Talking 'Critical Excess', touring, and more with Brad Manners of School Damage

This year has been full of shows for Toronto-based punk rockers School Damage. They played Western Canada for the first time in almost 15 years in the spring, played with The Spits in Toronto, and they're currently getting ready to play Punx Can’t Laugh Fest. They will be playing the festival on October 18 at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto with Real Sickies, Snakes, Ashlee Schatze, Jason Allen, Carter Deems, Finn Bogi, Dan Treadway, and Brian Rabadeau. You can grab your tickets right here.

Punknews writer Mike B caught up with guitarist and vocalist Brad Manners to talk about the origin of the band name, their album Critical Excess, running a venue in Toronto, playing Punx Can’t Laugh Fest, future plans, and so much more. Read the interview below!

In conversation with comedian Rush Kazi

Montreal-born, Toronto-based Rush Kazi is a comedic powerhouse. Rush has been making people laugh for over 10 years, whether she’s doing stand-up, sketch, musical comedy, participating in roast battles (some award-winning), acting, or producing hit shows like Asian Comedy All-Stars. With sharp wit and delivery, Rush dives into her Bangladeshi background as well as a multitude of life experiences, including being out as a queer person in the early aughts, the perils of waxing, and dealing with conspiracy theorists.

Rush Kazi will be performing at Punx Can’t Laugh Fest on October 18 at Rainhard Brewing Co. in Toronto and you can get your tickets right here. The next Asian Comedy All-Stars will take place on October 25 at the Rivoli as part of the Comedylicious Festival which runs October 23-27 in Toronto.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Rush to talk about her start in comedy, giving new meaning to the recycling symbol, playing Punx Can’t Laugh Fest, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Rush Kazi (with appearances by Rush’s dog Loki, who recently got into a fight with a dog named Thor) took place over Zoom on September 17, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation [which is sadly missing the full transcript of the most aggressively Canadian thing that Rush has ever seen (it involved two girls on bikes apologizing to each other repeatedly even though neither had run into the other)] that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Listen to Smug LLC's new song and read an interview with Drew Thomson!

Today, we are very excited to bring you the premiere of the new song by SMUG LLC! It is called “Exciting Doom” and is off SMUG LLC’s upcoming debut EP New Exciting Doom.

SMUG LLC was formed earlier this year by Drew Thomson of Single Mothers and The Drew Thomson Foundation and finds him exploring a more laptop-based approach to songwriting. We caught up with Drew to talk about “Exciting Doom”, the ever-present sense of doom, kung fu movies, and more.

New Exciting Doom will be out on October 3 via Anxious and Angry and SMUG LLC will be touring the US with Off With Their Heads this fall. Listen to “Exciting Doom” and read our interview with Drew Thomson below!

JER talks their new album 'Death of the Heart'

Last month, JER, the solo project of composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Skatune Network creator Jer Hunter, released their excellent second album Death of the Heart. Following up their 2022 debut album BOTHERED / UNBOTHERED, Death of the Heart finds them diving into new musical territory, both in the genres they explore and the way the album was recorded. Recorded semi-live off the floor for the first time, this album highlights the indomitable energy of the JER band, made up of Elwood Bond, Esteban Flores, Ricky Weber, and Emily Williams. This energy infuses the 15 tracks that make up the album, adding more life to the inventive arrangements that seamlessly blend together elements of ska, punk, hardcore, grunge, emo, reggae, and hip-hop. JER’s songwriting prowess also shines through on the lyrics, which find them tackling topics such as the destructive nature of capitalism, the rapidly changing climate, the worrying rise of apathy, and the necessity of growth with lyrics that pull no punches.

Death of the Heart is available everywhere now via Bad Time Records. You can grab a copy here or here. JER will be heading out on tour starting tomorrow.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Jer Hunter to talk about the new album, recording with a full band, pushing back against moral apathy, the importance of compassion, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Jer Hunter took place on September 11, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In conversation with Tiff Hannay of Rodeo Boys

Earlier this year, Lansing, Michigan-based punk rockers Rodeo Boys released their excellent second album Junior. Punknews writer Bryan “Jonesy” Jones recently caught up with guitarist and vocalist Tiff Hannay to talk about the album, songwriting, Midwest gender nihilism, the importance of having the patience needed to change someone’s mind, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Megan March of Street Eaters talks their new album 'Opaque'

