Getting inside the mind of a composer with JER

Multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Hunter is known for many things including their Skatune Network YouTube channel, being the trombonist in We Are The Union, and releasing excellent solo music under the name JER. On top of all of this, they are also an incredible composer who wrote the soundtrack for the upcoming video game Sunshine Shuffle. The game centers around a group of cartoon animals involved in a high-stakes poker game and it’s your job to uncover the part each one played in a bank robbery. JER’s instrumental traditional-ska-infused soundtrack complements the game perfectly, evoking a laid-back yet upbeat vibe that is ideal for sleuthing on the S.S. Sunshine. Sunshine Shuffle will be available on Nintendo Switch and Steam on May 24 via Strange Scaffold.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with JER over Zoom to talk about what goes into composing a soundtrack, what drew them to music composition, the connection between video games and ska, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Finding the Party with Julez and The Rollerz

Julez and the Rollerz are one day away from releasing their stellar debut EP Is This Where The Party Is?. The five-song EP sees the band kicking out blues-infused garage rock with a hint of psychedelia as they confront insecurities head-on, urge people to chase their dreams, and deal with change. Is This Where The Party Is? will be out everywhere on May 19 via Party Mermaid Records (you can pre-order it here or pre-save it here!) and the band will be kicking off their Californian tour tomorrow with their album release show at Non Plus Ultra in Los Angeles.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Jules Batterman, synth player Shea Carothers, and guitarist Hannah Hughes over Zoom to talk about the new EP, working with a new lineup, dealing with insecurity, making tour scrapbooks, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Dave of F.O.D. has a new band called HellCo and they have a new album coming out!

Here's something really cool- you all know FOD aka Flag of Democracy. They were, and are, the first wave hardcore band from Philly that smashed out a TON of songs that sprinted at 400 mph.

Well, Dave of F.O.D. has a newish band called HellCo. And get this, they play hardcore that sprints at 450mph. Dave pulled in Mike and Josh from Rest Etiquette with the intention of forming something new that also still kicked out the windows. This band is fast, funny, and the riffs slash! But… the new band also gets a little arty here and little weird there. It's an evolution that stays true to Dave's hardcore roots without being derivative.

AND! they have their debut LP coming out on Philly's own SRA records. The band's self-titled LP is in stock now and is ready to ship! It frikkin' rocks!

You can pick it up right here! Also, the band is playing at Century Bar in Philly this Saturday and on June 9 they are throwing a record release party!

But meanwhile, you can hear the brand new single, "Self Pity Party," below AND you can read a short interview with Dave!

Tending to A Garden of Dead Flowers with Harry Bailey of Death Goals

UK-based queercore duo Death Goals are just one day away from releasing their incredible second album A Garden of Dead Flowers. The duo, made up of guitarist Harry Bailey and drummer George “Grog” Milner, share vocal duties as they unleash gloriously chaotic hardcore which takes cues from black metal, sludge, metalcore, pop, and powerviolence. Over the course of eleven tracks, they tackle the joy of queerness and self-acceptance along with the struggle that comes with that as well as talking about dysphoria, addiction, mental health, and lost love with poetic, image-laden lyrics. A Garden of Dead Flowers will be out everywhere on May 5 via Prosthetic Records and Death Goals will be kicking off their UK tour with Vicarage tomorrow night at their album release show at the New Cross Inn in London.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Harry over Zoom to talk about the new album, the importance of visuals, the connection between hardcore music and queerness, cereal, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Jason Cruz talks Jason Cruz and Howl's new album

Jason Cruz, best known for being the lead singer of Strung Out, is getting ready to release his third album with Jason Cruz and Howl entitled Wolves. The album will be out on April 7 via Liars Club Records. Punknews writer Jason Baygood caught up with Jason Cruz over Zoom to discuss the upcoming album, his artwork, Strung Out, and lots more. Read the interview below.

How to know you're screwed with Piper Torrison of Mediocre

Boston-based duo Mediocre are one week away from releasing their second EP To Know You’re Screwed. The EP finds the band leaning further into their power pop and garage rock side as they kick out five outstanding songs that explore all aspects of screwedness and highlight the evolution of their songwriting. This EP also marks the first time in years that guitarist Piper Torrison and bassist Keely Martin are back in the same city again after going to college on opposite sides of the country. To Know You’re Screwed will be out everywhere on April 7 via Dangerbird Records.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Piper Torrison over Zoom to talk about the new EP, the modes of screwedness, moving from California to Boston, the power of friendship, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Having compassion with JP of The HIRS Collective

The HIRS Collective are one day away from releasing their most collaborative album to date, We’re Still Here. Featuring more than 35 artists over the span of 17 tracks, the Collective melds their distinctive, heavy sound with the wide-ranging styles of their collaborators. They create a sonic explosion that will keep you on your toes as they go from the digital hardcore hip-hop of Ghösh to the electronic, noisy chaos of Melt-Banana, to name a just a few. The songs shimmer with rage, joy, despair, humour, and hope as the Collective explores mental health, living in a capitalist society, the importance of being there for each other, and much more.

