January 18th, 2009

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories This week Los Angeles, based radio station Indie 103.1 shutdown their FM broadcast and moved to an internet only format. The station is notable for employing such punk personalities as Henry Rollins of Black Flag, Joe Sib of SideOneDummy and Joe Escalante of the Vandals among others. Tucson-based punk act Awful Truth caused some controversy by using the photo of slain officer on their album cover. Some major festivals are announcing their line ups, with bands like the Black Lips. the Queers, Rival Schools and Teenage Bottlerocket playing SXSW and the Bouncing Souls, Night Marchers, Strike Anywhere and Propagandhi at Harvest of Hope. There was also word this week that the landmark Time Square Virgin Megastore in New York City is set to close.

This week's big release news focused on Propagandhi and their new full length Supporting Caste. Blink-182's Mark Hoppus is planning a solo album. Gallows will title their next record Grey Britain. Every Time I Die is at work on their Epitaph debut. Red Scare will release the next Menzingers album. Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba will collaborate with electronic/dance artist and internet celebrity Jeffree Star. Zao has detailed their forthcoming release as well. A number of Warner Bros acts, including Against Me!, Black Keys and the Flaming Lips are set to cover some of the label's classic bands. On the video front we saw Morrissey's "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" and Rise Against's "Audience of One." Look for the Bouncing Souls to hit the road soon with Dillinger Four and the AKAs. This week we said goodbye to Nekromantix drummer Andrew Martinez (1983-2009). I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with Kyle O'Neil of Detroit's Fireworks (interview). As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Brooklyn, NY-based Lymbyc Systym, and New Haven CT's Blackened. So what's coming up this week? Look for new releases from A.C. Newman of the New Pornographers, Bomb The Music Industry, Reel Big Fish, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Whole Wheat Bread with tours kicking off from Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, Matt Pryor of Get Up Kids, Chris Conley of Saves The Day and Anthony Raneri of Bayside (USA), Alkaline Trio, Broadway Calls and the Audition (Europe), TSOL and Black President (USA), the Adolescents (USA), Static Thought (Europe) and Ska Is Dead IV featuring the Toasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Mustard Plug, Buck-O-Nine.

January 11th, 2009

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories 2009's underway and the music industry's slowly returning from their holiday dormancy. This week saw two big singings, with Polar Bear Club hooking up with Bridge 9 and Broadway Calls moving to SideOneDummy. On the flip side of that it looks like influental melodic hardcore act Lifetime has left Fueled By Ramen. Also returning is the custom song store that Say Anything's Max Bemis controversially launched last year. There was more talk from the Blink-182 camp, with Mark Hoppus discussing the possibility of a reunion and his relationship with Tom Delonge. Victory and Epitaph Records sat at the top of a recently published independent label chart, while Anthony Raneri of Bayside kicked back at the reasoning behind recent "Biggest Flops of 2008" lists.

This week New Found Glory detailed their Epitaph debut, posting a single and planning a vinyl release on Bridge 9. T.S.O.L. meanwhile put an entire new album up for free download. Smoke Or Fire is planning to record and tour with NOFX soon. In other show news, Dillinger Four is making a long overdue visit to Fargo. Street Dogs are headed out with the Swingin' Utters and Shot Baker. The Menzingers also announced upcoming tour dates. The Economist's new spinoff magazine, More Intelligent Life, also ran a lengthy article about the reemergence of touring as the most crucial part of a band's career. Finally, Hunter Burgan of AFI was named the "Vegan Ambassador" for Macbeth Shoes, making him one of the most powerful men in the western world. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with Brandon Rainer and Dan O'Day from the River City Rebels, who are on the road supporting their new album (interview). Suburban Home Records' head Virgil Dickerson also reponded to the "Vinyl Bubble" editorial by Punknews editor Justin August. As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Oakland, CA's Nobunny and their full length Love Visions, Nashville, TN's Engineer Records act Sound and Shape, and I Am Love, the new full length from Washington, DC based Days. So what's coming up this week? Look for new releases from Blueline Medic, Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady / World Inferno Friendship Society, and many others with tours kicking off from No Use For A Name / Useless ID (Europe / Isreal), Comeback Kid / Carpathian / Verse (Australia), As I Lay Dying / Protest the Hero / the Human Abstract (USA), and All That Remains / the Haunted (Europe)

January 4th, 2009

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories United Nations, which features members of Glassjaw and Thursday is continuing to run into trouble due to it's name. The group has seen it's social networking resources run dry, recently losing their presence on Facebook and Myspace. Every Time I Die has inked a deal with Epitaph Records, joining other recent high profile signings such as Thursday and New Found Glory. Jared Shavelson has left None More Black, to be replaced by Richard Minino of New Mexican Disaster Squad and Gatorface. Dillinger Escape Plan also recently lost a drummer and discussed the line up change with fans. The 2009 touring season is slowly getting underway. Off With Their Heads are headed to the UK and Ireland while No Use For A Name and Useless ID are headed to Israel.

