Sunday Edition

March 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 community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Nine Inch Nails recent self–distributed and freely available release has been a resounding success, netting more than $1.5 million for the band and making quite the case for their label–free venture. Probably less successful will be the self–destructing "free record" coming from Iron Maiden. Black Flag's Henry Rollins spoke out on a number of issues this week, talking upcoming books, specials, the election. The Star Fucking Hipsters, featuring Sturgeon of Leftover Crack, has been recording with Fat Mike of NOFX. Richmond up and comers the Riot Before are now less a guitarist.

A number of acts updated us on their next releases. The Bronx have two in the pipe, one apparently a mariachi record. The Methadones and Copyrights will launch their new label project with a split full length. Weezer will return from the wilderness with a June release. Goldfinger detailed their upcoming Hello Destiny with cover art that plays the nostalgia card for old fans. On the streaming front we had a live set from Berlin featuring the Weakerthans, a new song from Anti–Flag ("Spit in the Face"), Pennywise's "The Western World" and two live cuts from Good Riddance. Minus The Bear launched a video this week for the song "Throwin' Shapes." Pop–punk act Mest are returning for a one–off show in April. In other touring news look for the Bouncing Souls and Dead to Me to tour with Static Radio, the Gaslight Anthem and Tim Barry. Hatebreed is headed out on the Jagermeister tour. Also hitting the road: MxPx, Chiodos, Protest the Hero and The Color Fred. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke with D.O.A. frontman Joey Keithley about the band's long history, politics and more (interview. Our Video of the Week featured part one of an interview / performance from the Gaslight Anthem. The thirty first edition of Vinyl File featured a look at a number of upcoming releases. Editors' Picks this week featured ––> This week also brought new Streaming Music from Polar Bear Club, previewing their new full length Sometimes Things Just Disappear.

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Sunday Edition

March 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 community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories We start this week in Berkeley. Pinhead Gunpowder, which of course features members of some band called Green Day, donated a new sound system to the famous scene hub at 924 Gilman. Fello denizen Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy and Common Rider is working on a new batch of songs that are reportedly "raw, traditional punk rock." Plenty of other acts announced updates this week. NOFX's world tour documentary is now slated to air on Fuse. Richmond's Ann Beretta have announced upcoming reunion shows with additional dates and festival appearances to come. Bad Religion's Brooks Wackerman is playing in a new project with what amounts to the refugees of nu–metal, the results of which are anyone's guess. Epitaph announced the signing of Minneapolis power–pop act Sing It Loud. Pop–punk act the Starting Line recently announced a hiatus.

On the new release front we had details on New Found Glory's greatest hits compilation. The Dropkick Murphys will issue a limited edition version of The Meanest of Times, expanding on their latest full length. The Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba posted a new studio update detailing the progress on their new record. From First To Last detailed their major label debut as well. 100 Demons, 108, Blacklisted and Madball will all appear at This Is Hardcore 2008. The Asian Man Records tour keeps adding dates. It'll feature the Queers, Lemuria, Bomb The Music Industry!, Andrew Jackson Jihad and Kepi Ghoulie. There were plenty of video releases this week as well. You could check out Millencolin's "Detox," the Presidents of the United States of America's "Mixed Up SOB", Against Me!'s acoustic "Amputations" and "Nuclear Cowboys in an Age of Drift," and Avenged Sevenfold's "Afterlife".

This week we said goodbye to Dungeons and Dragons co–creator Gary Gygax (1938–2008). 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 Smoke Or Fire performing with Avail's bassist Gwomper guesting. Vinyl File featured ––> Editors' Picks this week featured ––> This week also brought new Streaming Music from the Gaslight Anthem, featuring a song from their new EP Señor and the Queen.

