Biting the hand that feeds with KT and Mikey of Upchuck

Earlier this month Atlanta-based punk rockers Upchuck released their excellent second album Bite The Hand That Feeds. In just under half an hour the band rips through thirteen extremely high-energy tracks that will have you dancing, moshing, and looking for a shopping cart to crowd surf in within seconds. Throughout the album, you can hear elements of doom, garage rock, and psychedelia interwoven with punk rock which makes their sound that much heavier. Bite The Hand That Feeds is out now via Famous Class Records and Upchuck are currently on the road with Faye Webster.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist KT and guitarist Mikey over Zoom to talk about the new album, filming tour documentaries, paying homage to Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and so much more. Read the interview below!

John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday talks their new album '152'

Tomorrow, Taking Back Sunday will be releasing their eighth studio album 152. The album sees the band continuing to expand musically as they incorporate elements from classic rock and pop into their unique sound. They explore their relationship with the past and what it means to grow with heartfelt lyrics, a healthy dose of optimism, and infectious melodies. 152 will be out everywhere on October 27 via Fantasy Records and Taking Back Sunday will be hitting the road in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead guitarist John Nolan over Zoom to talk about the new album, playing house shows, throwing out the first pitch for the Mets, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Creating 'Chaos Magick' with Michi and Mike of Mega Infinity

Last week Long Island-based Mega Infinity released their new genre-bending EP Chaos Magick into the world. The EP sees the band leaning more into their ska influences while continuing to explore their mathier prog-rock side over the course of four tracks. They tackle toxic masculinity, channel their energy into their community, and bring Skalannis Morrisette to life with plenty of heart, a great deal of passion, and a little help from their friends. Chaos Magick is available now via Ska Punk International. Mega Infinity will be playing Bat Mary's Skalloween Skapunkalypse tonight at Mr. Beery's in Bethpage, New York and will be playing their EP release show on their Twitch channel (https://www.twitch.tv/megawednesday) on October 25.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Michi and Mike DiGiulio over Zoom to talk about the EP, the parallels between being married and being in a band, practicing chaos magick, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Walter of Quicksand talks reunions, Riot Fest, and retrospectives

The name Walter Schreifels is certainly not foreign to fans of hardcore or post-hardcore. Most first became familiar with his legendary work in the seminal New York hardcore band Gorilla Biscuits. Following their breakup, he formed the genre defining Quicksand. Beyond Quicksand, Walter has worked on many projects including Rival Schools. Punknews staffer Jason Baygood had the chance to catch up with Walter at this year’s edition of the annual Riot Fest in Chicago where he pulled triple duty, including performing the debut Quicksand album Slip in full.

Unpopping your punk with KZ, Aki, and Ryan of Dreamwell

Later this month Providence-based emo post-skramz band Dreamwell will be releasing their heaviest album to date with In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You. Over the course of eleven songs, you are guided through a world of waking nightmares and hallucinations as you follow a character grappling with their mental health and reality itself. The band is in top form as they deliver a sound that is both intricate and crushing, a perfect compliment to the emotional imagery-laden lyrics. In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You will be out on October 20 via Prosthetic Records and Dreamwell will be touring North America in November.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist KZ Staska and guitarists Aki McCullough and Ryan Couitt over Zoom to talk about the new album, songwriting, the world’s weirdest bathroom, creating bits, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking 'Halloween Mixtape II' with Freddie Criales of Magnolia Park

After dropping two EPs, SoulEater and MoonEater, in August Orlando’s Magnolia Park are getting ready to release their new album Halloween Mixtape II later this month. On the self-described “spiritual counterpart” to the first Halloween Mixtape (which was released in 2021) the band showcases how much they’ve grown over the course of 17 tracks. They incorporate elements of phonk, pop-punk, hip-hop, nu-metal, and emo as they explore anxiety, heartbreak, the political state of the US, and much more along with offering four special tips for the Halloween season. Halloween Mixtape II will be out on October 27 via Epitaph Records and Magnolia Park will be touring the US starting later this week.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist Freddie Criales over Zoom to talk about the new album, building the Magnolia Park fictional universe, Halloween, and so much more. Read the interview below!