The Bouncing Souls launched their monthly singles project this week with the song "Gasoline." The Swellers will record their new album this month. Paramore is also working on their next. Bigwig has a new 7" on the way. Victory Records has teased their 2009 release slate with upcoming records from Between The Buried And Me, Silverstein, Aiden, and Comeback Kid among others. Chris Walla from Death Cab For Cutie also declared that he intends to make a "radio record." A Wilhelm Scream has posted the unreleased song "The I Hate ___ Club." Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem posted a pair of solo tracks. Fall Out Boy posted their video for the track "America's Suitehearts." I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives We conclused 2008 with a number of retrospective articles. We saw lists of your favourite albums of 2008, our staff reviewers' favourite albums of 2008 and our editors' favourite albums of 2008. We also saw a list of the most popular stories of 2008. Don't forget about our holiday gift from last week, a video download of A Wilhelm Scream performing live at the Fest.

So what's coming up this week? Look for tours kicking off from Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady / World Inferno Friendship Society (US), Madball, LVG and Thick As Blood (Florida), Swingin' Utters with Shot Baker and others (US) and Defeater (US).

December 28th, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories This week talks between Warner Music and the mega popular video site YouTube broke down over money. This puts the future of videos featuring Green Day, Against Me!, the Dropkick Murphys and My Chemical Romance in doubt. The Thorns of Life have announced a Los Angeles show. The band notably features influential Jawbreaker and Jets To Brazil frontman Blake Schwarzenbach along with Aaron Elliott of the Cometbus zine, Crimpshrine and Pinhead Gunpowder and actress / musician Daniela Sea. Another East Bay legend seems to be reemerging, as former Operation Ivy and Common Rider frontman Jesse Michaels has formed a new band as well. We also had a look at a number of new releases this week. Brand New discussed their next. Hellcat Records discussed their plans for 2009, featuring bands like Rancid, GBH, and the Aggrolites. Cursive unveiled details on their new record and the Blackout Pact discussed their final EP and final show.

On the touring front the Gaslight Anthem is lining up a busy year, planning to tour the UK with Polar Bear Club and Frank Turner then returning to North America for a trek with Heartless Bastards. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have confimed the lineups for their Hometown Throwdown shows. Look for bands like Westbound Train, Roll the Tanks, Slapshot and Big D and the Kids Table participating among others. Comeback Kid, Carpathian and Verse are headed to Australia. The Alkaline Trio, Anberlin and Single File will play the "Pick Up the Phone" tour of US college campuses in April to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health issues. Finally Madball will hit the US west coast Punknews.org is in As always we brought you new

December 21st, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories The RIAA made news this week by announcing that it will be ending its strategy of suing individual file sharers. Their new tactic in combating file sharing will involve working with ISPs to communicate with and potentially restrict the access of file sharers. NOFX has announced a set of shows to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The shows, which will feature support from Youth Brigade, will feature past members of NOFX rejoining the band to play songs from those periods. The line up for the 2009 Harvest of Hope festival has been announced. The fest, which will run from March 6th to the 8th in St. Augustine, Florida, will feature sets from Against Me!, Propagandhi, Bouncing Souls, Strike Anywhere and Lucero among others. The Thorns of Life, the new band featuring Blake from Jawbreaker and Aaron Cometbus from Crimpshrine, are planning a Bay Area show. The routing for the 2009 Warped Tour has been announced, along with news that Less Than Jake, Ataris, and Alexisonfire are joining the trek. Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem has also announced several upcoming acoustic solo performances on the US East Coast.

