Talking 'A Sea of Nude Limbs Thrashing' with Ivan Rivers of Our Sins

On Halloween, Our Sins emerged from the depths of the Forest City (London, Ontario) to release their debut album A Sea of Nude Limbs Thrashing into the world. The quartet, made up of Danny Kidd (Pro Wrestling the Band, Single Mothers, Drew Thomson Foundation), Ivan Rivers (Celebrated Folk Icon, Stuck Out Here), Dustin Andrews (Wasted Potential, Snacks?), and Joel Siggelkow (Twin), kick out nine tracks steeped in cosmic, gothic storytelling and a deep love for scene music. They explore the balance of light and darkness, tell the tale of star-crossed lovers, and hold God’s head in their hands amid a sonic palette that mixes together elements from emo, orgcore, hardcore punk, new wave, horrorcore, pop-punk, and post-hardcore. A Sea of Nude Limbs Thrashing is available now via Get Party! Records and Eternal Bummer Records.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with co-lyricist, vocalist, and guitarist Ivan Rivers to talk about the album, embracing scene music, being inspired by the Orpheus myth, the rich punk scene in Southwestern Ontario, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Ivan Rivers took place over Zoom on November 25, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

On the road with Mean Bikini

Mean Bikini have had a whirlwind of a year so far. They followed up their two great EPs (2023’s self-titled and Calculated Risks) with their debut full-length album This Ain’t Gonna End Well… in April (which we spoke to lead vocalist Milli Lyman about earlier this year) and hit the road for a massive 26-date cross-Canada tour. The band brought their dynamic punk rock to towns across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Manitoba, generating a strong sense of community and catharsis at each show. Mean Bikini will be playing their final shows of 2025 across BC in December with Dead Bob and Danger Box.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Milli Lyman, guitarist Josh Marcellin, bassist Laurie Storrie, and drummer Ashley Gelaude to talk about their recent tour, including what goes into putting a DIY tour together, their pre-show rituals, some of their favourite moments from this tour, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking 'In Irons' with Oranje

Last month Oranje followed up their 2023 debut EP Pure Sport with their excellent debut album In Irons. The Calgary-based math rock trio draws on their jazz background along with Midwest emo to create intricate, inventive arrangements that will have you noticing something new each time you listen. The album also finds the band leaning more into their collaborative side as they welcome talented local musicians into the fold, including vocalists Sophia Truscott, Drew Morrell, and Jerome “K-Riz” Henry. This collaborative approach also saw the band adding to their sonic palette with the addition of organ, cello, bassoon, violin, and alto sax. In Irons is available everywhere digitally now. Oranje will be playing the Soundoff Summit Showcase in Calgary on November 15.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Joseph Bahhadi, bassist Michael Buie, and drummer Andrés Mira to talk about the album, collaborating with local musicians, bringing the audience into their live shows, and so much more. Read the interview below!

John Bonnel of Primitive Heads

John Bonnel of Swingin Utters has a new band called Primitive Heads. They have a string of shows this weekend, so Punknews Contributor Keil Cronin meet up with John to talk the new band, touring, and coffee.

In conversation with Jeremy Dobski

Comedian and writer Jeremy Dobski loves to make people laugh. He has brought his well-crafted jokes and kinetic delivery to stages across Canada and the US, spreading the joy of human connection with him everywhere he goes. That joy of connection is also captured in his 2024 special Love Language. Jeremy will be playing his last shows of the year across Ontario and Michigan starting later this month.

Last month, Jeremy joined forces once again with longtime friend and collaborator comedian (and founder of Punx Can't Laugh) Gabe Koury to co-produce the second Punx Can’t Laugh Fest in Toronto. This year’s festival saw them expand to four days, which featured five shows jam-packed with hilarious comedians and rocking punk bands. Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Jeremy to talk about this year’s Punx Can’t Laugh Fest, throwing shows on a pirate ship, incorporating storytelling into stand-up thanks to his animated show Para-Legal, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Jeremy Dobski took place over Zoom on November 5, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Exploring the world of 'Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death' with William Von Ghould of Creeper

The sun sets, the moon rises, a vampire rock band comes out of the shadows, and a huntress is hot on their trail on Creeper’s new album Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death. Sanguivore II continues to expand the immersive and theatrical world of 2023’s Sanguivore with new characters, a compelling storyline, and killer tunes. The band’s love of ‘80s rock and metal shines through on arena-sized tracks that showcase their knack for infectious melodies, heavy riffs, and delightfully blood-soaked (and sexy) lyrics. The ‘80s serve as more than just a musical influence as the Satanic Panic infuses the storyline, from references to Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan to the crazed ranting of TV preachers. Drink the blood, keep your head, and turn Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death up loud this Halloween.

Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death will be out on Halloween, October 31, via Spinefarm Records and you can pick up a physical copy right here. Creeper will be touring Europe and the UK starting later this month and will be touring the US with Hawthorne Heights starting in March.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist William Von Ghould to talk about the new album, playing with rock tropes, the power of Rocky Horror, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and William Von Ghould took place on October 14, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Diving into 'The Emptiness of All Things' with Mark of Massa Nera

Listening to an album can be very similar to watching a movie. The instrumentation and lyrics transport you into a different world (or in this case, a world that we are hurtling towards with startling speed) and you become immersed in every aspect of the music. The Emptiness of All Things by Massa Nera is one such album. The band continues to push the boundaries of their sound as they combine elements of screamo, punk, emo, post-hardcore, and sludge metal together to create soundscapes that are both lush and stark, perfectly complementing the visceral nature of the lyrics. The band examines the current state of the world and explores the future that awaits us if this path is continued. They pull no punches as they dive deep into the detrimental effects that capitalism has had (and continues to have) on the environment along with our society, from the rising temperature of the planet to the reawakening of old diseases and the creation of new ones to the growth of fascism.

The Emptiness of All Things will be out digitally on Bandcamp on October 31. It will also be available on vinyl on October via Persistent Vision Records and you can pick that up right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, and vocalist Mark Boulanger to talk about the album, taking the lyrics in a more literary direction, the absurdity of the modern world, moving away from streaming, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Mark Boulanger took place on October 7, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In conversation with Gabe Colhoff of 1876

Shortly after 1876 formed in 2020, they released the first Pow Wow Punk Rock EP and introduced the world to their mix of punk rock and pow wow music, complete with catchy melodies, hard-hitting pow wow drums, and sick riffs along with lyrics sung in English, Tsitsitsas, and Piikani. They continued to build on this sound with incredibly energetic live shows, singles, and EPs. In September 1876 brought the Pow Wow Punk Rock EP series to a close with Pow Wow Punk Rock IIII. The six songs find the band at the top of their game, whether they are kicking out blistering ska-infused punk on “Dancing on the Enemy” (which features Hans Gruber and the Die Hards), or putting their unique spin on a 49er on “49er? I Barely Knew Her”.

Pow Wow Punk Rock IIII is available everywhere now via F Tiipii Records and you can pick up a digital copy here. 1876 will be touring the US with Subhumans starting on October 25.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Gabe Colhoff to talk about bringing the Pow Wow Punk Rock EP series to a close, bringing friends and family into the music, touring with Subhumans, playing with NOFX during their final Portland show, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Gabe Colhoff took place on October 10 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Finding the funny with Johanna Medranda

Detroit-based comedian Johanna Medranda started doing stand-up 8 years ago and has been making people laugh ever since. Along with doing stand-up, Johanna is a co-founder of Honorary Mentions Comedy, a producer at the Independent Comedy Club, a co-producer (along with Camila Ballario) of Don’t Tell Comedy: Detroit, a co-host (along with Bre Snitchler) of Each Other’s Mothers Podcast, and a co-host (along with Chef Ross Flack) of the YouTube series Mayo Packet.

Johanna Medranda will be playing the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto, Ontario on October 17 as part of Punx Can’t Laugh Fest. You can get your tickets right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Johanna to talk about her start in stand-up, the uniting power of comedy and food, performing in Toronto, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Johanna Medranda took place on September 26 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Photo Credit: Libby O

Talking touring, Canadian influences, and more with John and Shannon of Heart and Lung

Cleveland, Ohio’s Heart and Lung are true veterans of the punk rock grind — a band that’s learned to turn life’s curveballs into fuel for their sound. While their songs often hint at the struggles of everyday life, they deliver them with a sense of joy and resilience that makes it clear they’re still having a blast doing what they love. The self-proclaimed “Midwestern power pop punk boy band” made a mark on the scene with their album Twistin’ The Knife Away back in 2021, and they show no signs of letting up anytime soon.

Heart and Lung will be playing Punx Can’t Laugh Fest on October 17 at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto, Ontario along with Johanna Medranda, Debt Cemetery, Last Drag, Sixteen Scandals, Nick Fierro, and Jameson Cox. You can get tickets right here.

Punknews writer Mike B caught up with bassist and vocalist John and guitarist and vocalist Shannon to talk about their origin story, fun touring stories, Canadian influences, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking Punx Can't Laugh Fest with Gabe Koury

Gabe Koury does it all. Gabe has played in punk bands like Back of the Class and W!NSLOW, does stand-up comedy, creates visual art, and puts on awesome shows, including the punk and comedy show Punx Can’t Laugh. Last year, Punx Can’t Laugh expanded into festival territory with help from Jeremy Dobski, taking over Toronto for three shows over two days. This year, Punx Can’t Laugh Fest will be putting on five rocking shows over the course of four days at venues across the city, including the Bovine Sex Club, Ted’s Collision, and Rainhard Brewery. Punx Can't Laugh Fest runs from October 16-19. You can see the show run-down below the interview.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Gabe to talk about the origin story of Punx Can’t Laugh Fest, the connection between punk and comedy, painting, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Gabe Koury took place on September 22, 2025 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.