Selling out with Katie McTigue of Pacing

San Jose-based Pacing, the songwriting and recording project of Katie McTigue, is one day away from releasing her sophomore album Pl*net F*tness. In true Pacing fashion, the twelve tracks feature a mix of heart and humour, whether she is calling out the ridiculous subscription-canceling policies many companies employ on the title track, talking about dealing with depression on “Nothing! (I wanna do)”, or reworking a Mr. Rodgers song to be about a notorious cult leader on "Never Go Down". Themes of parasocial relationships, love, functioning under life’s obligations, loss, and looking for meaning pervade the album, buoyed by Pacing's signature blend of indie rock, bedroom pop, anti-folk, punk, and chess sounds. Selling out has never sounded so good.

Pl*net F*tness will be out on July 25 via Asian Man Records. You can pre-order the record here or here. Pacing will be touring the US supporting AJJ in August. They will be playing two Californian album release shows; one in late August in Los Angeles and one in early September in San Jose.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Katie to talk about the album, selling out, experimenting in the studio, the DIY scene in San Jose, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Katie McTigue took place over Zoom on July 22, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been edited for length and clarity, unfortunately to the exclusion of a very funny story about a surprise party for a dog.

Fat Wreck Sells catalog to Hopeless, pays off Artist debt, keeps Fat TM for future projects

After months of rumors, bad info, false starts, and gossip, it is now public: Fat Wreck Chords has sold its catalog to Hopeless… but there are a number of cavaets that Fat Wreck co-founders Fat Mike and Erin Burkett insisted upon before the sale went through.

Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Erin Burkett and Hopeless owner Louis Posen about the sale and its unusual details. You can read the article below.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Weiner

Jon Snodgrass and Ben Andress of BÜDDIES Fest

Canada's newest punk festival BÜDDIES Fest has arrived. The festival is the creation of baseball enthusiast/punk Jon Snodgrass and Blacktop Record's Ben Andress, whom will be hosting the three day festival held from July 11 to 13th, 2025 in a small town called Tillsonburg, ON. ALL, Dillinger Four, The Flatliners, Drag The River, Lenny Lashley, Greg Norton and much more is set to play the weekend. Punknews Contributing editor Samantha Barrett spoke with Jon Snodgrass and Ben Andress about the festival.

Click here to get all the info about the festival and to grab your tickets.

Tim Brennan of Dropkick Murphys talks the band's new album 'For The People'

July 4th, 2025 will bring the return of at least two American staples: one is Joey Chestnut, back from a year’s hiatus in pursuit of reclaiming the crown at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The other is the Dropkick Murphys, returning with an electrified, amped up, and palpably reignited charge after two successive acoustic releases and driven by a political landscape in need of something between a streetsweeper and a superfund campaign.

Longtime Murphys lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Tim Brennan chatted with longtime Punknews writer and fat-chewer Tyler Barrett about the genesis of the upcoming album For The People (which will be out on July 4 via Dummy Luck Music), the legacy of Shane MacGowan, and frontman Ken Casey’s original claim to fame. Read the interview below.

Creating community: talking zFAM BBQ with Amanda of zBTFD

Do you remember when music festivals used to be fun? When they were centred around creating community and enjoying live music? Brantford, Ontario-based DIY arts and culture space, record label, and merch shop zBTFD sure does. They’re getting ready to put on their inaugural zFAM BBQ event which will feature lots of food, friendly competition, and great live music. Sundowner (Toronto), North of America, Status/Non-Status, Casper Skulls, By Divine Right, Newfound Interest in Connecticut, Cellar Dwellers, Heavy Sweater, Oil Giant, Quotas, and Sunnsetter will be playing the event along with a secret band which will be announced in August. zFAM BBQ will take place on September 6 at Knights Hall in Brantford and you can grab an early bird pass right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with zBFTD co-founder Amanda Mead to talk about the zFAM BBQ, the importance of community, what went into curating the event’s lineup, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Amanda Mead took place on June 24, 2025, via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been edited for length and clarity.

Listen to Punknews Podcast #699.94 - Angelo Moore and Christopher Dowd of Fishbone!

Episode #699.94 of the Punknews Podcast is now up! In this episode, Em Moore catches up with Angelo Moore and Christopher Dowd of Fishbone to talk about the band's upcoming album Stockholm Syndrome (out tomorrow, June 27!), the current dynamic of the band, growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by the entertainment industry, some lesser-known history of the band, and so much more. Listen to the episode below!

