Direct Hit! have issued a cryptic, but hopeful instagram post. The band is currently recording SOMETHING int he studio, though they did not release more information than that. We'll keep you updated if a single, EP, or album is announced.
Today we are thrilled to bring you the premiere of the new video by Minneapolis-based ska punks Runaway Ricochet! The video is for their new song “Optimist” and was directed by Aaron Blaser. Speaking about the track lead vocalist Erik Saxton said,
”’Optimist’ is about the relationship between those who see the best in the world, and the people that take advantage of that goodwill. Personally speaking, I've had to be aware of becoming more jaded and not let it get the best of me. I think it's important to believe in people's general goodwill or intentions, just without the naivety of youth. I hope anyone who listens to the song gets a little mad for the times they were taken advantage of, but are also inspired by the idea that there are others out there who have gone through that strife.“
”Optimist” is on the band’s upcoming album Diminishing Returns which will be out on April 30 via Ska Punk International. Runaway Ricochet will also be touring the US including a performance at SPI Fest in May. Watch the video below!
Blondie's Paralell Lines and Green Day's Dookie have been added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Industry. As per the Registry, "Each year, the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress chooses 25 recordings showcasing the range and diversity of American recorded sound heritage in order to increase preservation awareness. The diversity of nominations received highlights the richness of the nation's audio legacy and underscores the importance of assuring the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations." Currently, there are over 600 works on the National Recording Registry.
Some of the other titles added this year include Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (considered by some to be the first rock n roll song ever), Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane, "Ain't no sunshine" by Bill Withers, The Cars by the Cars, Arrival by Abba, “La-Di-Da-Di.” Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, Don't worry be happy by Bobby McFerrin, Ready to Die by Biggie, and Wide open spaces by Dixie Chicks.
Circle Jerks and Descendents just wrapped up an extended tour. We'll they're doing a sequel. The bands are again trekking across the USA together and this time Surfbort opens. You can see the dates below.
![Nihiloceros - Skipper [Digital Single]](https://static.punknews.org/images/covers/nihiloceros-skipper-single.jpg)
![Bloodstains - Anti-Social [7-inch]](https://static.punknews.org/images/covers/bloodstains-anti-social-7-inch.jpg)
Today, we are psyched to debut the new video by Death Pose!
Death Pose are from Chicago and they sound like it- and by that, we mean that they sound MEAN. The band draws from lumbering noise rock and the icy vision of early English post-punk for a low, slamming attack. The band's new video, "This time tomorrow," is the perfect introduction to the band. It starts with an astral drifting before the hammer comes down and smashes you back to earth and then underground.
Speaking to Punknews, Frontman/Guitarist Jason Thompson said "'This Time Tomorrow' is a song that almost didn't make the album. It was a purely acoustic idea that I was messing around with at home with the original thought of it being an album closer much in the way that bands like AFI (one of my all time favorites) often change the mood, instrumentation, and tone in the last track to act as a bit of an emotional bookend to their albums. The song initially felt like a bit of a sore thumb in our library of songs and we thought that maybe we'd play it at our album release show and if we need a set-filler song, but it's wild how much this song has grown on us as a group and has become a staple within our live set and I love playing it at our shows. It doesn't hurt that the rest of the band can go do a shot while I'm playing the first half by myself. I only ask that there's a pour of Fernet waiting for me at the end of the set."
You can pick up the band's new album, Midnight Society right here and see the video for "This time tomorrow," below, right now!
Cut Piece have released a video for their song “Walk The Dog”. The video was directed by A.J. McClary. The song is off their upcoming debut album Your Own Good which will be out on May 24 via Total Punk Records. Cut Piece released their self-titled EP in 2023. Check out the video below.
Pillow Queens have released a video for their new song “Heavy Pour”. The video was directed by Kate Dolan. The song is off their upcoming album Name Your Sorrow which will be out on April 19 via Royal Mountain Records. Pillow Queens will be touring the UK and Ireland in June and released their album Leave The Light On in 2022. Check out the video below.
Candy Apple have announced that they will be releasing a new album. It is called Comatose and will be out on May 17 via Convulse Records. The band has also released their short film called Total Control which features three new tracks - “Paralyzed”, “Pull The Plug”, and “Heaven’s Gate”. The film was directed by Cain Cox. Candy Apple released their EP World For Sale in 2022. Check out the video (which is age-restricted on YouTube), the songs, and the tracklist below.
Maya Bon of Babehoven, Andy Molholt of Speedy Ortiz, and Raquel Denis have organized a compilation album called Musicians for a Free Palestine. Speaking about the album, they said,
“We aim to take a stand against the genocide in Gaza. We believe Palestine will be free and we are committed to using our voices and platform to uplift this future.”
The album features over 70 artists including Mannequin Pussy, Ted Leo, Downtown Boys, Shamir, Slow Pulp, Remember Sports, Fuck U Pay Us, Diners, and many more. All of the proceeds from the comp will go to supply eSim cards to Gazans. The album is available on Bandcamp now and the artwork was created by Zoe Alexandra. See the tracklist below.
Egg Drop Soup have released a new song. It is called “One Hit Woman” and is off their upcoming album of the same name which will be out on May 17. Egg Drop Soup released their Jam in the Van live EP in 2022. Check out the song below.
Bob Vylan have announced tour dates for the US and Canada. They will be hitting the road starting in September and running into October. Bob Vylan released their album Humble As The Sun earlier this month. Check out the dates below.
Agriculture have released a new song called “In The House of Angel Flesh”. The song is off their upcoming EP Living Is Easy which will be released along with their 2022 EP The Circle Chant on May 3 via The Flenser. Agriculture released their self-titled record in 2023. Check out the song below.
Southtowne Lanes have released a new song called “Witness”. The song is off their upcoming album Take Care which will be out on May 10 via Dog Knights Productions. Southtowne Lanes released Give Up the Ghost in 2016. Check out the song below.
This is hardcore fest has released the lineup for the 2024 edition. e.town concrete, Cold as life, and Greg Ginn's Black Flag headline the event. A bunch of other bands are palying including Negative approach, Sunami, Underdog, 7 Seconds, All out War, Wisodm in chains, and a bunch more. The event is August 2-4 in Philadelphia at Underground Arts and Franklin music hall (which used to be called the electric factory).
Fest has released its first wave announcement. A bunch of bands are playing and a bunch are doing full album sets. Hot Water Music is doing a 30th anniversary set. Bounncing Souls are palying four albums across two different sets. Joyce Manor is playing Never Hungover Again, Ted Leo and Pharmacists are doing shake the Sheets. Big D and the Kids table are doing Good luck. Other bands palying include Superchunk, Matt and Kim, Mean Jeans, A wilhelm scream, The Flatliners, The copyrights, fucked up, cursive, bad cop/bad cop, riverboat gamblers, and a bunch more. Chris Gethard is also doing comedy. More bands will be announce in the coming months. Fest 22 is October 25-27 in Gainesville, Florida.
Welcome to Navel Gazing, the Punknews.org commenter community's weekly symposium, therapy session, and back-alley knife-fight. Chime in below with your latest playlists, record store finds, online time wasters, and site feedback.