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Dentist

Band pic by: Nick Kiefer

Dentist comes from the oceanfront urban landscape of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Their sound combines the freedom of the beach atmosphere and the urgency of the city into a fuzzed out, surf punk-tinged brand of indie pop with hooks and infectious melodies to spare. The ethereal vocals of Emily Bornemann are countered by the sometimes aggressive, but always addictive sounds of Justin Bornemann on guitar and Matt Hockenjos on drums. 

         Dentist formed in 2013, built around the songwriting partnership of Emily and Justin. The pair had been writing songs and performing together in various ways since their first meeting at the legendary punk hangout, TGI Friday’s. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2014, which Pandora described as “a deliriously infectious collection of fuzzy, California-styled, indie pop jangle and sun dappled garage rock crunch.” 

         Dentist released their sophomore album, Ceilings in the summer of 2016 via Little Dickman Records to critical acclaim.  The band began touring regularly and Dentist’s notoriety continued to grow along the way. During this time period Dentist received praise from the likes of Stereogum, Noisey, Flood Magazine, and Collide and were also named one of the top bands at SXSW 2018 by The Mercury News and NPR’s Sound Opinions.  

         Dentist released their third album Night Swimming in July of 2018 on Cleopatra Record. Their strongest release to date, the album was described by The A.V. Club as having, “tight chemistry, killer hooks, and a distinctive sound that’s both lo-fi and retro-pop smooth.”  Following the release, Dentist embarked on a month long tour across the country. Dentist has been on bills with many national acts.  The list includes Television, A Giant Dog, White Reaper, Modest Mouse, Laura Stevenson, Mrs. Magician, Death by Unga Bunga, GYMSHORTS, River Boat Gamblers, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Spider Bags to name a few.  In the fall of 2019, Dentist joined fellow Asbury Park duo Brick + Mortar on a 5 week US tour. They released the single “Someone Like You,” which was featured on Taco Bell’s ‘Feed the Beat’ website. 

         The beginning of 2020 was full of promise, but it took a hard turn that no one expected. Instead of making music that reflected on the depression that set in during lockdown, Dentist decided to work on an album that would inspire them and their listeners to hang in there and look forward to better times ahead. Dentist’s 4th album was released in September 2022 via Cleopatra Records. Goldmine Magazine boasted, “intense power-pop excitement.” New Noise Magazine vowed, “their strongest album yet.” The Punk Site declared, “easily this trio’s most accomplished, catchy and engaging album to date.” Glide Magazine added, “all sorts of ’90s power-pop vibes.” In addition, their most recent single “New Dress” was added to Spotify-curated playlist Fresh Finds: Rock. In October, the song “Spilled Coffee” was licensed by Hulu for their new show Power Trip. In September 2022, Dentist performed at Sea Hear Now Festival on the beach in New Jersey along with Green Day, Stevie Nicks, Boy George & Culture Club, My Morning Jacket, Gary Clark Jr. and others. In 2023, they plan to tour, including a West Coast run in the Spring. 

DS News: MxPx announce new album “Find A Way Home”

Bremerton, WA pop-punk veterans MxPx have officially announced their new album Find A Way Home will be released on August 25th, 2023. Pre-orders go live on the band’s website Friday, July 21st. Check out the teaser video for Find A Way Home below and stay tuned for more details! This will be MxPx’s 14th studio album, […]

Bremerton, WA pop-punk veterans MxPx have officially announced their new album Find A Way Home will be released on August 25th, 2023. Pre-orders go live on the band’s website Friday, July 21st.

Check out the teaser video for Find A Way Home below and stay tuned for more details! This will be MxPx’s 14th studio album, following their 2018 self-titled LP.

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DS Photo Gallery: Catbite / We Are The Union / Kill Lincoln / J. Navarro & The Traitors (Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL 7/7/23)

Dying Scene was at one of the final stops of the 2023 Bad Time Records Tour in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge, and boy was it a ska party for the ages! This show featured We Are The Union, Kill Lincoln, Catbite and J. Navarro & The Traitors…plus an epic ska-riffic on stage dance party […]

Dying Scene was at one of the final stops of the 2023 Bad Time Records Tour in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge, and boy was it a ska party for the ages! This show featured We Are The Union, Kill Lincoln, Catbite and J. Navarro & The Traitors…plus an epic ska-riffic on stage dance party to conclude the night.