A number of upcoming recording projects were discussed this week. The pioneering and still divisive Sex Pistols mused the possibility of a new album. The Smashing Pumpkins have chosen to abandon the album format. T.S.O.L. have begun recording and broadcasting their sessions live. Bomb the Music Industry! gave an update on their next one. Strike Anywhere will have a new record in 2009 as well. AFI is holding a contest to find backup vocalists for their next album. No Doubt have also decided to postpone their previously discussed new one. Fall Out Boy released a record this week and were up to all sorts of activities to promote it. Bad Religion's Greg Graffin also discussed his new book Anarchy Evolution. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with Rob Moran of recent Deathwish signing Narrows (interviews). The band features members of Botch, Roy, Some Girls and These Arms Are Snakes. Jonah Matranga and Shaun Lopez of the recently reunited Far (interview) and Tim McIlrath, frontman of Rise Against (interview). As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Poughkeepsie, NY-based The Color Wheels. So what's coming up this week? Look for tours kicking off from Cro-Mags (US), The Measure (SA) (US), Pulling Teeth (US), and Clutch / Russian Circles (US).

December 14th, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Former Dead Kennedys frontman and Alternative Tentacles head honcho Jello Biafra has written a lengthy and thought provoking letter to President-Elect Barak Obama. Mike Ness has discussed plans for the next Social Distortion record, the follow up to 2004's Sex, Love and Rock ’n’ Roll Next year's festivals were the big topic this week. Kevin Lyman unveiled that Warped 2009 will shoot for longer sets and less stages with performances by Anti-Flag, Bad Religion, Big D and the Kids Table, the Bouncing Souls, NOFX and Thrice among others. Miami, Florida's Langerado Festival will hit in March and feature Flogging Molly, Bad Brains, Against Me!, Gaslight Anthem, and the Aggrolites. Bamboozle 2009 meanwhile added bands like Third Eye Blind, Forgive Durden and Before Their Eyes.

This week mainstream pop punks Fall Out Boy streamed their new full length Folie a Deux. Brody Dalle's post-Distillers vehicle Spinnerette unveiled "Ghetto Love." Flogging Molly announced dates for their 2009 Green 17 tour. Avenged Sevenfold will tour with bands like Buckcherry and Papa Roach. Pop punks the Dopamines will soon hit the road. Escape The Fate will soon tour with Attack Attack, William Control of Aiden and Burn Halo. As for videos this week saw Metallica post "All Nightmare Long" and the Gaslight Anthem play "The '59 Sound" live on Conan. This week we said goodbye to Last Lights' member Dominic Mallory (1984-2008) and pin-up model, fashion staple and counter-cultural icon Bettie Page (1923-2008). I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with Jonah Matranga and Shaun Lopez of the recently reunited Far (interview) and Tim McIlrath, frontman of Rise Against (interview). Our Video of the Week featured Minnesota's Off With Their Heads performing live in Richmond, VA. As always we brought you new Streaming Music including the new release from Belgium's Daggers, and the new full length from San Diego, CA-based Lanterns. So what's coming up this week? Look for All-American Rejects and Fall Out Boy with tours kicking off from the Night Marchers (US) and Cancer Bats / Polar Bear Club / Holly Springs Disaster (Canada / Quebec).

December 7th, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories After more than two decades, director Alex Cox is set to produce an official film sequel to his landmark 1984 film Repo Man, titled Repo Chick. As the original made great use of LA punk from the period there's high hopes for the new installment to make similar links. Plane crash survivor Travis Barker denied recent rumors that the popular pop punk act Blink-182 would soon reunite. Guttermouth is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new record back on Hopeless Records. Hopeless also announced details on the 2009 Take Action Tour, to be headlined by Cute Is What We Aim For. We had news on the 2009 Warped Tour as well, which is set to feature Bad Religion, NOFX, Devil Wears Prada, and Flogging Molly. Next year look for the Dropkick Murphys and H2O on tour together as well. Jesse Lacey of Brand New discussed the major label experience and the viability of selling CDs. This weekend also saw the Evaporators play a special Mint Records show with where they shared the stage with Andrew WK, the Subhumans and D.O.A..