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Sunday Edition

March 3rd, 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; } Ahoy hoy. I'm Justin and this is Navel Gazing. Every week we take a look at the important stories: what got you talking, what got us talking and what seems pertinent to touch on again and serve it up to you. Your regularly schedule Canuck will be back next week but for now it's just you and me. Giddy up. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Big news this week for fans of tents, 10 dollar bottles of water and Playstations: the final lineup of the 2008 Warped Tour was announced and includes favorites like Against Me!, Bouncing Souls, the Briggs, Bedouin Soundclash, Pennywise, Rise Against, Reel Big Fish, the Vandals and GBH. There's a metric tonne of other bands as well.

Speaking of Against Me!, they showed up quite a bit this week. Apparently they raised $18,000 for Harvest of Hope and have booked dates in Australia with Crime In Stereo. They also posted an acoustic rendition of "Baby I'm An Anarchist" and an unreleased track called "Gypsy Panther." Rowr.

Epitaph is going where no label has gone before with a deluxe edition of New Maps of Hell. Bad Religion themselves have extended their House of Blues tour. Other news related to the big "E" is that they'll be releasing Millencolin's new album Machine 15 in May. In the same general vein, Rancid will be recording at Skywalker Ranch. That's George Lucas' place, if you hadn't heard. Oh, and those Canadian collectivists Propagandhi will be heading to Japan with Comeback Kid. We got a studio update from our friends in Alkaline Trio. Rumor has it the new album will have lots of skulls and severed arm imagery associated with it.

It feels like some sort of VH1 "Revenge of the 90's" style thing when I hear aboutGoldfinger's new album to include Good Charlotte, Used, Save Ferris and Youth of Today cameos, while I fear for the children after hearing about Fall Out Boy's "Beat It" cover. Speaking of, Panic At the Disco customized a Civic for their tour. Woo. I'm drawing a thread here, see if you can follow, Paramore talked about their UK tour cancellation and Sid Vicious, Ian Curtis, Billie Joe Armstrong to pitch Converse in new campaign.

And finally, if there were any doubt that the CD is nearing the end of its life as a medium it was erased as the iTunes Store became second biggest music retailer.

Update
We'd also like everyone to take a moment to remember the life of Mike Conley. The former vocalist of MIA passed away this week, leaving behind three daughters and a wife. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives Chris is passed out somewhere in Richmod and as such there was no Video of the Week this week. However you should browse through our archives and send us suggestions of who you'd like to see here! Ben apparently is actually trapped underneath Chris's comatose body as Vinyl File took a break as well. Our Editors' Picks this week featured Election Day, from somewhere in the cold bowels of upstate New York. This week also brought new Streaming Music from a number of bands, including Capillary Action's new LP and Gangster Stamina, the new EP from Dirty Tactics.

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Sunday Edition

February 24th, 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 community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories The hardcore scene let out a collective scream of anguish this week as the celebrated Modern Life is War called it quits. Jello Biafra spoke out against the RIAA, comparing the industry association to the mafia and thus offending the dons and hitmen worldwide. The Foo Fighters are taking Marvel Comics to court over the unauthorized use of their songs recent commercials. Matt Murdock will represent Mr. Grohl and with Jennifer Walters defending the House of Ideas. Speaking of funnybooks, look for popular punk webcomic Nothing Nice To Say to arrive soon in meatspace via Dark Horse.

A number of bands talked up their upcoming records this week. The Offspring's Dexter Holland discussed their new album, upcoming tour and new drummer. Sleepercar, featuring Jim Ward of Sparta and At the Drive–In, are planning an April release. Pulley has completed mastering their new EP and first release since 2004. The folks at Bridge Nine Records also detailed the new New Found Glory EP and H2O full length. Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba is working with Ashes Divide while Blink–182's Mark Hoppus will be co–writing songs with All Time Low.