Another sweet treat on this tour is the forthcoming documentary This Is New Tone that followed the entire Bad Time Records Tour. Here is the synopsis of the film:


“’THIS IS NEW TONE’ will be a concert film and documentary centered around the 2023 Bad Time Records Tour, featuring We Are The Union, Catbite, Kill Lincoln, BAD OPERATION, Omnigone, J. Navarro & The Traitors, and more.  Much in the spirit of the film “Dance Craze”, the film will primarily center on multi-camera live performances from throughout the tour, but will also document the the bands and crew as they embark on this full-US venture.  Featuring interviews from current band members, scene veterans, new fans, and ska legends, the film will also attempt to examine the current state of the modern ska punk scene, how it fits into the broader arc of ska’s history, and try to discover if the perceived “resurgence” is accurate or inflated. With many of the Bad Time Records bands rapidly growing, now is the perfect time to document the trajectory of the bands and the impact of the community.

The modern ska scene has never been captured in this way, and one of the main goals of the film is to make the live show experience accessible to those who are not able to attend the tour or shows in general.  We will attempt to make the film as immersive as possible, to show the full scope of the high energy live experience and community aspect that one can find at one of these shows, while also giving a better picture of what the bands are like as people on and off stage.  Bad Time Records is a completely DIY effort, and we aim to show that anyone can build up their own scene or collective and accomplish something significant without the support of major labels or corporations.

In the process of making the film, we will have a camera and sound crew documenting all 22 dates of the 2023 Bad Time Records tour.  Hours of interview footage has already been captured, and the majority of the remaining filming will take place during the tour in March, June, and July of 2023.  We are currently aiming for a December 2023 release of the film.”

A Kickstarter for the film has been launched and features tons of cool rewards. Make note to see this film when it releases!


Opening for the night was J. Navarro & The Traitors, featuring J. Navarro from the Suicide Machines and Ken Haas of Reverend Guitars. They recently released a new album All of Us or None and will be playing at The Supernova International Ska Festival in Fort Monroe, VA on September 16th, 2023 (the entire festival runs from September 15-17th).


Kill Lincoln brought their infectious energy next, including their own hype-man that danced the entire night.


We Are The Union released Ordinary Life on June 4th, 2021. Their song “Boys Will Be Girls” is incredibly catchy.


Closing out the night was the infamous Catbite. They recently released a cover with Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem of “Yes It’s True” by The Slackers. You can listen here! Also consider buying the vinyl from Bad Time Records; all proceeds support Play On Philly, an organization the helps underserved youth in Philadelphia get music education.


Did you miss out on the Bad Time Records Tour? Not to worry- you can catch these artists back on the road soon (including Catbite touring with Anti-Flag and Bouncing Souls!!). Check out the rest of the photos below!


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DS Playlist: ‘Bootlicker’ Isn’t a Subgenre of Punk

From time to time, our intrepid contributors are going to post curated playlists for special occasions/Holidays. For our first ‘Post Resurrection’ installment of this feature, we enlisted our resident Molotov Cocktail Waiter, Anarchopunk to create the perfect tracklist to blast at your 4th of July Cookout! Trust us, your friends and family are gonna dig […]

From time to time, our intrepid contributors are going to post curated playlists for special occasions/Holidays. For our first ‘Post Resurrection’ installment of this feature, we enlisted our resident Molotov Cocktail Waiter, Anarchopunk to create the perfect tracklist to blast at your 4th of July Cookout! Trust us, your friends and family are gonna dig this one, comrades! It’s 55 minutes of pure Anti-American bliss (and when we say ‘American’ we mean the USA, specifically. It’s shorthand. We know, we know. There’s continents, hell whole hemispheres that encapsulate North/South America and the term ‘America’ generalizes all of the many nations and cultures therein….meh….whatever…it makes writing a lil easier. Give us some slack. Now, on with the story…) from lesser known bands from around the world. I mean, sure, anyone can make a playlist like this featuring songs by Propagandhi, Anti-Flag and Good Riddance but that’s low hanging fruit, homie! We hold ourselves to a ‘higher’ standard. Word of caution, if you’re only here for the music and don’t wanna read a buncha lefty, Marxist propaganda, scroll to the bottom for the playlist. We don’t wanna hear you whining in the comments. If you wanna create your own website and feature music that fits your beliefs, go right ahead! With that said let’s get started, shall we?