There are plenty of new releases in the works for next year. This winter will see the release of the Ergs' Trash Compactor. Cursive is wrapping up their next album and planning tour dates. The artwork for upcoming release from Strung Out and the Loved Ones was unveiled. Fearless Records has announced Punk Goes Pop 2 with the All American Rejects, Rise Against, and Thrice contributing covers. Bad Religion's next record might wait until 2010. Leathermouth, which features members of My Chemical Romance will release XO in January. Rancid's Tim Armstrong is also providing a track to a documentary series. Porcell from Youth of Today and Judge has launched a Straight Edge clothing company. William Beckett of The Academy Is posted a video cover of "Radio" by the Alkaline Trio. Video game Guitar Hero: World Tour will see additions from Nirvana, Slightly Stoopid and the Smashing Pumpkins this month. This week Vinyl Collective also launched their free Second Nature sampler. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives Our Video of the Week featured an interview with Matt Caughthran of the Bronx. As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Bloomington, IN-based Medusa, and Seattle, WA-based Rebuilt.

So what's coming up this week? Look for a live release from Thrice, and special editions and reissues from Pavement, Devo and the Get Up Kids, with tours kicking off from These Arms Are Snakes / Trap Them / Narrows (US), and Face To Face (South America).

November 30th, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories While the music pie is smaller than it once was, digital sales have become an increasingly significant slice. Major imprint Atlantic Records annoucned this past week that digital sales have surpassed the physical on their balance sheets, which is a first for a big label. Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel recently reunited with the band's original drummer Kevin Mahon for an acoustic performance in New York City. The Bouncing Souls posted an update from the studio where they're working on their new 12 song digital project. Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong spoke out on that band's forthcoming album as well. The 2009 Bamboozle festival is starting to come together. We first heard that No Doubt and Fall Out Boy would headline, then saw the lineup expanded to include the Get Up Kids, New Found Glory and Face To Face.

The UK can soon expect a visit from the Gaslight Anthem, Frank Turner and Polar Bear Club. Off With Their Heads is headed out on the road in the US. The Dropkick Murphys confirmed their St.Patrick's Day shows as well. Coheed and Cambria are planning to tour with Slipknot. NOFX and Smoke Or Fire are set to hit the streets as well. Millencolin has been nominated for a Swedish Grammy, while D.O.A.'s Joe Shithead Keithley is in the running for "Most Influential Person In BC History." This week saw a full concert stream from the New Pornographers, a video from I Set My Friends on Fire, and a trailer for the upcoming Warped Tour documentary. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we teamed up with our good friends in the Gaslight Anthem for a charity auction. Head over to eBay to win a rare signed vinyl test-pressing of the band's debut LP Sink Or Swim. All proceeds are going to benefit The Syrentha Savio Endowment, a charity which provides financial assistance to underprivileged women who cannot afford the expense of fighting breast cancer. As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Virginia-based trio The Two Funerals.

So what's coming up this week? Look for a live release from Panic! At the Disco, and the Vans Warped Tour 2007 DVD with tours kicking off from Social Distortion's Mike Ness (California), Lagwagon (Japan), Taking Back Sunday / Envy On The Coast (US), Isis (Europe), and Evergreen Terrace / This Is Hell / Casey Jones / Four Letter Lie (US).

November 23rd, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Blink-182 were in the news all week long, despite not being a band any more. Drummer Travis Barker has decided to sue the parties he feels are responsible for the recent plane crash that killed four and put him in hospital. Since the crash all three members of the pop-punk act have been talking, but are making no reunion promises just yet. That's OK though, as Good Charlotte seems ready to fill the apparent Blink void with their next full length. Thursday have reported in that they've finish mixing their Epitaph debut. The band also released an odd little "ambient collage" titled "Black Smoke" to tide fans over. Lagwagon's touring Australia but guitarist Chris Flippin was unable to enter the country. To fill his spot the group has enlisted Lindsay McDougall of Frenzal Rhomb.

2009's release schedule is starting to take shape. The Descendents' Bill Stevenson is working with NOFX on their new record. Converge is planning a new Epitaph release. Florida's Fake Problems have signed to SideOneDummy for their next. February will bring the sixth record from And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. Against Me! continue their prolific streak with release of a live digital EP and a 7-inch single from frontman Tom Gabel. This year will end with a New Year's Eve show featuring the Lawrence Arms, the Copyrights, and the Methadones. Naked Raygun and Hot Water Music will perform together in Chicago early next year. The Dropkick Murphys have also already annoucned their St. Paddy's Day tour plans. Japan's Punk Spring 2009 fest will feature acts like Bad Religion, NOFX, Rise Against, and Misery Signals. On the television front, keep an eye out for the Gaslight Anthem appearing on Conan and the Foo Fighters on Top Chef.

