bolts that blast through topics like being annoyed at other humans, depression, vigilant meter maids, and tasty pizza.

The reissue is completely remastered by Mario C, includes an entire, unreleased live show, has a zine with archival material and a 10,000 word oral history (written by Punknews' John G). You can pick up the record right here and check out an interview with vocalist Crazy Tom Davis and guitarist Monty Messex below, right now!

Maeve of Lucky Iris talks the band's new EP, 'maybe i'm too much'

Leeds-based alternative rock duo Lucky Iris, made up of Maeve Florsheim and Jasper Exley, are getting ready to release their new EP maybe i’m too much later this week. The EP finds the duo continuing to grow and expand their sound as they take influence from pop, electronic music, indie rock, and pop punk. Over the course of the EP, they explore aging, bigotry in sports, self-growth, and romantic and platonic love with fantastic introspective lyrics. maybe i’m too much will be out everywhere on August 11.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Maeve over Zoom to talk about the upcoming EP, the importance of music, football, the appeal of writing in cursive, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Jami Morgan of Code Orange on new tunes, Outbreak fest, and pushing boundaries

With Code Orange’s Forever landing in the hardcore scene like an atom bomb in 2017 and then their follow up Underneath hitting the world just as it was being locked down for 2+ years, there’s a lot of speculation around the follow-up and what Code Orange have been up to in the meantime. Punknews’ own Sam Houlden caught up with frontman and one of the people most responsible for the band’s continually-evolving aesthetic, Jami Morgan on the roof of Depot Mayfield in Manchester, on a blazing hot Saturday afternoon at this year’s Outbreak festival.

Joe Jack Talcum to release new EP this Sunday at Powertone showcase and we interviewed Powertone!

This sunday is the Powertone Records show case. Joe Jack talcum of Dead Milkmen is headlining an releasing the Record Store Day EP which is an expanded edition of the Record Store day hyper limited, 3-inch single that sold out in seconds. Jason Trachtenburg, Black Friday Death Count, Carl's Rock and Roll Phenomenon, and Darren Morze are also playing.

The show is at Sellersville Theatre, 24 West Temple ave in Sellersvulle, PA this Sunday. You can get more info here.

We also interviewed Carl Zenobi, who runs powertone. You can check out the interview below, right now!