In a new interview, The Vandals guitarist and Kung Fu Records co-founder spoke about the Vandals relative silence since the release of 2004’s Hollywood Potato Chip. While the band has been performing (albeit controversially) in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Toronto, they have not been able to release any material in more than six years. Escalante explained:

Our last release was marred by a frivolous lawsuit filed against us by the show business trade publication The Daily Variety. They are really into promoting show business by ruining the releases of punk bands and record labels. They’ve sued us again, for something we didn’t do, so we have to deal with this first.

We are trying to file an answer in the Delaware court system, which is a nightmare.

Joe also talks about the band’s visit to Iraq which cause no end of controversy including cancelled shows in Europe, and the status of Kung Fu Records. Check out the interview via Kerpunk.
Source Continue reading Joe Escalante on possibility of new material from The Vandals →

La Dispute have posted a new track from their upcoming split with Touché Amoré. The track, “How I Feel,” is due out on the split on July 27th and will not hit digital outlets for a few months meaning the physical release will be the sole way to get the split for the next little while. It’s the first new material from the band since their album, Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair.

Check out “How I Feel” on their MySpace page.
Source Continue reading La Dispute: “How I Feel” →

Terror have released the first new song from their upcoming album, Keepers of the Faith. The album is due out September 14, 2010.

Check out “Stick Tight” on their MySpace page.
Source Continue reading Terror: “Stick Tight” →

Canada’s Hot Hot Heat have announced their summer tour in support of their album, Future Breed. The record is the Vancouver quartet’s first album for Dangerbird Records and the album is set for release on June 8, 2010. It is the follow up to their two major label albums: 2007’s Happiness Ltd. and 2005’s Elevator.

Source Continue reading Tours: Hot Hot Heat (North America) →

If you’ve ever seen Fucked Up live, then you know that between their gigantic, bald, half naked singer, their THREE guitars, and wall of sound attack, they put on one hell of a raucous show. But, despite the chaos all around him, founding member and lead guitarist Mike Haliechuk never seems to flinch. While bodies are flying all about (including his own) Haliechuk never seems to smile or grimace or sneer- he just stares nearly unblinkingly at the audience… like a Canadian terminator. Frankly, it kind of creeps me out!

Just what is going inside that head? Haliechuk has been responsible for taking punk to a new level, writing songs about illegal police searches as well as the effervescence of the sun. He’s been adamant in supporting local charities and has also been fiercely ardent in the concept of bands controlling their own destinies as opposed to being the subject of whims and record labels. But on the other hand, for years he spread mis-information about the band, released records in obscure and outdated formats… all while remaining 100 percent accessible via e-mail. Punknews interviewer John Gentile recently talked with Haliechuck in an attempt to clear up some of the mysteries still surrounding the band and we fear that he may have simply found myself to be a rat in a maze…

Source Continue reading Interviews: Mike Haliechuk (F*cked Up) →

Justin Sane of Anti-Flag visited Toronto this past week for the controversial G20 demonstrations and recorded a song based on his experiences titled “Solidarity In The Face Of Anti-Progressives.” With regards to the protests, Justin explained his feelings on the widely criticized police response to protestors:

Toronto was turned into a police state by the G20, with over a billion dollars spent on “security” or more accurately “oppression measures.” As is often the case, the police were incredibly brutal in their attempt to silence dissent by those of us who believe that the G20 summit is anti-democratic and only concerned with maintaining corporate dominance over the world. While the police oppression was unnerving and enraging, seeing people stand up for their rights and fighting for survival of the world was inspiring. More inspiration came from viewing Sounds Like A Revolution in its final cut! It is an incredible film that in the words of the great Micheal Franti, “enrages, enlightens and inspires.

Source Continue reading Justin Sane: “Solidarity In The Face Of Anti-Progressives” →

This fall, Alice in Chains, Deftones and Mastodon will be hitting the road together for the Black Diamond Skye tour. The tour kicks off mid-September and will see the three bands hitting venues in the US and Canada through mid-October.

To warm you up for the tour, we’ve got a prize package featuring the latest albums from each of the three touring bands.
Source Continue reading Win music from Alice in Chains, Deftones and Mastodon →

My Heart to Joy begin an extensive American tour tonight that includes dates with Native, Snowing, Into It. Over It., Former Thieves, Grown Ups and others.

The band continues to support 2009’s Seasons in Verse, and information regarding a new EP is expected to be announced soon.
Source Continue reading My Heart to Joy (US) →

Cancer Bats have booked a run of Canadian shows kicking off in August and running for two weeks. The Toronto-based punk/metal outfit is supporting Bears, Mayors, Scraps, & Bones.

Source Continue reading Tours: Cancer Bats (Canada) →

Our stream today comes from Hartford, CT-based (post-)melodic hardcore act Hostage Calm. While their self-titled, sophomore full-length won’t be released until July 20, we’ve got a full stream available for you now.

You can check it out on their Punknews.org Profile.
Source Continue reading Hostage Calm: ‘Hostage Calm’ →

Underoath have posted thefourth video update from the studio as they record their new album with a new drummer. The band is recording with producers Matt Goldman (Lost In The Sound Of Separation and Define The Great Line) and Jeremy SH Griffith. The band also recently announced that Daniel Davison (ex-Norma Jean) will be handling the drumming duties on both the new record as well as the upcoming COOL TOUR with As I Lay Dying, Blessthefall, Between The Buried And Me, The Acacia Strain, Architects, Cancer Bats, and War Of Ages.

The album will be the first since Lost in the Sound of Separation. The band will be on the road this summer with As I Lay Dying, Between The Buried And Me, Blessthefall, The Acacia Strain, Architects, Cancer Bats and War Of Ages. Check out the update here.
Source Continue reading Fourth studio update comes in from Underoath →