  1. The Communard – “Death to America” – Let’s just go ahead and start off with a bang to weed out the bootlickers! No ambiguity here with these French pinko-punks! If you don’t like the message of this one, you’re certainly not going to like the rest of this playlist. So, ‘sayonara, suckers!’
  2. Total Massacre – “The State of the Union (Is Weak,Sad) – Ole Cap’n No Fun and his anti-capitalist cronies always bring an appropriate level of anger for having to live in this hellscape of a country.
  3. Allout Helter – “Maximum Helter” – For some reason, Anti-America tunes sound so much better when it’s set to melodic hardcore and no one does this combo better than these anti-fascists from Denver.
  4. Be Like Max – “Time Flies When You’re Having Work” – Ska acts aren’t generally known for being too political but there’s always an exception and these Vegas ska-punks punctuate that fact.
  5. Arms Aloft – “Untitled” – No one writes ’em better than the lads over at Arms Aloft! There really isn’t anything more fitting than some good ole fashioned Blue Collar Punk to anti-celebrate The 4th! Probably no coincidence that they’re signed to Red Scare, huh?!
  6. The Shell Corporation – “Even Bob Villa Couldn’t Fix This Old House” – You haven’t heard lyrics this academic and vitriolic toward the States since Bad Religion! This Los Angeles based political punk act has it all! That’s why we wanna hear some more new music from ’em! C’mon, guys We need you now, more than ever! 😛
  7. Rent Strike! – “Burn It All” – Folk Punk! Yaaay! If you think there’s any subgenre that, as a general rule, is more anti-US than folk punk, you’re a fool. There I said it. Now, you have to live in a reality where some masked yahoo on the internet schooled you in a public forum. Sad…
  8. Soul Glo – “We Wants Revenge” – Oh shit! This shit hits fucking haaaard, dunnit?!? Philly hardcore acts are notoriously brutal but these cats take it to another level! If these fantastic Philadelphians weren’t on your radar before, make sure they are now. No excuses going forward.
  9. Upper Downer – “KKKPD” – One of the newer bands on our list but that doesn’t mean they’re any less worthy of making our list. These angry Angelinos also have a new album coming out later this year via Wiretap Records, so keep an ear out for that! (DS Exclusive???)
  10. Poor Me – “Classwar” – More Melodic Hardcore? Yes Please! This one is probably one of the more powerfully performed tracks on our list but when you’re fed up with the state of your ‘shit hole’ country, is it any surprise that there’s a lil extra ‘salt on the ‘tater chips’?
  11. The Muslims – “Fuck These Fucking Fascists” – Yea, yea, yeeeeaaaa. We know…we said “lesser known bands” and these young guns have recently singed to Epitaph, which makes them the antithesis of ‘lesser known’ but to be fair, we have been high on them since 2017. So we’re making an exception because this track bops!
  12. Amerikan Made – “Amerikan Made” – This Anti-American SoCal act has been around since 2007 and has been pretty silent up until recently when they did a four week residency at the Doll Hut down in San Diego. Hopefully this recent reemergence means some new tunes are coming soon? Guys? Hello? *tap, tap* Is this thing on?
  13. UCAN’TSAYNO – “The Corrupt Politician” – The Land of the Rising Sun checking in! Over the last few decades, Japan and more specifically, Tokyo has became a major hub for new punk music. So, it’s no surprise that a band from the ‘Child of Edo’ makes our list. It’s really just a matter of odds, innit?
  14. The Orphans – “For an Old Kentucky Anarchist” – Look, we know what we said earlier regarding your opinions on folk punk, but we’d like to think that the tough love we dispensed prepared you for this moment. It really did hurt us more than it hurt you. Now, enjoy this Anti-American, Appalachian folk gem and tell us how right we were.
  15. People Corrupting People – “Corporations” – Of course the US is fucked. We let Wal-Mart and CapitalOne vote. What did you think was gonna happen? But hey! At least the proletariat has to financially bail out all of these companies! Let’s hear it for Corporate Welfare!
  16. Cop/Out – “Pinko Commie” – Always more room for Commie punks! (c’mon, it’s an anti-4th playlist, what did you expect?). “buT i LuV CaPitAliSm, AP!”…. I dunno?? Have you tried…ummm…not??
  17. DUMB FUCKS – “a.c.a.b.” – A Los Angeles based band that isn’t fond of cops? You don’t say?!? For a buncha younger lads, they really do nail that old school hardcore sound though, right?? Can’t wait to hear more from this act.
  18. Debt Neglector – “Cult Cult Cult” – I think the name of this one perfectly encapsulates the current state of things here in ‘The Ole US of A’. We “oldies” remember a time when cults were fringy, and tucked away in the shadows of society. Now, they’re catered to on TV on a nightly basis “at 7pm ET right after Wheel of Fortune.”
  19. The Lungs – “Cross Cult” – Mira! Mira! Another song about cults when talking about current events in The United States….imagine that… All religions are cults. Sad about that? Complain in the comments.
  20. Comrades Collective – “Paws Not Laws” – OK, so full disclosure…we’ll automatically include any band on any playlist if they are even slightly ‘cat/pet’ themed. Include a heavy dose of Anarchist views and there you have it folks…the recipe for getting featured on Dying Scene!
  21. Noogy – “Back At It Again” – Hip-Hop/Punk hybrids are here to stay and we’re here for it, 100%. If you’re not a square, you know that punk and hip-hop have been intertwined, even if just loosely for decades. These Texans are just building onto that inseparable marriage.
  22. The Drowns – “Lunatics” – How’s about a lil pop punk to round things out?? If you despise The US but love catchy, radio ready riffs, we proudly present to you, our finest platter of…The Drowns, my lady/sir/non-binary person!! This one’s gonna be stuck in your head the rest of the day. Corn-gratulations!