On the touring front Hot Water Music continues to add the occasional show here and there. Jimmy Eat World and Paramore will be co–headling a tour soon. Horse The Band also announced the routing for their absolutely ambitious and quite likely insane 40–country tour. On the media front Pennywise has put their new track "Something to Live For" up for download and Against Me! has unleashed an acoustic video for "New Wave." I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives Our Video of the Week returned this week after an all too long break with the second part of a Bomb The Music Industry! feature. The big three oh edition of Vinyl File featured a chat with Vinnie Fiorello of Less Than Jake, profiling the band's massive vinyl catalogue. Our Editors' Picks this week featured Philadelphia's Capillary Action. This week also brought new Streaming Music from a number of bands, including the new EP from Worcester, MA's Smartbomb (featuring members of No Trigger and Shock Nagasaki), the new full length from melodic pop punk act The Frantic and Warning Device, the second full length from Teenage Bottlerocket.

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Sunday Edition

February 17th, 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 community talking… The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories We couldn't hope to sneak an Alkaline Trio story by, as even a brief mention that a new album is in the works whipped their fans into a frenzy of album ranking and hand wringing. Albuquerque's Scared Of Chaka will reunite along with the Gain at an upcoming Sticker Guy anniversary weekend. Mike McColgan's Street Dogs completed a circle of sorts and signed to his old home at Hellcat Records. Jawbreaker has unveiled more information on their upcoming reissue of Unfun. Pennywise previewed a new song and the track listing to their upcoming and freely–downloadable LP Reason to Believe. Whole Wheat Bread is finally whole again with the addition of their new bassist. They discussed their new full length as well. Actress Scarlett Johansson's Tom Waits cover album is taking shape. With the announcement of a Bowie guest appearance this may become the definitive cultural document of our time. On the same note, Good Charlotte star Joel Madden announced a number of TV and movie roles of his own. Our best wishes go out to Bob Nanna as the Braid / Hey Mercedes frontman is again fighting lymphoma. Bob's current act The City On Film will be playing the final show of Punknews Records act Somerset.

There were plenty of tour announcements this past week. The Asian Man Records Tour, featuring the Queers, Lemuria and others, kicks off soon. We had confirmation on the first handful of dates. The second leg of the Fat Wreck Chords Tour was announced. It'll feature American Steel joining NOFX and No Use For A Name. Fellow Fat act Dead To Me has dates scheduled in the US and Europe. Look for Teenage Bottlerocket and the Copyrights on the road as well. This week saw an acoustic, live video of Against Me!'s "The Ocean," a track from Paint It Black's new record and a cover of Dillinger Four from Leatherface frontman Frankie Stubbs.

So, anyone see the Simpsons do Sid & Nancy tonight? I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week one of our contributors sat down for a chat with vocalist Rody Walker of Ontario's Protest The Hero (interview). The twenty ninth edition of Vinyl File featured a look at some of the vinyl highlights from ska–punk mainstays Less Than Jake.

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Sunday Edition

February 10th, 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; } ––> It's Sunday, February 10th, 2008. Congratulations go out to our friend Jordan Baker of Pastepunk.com and his wife Barbara on the birth of their son Andrew Louis Baker this past Saturday. Everyone here at the `Org wishes the new family all the best.

Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Ska luminaries the Slackers return this April with a new full length, their first for the Pietasters founded Indication label. Sweden's Millencolin has a new full length on the way titled Machine 15, we saw were provided with a track listing and release dates this week. Decaydance Records has added Four Year Strong to their roster. On the touring front we had details on the Smartpunk stage at Warped which will feature acts like Set Your Goals, the Higher and the Human Abstract. The UK's Download Festival will feature bands like Rise Against, Motorhead and headliners the Offspring. Bad Religion has expanded their residency in California and Nevada and we had new announcements from the Bouncing Souls (dates), Whole Wheat Bread's tour with Authority Zero (dates) and the Weakerthans (dates).

This week saw the breakup of both Folly (1997–2008) and the Format (2003–2008). The Loved Ones are streaming their new full length Build & Burn. New music also arrived from Anti–Flag with the song "Good and Ready." On the video front we saw Dillinger Escape Plan perform "Black Bubblegum" on Conan and Teenage Bottlerocket's clip of "In The Basement." MTV (remember them) also announced that they'll feature punk legends Bad Brains on their 52/52 Campaign.