This week we said goodbye to Brian Thixton of Recess Records act Les Turds (1971-2008). I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with Franz Nicolay of the Hold Steady, and World/Inferno Friendship Society (interview), Damien Abraham, Mike Haliechuk, and Josh Zucker of Toronto's Fucked Up (interview), members of The Casting Out (interview), and webcomic creator Mitch Clem (interview). So what's coming up this week? Look for new releases from Paramore, Rivers Cuomo, and The (International) Noise Conspiracy with tours kicking off from Far (UK), Suicidal Tendencies and Whole Wheat Bread with Death By Stereo, Madball or Terror on select nights (US), Fall Of Troy, The Number Twelve Looks Like You (US), and Rise Against / Thursday / Sage Francis (Canada).

November 16th, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories This week saw the debut of The Thorns of Life, a new three piece featuring Blake Schwarzenbach of Jawbreaker / Jets To Brazil on guitar / vocals, Aaron "Cometbus" Elliott of Crimpshrine / Pinhead Gunpowder on drums and Daniela Sea on bass. We had an exciting few days of rumors, eyewitness reports and discussion on the subject. Speaking of returns, a most unlikely band is rumored to be resurfacing. Some new incarnation of ska-punk stars Sublime have been suggested as a surprise Bamboozle 2009 performer. Edgar Bronfman Jr, CEO of the Warner Music Group, reveal to a Web 2.0 conference that the major label was requiring all new acts to sign 360 deals which allow the label to get a cut of all of a band's activities. Artists have continued to react to the ongoing gay marriage controversy in the United States. Notably this week we read a thoughtful blog posting from Canada's Tegan and Sara and saw Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz also discuss the subject on Larry King Live.

AFI's looking to return in 2009 with a new full length produced by David Bottrill. Punknews buddies Say Anything are set to release a new full length next year. Propagandhi teased that they were almost done their new record… then they finished it. Funny that. This week saw a new free sampler from Anti- Records featuring Billy Bragg and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds among others. The Gaslight Anthem posted their video for "Old White Lincoln" as well. The Get Up Kids got back together today for a reunion show in their hometown of Kansas City. They're celebrating the upcoming 10 year anniversary of Something To Write Home About. Jimmy Eat World are going to do the same with the 10th anniversary of Clarity, planning to play the record on tour early next year. Finally we had word on two new punk products for your purchasing pleasure, one being the Burning Fight book covering the 80s and 90s hardcore scene, and the other is (sit down for this) punk Bratz dolls. That's way more exciting than the Schwarzenbach news isn't it?

This week we said goodbye to Bent Outta Shape's Jamie Ewing (1983-2008) and drummer Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience (1947-2008). I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips on their new feature film Christmas on Mars (interview). Our Video of the Week featured the Sainte Catherines performing a new song on Montreal television show Mange ta Ville. As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Stourbridge, UK's Science vs Romance, and Grand Rapids, MI-based La Dispute.

So what's coming up this week? Look for new releases from Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, Bring Me the Horizon and the Foo Fighters (live DVD) with tours kicking off from Smoke Or Fire / Fake Problems (Australia / Europe), Billy Bragg (US / UK), Comeback Kid (South America), and Useless ID (Russia).

November 9th, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories In the lead up to Tuesday's US election we heard from a number of punk personalities, including John Doe of X and Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys. Members of the Ramones' families also publicly sparred over politics. After Barack Obama's triumph we heard from a number of bands. The always opinionated Anti-Flag weighed in. The Dropkick Murphys, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and No Use For A Name sent comments. The Loved Ones, Rise Against, Reel Big Fish and Black President also spoke out. Pittsburgh's Punchline even released a tribute cover of "What a Wonderful World" in honor of the President-elect. With the election behind us groups are looking forward to Inauguration Day, with Anti-Flag, United Nations, the A.K.A.s, and Ruiner planning the "Demand in DC" event.

US politics aside, there was plenty of music news this week. Canadian hardcore act Liferuiner's final show ended with handcuffs. Max Bemis of Say Anything and Chris Conley of Saves The Day unveiled Two Tongues. Strung Out set a title and release date for their upcoming rarities compilation. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released new songs and announced plans for a new 7 inch and album. My Chemical Romance are preparing the Three Cheers vinyl for December. Offshoot bands Nothington and the Action Design are opening for the Tsunami Bomb reunion shows. Red Scare act Cobra Skulls are also planning to hit the road soon.