You know any lesser known punk bands with some radical (read in the voice of Raphael from the early 90’s Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon) lefty tunes?!? Tell us about ’em and maybe we’ll add them to the list!


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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (AFI, Guttermouth, Operation Ivy, Sloppy Seconds, The Putz & More!)

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!

Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:

Cassette releases continue to infiltrate the Record Radar, and we’ve got a very special one batting leadoff this week! The friendly people at Tapehead City are partnering with Hellcat Records for this 35th anniversary cassette reissue of Operation Ivy’s Energy. This is the first time this has ever been reissued on the tiny, plastic, rectangular format.

Tapehead City owner Charlie Kaplan had this to say about the reissue: “Me and my friends grew playing in bands that would always cover Rancid and Opivy. These songs have been a part of me for so long. Working on this project was so much fun and such an honor. I really hope the fans are happy with the tapes. I think they came out great.”

There are two variants, limited to 1,000 copies each: a “2-Tone” tape made using scans of the original shell, and a “UV Edition” with an awesome all-over art print on the tape. You can pre-order both here, along with a fun Op Ivy x Tapehead City mashup shirt.

Here’s another bad ass 35th anniversary reissue, and this one’s on vinyl! Indianapolis junk rock pioneers Sloppy Seconds‘ classic debut album Destroyed is back in print for the first time in a long time, thanks to Puke ‘N’ Vomit Records. You can get it on coral (orange) and/or black wax right here.

Up next, we’ve got a big batch of awesome new records coming very soon from our friends at Memorable But Not Honorable Records, the first of which is Rhode Island pop-punk band Pavid Vermin’s debut LP Brutality Is My Only Friend. It’s limited to 100 copies on blood red colored vinyl and will be available on their webstore this coming Friday, May 24th. Keep your eyes glued to Dying Scene the day before, I think we might be doing something cool!

MBNH is also putting out a killer 7” featuring four brand new tracks from pop-punk favorites The Putz. On and Up and Out is limited to 200 copies on clear blue colored vinyl and is being co-released by I Buy Records in Italy. It’ll also be available to purchase from Memorable But Not Honorable Friday, May 24th.

And last but certainly not least in Memorable But Not Honorable’s impressive release lineup is the 2nd pressing of their Saturday Morning Lineup compilation, limited to 100 copies on (Ninja Turtle?) green colored wax. This was originally released this time last year on white colored vinyl, which quickly sold out. It features covers of cartoon theme songs from The Putz, Zoanoids, Atomic Treehouse, Goin’ Places & many other great bands. You can buy it with your money from their webstore on – you guessed it – Friday, May 24th!

A few weeks ago Down By Law announced their new album Crazy Days, due out June 15th on Cleopatra Records, but at the time it was only available to pre-order on CD (otherwise known as compact disc but us in the trade). Now you can get it on beautiful red marble colored vinyl right here.

