The Art of Jesse Michaels

Some people seem to have a direct link to the Muses and Jesse Michaels is one of those people. Creativity just radiates from the guy. His indelible mark is already imprinted in history via three of his amazing, influential bands: Operation Ivy, Common Rider, and Classics of Love. Each of those bands found Michaels writing fundamental truths in poetry of unparalleled finesse. But, on top of that, Michaels has equaled or even surpassed his musical accomplishment with his visual art. Featuring iconic imagery poised in abstract situations, his drawing and paintings are as distinct as his musical output, and equally daring. But, whereas many of Michael's songs seem to be rooted in profundity, his paintings are a bit more mysterious- leaving it up to the viewer to find the meaning and twists within.

Michaels has launched a site where you can view and buy some of his original works and prints. So, to that end, Punknews' John Gentile called Michaels up to talk about his creative roots, painting, and why noir is so cool.

Twenty Years Later: Hatebreed's 'Satisfaction is the Death of Desire'

Today, we are continuing our Twenty Years Later series. Helmed by Staffer Michael Musilli, the series will look back at hardcore and harcore-ish records at their 20 year mark. Not only will the pieces include analysis of a record's importance, but Musilli also contacted a slew of hardcore musicians in order to get their perspective on landmark records. Today, Musilli takes an in-depth look at Hatebreed's Satisfaction is the Death of Desire. Check it out below.

Twenty Years Later: 'Jersey's Best Dancers'

Today, we're beginning a new series at Punknews: Twenty Years Later. Helmed by Staffer Michael Musilli, the series will look back at hardcore and harcore-ish records at their 20 year mark. Not only will the pieces include analysis of a record's importance, but Musilli also contacted a slew of hardcore musicians in order to get their perspective on landmark records.

Today, we kick off the series with an in-depth look at Lifetime's Jersey's Best Dancers. Check it out below.

John Joseph on Bloodclot, Trump, and Compassion

Legendary hardcore frontman John Joseph has resurrected his band Bloodclot and it’s about damn time. Trump is in office. There’s random shootings all over. People are alternatively unhealthy and starving. Things are not going well. To that end, Bloodclot’s new album dives right into these topics in a series of 90 to 120 second blasts.

Now also featuring Todd Youth, Joey Castillo, and Nick Oliveri, the band reaches back to Joseph’s influences, including the Bad Brains and the early punk scene, while adding a tinge of the classic metal sound that his co-conspirators helped forge. And frankly, this album rips. So, to get the inside scoop on the new LP, Punknews’ John Gentile spoke to John Joseph himself.

Kevin Lyman talks It's Not Dead Fest 2, Warped Tour and more

There are very few festival creators that people know by name, but even if you are barely involved in the punk scene then you know the name Kevin Lyman. He's the creator of the Warped Tour, which is turning 23 years old this summer. He is also the creator of It's Not Dead Fest, which will be happening for the second time on August 26, 2017 at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA… and the line up is STACKED just like the first one, which took place in 2015. Punknews editor Ricky Frankel spoke to Kevin Lyman about It's Not Dead Fest 2, the history of the Warped Tour, what it is like to put on a fest now compared to when he was just starting out, who was supposed to play the Warped Tour and more. Read or listen to their conversation below or on iTunes. (Music from A Wilhelm Scream and Buzzcocks is featured in this episode, Brian Pretus's DownWrite.com Profile).

Photo Credit: Earshot Media

Chris Matulich of Nothington

After 5 long years San Francisco's Nothington has returned with a new album. The album is called In The End and was released on Red Scare in February. Along with the new album, the guys will be touring the east coast this week, guitarist/vocalist Chris Matulich and spoke with Editor Samantha Barrett about touring and the new album and turning 10.

Jason Hall of Western Addiction

It’s been nearly fifteen years since melodic hardcore legends Western Addiction hit the scene and they’ve been tearing it up ever since (well, with a hiatus from 2006 to 2013). They’ve just released Tremulous in 2017, their killer new full length. Staffer Sean Crawford caught up with vocalist and guitarist, Jason Hall, to discuss his writing process, the real life events that inspired the new record, and how Morrissey and Conor Oberst have influenced his music.

Sammy Kay on 'Untitled', New Jersey and Pouzza Fest

Born and raised in the land of no left turns, Sammy Kay has returned to the place he knows best, New Jersey. He has lived and have traveled the path less traveled. Consistently seeking to improve himself as a songwriter and pushing himself upward and onwards to better places, Sammy Kay had released a new 10 song LP that highlights some of the best of what he has to offer. Editor Samantha Barrett spoke with Sammy Kay, Mitch Cady, Brandon Barron and Philip Holmes to speak about the new album, Pouzza Fest and life in New Jersey.

Brutal Youth's Patty O'Lantern on Pouzza Fest, 'Sanguine' and The Rebel Spell

Brutal Youth are one of Canada's most notable contemporary punk bands. Their album Sanguine , which was released through Stomp Records was one of the hardest-hitting records to come out in 2016. The band just finished off some European tour dates and they are set to play Pouzza Fest, which is on May 19-21, 2017 in Montreal, Canada (psst!…We're Sponsors!). Punknews editor Ricky Frankel caught up with lead vocalist Patty O'Lantern to talk about Sanguine, Pouzza Fest, how Todd Serious and The Rebel Spell affected the Canadian punk scene, Brutal Youth's music video style, why we keep seeing his head bleed during the band's live performances and more. Listen to the interview below or on iTunes.

Photo Credit: Jeff Crespi

The Winter Passing

Irish quartet The Winter Passing have been paving their way into the scene with their unique blend of indie, punk and emo influences. The band recently released a new album on 6131 Records called Double Exposure. The record is a perfect example of a collaborative piece of the personal narratives of the brother and sister songwriting duo, Rob and Kate Flynn, on the struggles of mental and physical instability. Editor Samantha Barrett spoke with Rob and Kate Flynn about the new album and the punk scene in Ireland.

Mark Stern on Punk Rock Bowling, soul music, and Iggy Pop

Mark Stern- the man knows how to throw a party. As a member of Youth Brigade, Stern started throwing shows in the early '80s as a way to enable punk bands to actually play live. Shows grew from small house parties to an unlicensed venue until things escalated with a full on riot at the Palladium.

Due to the ruckus, the Stern brothers laid off promoting shows for a while until resurrecting the art of the gig with Punk Rock Bowling (We're sponsors!) This year, the main man himself Iggy Pop is playing, along with OFF!, Choking Victim, The Dwarves, NoFX. Charles Bradley, and a lot more. So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke to Stern about shows in the early 80s, what new bands he thinks are cool, and what Iggy thinks of the term "punk."