This week ended with news of a tragedy at a metal concert in Indonesia. Our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the deceased. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives The twenty seventh edition of Vinyl File featured an interview with Andy Nelson of Paint it Black. This week also saw a return of our Editors Picks feature with recommendations for Kate Nash and Social Circkle.

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Sunday Edition

February 3rd, 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; } ––> It's Sunday, February 3rd, 2008. You know we've had more news submissions on this potential Arrested Development movie than anything else today, purpose of this website be damned. I love you guys. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories Top on the list of shows you didn't get get to see last week, ALL reunited on stage in Fort Collins at what was billed as a Drag The River show. Keeping with the reunion theme, Hot Water Music has announced a trio of European festival dates. We also had video footage of the band performing "Turnstyle" at their recent Sayreville, NJ show. The Gaslight Anthem may have delayed their upcoming EP this week, but it also slipped that the band will join the SideOneDummy roster. The real world stepped in as Fox News, for whatever reason, uncovered the "Emo Backlash". Cheers also go out to the Oregon Attorney General for investigating the RIAA.

There was lots of touring news this week, with the Warped Tour confirming its 2008 routing and further news on the metal–focused spinoff tour featuring bands like Mastodon and Dragonforce. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones announced a Los Angeles show with the Street Dogs and Pietasters, as well as an appearance at the Bamboozle. Similarly, the west coast Bamboozle Left will feature a reunion performance from Face To Face. We're waiting on dates for two upcoming tours, one to feature Anti–Flag will the Briggs, Street Dogs and Fake Problems, the other an Asian Man Tour with Queers, Lemuria and Bomb The Music Industry.

This week saw the break up of street punks Clit 45. Upcoming releases for the mall punk crowd were discussed, including Fearless Records' "Punk Goes Crunk" compilation and Panic At The Disco's upcoming "Pretty. Odd." Not on the horizon? Good Riddance's live DVD. It's probably not going to happen. Between some new music from Anti–Flag ("The Bright Lights of America") and Fake Problems ("Viking Wizard Eyes, Wizard Full of Lies") this has been a pretty full week. 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 the first part of an interview and performance with Bomb The Music Industry!. The twenty seventh edition of Vinyl File featured an interview with Dan Yemin (Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black and Armalite) and a look at upcoming releases. On the new music front we previewed three upcoming 7" releases from Toronto power–pop act Marvelous Darlings, featuring Ben Cook of Fucked Up and No Warning.

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Sunday Edition

January 27th, 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; } ––> It's Sunday, January 27th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Thanks to Aubin for covering last week while the majority of us were out in Vegas for Punk Rock Bowling. Punknews Team 1 did surprisingly well, boosted by truly massive handicaps that the debacle of 2007 earned us. Team 2 is best left unmentioned. A big thanks goes out to the Stern brothers and Julie at BYO for throwing such an awesome party year after year. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories The 2008 release schedule's starting to shape up. That long awaited new Rancid album now looks like it'll arrive in June. Popular act My Chemical Romance are planning a return to "punk rock" on the follow up to their theatrical recent work. Good Riddance set a date for their live album and unveiled the track listing. Labelmates No Use For A Name released the art from their new one as well. Millencolin unleased all sorts of information, including a new song, artwork, and album title. New Found Glory are headed back into independent territory, with plans for a 7" via hardcore label Bridge Nine. Beijing's Brain Failure spoke about their next one and discussed the challenges of performing in China. I suppose that's a different level of censorship then you get at Disneyland, but the UK's Gallows still managed to get themselves banned by the mouse

