In conversation with Frank Turner

Frank Turner has had a huge year so far. Along with breaking the world record for playing the most shows across multiple cities in 24 hours and keeping up a nonstop touring schedule, the UK-based punk singer-songwriter has also released his 10th solo album, Undefeated, which might be his most vulnerable work to date. Over the course of 14 tracks he tackles aging, talks openly about mental health, puts arguments with his younger self to rest, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, pays tribute to the excitement inherent in record shops, and celebrates the joy of punk rock with honest lyrics that are visceral, defiant, and introspective. Undefeated is available now via Xtra Mile Recordings. Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls are currently touring North America and will be bringing the Lost Evenings festival to Toronto for the first time later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Frank to talk about the new album, songwriting, literary references, why Canadian music rocks, what goes into putting Lost Evenings together, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Frank Turner took place over Zoom on August 30, 2024 before his show in Bozeman, Montana. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking Year 1 of Prepare the Ground and looking ahead to 2025 with KW Campol

On May 31-June 2, 2024 the streets of Toronto, Ontario were filled with heavy music aficionados going venue to venue to experience once-in-a-lifetime sets by legendary bands along with hearing some of the most exciting emerging voices within the genre as part of the inaugural Prepare the Ground festival. The festival is the brainchild of KW Campol (Vile Creature, Mythos Management, and Perpetual Flame Ministries) and Denholm Whale (Odonis Odonis and MODO-LIVE) who saw the need for a highly curated, multi-venue, community-focused celebration of heavy art and music in Toronto and filled that void. Taking inspiration from European festivals such as Roadburn, they have created a festival that is wholly unique in North America and is put together with an incredible amount of care. Year 1 was filled with amazing performances and an extraordinary amount of catharsis and Year 2 is shaping up to be even better. Prepare the Ground will take place from May 30 to June 1, 2025 across multiple venues in Toronto, Ontario.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with KW to talk about bringing the festival to life, what goes into curating the fest, learning from Year 1, working to make Year 2 the best it can be, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and KW Campol took place on August 7, 2024, over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Daryl of the Bollweevils talks the bands new LP, T1 Fest, and Steve Albini

T1 Fest is October 10,11, and 12 at Reggie's in Chicago. Bollweevils are one of the headliners, making the gig their second time at the fest. They also just released an album last year. So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke to singer Daryl Wilson about the fest, the band's new LP, and even a little bit about the fact that he is a ER Doctor! Read the article below.

Talking all things 'WAS HERE' with Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic

With everything they put out Stand Atlantic continue to expand their sound and that is especially true on their fourth album WAS HERE. The Australian quartet weaves elements from alternative rock, metal, hardcore punk, and hip-hop into their signature pop-punk sound to create 15 high-energy tracks that will have you dancing and belting out their anthemic choruses in no time at all. Their lyrics are some of their most vulnerable to date as they take a deep dive into toxic relationships, explore the existential nature of life, discuss mental health, call out online trolls, and rip into the misogynistic nature of our society. WAS HERE will be out everywhere on August 23 via Hopeless Records. Stand Atlantic will be touring Australia later this month and will be touring Europe and the UK in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Bonnie Fraser to talk about their new album, the therapeutic nature of songwriting, the curse of love songs, dealing with mental health, shoeys, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Bonnie Fraser took place over Zoom on August 9, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Graham Isador goes country with Stuck Out Here's Ivan Rivers

Ivan Rivers is best known for co-fronting Stuck Out Here. Over the last decade the band has played with heavy hitters in the Southern Ontario punk scene, opening for acts like Pkew Pkew Pkew and The Drew Thompson Foundation, while developing a devoted following on the back of catchy pop-punk hooks and introspective lyrics. But the realities of making music in today’s landscape -- friends living in different cities, scheduling conflicts between both day jobs and different artistic ventures -- often meant that Rivers was writing and performing songs on his own.

Originally at shows Rivers took on a persona, the smalltown hillbilly poet Mikey Chuck Rivers. Brash and lyrical, the singer demanded attention on stage with jokes and banter between compelling tracks. But after a few years of living the gimmick the character became less distinct from the musicians day-to-day before it was dropped entirely. Still, the aspects of humor and heart Rivers developed on stage spill through into his recorded material. Today Rivers releases I GIVE, four tracks of hooky alt-country peppered with hints of punk flair. The singer will be supporting the EP with a residency this September at The Cameron House in Toronto.