Guttermouth’s Eat Your Face turns 20 this year and to celebrate SBAM is releasing it on our treasured polyvinyl chloride music format for the very first time. There are two color variants, limited to 250 copies each allegedly. You can get them from any of SBAM’s regional webstores.

AFI’s 1999 classic Black Sails in the Sunset is getting a big time expanded reissue in honor of its 25th Anniversary. It’s due out July 19th and features bonus tracks in the previously unreleased “Weight of Words” and B-Side “Who Knew?”. This is being released on a handful of color variants but all but one of them sold out almost immediately. The one that’s still available to purchase is the Neon Orange retail variant, which you can get from Amazon and pretty much anywhere else (Amazon’s the cheapest though, of course).

Another anniversary! Perhaps not quite as significant as Black Sails but worth mentioning nonetheless. It’s the 10th anniversary of The Flatliners frontman Chris Cresswell’s One Week Record, and Fat Wreck Chords has repressed it for the first time since its original release. There are two color variants to choose from: Pink/white vinyl (150 copies) and green w/ yellow splatter (250 copies). Or, I guess there were two color variants to choose from, because the pink one’s already sold out. The green w/ yellow splatter is still available from Fat Wreck’s European webstore.

That Descendents Circle Jerks split 7” finds itself on the Record Radar for the third time; perhaps that’s a new record? Anyway, I guess it’s noteworthy that a new European exclusive clear color variant has popped up. You can get it here. And in case you missed it last week, the red color variant (limited to 500 copies) is still available on the Descendents’ US store.

Sammy Kay’s got a new record called July 1960 due out on July 19th. It’s being co-released by Sell the Heart Records (US) and Engineer Records (UK) on Coke Bottle Clear and black wax. Mr. Kay has some copies with a special silkscreened jacket on his Bandcamp as well. Also available: CDs, shirts, etc!

We started this week’s Record Radar with a cassette release, so why not wrap things up with another cassette release? Two street punk bands, Philadelphia’s English Teeth and Las Vegas’ Fool’s Errand, have a brand new split EP out now and you can get it on snazzy orange cassette right here. It’s only $1 but I know damn well they had to have paid more than that to make these so I’d implore you to pay a bit more than that. If cassettes aren’t your thing, digital download is an option as well!

Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next time!

Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!

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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (MxPx, Suicide Machines, Reel Big Fish & More)

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!

Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:

New MxPx record! Find A Way Home is due out August 25th. There are a bunch of color variants, including one with a die cut cover, and a picture disc. Pre-orders are live now on mxpx.com and they seem to be shipping immediately (mine did, at least). Check out the new single “Stay Up All Night”:

The Suicide Machines are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their 2003 album A Match And Some Gasoline. In addition to playing the album in full on a brief tour with Against All Authority and Kill Lincoln this December, they are also releasing it on vinyl for the first time ever! SideOneDummy has a few color variants on their webstore, and Zia Records has an exclusive blue galaxy variant limited to 300 copies.

Reel Big Fish‘s Candy Coated Fury is getting a Deluxe Edition reissue, with five bonus tracks and a gatefold jacket with glow in the dark cover art. Enjoy the Ride Records pressed a bunch of sweet color variants, but the only one still in stock is the Alternative Press exclusive variant, limited to 200 copies. Get it here before it’s gone, too.

On an unrelated note: word on the street is Turn the Radio Off will be getting a repress of its own in the near future. Stay tuned for more on that!

Austrian punk veterans 7 Years Bad Luck are back with a new album. No Shame is due out August 4th on Monster Zero Records. Their last album Great, Big, Nothing is a hard act to follow, but the first single “I’ll Forget You” makes me think they’re up to the task. Check that out below and get the record on aquatic blue colored vinyl here.

The Gaslight Anthem announced their new album History Books will be released on October 27th. This is the band’s first new record in almost a decade. There are like a trillion color variants of this thing and I’m not gonna bother trying to name them all. Here‘s where you can get some of them.

Five Iron Frenzy is releasing a full-discography box set called Put Your Waste In Its Place. You get 10 records for $250 in a box that looks like a flaming dumpster. That’s a value that can’t be beat, folks! Get it here (you can also grab the individual records here).

Portland, Maine pop-punks Borderlines‘ debut album Keep Pretending is out now on Hey Pizza! RecordsMom’s Basement Records, and Memorable But Not Honorable Records. Check out my favorite track “The Greatest Resignation” below and get it on vinyl here, CD here, or cassette here.

