It’s Sunday August 5th, 2007. Now I don’t know about the rest of the world, but this is a long weekend in Canada for the mysterious August holiday that nobody knows the name of. Regardless of what it’s called, I’m hitting the cottage. That means this article was written on a Saturday. I trust then that the punk world has stopped spinning in my absence to respect the fact that this column won’t include Sunday’s news. Streetlight Manifesto you better just sit on that “big big news” until next week. Ok? Good.

The people must have something good to read on a Sunday

MTV has declared Against Me!‘s New Wave the best punk album of the year, and the real question is why we care what they think in the first place. Call it a cultural echo from back when they mattered. The internet levels things out a bit, so it was great to see just as many people discussing the 25 Most Influential Punk Bands as decided by Shoutmouth (who?) as there were debating MTV. Speaking of online masses, you all managed to get Chris Hannah the runner up spot on the Worst Canadian poll. In the end he was beat by a politician, and that oppression will surely lead to a stinging rebut on the next Propagandhi disc.

Warped Tour head Kevin Lyman apologized to the Osbournes for his remarks about the “free” Ozzfest. Maybe they can all learn from the sea of goodwill that Gainesville’s The Fest 6 is riding, as that event thrilled our readers by announcing a lineup that includes Naked Raygun, Seaweed, the Draft, Dillinger Four and many others. It’s been fascinating to get into the head of Less Than Jake drummer and lyricist Vinnie, and this week he mused about the band’s next label an gave his stamp of approval to pre-Lawrence Arms ska-punk act Slapstick. This busy week say a preview of My Chemical Romance frontman Gerald Way’s upcoming comic The Umbrella Academy and more bands announced for Guitar Hero III (the Beastie Boys, AFI and Weezer among them). On the touring circuit we had Australian dates from Bad Religion and Strung Out, southern US dates from New Found Glory, Senses Fail and Set Your Goals, and the remainder of the dates for Brand New, Thrice and mewithoutYou‘s tour announced.

There was lots of new media online this week. The legendary Bad Brains released their video for “Give Thanks And Praises/Jah Love” while Canuck indie-pop act Tegan and Sara unveiled “Back in Your Head”. Alkaline Trio debuted a new song live and a familiar face caught it on video, while Green Day‘s Tre Cool performed internet meme “Chocolate Rain.” We had a full album stream from Hot Water Music alum Chuck Ragan and a new song available from the anticipated new Weakerthans record. Finally Bomb the Music Industry have made their new album Get Warmer available for download

Our Video of the Week featured Richmond folk-punk act the Riot Before performing a track from their upcoming 7″. We chatted with Jeff Davis of Boys Night Out (interview) as well as Rachel Minton of Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer (interview). The second edition of Vinyl File arrived, looking at a Get Up Kids oldie and checking out the upcoming releases. We also streamed new music from Dear Tonight‘s debut We’re Not Men, and UK based melodic hardcore act called the Steal on the eve of their US tour.

Click Read More to see this week’s contests, streaming music and more.
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The Sleeping have posted the latest video from their 2006 full length, Questions and Answers.

You can check out “Don’t Hold Back” right here
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The Washington Post has put together a detailed article and interview featuring hardcore pioneers Bad Brains. The article discusses the band’s early career, their recent album, Build a Nation, their periods of inactivity and more. It also addresses the band’s famous slogan/song “Banned in DC”:

We never were banned in D.C.; no one ever said we couldn’t play anywhere. That was something we said to put fuel to kick our asses out. In PMA, it says you’ve got to keep moving, and we had conquered D.C. Trust me, no one ever locked the door of D.C. on us.”

You can check it out here.
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As I Lay Dying have released a new track from their upcoming album. The record is titled An Ocean Between Us and is due out August 21, 2007.

You can check out the title track on their myspace page.
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No Sleep Records has launched a full album stream featuring hardcore act The Fire The Flood. The record is titled Truth Seekers.

You can check out the album via this ecard.
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No Sleep Records has launched a full album stream featuring hardcore act The Fire The Flood. The record is titled Truth Seekers.

You can check out the album via this ecard.
Source Continue reading Fire The Flood: “Truth Seekers” →