Recently Graham Isador had the chance to chat with Rivers about his band, the new work, and his love of songwriting. Read the interview below!

Listen to Punknews Podcast #661 - Brenna Red of The Last Gang!

Punknews Podcast #661 is now up! In this episode John catches up with Brenna Red of The Last Gang to talk about their upcoming album Obscene Daydreams (out September 20 via Fat Wreck Chords), touring, songwriting, and so much more! Listen to the episode below!

Perp Walk talks hardcore at Outbreak Fest

Perp Walk recently played an explosive set at Outbreak Fest in the UK. Punknews' Sam Houlden was on the scene and sat down with the band to talk about their set, how the band came together, and cool new bands.

Hayley, Melody, and Beau of Thotcrime talk their new album 'Connection Anxiety'

In exactly one week Thotcrime will be releasing their excellent third album Connection Anxiety into the world. The band is at their heaviest and most danceable as they incorporate elements from rave music, pop, metal, punk, hip-hop (wait until you hear Beau’s rap on “Existent”), and samba into their signature flavour of cybergrind. The band reflects on major moves, celebrates letting their genuine selves shine, pays tribute to fallen friends, and underscores the importance of holding out hope for a better world with lyrics that really hit home. Whether you are singing along, dancing to the beat, moshing, or just absorbing the music, you’ll find that Connection Anxiety is one of the most cathartic and exuberant records of the year. Connection Anxiety will be out everywhere on August 16 via Prosthetic Records. Thotcrime will be touring the US with Anita Velveeta starting later this month and will be playing Dilly Dally Fest in Philadelphia in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Hayley Elizabeth, producer Les Beaux Plastiques, and guitarist Melody Jane to talk about their new album, the evolution of their songwriting process, the importance of community, what gives them hope, and so much more. Listen to the episode below!

This interview between Em Moore, Hayley Elizabeth, Les Beaux Plastiques, and Melody Jane took place over Zoom on July 29, 2024.

Graham Isador on interviewing AFI for 20+ years

This year marks the 25th anniversary of AFI’s seminal album Black Sails in the Sunset. The album was released in 1999 and was their first output to feature their current lineup. The band are currently supporting 30 Seconds to Mars during their summer tour. Toronto-based journalist Graham Isador reflects on AFI’s influence on the punk scene and conducting interviews with the band for over 20 years. Read his article below!

Becoming 'Feral' with Adam Davis of Omnigone

Tomorrow Omnigone will unleash their gloriously chaotic third album Feral into the world. The band are at the very top of their game as they rip through thirteen hardcore ska punk tracks chock full of incredible riffs, ferocious vocals, and their signature propulsive energy. Whether they are discussing the futility of war, tearing capitalist ideology to shreds, taking a deep dive into what it means to grieve, pointing out the unjustness of history, or calling for unity, the band’s lyrics resonate long after each song is finished. Omnigone prove in 23 minutes that ska is needed now more than ever. Feral will be out everywhere July 26 via Bad Time Records. Omnigone are currently touring the UK, will be playing their album release show in September, will be playing Fest in October, and will be touring the US supporting Suicide Machines in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Adam Davis to talk about the new album, the correlation between visual art and music, honouring fallen friends, escape rooms, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Adam Davis took place on July 10, 2024 over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Hitting record with Jarod and Dale of The Readys

Last month Newmarket and Barrie-based punk rockers The Readys released their second album I Don’t Know, I’m High, Let’s Just Hit Record and Hope for the Best. The band welcomes you into their world for the next 22 minutes with their metal-infused frenetic punk, hilarious song titles, and signature wit. The 10 tracks find the band talking about defunding the police, dealing with mental health, celebrating their friendship, and examining what it means to get older with some of their best lyrics to date that are at turns sentimental, contemplative, angry, and humourous. I Don’t Know, I’m High, Let’s Just Hit Record and Hope for the Best is out digitally and physically via Tarantula Tapes.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Jarod Semple and drummer Dale Semple to talk about the album, working with their friends, which potluck foods reign supreme, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Jarod Semple, and Dale Semple took place over Zoom on July 9, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.