SACK‘s Get Wrecked is getting a new pressing from Clearview Records, limited to 300 copies on canary yellow colored vinyl. This goes up on the label’s webstore Wednesday, July 26th at 6pm Eastern Time.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes‘ latest album Are We Not Men? We Are Diva! is getting its first new pressing in nearly a decade. There are an undisclosed number of copies on red w/ black splatter colored vinyl (as seen in this very poorly cropped image). Get yours here.

Asian Man Records is reissuing the TaxpayersGod, Forgive These Bastards: Songs From The Forgotten Life Of Henry Turner. The 2xLP on red and black swirl colored vinyl features b-sides, demos, and interviews with band members. Get it here.

Agnostic Front‘s Victim in Pain is back in print, with a fancy new embossed cover. There are a bunch of variants exclusive to different retailers, including Generation Records (red, 200 copies), Revelation Records (yellow, 1,000 copies), and Revolver Magazine (black platinum swirl, 500 copies). Bridge Nine has the blue and silver color variants on their webstore.

Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next week!

Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!

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DS Record Radar: This Week In Punk Vinyl (No Use For A Name, Bouncing Souls, The Swellers, Zatopeks, ZEKE & More!)

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!

Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:

No Use For A Name‘s More Betterness is the latest entry in Fat Wreck‘s long running series of 25th Anniversary colored vinyl reissues. In usual Fat fashion, we know nothing about the color variant, but it is still in stock despite me being two weeks late to the party on this one. Get it here!

Florida ska-punk institution Chilled Monkey Brains just put out a brand new record a few months ago, but they’re parlaying that into a 10th Anniversary reissue of 2014’s APEocalypse. Limited to 100 copies on orange vinyl; get it here.

24 years after its original release on the beloved compact disc format, Nebraska pop-punk veterans The Young Hasselhoffs‘ sophomore album Get Dumped is being released on vinyl for the first time on July 12th, thanks to our friends at Mom’s Basement Records. The pink marble and green marble variants are each limited to 100 copies, and my personal favorite clear with pink and green splatter is limited to 40 copies. Mom’s Basement will be including a free copy of the original CD with each LP while supplies last. Get it here!

Also from Mom’s Basement Records: a CD release of an album that was previously only available on vinyl! Now that’s different, innit? Longview, Washington’s own The Wanna-Bes 2017 album Out Went the Lights is now available on the shiny plastic disc format, limited to 200 copies and featuring a bunch of bonus tracks I’ve been told! Add this to your cart before checking out with that Young Hasselhoffs record and a bunch of other awesome stuff you’re sure to find on the Mom’s Basement webstore.

Our other friends at Stardumb Records are putting out some bad as new records as well, with the first being the new Zatopeks record Loitering and Sauntering, due out on July 5th! It’s available on translucent pink vinyl and “babylon green” vinyl (each limited to 100 copies), as well as black wax (200 copies) right here. You can also get it from Forbidden Beat in Canada, Brassneck Records in the UK, The Machine Shop in the US, and Endless Detention Records in Australia. Check out the lead single “Fine Sunny Day” below and keep your eyes glued to DyingScene.com on the 4th of July because I think we just might be doing something cool involving this record!

Another bad ass new record coming soon from Stardumb: a first time vinyl release of Danish pop-punk band The 20 Belows’ 2006 debut album Headaches & Moodswings. It’s limited to 150 copies on “Moodswings Green Vinyl” and another 150 copies on black vinyl (no fancy name for this color unfortunately) and comes housed in a jacket with brand new artwork. Get it here along with the new Zatopeks record! Also available from all the distributors noted above.

In case you missed it, pop-punk mainstays Mest have a new record out (it’s 7 songs, I refuse to call this an album). Youth is out now on SBAM Records and is available on three color variants, each of which is supposedly limited to 250 copies and comes with unique cover art. Get it on yellow marbled, black/white splatter, and/or white colored vinyl from any of SBAM’s global webstores.

The pride of Seattle, Washington ZEKE’s Dirty Sanchez is back in print for the first time since its original release in Y2K. Available on transparent green vinyl (200 copies) and black vinyl (300 copies) from Spain’s La Agonía de Vivir. Or if you’re too cheap to pay for shipping from Spain, get it on black, wax from Thousand Islands Records.

