Talking 'In Too Deep: When Canadian Punks Took Over the World' with Matt Bobkin and Adam Feibel

Something special happened in the early-2000s. Bands and artists from small towns across Canada took the world by storm, ushering in a golden age of punk music. These stories haven’t been fully told until now when Toronto-based music journalists Matt Bobkin and Adam Feibel (who is also a part of Survival Club) joined forces to bring them to life in their debut book In Too Deep: When Canadian Punks Took Over The World. The authors take you on a journey through the international rise of Gob, Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Billy Talent, Silverstein, Alexisonfire, Fefe Dobson, and Marianas Trench, with richly researched chapters that highlight what makes each one of them unique.

In Too Deep: When Canadian Punks Took Over The World is out today via House of Anansi Press. You can find a copy at your local bookstore right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Matt and Adam to talk about bringing the book to life, delving deep into the interconnected web of the music industry, the magic of Canadian punk music, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Matt Bobkin, and Adam Feibel took place on May 26, 2025 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Michael Gira of the Swans talks the end of the band's current incarnation

It's the end of The Swans. Well, kind of. After the band's current album and touring cycle, founder and leader Michael Gira is going to pare down the band into something more intimate. But, on the eve of the current Swans nexus, the band releases the absolutely mammoth album The Birthing. Of the LP's seven tracks, four are twenty minute epics and only one is less than ten minutes. it's massive and expansive and heavy and far out.

So, Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Gira about the album and the end of the current incarnation of the mighty Swans.

M(h)aol talk their new album 'Something Soft'

Earlier this month Irish post-punks M(h)aol released their excellent second album Something Soft. Along with being the band’s first full-length release since becoming a trio, the album is also a celebration of experimentation which finds the band exploring a heavier, more urgent sound. The eleven tracks also showcase the band’s lyrical prowess as they tackle gender expectations (especially in music), talk about intersectional feminism, tear apart the soulless nature of consumerism, delve into digital life, and pay tribute to beloved pets.

Something Soft is available everywhere now via Merge Records and TULLE. You can pick up a physical copy here or here. M(h)aol are currently touring Ireland with Cola and Junk Drawer. They will be touring Europe and the UK this fall.

Through the power of the internet Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist and drummer Constance Keane, bassist and vocalist Jamie Hyland, and guitarist Sean Nolan to talk about the album, becoming a trio, pets, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Keith and Rudie of Ruinous Time Blade talk their new album 'Desacralize'

Last month, Ruinous Time Blade released their debut full-length album Desacralize and with it, one of the heaviest and most politically charged records of the year. The Chicago-based extreme metal quartet (and pioneers of 6th wave emo) kick out nine no-holds-barred tracks that tear into the detrimental impact American imperialism has had and continues to have on life within the country and in the world at large. With intricate riffs, heavy drums (complete with plenty of blast beats), deep bass, and incredibly emotive vocal delivery, the band not only drives their message home but also offers their listeners an immense amount of catharsis. Desacralize is available digitally everywhere now.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with drummer Keith and lead vocalist Rudie to talk about the album, being the antithesis of Journey, the vital need for community and solidarity, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Keith, and Rudie took place over Zoom in May. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Casper Skulls talk their new album 'Kit-Cat'

Good things tend to come in threes and that's something Casper Skulls know well. Last month the Sudbury and Toronto-based indie rockers released their third album, Kit-Cat, which also marks their first release since becoming a trio. The eleven tracks showcase the band’s musical prowess with creative arrangements that allow everyone to shine including the excellent interplay between Melanie and Neil’s vocals and Fraser’s multi-instrumental mastery. The lyrics hit home whether the band are talking about grief, family dynamics, technology, recurring nightmares, the oil boom in Texas at the turn of the century, or drawing parallels between professional wrestling and relationships. Kit-Cat is available everywhere now via Next Door Records. You can stream the album here and you can order a physical copy here. Casper Skulls will be playing shows around Ontario later this month.

Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Melanie St. Pierre-Bednis, Neil Bednis, and Fraser McClean to talk about the new album, recording in Sudbury, creating the album art, songwriting, and so much more. Read the interview below!

Making memories with Dealbreaker

Yesterday (May 7, 2025) officially marked one year since Welland-based punks Dealbreaker first got together to jam and what a year it’s been. Since that fateful day, the band has released two EPs - Run It Again and Quick Split - along with a single called “Power Moves” which has been used as an alternate opening song to the podcast of the same name. Along with kicking out a multitude of rocking punk tracks, the band has been bringing their high-energy shows to venues across Ontario with more shows on the way. Dealbreaker will be touring down to Pouzza Fest with Pro Wrestling The Band and Het Up! starting tomorrow, playing a handful of shows in June, and playing Buddies Fest in Tillsonburg, Ontario in July. You can see their full tour dates below.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Connor, guitarists Nick and Bil, and drummer Scott to talk about the formation of the band, the origin of 1-800-DEALBREAKER, power moves, their upcoming tour dates, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Connor, Nick, Bil, and Scott took place over Zoom in April 2025. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Exploring 'NOPLACE' with Wife Patrol

You can feel the attention to detail and amount of care that goes into each and every Wife Patrol release, no more so than on their sophomore album NOPLACE. They continue to grow their alt-rock-meets-punk-meets-indie-meets-pop sound as they effortlessly weave their instruments and voices together to create inventive arrangements (keep your ears peeled for some rad ukulele and saxophone parts!) that showcase their range and celebrate collaboration. Throughout 10 tracks the band reflects on living in Indianapolis, the current state of the world, and the importance of togetherness with lyrics that will stick with you. NOPLACE is available everywhere now. You can find it on streaming here or you can order a physical copy here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and vocalist Nicole O’Neal, guitarist and vocalist Greg O’Neill, and drummer and vocalist Natasha O’Neill to talk about their new album, growing as songwriters, living in Indianapolis, the importance of friendship, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Nicole O’Neal, Greg O’Neill, and Natasha O’Neill took place in late April 2025 over Zoom. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Brenna Red of the Last Gang talks Punk Rock Bowling, Rumors, and Worf… from Star Trek

The Last Gang is continuing their sprint. the band has been at full power for the last couple of years- they released Obscene Daydream, they've been on tour non-stop, and they are Playing Punk Rock Bowling Memorial Day weekend. So, to that end, Punknews' John Gentile check in with singer Brenna Red about the new album, PRB, and Star Trek. You can read the nerdy conversation below.

Getting to know Seth Robinson of Nowhere Fast

Having played the midwestern music circuit for the last decade or so, Nowhere Fast has been out an about playing shows all over the region with singer/songwriter/guitarist Seth Robinson at the helm of the duration. The band made up of friends, blend together rock and roll and punk to create their own blend of music. Contributing Editor Samantha Barrett sat down with Seth Robinson to speak about their latest album.

Melvins 1983 talk their new album, 'Thunderball'

Today, The Melvins release their new album Thunderball. This one is in their Melvins 1983 incarnation, which for this record, is original, original, original Melvins guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Mike Dillard. They are joined by electronic artists Void Manes and Ni Maitres.

Interestingly, Thunderball finds Melvs '83 moving away from the punky humor of the first two releases under that moniker and into something darker and sinister.

Punknews' John Gentile spoke to Osborne and Dillard about the new release, the early day of the Melvins, and how the pair have remained pals for over 40 years.

Setting Your Pussy Free with NOBRO

It's been a rad few years for NOBRO- they got shortlisted for a Polaris music prize, won a Juno… oh, and they also put out some rad music. Set Your Pussy Free, the band's debut LP, finds the band mixing punk with garage rock with politics with humour witrh ripping riffs. Oh, also… they are playing Punk Rock Bowling! PRB is memorial day weekend in Vegas and the NOBRO crew play the street party stage on Sunday. So, they've got a lot going on.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with NOBRO to talk about winning a JUNO, dealing with censorship, welcoming new members into the band, playing PRB, and so much more. Read the interview below!