'Growing in Strange Places' with Thank You, I'm Sorry

Exactly one week from today, indie band Thank You, I’m Sorry (who are currently based between Minneapolis and Seattle) will be releasing their wonderful third album Growing In Strange Places. The band, now with the addition of their long-time collaborator Abe Anderson on guitar and synths, mixes together indie rock, emo, punk, and dream pop to create a sound that is introspective, honest, and energetic. Over the course of 13 tracks, they look at what it truly means to grow and they do not shy away from exploring the struggles that come with change or the emotional complexities that growth can bring. The band tells us that, much like the plants that adorn the cover of the album, when we give ourselves the space and time to develop, we will bloom into who we are truly meant to be. Growing In Strange Places will be out everywhere on September 29 via Count Your Lucky Stars and Thank You, I’m Sorry will be touring the US and Canada starting in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Colleen “Lleen” Dow, bassist Bee Schreiner, and drummer Sage Livergood over Zoom to talk about the new album, self-growth, tour snacks, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Talking all things 'Cheap Grills' with Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer

Sincere Engineer are one day away from releasing their stellar third album Cheap Grills. The album is chock full of infectious hooks and references to Chicago as the band explores growing up, anxiety, longing, burnout, and more with Deanna Belos’ signature lyricism that is both heartfelt and humourous. Cheap Grills will be out everywhere on September 22 (tomorrow!) via Hopeless Records. Deanna Belos will be playing a handful of solo acoustic shows this month and Sincere Engineer will be touring the US as a full band starting in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Deanna over Zoom to talk about the new album, baseball, corn dogs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

James McHenry of Blind Equation talks new album 'DEATH AWAITS'

Chicago-based emotional cybergrind band Blind Equation are one day away from releasing their excellent new album DEATH AWAITS. The album dives deep into betrayal, fear of the future, and self-doubt with honest, hard-hitting lyrics that are delivered with unwavering intensity whether they are sung or screamed. They mix together elements from metal, hardcore, chiptune, pop, and more to create a wonderfully chaotic sound that will have you head-banging, moshing, and dancing all at once. DEATH AWAITS will be out everywhere September 15 (but you can listen to it early over at Metal Injection now) via Prosthetic Records and Blind Equation will be playing shows across the US this fall.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with James McHenry over Zoom to talk about the new album, making Blind Equation into a full band for live shows, songwriting, which lemon-lime pop reigns supreme, and so much more. Read the interview below!

The Ape-Ettes talk their new EP, 'Simply'

In July, Sudbury-based garage rock trio The Ape-Ettes blessed the world with their first new music together in almost 6 years with the release of their EP Simply. The EP sees the band exploring motherhood, talking about breakups, and discussing the importance of wearing hearing protection over the course of 4 songs that are chock full of melody, humour, and spirit. From the grungey, garagey opener "Trampoline" to the sweet punk rock of "Ré​mi" to the introspective psych-rock of "Inner Child", The Ape-Ettes are bound to get you moving. Simply is available now via Reta Records and Snappy Little Numbers.

Through the power of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with the band to talk about their new EP, writing in both French and English, maintaining "cool mom" vibes, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Basking in the 'Half Glow' with Travis Miles of The Penske File

It’ll take a lot more than a stolen van and a global pandemic to stop The Penske File. During these hardships, the punk rock trio channelled their indomitable will and formidable bond into the 12 tracks that make up their fourth album Half Glow. They explore coming of age in the modern world, delve into the duality of life, and celebrate friendship with poetic lyrics, infectious hooks, and unwavering energy. Half Glow is available now via Stomp Records and The Penske File will be touring Canada starting next week.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist and vocalist Travis Miles over Zoom to talk about the new album, the importance of reconnecting with your friends, poems about the gold rush, and much more. Read the interview below!