Jesse Michaels, frontman of legendary ska-punk band Operation Ivy, and later Common Rider, recently posted a MySpace blog addressing questions about the possibility of a Common Rider reunion, and if a full Operation Ivy reunion could ever take place.

The majority of the blog is in the form of a letter to a fan named “Tim” (no relation to former Operation Ivy/Rancid guitarist/vocalist Tim Armstrong), where the logistics of a reunion with Common Rider are discussed. This is followed by a blog commenting on his recent peformance of the Operation Ivy classic “Unity” with former bandmates now in Rancid, and whether any shows could be expected.

If you want to know about an Opivy reunion, take the above description of logistical problems from that Common Rider bit and multiply it by about 2,000, bring in LAWYERS and record companies, interrupt six or seven lives, and also add the factor of putting a band that never belonged in a big rock club in a one to two thousand seat joint. Oh yeah plus doing it without involving Clear Channel or other right wing fronts. So will it happen? The most honest answer is probably not.

Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22284. Continue reading Jesse Michaels addresses Common Rider and Operation Ivy reunion questions →

After 26 years of music, Edmonton, AB’s historic local venue The Sidetrack Cafe has closed due to financial difficulty. Opened in 1981, the club’s historic legacy was cemented with the addition of a railcar, The Cowley. It was built in 1887 by Pullman works, and had a rich history before parking itself at the Sidetrack; including Playboy photo shoots, Gangster transportation and campaign cars for former prime ministers.

A number of large-name bands that started at the Sidetrack stage include the Weakerthans, the Constantines, kd lang, Sarah MacLachlan and Barenaked Ladies.
Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22283. Continue reading The Sidetrack Cafe shuts its doors →

Josh Homme’s Queens Of The Stone Age have announced that their new record will be titled Era Vulgaris (Latin for “Common Era”) and will arrive in June. It follows up 2005’s Lullabies To Paralyze.

Lullabies saw Homme fire former Dwarves bassist Nick Oliveri from the band, a period which also saw him scuffle with Dwarves frontman Blag Dahlia (a court has since ordered that Josh must stay 100 yards from Dahlia at all times). Since that album’s release Homme and wife Brody Dalle have had a daughter named Camille. It’s unknown if the former Distillers frontwoman will collaborate on the new QOTSA record, nor has the band’s ever-revolving line-up been finalized (MySpace currently lists Troy Van Leeuwan, Joey Castillo and “New Guy”).

Possible song titles suggested by the band include “Into the Hollow,” “Sick, Sick, Sick,” “Misfit Love,” and “Battery Acid.”
Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22282. Continue reading Queens Of The Stone Age to release “Era Vulgaris” in June →

Pastepunk has launched a new feature with it’s Reissue Wishlists and to kick things off Punknews.org founder Aubin Paul and resident Alpha Flight fanboi Adam White have each contributed lists. The choices range from hardcore to third wave ska, metal, dub/punk and everything in between. The piece gives you a chance to peer inside the heads of our two favorite Canadians.

You can check out their choices here, at Pastepunk.
Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22281. Continue reading Punknews.org staffers contribute to Pastepunk’s “Reissue Wishlist” →

Doghouse Records act Weatherbox has posted the first track from their upcoming album, American Art.

The album is due out May 9th, 2007 and the band was recently a selection in our MP3 of the Week series.

You can check out “Trippin’ The Life Fantastic” on their purevolume page.
Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22280. Continue reading Weatherbox post new song from “American Art” →

Selkirk, Manitoba’s the Resistance have called it quits. The band posted the following message via their MySpace site.

I guess this is long overdue but it is my sad duty to inform you that The Resistance is no more. We’ve had a great run, the people we’ve met, the times we’ve shared won’t be forgotten. I still can’t believe we were able to accomplish what we did, coming from a small town playing to no one, to playing across our great country with amazing bands… it was a dream come true.

Thanks to the people who’ve helped (you know who you are) and thanks to everyone for the amazing memories! I guess this is long overdue but it is my sad duty to inform you that The Resistance is no more. We’ve had a great run, the people we’ve met, the times we’ve shared won’t be forgotten. I still can’t believe we were able to accomplish what we did, coming from a small town playing to no one, to playing across our great country with amazing bands… it was a dream come true.

The band most recently released Revenge On The Riverside via the Union Label Group.
Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22279. Continue reading The Resistance (2000-2007) →

Youth Group have announced a five week US tour in support of their new record, Casino Twilight Dogs. The record is the band’s third studio release and released via Anti- Records.

The new album is the follow-up to last year’s Epitaph release Skeleton Jar and was poduced by Wayne Connolly (The Vines, You Am I), and mixed by Rob Schnapf (Elliot Smith, Guided By Voices),

Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22278. Continue reading Tours: Youth Group →

Jena Berlin has signed with Jump Start Records. The label will release the band’s sophomore full-length, Quo Vadimus, later this year.

Quo Vadimus was recorded by Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right’s Steve Poponi and follows up 2005’s Passion Waits as the Program Keeps Going (Watch the City Burn).

The band, who was an MP3 of the Week selection last August, recently unveiled the song “Motion Sickness” from the forthcoming effort on their MySpace page and is planning a May tour with Nakatomi Plaza.
Source: http://www.punknews.org/article/22277. Continue reading Jena Berlin signs to Jump Start →