Getting gritty with Josh Alvarez from Crossed Keys

Not too many times in a lifetime you meet a person who encompasses the ethos of an evolving city's punk community then walks in Philly based Crossed Keys. These punks have all been around this scene playing in punk/melodic hardcore bands for the last 20+ years in bands such as Kid Dynamite, Ink & Dagger, Step Ahead, Kill The Man Who Questions, Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer, Halo of Snakes, Hey Angel, and The Curse. Punknews Contributing Editor Samantha Barrett sat with lead vocalist Josh Alvarez to talk about the new record, and being constantly busy in the city of brotherly/sisterly love.

Photo credit to Ashley Vaivada (IG: @Devilinnj_esq)

Attacking the heartland with The Holy Ghost Tabernacle Choir

Earlier this week, Savannah-based chaotic post-hardcore band The Holy Ghost Tabernacle Choir kicked off their summer tour with the release of their surprise new EP heartland attack. The band showcases their harsher, heavier side as they confront hate, deal with mental health, and push for change over the course of three incredibly intense tracks. heartland attack is out now digitally and is also available on CD and cassette via Big Money Cybergrind. The Holy Ghost Tabernacle Choir are currently touring the US and they will be playing a handful of US shows with Chat Pile and Nerver in September as well as playing Fest in Gainesville this October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with the band on the road through the power of the internet to talk about the new EP, dealing with bigots, the importance of telling your friends you love them, touring, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Everything's 'Coming Up Roses' with Taxi Girls

Today marks the release of Montreal-based punk rock power trio Taxi Girls' excellent debut EP Coming Up Roses. The five songs are high energy and chock full of infectious hooks that will have you singing along in no time, especially on “Sunshine”. The band’s energy is incredible and cements them as a band to keep an eye out for. Coming Up Roses is out now via Dirt Cult Records and Wild Honey Records. Taxi Girls will be playing their record release show on July 21 at Turbo Haüs in Montreal with Outtacontroller, Technicolor Blood, and The High Kinks.

Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Jamie, Vera, and Lynn to talk about the new EP, their origin story, seeing into the future, playing Pouzza Fest for the first time, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Getting sentimental with Lexi McCoy of Suzie True

Last week, Los Angeles-based trio Suzie True released their superb second album Sentimental Scum. The album sees the band exploring queer identity, talking about the journey to sobriety, dealing with past relationships, building up self-worth, and highlighting the importance of friendship through their signature blend of garage pop, indie rock, punk, and grunge. Sentimental Scum is out now via Get Better Records and you can pre-order the vinyl right here. Suzie True will be touring California this summer and playing Fest in Gainesville this October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and bassist Lexi McCoy over Zoom to talk about the new album, dealing with emotions, looking after your mental health, the significance of friendship, and so much more. Read the interview below!

In conversation with Frank Iero of L.S. Dunes

In 2022 L.S. Dunes, made up of Frank Iero, Travis Stever, Anthony Green, Tim Payne, and Tucker Rule, introduced themselves to the world on their outstanding debut album Past Lives. Recently, the band headed into the desert to record a couple of new tracks at the legendary Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, California. Filmmakers Nick and Pat Demarais joined them in the studio to document the recording process and their documentary Limitless Sky will be released in several parts on YouTube in the coming weeks. The first song from this session, “Benadryl Subreddit” was released last week along with a music video that answers the question, “What if Anthony Green was an ice cream man?”. L.S. Dunes will be putting out their 7-inch featuring "Benadryl Subreddit" and "Old Wounds" on September 1 via Fantasy Records and will be touring North America starting in July, including dates on the Sad Summer touring festival.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Frank Iero over Zoom to talk about recording new songs, getting out of your comfort zone, the importance of creativity, the magic of monster movies, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Death & Memphis talk their new EP

Death & Memphis are no strangers to the punk rock community. The band collectively has decades of experience playing in bands throughout Chicagoland and surrounding areas. The band recently released a new EP of six heartfelt songs which will appeal to fans of the classic Chicago sound as well as fans of bands such as Off With Their Heads and Hot Water Music. Punknews staffer Jason Baygood recently had the chance to sit down with guitarist / vocalist Paul Garcia, guitarist Steev Custer and bassist Devin Morris to discuss the band’s history, member changes, the current state of the music industry and beyond.