This week we said goodbye to Detriot soul artist Nathaniel Mayer (1944-2008). I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives We tallied up your ratings and unvieled your favourite records from October, with Dillinger Four, Fucked Up and Rise Against coming up on top. We've also been spotlighting some bands playing at the upcoming Punknews sponsored Fun Fun Fun Fest. Check out looks at Bad Brains (1), Parts and Labor (2), ALL (3), and Trash Talk (4). This week we spoke with Warship, featuring two former members of From Autumn To Ashes (interview). Our Video of the Week featured Paint It Black's guerilla U-Haul trailer show at Fest 7. This week's edition of Vinyl File featured a look at upcoming releases. This week's Editors' Picks recommended music from Thousandaires and Tellison. As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Warship's Supply and Depend, Tim Barry of Avail's new record Manchester, Scranton, PA-based Tigers Jaw, and New Brunswick, NJ-based Scream Hello.

So what's coming up this week? Look for new releases from International Superheroes of Hardcore, Less Than Jake (box set), the Bronx, with tours kicking off from Agnostic Front / Outbreak / the Carrier / First Blood (interviews), Far From Finished with the Casualties and the Generators (interviews), Alesana / A Static Lullaby / Greeley Estates (interviews), and the Black Atlantic (interviews).

November 2nd, 2008

.ng-section1 { font-size: small; border-bottom: 1px solid #C5C5C5; width: 70%; font-weight: bold; padding: 1em 0 0em 2em; } .ng-section2 { font-size: xx-small; padding: 0 0 2em 3em; } Hello everybody and welcome to Navel Gazing: your look back at the week in Punknews. I'm Adam White and I'll be your guide through some of the most popular, notable, and otherwise attention getting stories of the past seven days. Each and every Punknews story is built from tips contributed by you fine folks, and here's what got the strange, slow, old people in the community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories As the US election date fast approaches we urge our American friends to know your rights and make sure you get to the polls on Tuesday.

Most of the Punknews staff is up to who-knows-what at the Fest right now, and we suspect plenty of our readers are doing the same. For those of us stuck at home, here's your look at the news. Ted Leo has canceled all of his tour dates due to a personal emergency. Sweden's Hives have been sued by a US musician over the riff to their recent single "Tick Tick Boom." Long Island ska-punk outfit the Fad has called it quits. Elisa Schwartz, the former keytarist of Cobra Starship, is a participant in a new reality show. MTV made waves by launching a massive new music video website. NOFX also announced upcoming tour dates in the southwest US and UK.

Fat Wreck fans can look for new releases from the Loved Ones in the form of a new EP and Strung Out with a rarities set. Death By Stereo are also readying their next full length. Santa Rosa, CA's Ashtray are getting set to release an Operation Ivy covers record. Members of Mest have formed The Twilight and the Sound. This Tuesday will also see songs from Presidents of the United States of America and Fall Out Boy arrive in the Rock Band video game. The Damned were on the Late Late Show and performed the songs "Shallow Diamonds" and "Neat Neat Neat." The Alkaline Trio were also on TV, performing the song "Calling All Skeletons" on Jimmy Kimmel. Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel released a video of his solo song "Amputations."

This week we said goodbye to Frank Navetta, founding member of the Descendents, and Terrin Durfey of Boilermaker, the Jade Shader and Pinback. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with former Blood Brothers member Jordan Blilie on his new band Past Lives (interview), Patrick Costello, better known as Paddy, of Dillinger Four (interview), and Ray Harkins of Victory act Mikoto (interview). We also featured a conversation between artists Ed Trask of Avail and Heather Gabel on their music, lives and artwork (interview). As always we brought you new Streaming Music including Jersey Shores, the new album from Seattle's Akimbo, the new EP from Dead To Me titled Little Brother, Orlando, Florida's Virgins, featuring Sam Johnson of New Mexican Disaster Squad, and Dallas, Texas-based True Widow, featuring members of Slowride and The Mag Seven.

So what's coming up this week? Look for new releases from Fake Problems / Look Mexico, How Dare You, Warship and Tim Barry of Avail with tours kicking off from Leatherface / Tiltwheel / Former Cell Mates (US), Bad Brains (US), Face To Face (California / Nevada), Fake Problems / All Or Nothing (UK), and In Flames / All That Remains / Gojira / 36 Crazyfists (US).