East Bay punk rock supergroup Pinhead Gunpowder, featuring members of Crimpshine and some unknown band called Green Day, are reuniting for two shows. The Vandals have a short set of North American dates scheduled before they hit Australia.The Dropkick Murphys and Big D and the Kids Table are touring in March. Looking for more? Avenged Sevenfold are supporting Iron Maiden soon and the Civic Tour will feature Panic At the Disco and Motion City Soundtrack among others. On the new music front we got a preview of the Night Marchers (ex–Hot Snakes, Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu), a new epic from prog monsters the Mars Volta and a new tune from Fake Problems. This week also saw news of Minor Threat's Jeff Nelson selling some unique hardcore merch and an upcoming "Greatest Punk Songs" special on Sirius. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives This week we spoke to Oregon pop–punkers Broadway Calls (interview). The twenty sixth edition of Vinyl File featured a look at the vinyl history of Dan Yemin, including detailed discographies of Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black and Armalite.

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Sunday Edition

January 20th, 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; } It's Sunday, January 20th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Politics ruled this week, but lawsuits came a close second.. Adam is away this weekend, so you'll have to settle for me. Rest assured though, he will be back soon and all will be right in the world. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories It's surprising, but somehow the combination of Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and presidential hopeful Barack Obama got your attention. By the same token, the news that former Blink–182 drummer Travis Barker was suing Rockstar Beverages, a big sponsor of tours sent some people to the comments.

As far as other news, people were certainly excited about Against Me!'s new video for "Stop", some hard details about Anti–Flag's second major label album, more music from Rise Against and news on the long–awaited record from Rancid. Though the band has reunited numberous times before, the thought of the Sex Pistols recording new material led to some interesting comments. (Our favorite here)

The signing of H2O to Bridge 9 must have come as some relief to fans who have been waiting for years for a new album from the melodic hardcore band. No Dillinger Four news this week, but their spiritual brothers in Propagandhi look to be reducing their mean–time–between–albums. (Of course, if you miss D4, you can always check out that Arrivals record.)

From the music 'biz side of things, Tom Delonge proposed his solution for life, the universe and everything. (It wasn't 42.) EMI fired some people and floated the idea of sponsored bands, Pepsi presents American Idiot anyone?

On the subject of politics, things are still heating up with neither the Democrats and the Republicans falling in line behind a front runner. If you're in a primary state, do your research and participate. If not, keep up with the news and make an informed decision for November.

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Sunday Edition
January 13th, 2008

January 13th, 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; } It's Sunday, January 13th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Last week we had big Jawbreaker news, this week the Clash. 2008's batting .1000 so far. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories It's rare, but ladies and gentlemen this week has news on the Clash. Drummer Topper Headon and guitarist Mick Jones reunited on stage at a recent Carbon/Silicon gig and we have the footage to prove it. Less Than Jake broke the silence on their post–Warner plans, forming their own label dubbed Sleep It Off and announcing plans for a new record. Speaking of new records, we had plans from a number of high profile acts. Death Cab For Cutie is promising a louder, abrasive and more dissonant new album. Weezer has finished their sixth record and they're feeling really good about it. Hatebreed is planning a covers record and a number of other projects like a coffee table book. Propagandhi also titillated their fanbase by announcing their tentative 2008 roadmap. There was some harrowing news for fans of the Shins this week, as keyboardist Marty Crandall was arrested for domestic assault, only to have the charges dropped soon after. Also on the lawsuit front, Billy Bean from No Trigger has filled suit against the Orlando PD based on an incident from the most recent Fest.

Anti–Flag has announced Australian shows with Rage Against The Machine and European tour dates. Smoke Or Fire and Fake Problems will soon hit the road together. Civet will tour soon, sharing the stage with bands like Guttermouth and the Unseen. Dillinger Four is playing a free show at the University of Wisconsin Union. There was a recent free show in Toronto featuring Strung Out and the Flatliners. Lagwagon was supposed to be there but couldn't make it past the border. Against Me! has also announced plans for additional Harvest of Hope benefits The Loved Ones posted the new song "Sarah's Game" while the Alkaline Trio posted a live version of "Nose Over Tail." I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives The twenty fourth edition of Vinyl File featured a chat with a massive Against Me! collector and looked at some upcoming releases. Our Editors' Picks of the week featured music from Rochester's Sakes Alive!!! and horror punk outfit the Epidemic. We featured new music this week from Lemuria, streaming their full LP Get Better at the band's Punknews.org Profile.

