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 mainstream media’s coverage of the current spike in fuel prices found an unlikely case study this week, looking into the toll put on independent band tours. We had the shocking story that Christopher Johnson, singer for the band Useless Wooden Toys, was stabbed to death after a show in Bloomington, Indiana. Boots Riley of hip hop act The Coup was charged for using “abusive language” during a recent performance. Following their public admonishment of the summer tradition it’s not too much of a surprise that Be Your Own Pet has dropped off of the Warped Tour. Devo‘s taking fast food giant McDonalds to court over some American Idol themed toys that co-opt the band’s image. This week also brought news of dancing punk robots with adaptive neural networks, which is a step up from the inefficient and oft stupid human variety.

On the new release front Pinhead Gunpowder (members of Green Day and Crimpshine) announced a new 7-inch. The Hold Steady further detailed their upcoming release. Less Than Jake released and streamed their new record GNV FLA. Alkaline Trio gave fans a preview of Agony & Irony and the Gaslight Anthem took their place at the head of the Punknews readership hyperbolic hype parade with the song “The ’59 Sound.” Former parade leaders Against Me! played Leno and we have footage to prove it. The Loved Ones also premiered their video for “The Bridge.” Look for the 2008 Afro-punk Festival to take place from July 5th to 13th in Brooklyn. Teenage Bottlerocket, the Riptides and the Sidekicks are heading to Canada while Rancid‘s heading to the UK. None More Black also added a second reunion show in Philadelphia.

This week we said goodbye to comedian and counterculture icon George Carlin (1937-2008).

This week we spoke with Toby Morse of H2O about his band’s recent comeback (interview). The 40th edition of Vinyl File featured a look at upcoming releases. This week also brought new Streaming Music from the Saint Alvia Cartel, which features members of Boys Night Out, Grade and Jersey, the final effort from the recently departed LaGrecia, and a sampler from Think Fast Records.

So what’s coming up this week? Look for releases from Alkaline Trio and the Riptides with tours kicking off from Jimmy Eat World (US / Can), and the trio of Comeback Kid, Shai Hulud and Crime in Stereo (Europe).
Source

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 mainstream media’s coverage of the current spike in fuel prices found an unlikely case study this week, looking into the toll put on independent band tours. We had the shocking story that Christopher Johnson, singer for the band Useless Wooden Toys, was stabbed to death after a show in Bloomington, Indiana. Boots Riley of hip hop act The Coup was charged for using “abusive language” during a recent performance. Following their public admonishment of the summer tradition it’s not too much of a surprise that Be Your Own Pet has dropped off of the Warped Tour. Devo‘s taking fast food giant McDonalds to court over some American Idol themed toys that co-opt the band’s image. This week also brought news of dancing punk robots with adaptive neural networks, which is a step up from the inefficient and oft stupid human variety.

On the new release front Pinhead Gunpowder (members of Green Day and Crimpshine) announced a new 7-inch. The Hold Steady further detailed their upcoming release. Less Than Jake released and streamed their new record GNV FLA. Alkaline Trio gave fans a preview of Agony & Irony and the Gaslight Anthem took their place at the head of the Punknews readership hyperbolic hype parade with the song “The ’59 Sound.” Former parade leaders Against Me! played Leno and we have footage to prove it. The Loved Ones also premiered their video for “The Bridge.” Look for the 2008 Afro-punk Festival to take place from July 5th to 13th in Brooklyn. Teenage Bottlerocket, the Riptides and the Sidekicks are heading to Canada while Rancid‘s heading to the UK. None More Black also added a second reunion show in Philadelphia.

This week we said goodbye to comedian and counterculture icon George Carlin (1937-2008).

This week we spoke with Toby Morse of H2O about his band’s recent comeback (interview). The 40th edition of Vinyl File featured a look at upcoming releases. This week also brought new Streaming Music from the Saint Alvia Cartel, which features members of Boys Night Out, Grade and Jersey, the final effort from the recently departed LaGrecia, and a sampler from Think Fast Records.

So what’s coming up this week? Look for releases from Alkaline Trio and the Riptides with tours kicking off from Jimmy Eat World (US / Can), and the trio of Comeback Kid, Shai Hulud and Crime in Stereo (Europe).
Source