We’re Still Here will be out everywhere tomorrow via Get Better Records and the HIRS Collective will also be kicking off their US tour tomorrow in Washington, DC. Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Collective member JP over Zoom to talk about the new album, the joys of collaboration, the power of communication, the importance of compassion, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Anthony Webster of Gel talks the band's upcoming debut LP, 'Only Constant'

New Jersey-based hardcore punks Gel are just over a week away from releasing their excellent debut full-length album Only Constant. On the album, Gel adds even more depth to their wonderfully frenzied hardcore as they continue to build on their sound, ripping through nine furious songs (and one chill one) in just under 15 minutes. Only Constant will be out March 31 via Convulse Records and Gel will be playing two album release shows in New York in April.

Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Anthony Webster to talk about the new album, their first European tour, and more. Read the interview below!

Getting to know the Punk Cellist

Born out of combating pandemic boredom, The Punk Cellist (Ian Flegge) has been crafting cello compositions of notable punk songs since the beginning of 2020. He has single handedly as well as collaborated with some friends in creating over 50 covers and full arrangements on his You Tube page, as well as performed with some of our favorite bands on stage. Punk Cellist released his first demo titled Fall '22 Demo this past fall though Over Caffeinated Records. Contributing Editor Samantha Barrett sat down with Ian Flegge to speak with him about the project and what is next for the project.

Dwarves headline Soiree 6 w/ special Legacy Set! Zorn, Danbert Nobacon, Vixen 77 too! Philly,May 26!

BUY TICKETS RIGHT HERE!!! COME TO SUMMER SOIREE 6!!!

This year we have an INSANE lineup for you! This one is the ultimate JAM!

Punk rock legends THE DWARVES are doing a special headlining set that will celebrate the re-release of all their classic albums!!! (out now on Greedy/MVD records!) The band has just reissued premium versions of all of their great albums and we are going to play an amazing set that highlights and once again cements their legacy! This will be a once-in-a-lifetime show! Plus, the band will be selling limited, special editions of their albums that you can only get at this show! Plus, they will be selling a very limited re-release of the ultra rare 'We Kill Cock Throbbin' demo tape! WHOA!

PLUS! Philly death punkers ZORN are playing and they are coming to do damage! They have a brand new album out on Sorry state records!

PLUS! Anarcho-punk icon DANBERT NOBACON of Chumbawamba is flying all the way across the country to play this gig! It's his first in Philly in four years! PLUS, Danbert will have an exclusive EP that you can only get at this gig!

PLUS! Philly's most dangerous band VIXEN77 is back to tear your head off! They've got a great new album out and it will mess you up! AND, they ALSO will have an exclusive tape that you can only get at this show!

PLUS! Between bands, we will be showing the short films of JESSE MICHAELS in their first ever theatre screening! Get ready to be weirded the hell out and blown away!

PLUS! Everyone that comes to the gig will get a free goodie bag LOADED with goodies including AT LEAST two free records and a bunch of other stuff!

PLUS! We will be giving away free records and CDs all night long!

PLUS! We have even more wacky stuff planned!

THAT'S FRIDAY, MAY 26 AT PHILAMOCA IN PHILLY! DOORS ARE AT 7PM AND THE SHOW STARTS SHARPLY AT 7:30PM! DO NOT BE A SECOND LATE! YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS A MOMENT!!!

BUY TICKETS RIGHT HERE!!! Check out the facebook event page right here!

Toni and Mike of The Abruptors talk their new album 'Noticeably Cheerless'

After a long journey filled with vinyl pressing delays, The Abruptors are just one day away from releasing their much-anticipated album Noticeably Cheerless. Their second album sees the Buffalo-based band perfecting their soulful ska sound as they dive deep into anxiety, depression, loneliness, and the process of rebuilding life after major life changes with honest lyrics and a healthy dose of hope. The Abruptors will be touring the US and Canada with The Slackers in April and Noticeably Cheerless will be out everywhere on February 24 via Asian Man Records (and you can pre-save it here).

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with co-vocalists Mike Geraci (who also plays guitar) and Toni LaMantia (who also plays keys and saxophone) over Zoom to talk about the new album, the evolution of the band, therapy goats, Schitt’s Creek, and so much more. Read the interview below!