With everything they do, Street Eaters push their sound to new heights and their album Opaque is no exception. The first album since drummer and vocalist Megan March and bassist and vocalist John No welcomed guitarist Joan Toledo into the fold, Opaque finds the trio exploring fresh sonic territory as they kick out some of their most vulnerable and expansive tracks to date. Whether they are taking an unflinching look at the dehumanizing reality of the American healthcare system, diving deep into the nonlinear nature of healing, celebrating chosen family, or fighting against fascism, the seven tracks are full of much-needed catharsis. Opaque is available now via Dirt Cult Records. You can pick up a copy here or here. Street Eaters will be touring around the US starting next week.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Megan to talk about the album, the connection between visual art and music, expanding to a trio, joy as an act of resistance, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Megan March took place over Zoom on September 3, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Ashrita Kumar and Myron Houngbedji of Pinkshift talk their new album 'Earthkeeper'

Born out of a time that saw Pinkshift deepening their relationships with themselves, each other, and nature, their second album Earthkeeper is a testament to resilience and connection. The Baltimore-based trio’s growth is on full display throughout the twelve tracks as they wade into heavier and more experimental musical territory, infusing their urgent punk sound with elements from hardcore, post-hardcore, and metal. Along with highlighting the range of the band members, this heavier direction also complements the lyrics perfectly as they take an unflinching look at the current state of the world, climate change, and the interconnected nature of life on this planet. The story they are telling is ultimately one of hope, serving as a reminder that a better world is possible when we stand up and fight for what we believe in.

Earthkeeper is available everywhere now via Hopeless Records. You can order a copy here or here. Pinkshift will be touring the US and Toronto in the fall and will be supporting Grandson on three of their European dates in the winter.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Ashrita Kumar and drummer Myron Houngbedji to talk about the new album, the power of nature, the true meaning of peace, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Ashrita Kumar, and Myron Houngbedji took place on August 6, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Balancing chaos and beauty with Nova Twins

Nova Twins strike a perfect balance between the nonstop chaos and beauty of life on their third album Parasites and Butterflies. The UK-based duo know that finding this balance is a journey full of ups and downs and something that can only be achieved with openness and honesty. Everything about these twelve tracks, from the lyrics to the instrumentation to the vocal delivery, is a testament to the incredible strength of vulnerability and the indomitable spirit of Georgia South and Amy Love.

Parasites and Butterflies will be out everywhere on August 29 via Marshall Records. You can pre-order a copy here or here. Nova Twins will be playing at a handful of record stores across the UK starting tomorrow and will be touring Europe and the UK starting in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Amy Love and bassist Georgia South to talk about the new album, embracing vulnerability, unleashing chaotic energy, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Amy Love, and Georgia South took place over Zoom in July 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Lucie Sue talks her new record, Ozzy, and the 1980s phone

France's Lucie Sue combines punk and metal into a high-powered charge. Lucie draws from the Plasmatics, Joan Jett, Motorhead, and the great 80s metal pantheon. Her new album Battlestation is out this week, so Punknews' John Gentile spoke to Lucie about the record, Ozzy's passing, ripping it up on guitar, and the Barbie logo. You can check it out below.

Artist on Artist: Jason Shevchuk

After a long hiatus, we are back with another artist on artist interview by Justin Conigliaro of Brooklyn based punk band Up For Nothing/Paper Lanterns. Justin sat down to interview one of the most iconic front man in the Hardcore/Punk/Orgcore sphere, Jason Shevchuck of Town Liar, Kid Dynamite, None More Black, OnGuard, LaGrecia and Former Member and much more. See below to check out the full interview.

Dazey Steinman and Hannah Bridger of Dazey talk their debut EP 'this is all i am i guess,'

Last month, PEI-based Dazey released their excellent debut EP This is all i am i guess,. Originally begun as the solo project of vocalist and guitarist Dazey Steinman, recent years have seen the growth of the project into a full-fledged band with the addition of bassist and vocalist Hannah Bridger and drummer Riley Peters.

The five fast-paced tracks that make up the EP take cues from emo (particularly of the Midwest variety), punk, grunge, pop, and shoegaze to create a sound that is full of vulnerability and bite. With crunchily fuzzy instrumentation, captivating melodies, and lyrics that run the gamut of emotions (and pull no punches while doing so), This is all i am i guess, cements Dazey as a band to watch. This is all i am i guess, is available digitally now, and you can pick up a copy right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Dazey and Hannah to talk about the EP, songwriting, skateboarding, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Dazey Steinman, and Hannah Bridger took place on August 13, 2025 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.