The People Must Have Something Good To Read
In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:
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Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%
Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.
Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:
Q: So, we're ALL aware of bands having a new direction in sound and making it either more poppy or more experimental. Is there such thing as a band that did the opposite and released a bunch of poppy records then surprised us all with a real banger?A: I mean, I guess the best example would be The Monkees. Hang with me. While the band is entirely prefabricated and what not. Their first two albums were pretty much handed to them and they just did the vocals. On their next two (Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.) they played much more of their own music, picked the songs and even had music written by members (mostly Michael Nesmith). These two albums were not only some of their most successful work but generally their best material. The albums were far more cohesive and even groundbreaking, with Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. featuring some of the very first use of a Moog synthesizer. Now this isn't exactly like Smashmouth releasing a grindcore album but you basically had a group of four guys (two who weren't even musicians) who were handed a gift wrapped career playing prefab pop garbage and decided to push to become actual musicians and it fucking worked (mostly, if you ignore their utter implosion a few years later). I mean, even their soundtrack to Head was fucking out there.
-Rich
P.S. I'll work on a more contemporary answer later, but I'm feeling like old people music right now.
Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @ameliaaacline, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @wackymondo, @BrittStrummer, and @bryneyancey's every move at Twitter. A few of the new fathers on staff have even started a punk dad blog.
Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.
March 3, 2013
Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:
- Green Day frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, detailed his substance abuse that led to his on stage meltdown last year in the recent issue of Rolling Stone.
- Alkaline Trio released a new song from their upcoming release, My Shame is True.
- Fun unveiled the video for the track, "Why Am I the One".
- The lineup for Metallica's Orion Music + More festival was announced including acts such as Rise Against, FLAG, The Bronx, and many more.
- RVIVR released a new video and announced a European tour with
The People Must Have Something Good To Read
In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:
- Steve Ignorant and Rimbaud of Crass
- Rachel Taft of Feed the Scene
- Mark Rose formerly of Spitalfield
- Tony Foresta of Iron Reagan and Municipal Waste
- Vinnie Caruana of The Movielife and I Am the Avalanche
- Matt Caughtran of The Bronx
Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%
Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.
Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:
Q: Is punk rock still punk? Whatever the punk ethos and attitude was or is, does it still hold true in modern punk rock music, or has the concept of what punk means "grown up"?A: This is a complex question for a lot of reasons. One, "punk" the music of the concept isn't (and has never been) monolithic. Individuals often derive their own meaning from the music/ideals of punk rock. What I believe punk represents, might be entirely different than what a G.G. Allin fan might feel it represents.
Beyond that you need to consider where punk started to really figure if it really had some unified set of ideals. Look at the big three punk bands people tend to list; The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, and The Clash. All three were on major labels (something that's still a bit of a stigma, even today). The Sex Pistols and the Ramones were unabashed in their desire to be rock stars (though as I mentioned earlier, their completely counter intuitive approach to their goal was awesome) and Johnny Rotten is a huckster and willing to be a talking head to anyone who listens. Does his lack of concern for the opinions of others regarding his actions make him more punk or does it make him a corporate shill?
[[ Even bands that came later who seem to express very counter culture ideas had their hang ups. Black Flag's "Damaged" was originally slated to be distributed by Unicorn, an MCA property (this, of course, fell through and led to one of the BEST Black Flag stories ever). Jello Biafra for much of the 80s would talk to any media outlet that would have him and Dead Kennedys even did a big publicity stunt of playing the Bay Area Music Awards and playing "Pull My Strings" as a sort of, "Fuck you" to the industry. But is it a bigger statement to show up and play a shocking song or to not play at all?
These are all bands I love and they all made a number of decisions I never had to and that I don't feel qualified to judge one way or the other. I'm just using these instances to sort of highlight how varied the term "Punk" is and how complicated "punk ethos/attitude" can be to define.
Personally, I know a lot of bands who have worked hard to maintain ethics (both business wise and artistic) that are important to them and I guess really being true to what you believe is pretty punk rock.
So, yes?
-Rich
Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @ameliaaacline, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @wackymondo, @BrittStrummer, and @bryneyancey's every move at Twitter. A few of the new fathers on staff have even started a punk dad blog.
Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.
Radio Free Punknews
Check out the Punknews Music page to stream all sorts of new music from recent or upcoming releases. Our latest additions include:
- A new song from San Jose, CA's Point of View
- A new song from Albany, NY's After the Fall
- A new song from New York City, NY's Stigma
Also, don't forget to check out the latest full length from Essex County, NJ's 96 and a new song from New York City, NY's Stigma.