Madison Turner talks her new album 'Curtsy When You Land'

Earlier this month, Richmond, Virginia-based musician Madison Turner released her excellent third album Curtsy When You Land. Madison explores and expands her sound as she mixes together elements of punk, alt-rock, ska, skacore, and folk to create eleven of her catchiest tracks to date. The album unfolds like a movie as we are welcomed into Madison Turner’s world with visual lyrics that are both heartfelt and sarcastic. Curtsy When You Land is available everywhere now via Say-10 Records. You can order a physical copy here or here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Madison to talk about the album, the magic of movies, working in name drops, video games, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Madison Turner took place over Zoom on June 13, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Sarah Rose of Sarah Rose Project talks her debut solo album

Earlier this month, Sarah Rose Project, the solo project of Sarah Rose of Sarah and the Safe Word, released her debut self-titled solo album. The eleven tracks are nothing short of sonic alchemy as Sarah weaves together elements from hot jazz, rock ’n’ roll, blues, country, and punk to create a sound that will have you dancing until the sun comes up. The lyrics are visual and action-packed, each song drawing you in and bringing you along for the ride. Much like a great night out, once you press play on Sarah Rose Project you’ll wish it would never end.

Sarah Rose Project is available everywhere now via Say-10 Records. You can pick up a digital copy here or a physical copy here. Sarah Rose Project will be touring around the US with Ratwyfe starting later this month.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Sarah to talk about the album, recording in three different cities, writing as a solo artist, taking inspiration from jazz, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Sarah Rose took place over Zoom on June 10, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Staying hydrated with Peach Pact

A jam party brought Vanessa Tignanelli, Holly Cunningham, and Linds Sullivan together to form Peach Pact in 2018 and the North Bay, Ontario-based trio has been kicking out excellent grunge-infused punk rock ever since. The band's incredible energy is captured perfectly on their debut album Die Hydrated which was recorded live off the floor at Sudbury’s Deadpan Studios. The nine tracks fly by in a flurry of driving rhythms, dynamic riffs, superb melodies, and powerful vocals. The band’s songwriting prowess is on full display as they explore what it means to stay hydrated in a society that only seeks to drain, tear into societal expectations, discuss the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy, and highlight the importance of community with cathartic lyrics that are impossible not to sing along to.

Die Hydrated will be out everywhere on June 13. You can pre-order the album here and here or you can pre-save the album right here. Peach Pact will be playing their album release show in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and lead vocalist Vanessa, drummer Holly, and guitarist and backing vocalist Linds to talk about the album, taking inspiration from the desert, what it means to be truly hydrated, creating community, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Vanessa Tignanelli, Holly Cunningham, and Linds Sullivan took place in May 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Listen to Alien Boys' new live EP and read an interview with the band!

Today we are extremely excited to bring you the premiere of the new live EP by Vancouver-based punk rockers Alien Boys!

The EP was recorded in one take at Rain City Recorders and was produced by Jesse Gander. The band rip through four tracks - “Night Mayor” off their 2023 album The Weight of it All, their new single “Punching Concrete” which was released in May, a cover of “Down by the Water” by PJ Harvey, and “Just Another Piece of Acid” from their 2016 record Self-Critical Theory.

The band’s indomitable energy is captured in a video shot by Robert Zawistowski which makes you feel as if you are at one of their shows. You will find yourself singing along and moshing in record time.

We caught up with lead vocalist Sarinn and guitarist Alex to talk about the EP, the recording process, nurturing community, and so much more. Live at Rain City Recorders will be available everywhere on June 11. Watch the video of the EP and read the interview below!

Talking 'Flower Mouth' with Jay of Jayniac Jr.

Last month Toronto-based Jayniac Jr. released their excellent third EP Flower Mouth. The four tracks are imbued with their incredible energy whether they are returning to their roots to fuse calypso and punk together on the captivating Ivy Marie-featuring title track, going deep into the mind of a powerful being on the theatrical ska-punk ripper “Zeitchopomp”, or exploring a multitude of anxieties on the gloriously heavy metal-meets-swing track “Death Anxiety”. The EP closes with an unplugged version of the title track which not only showcases their musical range but also lends even more depth to the lyrics. Flower Mouth is available digitally now. Jayniac Jr. will be playing at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on June 30.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist Jay to talk about the new EP, songwriting, bringing everything full circle, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em and Jay took place on May 29, 2025 via Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation which has been lightly edited for length and clarity.