Coalesce has announced that Relapse will be reissuing their definitive 1999 album, 0:12 Revolution in Just Listening this year. Along with the CD, the label is planning a special LP version limited to just 1000 copies with 400 on blue with red splatter, 400 on blue with grey splatter and 300 half blue/half black versions.

Speaking of Coalesce, frontman Sean Ingram recently participated in a detailed feature on the band which covers both the band’s history and their recent, acclaimed 7-inch, Salt and Passage.

The band is promising new artwork courtesy of the designers at Invisible Creature
Source Continue reading Coalesce to see 012:2 remastered reissue →

As they gear up for the release of their second major label album, Anti-Flag is offerring fans a chance to check out the album in its entirety prior to release by way of listening sessions held in Sydney and Melbourne while in Australia for the Big Day Out.

However, in lieu of charging, the band is instead asking all to bring a can of tinned food to donate to Wesley Mission for admittance into the event. As well as Big Day Out dates, the band is also supporting Rage Against The Machine at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on January 25 and Festival Hall, Melbourne on January 30.

The record is titled The Bright Lights of America and is due out April 01, 2008
Source Continue reading Anti-Flag host charity-benefit listening sessions →

Prior to their upcoming Australian shows with Pennywise and Sum 41, The Vandals will be headed out on a short March tour of the United States with a stop in Canada.

Rumour has it the band is working on a new rarities record, with their previous studio album, Hollywood Potato Chip released in 2004.

Source Continue reading Tours: The Vandals (US, Toronto) →

Israel’s Useless ID have arrived at Bill Stevenson’s Blasting Room studios and are beginning work on their next full length. The band adds:

Just writing to let you know that we’re at the Blasting Room with Bill and Jason and we’re starting to record our next record with them. We’ll stay here for 3 weeks and send more info about release dates sometime later.

The band released their last album, .Redemption, in 2005 via Kung Fu Records.
Source Continue reading Israel’s Useless ID begins work on next album →

China’s Brain Failure was recently the subject of a lengthy story about Beijing’s emerging punk scene and the challenges faced by bands who want to perform live.

Despite the massive population in China, it was extremely difficult to find live venues that would host the band, so it actually had to launch their own club, Mao Live. And running a live music venue in China is no easy task, particularly under the controlling state:

The most troublesome aspects of setting up Mao Live were the soundproofing and government bureaucracy. [The venue] was required to agree not to allow songs that were in any way “antigovernment, pro-Taiwan independence, or erotic.

Every month we must hand in all of the lyrics for all of the songs that will be sung at the venue. There are people in the government who just have this preconception that rock is the enemy. It’s not like they are opposing it with reason, it’s more like they don’t understand it, so they are strict on it.

According to the story, the band will also soon be collaborating with notorious political rappers, Public Enemy.

You can check out the entire article here.
Source Continue reading Brain Failure talks about challenges of performing in China, new album →

Pinhead Gunpowder, the East Bay punk rock supergroup featuring Billie Joe of Green Day, Aaron Cometbus of the eponymous ‘zine and Crimpshrine and Jason White, have announced two rare live appearances in California – their first shows in many years.

The band most recently released Compulsive Disclosure in 2003, which compiled much of the band’s vinyl-only material. Prior to that, their last, lengthier studio effort was 1999’s Shoot The Moon EP. Their last and only proper full-length, Goodbye Ellston Avenue, was released in 1997.

Those unfamiliar with the band can check out some music on their myspace page.
Source Continue reading Tours: Pinhead Gunpowder (Green Day, Crimpshine) plan two shows →

Infamous former Sex Pistols manager Malcom McLaren has been tapped to act as “celebrity hijacker” on day 21 of the UK-based reality show, Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.

The show sees the celebrities taking control, backstage and in the camera runs. They organise their own tasks, make their own rules and talk to the housemates in the Diary Room. They will do all this with the help of Big Brother. They are in charge of a set of housemates, ranging in age from 18–21 years old.

The celebrities are on one day contracts, as different people will take over every day. The housemates will compete to be the last to leave the house for a £50,000 prize.

A video from the show should appear here in the next few days.
Source Continue reading Malcolm McLaren to be hijacker on UK’s Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack →

Saves The Day, Armor For Sleep, Set Your Goals and Metro Station have been confirmed for the upcoming Bamboozle Road Show. Select dates will also feature A Cursive Memory and Lydia.

The Bamboozle Roadshow 2008 will begin March 28th in Seattle, WA with stops in over 30 cities, the Bamboozle LEFT Festival in Irvine, CA, as well as the Hoodwink Festival and The Bamboozle Festival in E. Rutherford, NJ.

Source Continue reading Tours: Saves the Day / Armor for Sleep / Set Your Goals / Metro Station on Bamboozle Roadshow →

Finland’s Manifesto Jukebox have decided to call it quits. The band was together for a decade, releasing albums on labels like BYO, Boss Tuneage and others. They explained:

We have decided that the benefit concert for our German friends Stachel & Bombenalarm at Vastavirta, Tampere, will be our last. No drama, no fights. We just felt it’s time to call it a day before things would fizz out altogether. Thanks.

The band’s final release was a 2007 split full-length with Australia’s A Death In The Family.
Source Continue reading Manifesto Jukebox (1998 – 2008) →

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.

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.
Source Continue reading January 20th, 2008 →

Strike Anywhere have fleshed out their recently announced tour schedule with their plans for the coming months. Besides touring through the US with Paint It Black, Riverboat Gamblers and others, the band will be headed to Brazil, Belgium and the UK for festivals.

For the remainder of 2008, the band is promising shows in South America, mainland Europe and more.

Source Continue reading Tours: Strike Anywhere →

Long-time southern California pop punkers, No Use For A Name, have titled their 10th full length. The Feel Good Record of the Year is set for an an April 01, 2008 release and will contain 14 songs.

No Use for a Name released All the Best Songs, a greatest-hits package in 2007. Their most recent full-length was Keep Them Confused in 2005.
Source Continue reading No Use For A Name title new record →

Monster Squad have announced a European tour in support of their new full length, Fire the Faith.

Source Continue reading Tours: Monster Squad (Europe) →