We've also expanded our podcast empire to something that will eventually resemble a network. Be sure to check out the original Punknews Podcast (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Adam's Ontario showcase Some Party (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour, and Greg Simpson and Greg Moore's Two Gregs One Podcast.
February 24, 2013
Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:
- San Francisco, CA's Get Dead joined the Fat Wreck Chords roster.
- After struggling with the decision to fly to Australia after experiencing a horrific plane crash, Blink-182's Travis Barker finally decided against flying.
- Frank Turner announced his new album will be released via Interscope Records.
- Slayer parted ways with their original drummer.
- Fans of the Descendents can now "Get the Time" with the new "Timeage" watch.
- East Bay Ray of The Dead Kennedys spoke out against ad networks and websites like YouTube.
- The Bamboozle festival's founder, John D, revealed why the festival was cancelled.
With that, we hand over this Sunday evening to the Punknews community, where anything is possible, from the next amusing-then-overwrought meme, to the creation of bands and message boards, to alienating sports chatter. So talk amongst yourselves, spin some tracks in the Navel Gazing turntable.fm room and we'll see you Monday morning.
The People Must Have Something Good To Read
In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:
Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%
Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.
Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:
Q: What is the most diva-ish thing you've ever seen from an artist first hand?A: One time I was interviewing a band. They were the opener and the club had one, fairly small, "backstage" room. Typically bands share this space. There is a bathroom and a fridge and the club isn't generally large enough to attract "headliners" who have big time demands or mind sharing space.
Anyhow, I'm interviewing the opening band in this room and we're about 15 minutes into the interview and a member of the "headlining" band comes in to the room with some friends (not in either band). We pause for a second and say, "Oh we'll, be wrapped up and out in a few minutes." When I start recording again one of the guy in the headlining band starts with, "You guys better hurry up. You need to respect the headliners." We all thought he was joking, so we chuckled and continued on, trying to be quick and wrap it up.The guy's friend then comes in with, "Seriously though, you need to get out now." There was no tone. No joke. Just very matter of fact sort of, "This is our space and you need to get out now." The band I was interviewing looked beyond embarrassed. We all just sort of mumbled, "Okay." and collected our shit and got out and wrapped up what we could outside. The band I was interviewing was incredibly apologetic and seemed so embarrassed.
It isn't that kicking the opener out of the "backstage" room was that awful, but both bands were relatively close in size. This wasn't Aerosmith with your uncle Dale's cover band opening. It wasn't like one band was doing the other a favor by tossing them the opening slot in their world arena tour. This was two bands who were both similar in popularity and output touring together, one just happened to be older and douchier than the other. To see that kind of power trip, from a supposed adult first hand was an incredibly souring experience.
-Rich
P.S. Just so no one asks it was between Jimi Hendrix and the Doors. Totally a sad time in my life.
Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @ameliaaacline, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @wackymondo, @BrittStrummer, and @bryneyancey's every move at Twitter. A few of the new fathers on staff have even started a punk dad blog.
Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.
Radio Free Punknews
Check out the Punknews Music page to stream all sorts of new music from recent or upcoming releases. Our latest additions include:
Also, don't forget to check out the latest release from Seatlle, WA's The Exquisites, a new song from Philadelphia, PA's Restorations, and the new EP from Atlanta, GA's Burners.
We've also expanded our podcast empire to something that will eventually resemble a network. Be sure to check out the original Punknews Podcast (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Adam's Ontario showcase Some Party (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour, and Greg Simpson and Greg Moore's Two Gregs One Podcast.
February 17, 2013
Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:
- Bad Religion released a music video for the title track off their latest release, True North.
- We Are the Union called it a day.
- The Loved Ones' Dave Hause joined the Rise Records roster.
- The Vandals entered the studio to begin work on new music.
- Candy Hearts released a music video for "Bad Idea".
- Sharks announced a headlining tour of the UK.
- Off With Their Heads released another new song from their upcoming release, Home.
With that, we hand over this Sunday evening to the Punknews community, where anything is possible, from the next amusing-then-overwrought meme, to the creation of bands and message boards, to alienating sports chatter. So talk amongst yourselves, spin some tracks in the Navel Gazing turntable.fm room and we'll see you Monday morning.
The People Must Have Something Good To Read
In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews:
Tonight We're Going To Give It 35%
Punknews content is syndicated to a handful of your favorite social networks, including Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Join our Last.fm group and contribute your listening habits to our weekly charts. All of our high definition video footage can be found at Vimeo.
