Sandwich and I are coming for you!

After days of deliberation, a moderate amount of yelling, and an M&M inexplicably up Drew Wolf’s nose again, we’re happy to announce the winners of the art pass contest. That’s right, winners. Multiple. There were so many good-looking and fun maps that it was incredibly tough to narrow them all down to a single entry. So much so that we didn’t bother.

Congratulations to Valentin “3DNJ” Levillain and Timothy “YM” Johnson. TF2Maps.net has a page up where you can view the winners of the contest, along with many of the other fantastic entries.

Created by 3DNJ

Created by YM

We’ve gotten to play a lot of maps these last few days, and every one offered exciting, fresh experiences. One of the most notable entries was by Acegikmo, who built a final cap room that epitomizes everything we love: plants, television monitors, pipes, and the color red. Another notable entry was Gooba’s, which contained a breathtaking skybox of ominous dark clouds casting a shadow in the distance. The Harvest theme made a few appearances — but only two men, honeymustard and TerabyteST, were able to tame it into entries that made us all miss the Midwest.

Created by Acegikmo

Created by Gooba

Created by honeymustard

Created by TerabyteST

We’re a little late but while you’re here check out this highlight reel from ESEA S6.

Source Continue reading Sandwich and I are coming for you!

Pastepunk celebrates 12th anniversary with free compilation

Our friends at Pastepunk have teamed up with Beartrap PR to celebrate the webzine’s 12th anniversary with a free compilation chock full of rare and unreleased tracks from bands like One Win Choice, Banquets, Junior Battles, PJ Bond, Annabel and a dozen others.

Check it out here. Happy anniversary, guys!
Source Continue reading Pastepunk celebrates 12th anniversary with free compilation

Fat Mike promotes NOFX’s “No Sleep” appearance in Australia

Though it’s not technically an announcement since NOFX has been confirmed since August, Fat Mike recorded a short video to plug his band’s upcoming appearance at Australia’s No Sleep Til Festival. Along with NOFX, the event will feature Descendents, Dropkick Murphys, Killswitch Engage, Atreyu, Frenzal Rhomb, Parkway Drive, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes.

Source Continue reading Fat Mike promotes NOFX’s “No Sleep” appearance in Australia

Set Your Goals enter the studio

Set Your Goals Set Your Goals have entered the studio with producer Brian McTernan to begin work on their second album for Epitaph Records. This will be McTernan’s first album with the band, having previously produced albums from Strike Anywhere, Darkest Hour, From Autumn to Ashes, The Loved Ones, Senses Fail and more.

The new record follows This Will Be the Death of Us from 2009 which featured collaborations with vocalists including Turmoil’s Jon Gula, New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert and Jordan Pundik, Vinnie Caruana of I Am the Avalanche and The Movielife and Hayley Williams of Paramore.
Source Continue reading Set Your Goals enter the studio

Ben Weasel featured on Carson Daly

Last Call with Carson Daly put together a feature on Screeching Weasel focusing on frontman Ben Weasel as well as the band’s reunion shows. Ben speaks candidly about his anxiety problems and panic attacks which he has suffered his whole life as well as agoraphobia. He talks about how he has little trouble on stage, but the affliction affects other, less public parts of his life.

You can click Read More for the video.

You can find more information about anxiety disorders via the ADAA. Screeching Weasel will reissue 1998’s Television City Dream on November 9, 2010.
Source Continue reading Ben Weasel featured on Carson Daly

Topshelf Records to Release Debut LP from Talons

Topshelf Records will be releasing the vinyl for the debut full length from Talons. The album is due out November 23rd and titled Hollow Realm. The band is an instrumental six-piece, who call the Hereford their home. The label said this:

Forging the explosive energy of hardcore, the subtleties of post-rock and the complexities associated with math-rock, Talons possess a fascinating sense of urgency and drive, with a sound that both soothes and savages in equal measure. Comprised of eight brand new tracks, Hollow Realm was written as a single piece of music.

Find some music on their MySpace page.
Source Continue reading Topshelf Records to Release Debut LP from Talons

Interviews: Mike Dean (Corrosion of Conformity)

What is it about mixing punk and heavy metal that can be so volatile? When it’s good, baby it’s good. There’s nothing like the crushing power of the Cro-Mags, the pure energy of D.R.I., or the brute comedy of Carnivore. But, when it’s bad, it’s bad. For instance… well… we don’t need to name names. Interestingly, Corrosion of Conformity mastered merging the two with their landmark second album Animosity, but they always seemed to get more notice in metal circles than punk ones, even though the manic energy and looseness of hardcore is seeped in their sound.

But, now that Corrosion of Conformity is touring in their classic three piece formation, which includes Bassist/Vocalist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer Reed Mullin, they’re giving us punks a second chance to check out their unique punk/metal hybrid. Since Corrosion of Conformity has recently hit the road playing Animosity and has released a new 7″ with their three piece line up, Punknews interviewer John Gentile sat down with Mike Dean to learn what he thinks about the term “Crossover,” the best way to mix punk and metal, and how the three piece unification came about.

Source Continue reading Interviews: Mike Dean (Corrosion of Conformity)