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Sunday Edition
January 6th, 2008

January 6th, 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; } It's Sunday, January 6th, 2008. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. Last week when the Punknews staff sounded off on our favorites of 2007 the readership rallied that a certain band wasn't getting it's due. A few keystrokes later and we had our first ever reader's choice chart. You folks make this site happen, and this year we're planning to get you involved in a big way. The People Must Have Something Good To Read On A Sunday This week's most popular stories There's no finer way to kick off the year then with Jawbreaker news. While providing an update on their upcoming documentary Adam Pfahler revealed that the members of the influential band got back together a few months back and even played a few songs together. The audio's under wraps for the time being. Roger Miret of Agnostic Front and Zoli Teglas of Ignite spoke out against digital music and lauded the benefits of sticking with CDs, an opinion that may put them at odds with many of their fans. Orange County's Slick Shoes are back together after a period of inactivity, but we also had word that North Carolina' Hopesfall down for the count. You gain one, you lose one. This week also posed the eternal question if there has been a band as significant as Nirvana since their time.

Horse The Band win points for ambition, planning a true world tour that should take them to 40 countries before they rest. Hot Water Music continues to slowly reveal details of their reunion, this week confirming a SXSW appearance. Reader favourites A Wilhelm Scream are already looking towards their next record, but in the meantime they'll tour the UK and the US with the Unseen joining them Stateside. It's a small tour so far, but fans are salivating at a March billing of Strike Anywhere, Paint It Black and the Riverboat Gamblers. On the audio front we had a new track from Teenage Bottlerocket, a preview of Goldfinger's SideOneDummy debut, something new from Panic! At the Disco, a new single from the Gaslight Anthem, and a live set from Chuck Ragan. There's no new audio yet from that upcoming Offspring record, but we did get a progress report. I Can't Control My Fingers I Can't Control My Brain New feature content, weekly columns and exclusives The twenty third edition of Vinyl File spoke with Gilead Media founder Adam Bartlett and looked at some upcoming releases. This past week we also ran our end of year features for 2007. We had staff picks from editors Aubin, Adam White, Brian Shultz, Justin August, Meg Reinecker, Chris Moran and Ben Conoley, a list from alumni editor Scott Heisel, and picks from reviewers Greg Simpson (Greg0rb), Jesse Raub, Jordan Rogowski (Anchors), Darren McLeod, Tyler Barrett (GlassPipeMurder), and Jon Daley. Via some wacky math we even calculated an overall Punknews.org list that had the Weakerthans at the top. More importantly though, you folks stepped up and via your individual ratings created the readers picks list that gave huge props to A Wilhelm Scream. Editors' Picks of the week featured ––>

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Sunday Edition
December 30th, 2007

December 30th, 2007

It's Sunday, December 30th, 2007. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. I'll level with you guys: this was a pretty meagre week. This happens every December mind you, the well of music stories pretty much runs dry by the end of the month. Look for things to ramp up rather quickly following New Years. Get your news pants ready. Gimme Shelter tour doc. A DVD release has been secured for the N.Y.H.C documentary, which features bands like 108 , Madball , Sick Of It All and Agnostic Front discussing their scene. This week brought us another volley in the RIAA's war on the public, another look at the loudness war, and the nominations for the Shortlist award, including bands like Bad Religion, Against Me! and Gogol Bordello.