Here's your question and answer of the week from the Punknews Formspring:
Q: Hey since you like Propagandhi which is your favorite album of theirs? And if it's not How To Clean Everything then why not?A: I think I've answered this before but my favorite has to be Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes . Which I'm willing to admit is funny, since it has the most "direct interpretation of the title" art of any of their later albums. It's a fantastic album that really sees the band going in the thrash direction they've more fully embraced recently, yet it doesn't feel over burdened. I enjoy their music in recent years but it's hard not to feel like some of it is tinged with a bit of despair. Like they still believe every word but every word is less hopeful. Maybe it's Propagandhi being realistic about the world and their impact. I mean, love them or hate them four anti-establishment vegans from Canada aren't going to rewire the world in their own lifetime (unless the kids in the hall get back together…That would do it). They can make a difference but I think they know how fucked we are and that comes across in their music a bit. It's still amazing but it can be a bit of a bummer (I'll just wait for the e-mails of, "It's supposed to be a bummer. Wake up shepple!" to come rolling in…baaah).
Also, How to Clean Everything is great, but I have two problems with it.
1) It sounds like NOFX, like A LOT like NOFX. Don't say it doesn't because it absolutely fucking does (right down to the "I Want you To Want me" Cover). That isn't a bad thing but they really found their own legs later and they were much better for it because how many NOFX's do we need? One. That's the answer, that was absolutely not rhetorical.
2) I never want to think a band I love topped out on their first album. That concept absolutely depresses the shit out of me. Imagine, if you're a band that has been around for years, put out like 7 albums and people still tell you the record you made when you were 19 was your best record. As a fan I couldn't imagine waiting for a band to put out a new record only to feel that nothing they do will ever top the first record they did. That would be an endless sea of disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I like HTCE but it isn't my favorite of their's (Maybe top 4).But I think the main thing is, like Propagandhi. Maybe not everything they've done, but at least like some of it, because it's pretty great.
-Rich
Of course your day wouldn't be complete without knowing every inane detail of your humble editors' lives. Follow @aubinpaul, @adamwhite, @justinaugust, @brian_shultz, @dante3000, @ameliaaacline, @kiraface, @mcflynnthm, @kidecono, @wackymondo, @BrittStrummer, and @bryneyancey's every move at Twitter. A few of the new fathers on staff have even started a punk dad blog.
Where else are you online? Share your links below and keep connected with the Punknews community.
Radio Free Punknews
Check out the Punknews Music page to stream all sorts of new music from recent or upcoming releases. Our latest additions include:
- The latest release from Seatlle, WA's The Exquisites
- A new song from Philadelphia, PA's Restorations
- The new EP from Atlanta, GA's Burners
Also, don't forget to check out the latest 7-inch from Salt Lake City, UT's Baby Ghosts, the latest EP from Toronto, ON's The Victim Party, a new song from PIttsburgh, PA's Complete Failure, and a new song from Mesa, AZ's Authority Zero.
We've also expanded our podcast empire to something that will eventually resemble a network. Be sure to check out the original Punknews Podcast (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Adam's Ontario showcase Some Party (subscribe via RSS or iTunes), Matt and Mondo's Punk Rock Power Hour, and Greg Simpson and Greg Moore's Two Gregs One Podcast.
February 10, 2013
Hello everyone and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back in the week in Punknews. I'm Brittany Strummer and I'll be your guide through some of the juiciest, most popular and otherwise noteworthy stories from the last seven days. Remember, every Punknews story is built from tips from our wonderful, good-looking readers, so get to submitting. Here's what got the strange, slow and old community talking this week:
- Black Flag alumni, Dez Cadena, joined the impressive line up of Flag.
- Fall Out Boy announced the end of their hiatus by revealing a new single and plans for a new album.
- Alkaline Trio unveiled the details for their upcoming release, My Shame is True.
- Against Me! entered the studio to begin work on their new album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, with Rocket From the Crypt drummer, Atom Willard.
- Fun. announced a tour with Tegan and Sara.
- The release date for Streetlight Manifesto's new album was once again delayed.
- Punknews Feature Editor, John Gentile, sat down with Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order.
With that, we hand over this Sunday evening to the Punknews community, where anything is possible, from the next amusing-then-overwrought meme, to the creation of bands and message boards, to alienating sports chatter. So talk amongst yourselves, spin some tracks in the Navel Gazing turntable.fm room and we'll see you Monday morning.
The People Must Have Something Good To Read
In the past few weeks we've spoken with a number of bands. Don't miss out on these interviews: