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” →