As a holiday gift from us here at the `Org check out a video of a full set from New Jersey's Gaslight Anthem, performed at this year's The Fest 6. This week we spoke with Ryan Young of Off With Their Heads (interview) and Justin Pedrick of Eyeball act The Number Twelve Looks Like You (interview). The twenty second edition of Vinyl File brought you a listing of upcoming releases that'll compete for your dollar in 2008. Editors' Picks of the week featured ––>

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Sunday Edition
December 23rd, 2007

December 23rd, 2007

It's Sunday, December 23rd, 2007. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. In fact, as is the season we're consumed by such retrospectives. Make sure to check out our most popular stories, most popular reviews and the onslaught of year end lists from the collective music press. Our own are on their way this New Years. Pogues' classic "Fairytale of New York," which features a word you now apparently can't say anymore on British radio. Fucked Up and Xiu Xiu launched a class action lawsuit against Camel Cigarettes and Rolling Stone over that recent "Indie Rock Universe" feature. Rancid has completed writing their next album, which is sure to drum up more than its fair share of press here in `08. On the tour front we saw the full Taste of Chaos 2008 schedule unveiled. It will feature Avenged Sevenfold. Atreyu and Bullet For My Valentine among others. The Loved Ones and the Gaslight Anthem announced dates for `08 featuring bands like the Ergs! and New Mexican Disaster Squad. We also had word that System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian will join the much ballyhooed Foo Fighters / Against Me! tour.

Did you miss the Lemonheads show in Lancaster, PA? Then you missed Milo Aukerman sharing the stage with a few fellow Descendents members. Too bad. The Lawrence Arms posted an acoustic version of their "Warped Summer Extravaganza" tune while Angels & Airwaves chatted up legendary rock journalist Larry King. MTV mused that 2007 was the "Year The Music Industry Broke" while Def Jam CEO Jay–Z talked 360 deals and Radiohead's free–for–all digital release. Finally this week we looked fondly back on Elvis Costello's legendary Saturday Night Live stunt. This week we spoke with London, England's Enter Shikari (interview). The twenty first edition of Vinyl File featured a conversation with Mike Park of Asian Man Records. Our Editors' Picks of the week featured a look back at Rain.

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Sunday Edition
December 16, 2007

December 16, 2007

It's Sunday, December 16th, 2007. Dial "A" for AWESOME more like it. Since I'm filling in, I decided to let you know that Adam's not the only 4th level dork around there parts. On to this week's news. "Album of the Year" by Spin and made appearances elsewhere as well. Rumor has it Tom tied the knot this weekend as well, congratulations!

Another Gainesville band you might have heard of added Lucero, the Lawrence Arms, Static Radio and Samiam to various shows while Chicago's favorite drunks posted a track from their recent BBC Sessions. Their alter–ego Cornish Gay Men ended up on a "Worst Names of '07" list alongside The Color Fred, the Graduate and a few others. A year–end list of note also surfaced from Mr. Brett of Bad Religion.

Blink182 posted a Christmas classic from their early days (Blink–182: "I Won't Be Home for Christmas") while Sir Tom mused about Angels and Airwaves' plans for '08. Touring with the White Stripes won't be on the bill, as they may swear off the road forever, Beatles style. Against Me! are on the road however, this time with the Foo Fighters. Other plans for '08 included Panic! At the Disco setting a date

In the "Left Field" category there's Fearless taking punk to crunk. Who knew? Similarly, but far more ridiculous was a writer blamimg Conor Oberst for Omaha shootings. Also, apparentlymum's the word when it concerns Foxboro Hot Tubs and you're in Green Day. You can grab their debut EP.

We interviewed San Franciscans via Renoicans Cobra Skulls: Cobra Skulls (interview Part 1). This week's Vinyl File was an interview with Mike Park and a chance to win Goddamnit

This week we sadly said goodbye to Lynette Knackstedt of Skankin' Pickle.