Cloe Madonna talks about Destiny Bond's debut LP, 'Be My Vengeance"

Denver-based hardcore punk band Destiny Bond are one day away from releasing their superb debut album, Be My Vengeance. The album sees the band continuing to build on their classic punk and hardcore sound that they introduced us to on their 2021 Demo and then on their 2022 Promo. They address the vital power that community holds, the value of being true to yourself, the importance of trans pride, and highlight the significance of self-empowerment as they rip through 10 tracks in quick succession. Be My Vengeace will be out every where on June 23 (tomorrow!!) via Convulse Records and Destiny Bond will be touring the US in July.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Cloe Madonna to talk about the new album, the importance of community, embracing goofiness, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Joining the 'Blouse Club' with Problem Patterns

It goes without saying that Problem Patterns are one of the most exciting punk bands going right now. Since forming in 2018, the Belfast-based quartet has been kicking out urgent, furious, and fun tracks that always seem to arrive at the perfect time and this is extremely evident on the first two singles from their upcoming album Blouse Club. “Who Do We Not Save?” sees the band ripping into the privatization of healthcare and “Letter of Resignation” is an upbeat, rage-fuelled yet joyful call for people to “tear it down and start again”. Blouse Club will be out later this year via Alcopop! Records and Problem Patterns will be playing some festival dates around Europe and the UK this summer.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Beverley Boal, Bethany Crooks, Ciara King, and Alanah Smith over Zoom to talk about the new album, being called Kathleen Hanna's favourite new band, sausages, and so much more. Read the interview below!

'Screaming At The Top of My Lungs' with Amy Gabba

Today marks the release of Toronto-based Amy Gabba and The Almost Famous’ new album, Screaming At The Top of My Lungs. The album is out now on Jump Up Records and features twelve outstanding tracks that showcase the band's versatility and knack for incredible songwriting. There is truly something for everyone on this record as the band kicks out tracks like the pure ska-pop of "He's All Yours", the raging punk of "How Dare You", the country-tinged "Ashes", and the bluesy rock of "Heavy" among others. Amy Gabba and The Almost Famous will be playing their album release show at the El Mocambo in Toronto on June 24 and you can get tickets to that show right here. The band will also be playing Buffalo Ska Fest and touring Ontario with Among Legends in July.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Amy over Zoom to talk about the new record, the importance of collaboration, playing Punk Rock Bowling, true crime, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Nerdin' about birdin' with Julian of Avem

Southern Ontario-based punks and avid birders Avem have just released their excellent new EP Nerdin About Birdin that sees them tackling the negative effects climate change is having on birds (and humans!), talking about addiction, and discussing the mating rituals of bowerbirds over kick-ass Ramonescore riffs. The band are getting ready to spread their wings and take their bird-conscious punk to the international stage. Along with recently signing with Belgium's Bearded Punk Records, the band will be playing Punk Rock Raduno in Italy and Festivalkult in Germany in July. They will also be crossing the border and playing Fest in Gainesville this October. And if you live in Ontario or Montreal, fear not! Avem will be coming your way later this month. Nerdin About Birdin is out now on Mom's Basement Records.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and vocalist Julian Warmland over Zoom to talk about playing festivals, their new EP, what we can do to help birds, and so much more. Read the interview below!

In conversation with Chris Dowd of Fishbone

Fishbone have just released their new self-titled EP. Recorded and produced by Fat Mike of NOFX, this EP sees 4 of the 6 original members reuniting to create powerful, vital music that serves as the soundtrack to the world we are living in now. The five tracks prove without a doubt that even as Fishbone celebrate 40 years, they remain red hot. Fishbone will be playing Punk Rock Bowling this weekend, will be touring Europe in July, and will be supporting George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on their US tour this summer. Fishbone is out now via Bottles To The Ground.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Chris Dowd to talk about recording with the band for the first time since the 90s, working on the new EP, the state of the world, and so much more. Read the interview below!