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Sunday Edition
December 9th, 2007

December 9th, 2007

It's Sunday, December 9th, 2007. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. cut their streaming music to 90 second clips, a remarkably short sighted move that could go on to affect bands like AFI, Brand New, Angels and Airwaves. The Songwriters Association of Canada is demanding a $5 tax on all internet users to compensate for piracy. That's not the only dire news for Canuck music fans, as DMCA style legislation is being introduced in the country that's even more restrictive then its reviled US counterpart. There's been controversy over Rolling Stone's recent "Indie Rock Universe" feature with observers claiming that it was just one big tobacco ad.

We had word on a number of upcoming releases. The Bouncing Souls shocked some fans by planning a digital release for 2008 claiming "It doesn't make sense to release a CD because nobody really buys them anymore." Justin Sane discussed an expanded instrumental pallet to be found on the new Anti–Flag record. Rancid has plans to release a B Sides and C Sides collection via their merch store. Dillinger Four is also still dropping hints on their long–awaited album. We had word that the Bronx, Every Time I Die, Reel Big Fish, Street Dogs and the Briggs would be among the bands performing on the 2008 Warped Tour. Foo Fighters are taking Against Me! ou ton a stadium tour, perhaps the latter band's biggest gig to date. Smoke Or Fire and Fake Problems are also planning a February trek. This week saw Fall Out Boy comment on their Grammy nominations, the Locust robbed in St. Louis, and members of Green Day performing in Foxboro Hot Tubs. Fat Wreck Chords also gave fans a holiday treat in the form of their Hanuk–Comp. The twentieth edition of Vinyl File featured a conversation with Kyle Gebhart of Doghouse Records. Our Editors' Picks of the week featured music from Connecticut's Hostage Calm.

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Sunday Edition
December 2nd, 2007

December 2nd, 2007

It's Sunday, December 2nd, 2007. Welcome to Navel Gazing, your look back at this week in Punknews. boast a roster that features Against Me!, the Bronx, The Devil Wears Prada, and Pierce The Veil. Meanwhile Japan's Punk Spring 2008 will feature the likes of Rancid, Pennywise, Buzzcocks, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes and Angels & Airwaves. We saw a very interesting discussion on the file sharing issue this week, this time getting a larger–indie label perspective from Revelation, Lookout, 31G and Deep Elm. The nation of France weighed in as well, planning to just kick downloaders off the Internet. We had all types of Fall Out Boy high jinks this week, as band poster boy Pete Wentz got angry about a Ashlee Simpson parody and Every Time I Die defended their appearance with the pop stars. UK band the Squids had a US tour cancelled due to some flag–burning imagery on their show flyers.

Anti–Flag revealed some details on their new album The Bright Lights of America and also announced more tour dates. In fact we had lots of tour dates confirmed this week. Defiance, Ohio is heading out to the US West Coast and Australia. Black Fag, the absolutely fabulous tribute to Black Flag, is taking the show to Europe. A Wilhelm Scream's upcoming tour will feature Swellers guitarist Nick Diener. Against Me! played a benefit a to raise money for a marrow transplant. The Bouncing Souls plan to thrill fans at their upcoming year–end shows with a 60–song marathon

We were brought news of the death of Arsonists Get All The Girls member Pat Mason (1986–2007). Our condolences go out to his family and friends. Also, Hawthorne Heights has as expected cancelled their tour with Escape the Fate and the AKAs due to the recent death of guitarist Casey Calvert. In other grim news, there's been a verdict in the trial of the suicidal driver who killed Silkworm drummer Michael Dahlquist, John Glick, guitarist of the Returnables and Doug Meis, drummer of Exo and the Dials. She got 8 years. We recently featured one of our more interesting interview features in recent memory. Norman Brannon of Texas is the Reason and Shelter, author of The Anti–Matter Anthology: A 1990s Post–Punk & Hardcore Reader, interviews and Rob Fish of 108 in a two part feature looking back at the hardcore scene which spawned the book. You can check out part 1 and part 2. Our Video of the Week featured The Riot Before live at the Fest 6. The nineteenth edition of Vinyl File featured a conversation with Dan Askew of Second Nature Recordings. Editors' Picks of the week featured music from ––>

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