Speaking of Thousand Islands Records (also friends of the column btw), they just put out a bad ass new record from Calgary melodic punk band Bring on the Storm! Visionary is the band’s third album but it’s my introduction to the band, so I’ve got some catching up to do. But this is a great intro nonetheless! Check out the music video for “Trainwreck” below and get the record on sea blue colored vinyl here.

The Bar Stool Preachers are following their 2023 LP Above the Static with a new 6-song EP called Below the Static, due out September 13th on Pure Noise Records. None of the songs are new, however, they’re all “reimagined” versions of album tracks. Check out the “reimagined” version of “Call Me on the Way Home” below for an idea of what that means. Get the 12″ EP on three bitchin color variants here if you’re in the US, or here if you’re in the UK.

The Bouncing Souls’ Hopeless Romantic turns 25 in the year of our lord 2024 and the band has printed up some snazzy sleeves with new artwork by a wonderful artist named Bill Main and shoved 300 copies of regular old black vinyl in them. Perhaps a wider reissue with a bunch of color variants is to come, but this is what we’ve got for now. Get it here.

Iron Chic & Toys That Kill’s 2018 Split LP is back in print with updated cover art, 100 copies on black vinyl and another 100 copies on “wild mixed color” vinyl. Both options are available on the Dead Broke Rekerds webstore. Get ’em while the gettin’s good.

Throwing it back to the early 2010’s! The SwellersGood For Me is back in print for the first time since 2011, and there are a ton of color variants for you to choose from (or for the tortured collector souls to buy all of). Enjoy the Ride Records has an exclusive “Concrete Mix” color variant (300 copies), while Parting Gift Records has their own exclusive Translucent Black w/ Blue & Pink Splatter variant, and Smartpunk Records has an exclusive “Sundrop” variant limited to 200 copies, as well as the “indie exclusive” Light Blue w/ Red Splatter (800 copies) and “retail” variant: Aqua Blue (no pressing info on this one). Those last 3 are all available on the Smartpunk Shop. All of them come in a gatefold jacket with new pictures and shit. Very cool!

St. Louis melodic punks Modern Angst‘s debut LP Part X is due out September 6th on Punkerton Records. Check out the awesome new single “No Guts, No Glory” below and go here to pre-order the record on one of five color variants (each limited to 100 copies), or just buy the bundle with all five variants! They’ve got CDs, too, in case you hate 12″ polyvinyl chloride music discs (why are you here?).

Ska-punk torchbearers Keep Flying just wrapped up a long ass tour spanning most of the eastern United States, Puerto Rico, and the UK, and now they’re heading back out on the road for a massive US summer tour. They’ll have tour exclusive cover variants for their latest record Daylight, limited to 150 copies each. If for some reason you can’t catch the band on tour (and you should make every effort to, these guys are amazing live!), you can grab the 2nd press of this excellent record with the standard cover art from the Smartpunk Shop.

Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next time!

Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!

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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (Rancid – “B Sides and C Sides” repress, The Ergs, Hilltop Rats, The Yum Yums & More!)

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!

Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:

This week’s first record is from The Yum Yums, a great bubblegum pop-punk band from Norway. They have a new record called Poppin’ Up Again due out next month on Screaming Apple Records. It’s available to pre-order on black wax (limited to 500 copies) right here, and shiny red vinyl (100 copies) right here. Unfortunately, no tracks are streaming yet, but if you haven’t already heard of the Yum Yums just know that they have my ringing endorsement. If you don’t trust my opinion, just check out their last record:

2 hours down I-4 from yours truly, Orlando, Florida’s Suck Brick Kid are releasing a new record on local label Smartpunk Records. If you enjoy newer pop-punk, you’ll wanna pick up a copy of The End is What I Want on one of these pleasantly named color variants: Urinal Cake Vinyl (ltd. 100), and/or Shit ‘n Piss Vinyl (ltd. 400). Check out a few tracks below and pre-order the record here – it’s due out May 17th.

New Jersey pop-punk veterans The Ergs have announced a 2xLP 20th Anniversary reissue of the cult favorite dorkrockcorkrod. LP1 is the original mix, remastered by Justin Perkins (Screeching Weasel, the Riverdales, the Manges, etc.) at Mystery Room Mastering. LP2 is a brand new 20th Anniversary remix of the album, completed by Steve Albini using the original master tapes. This one’s due out June 5th on Don Giovanni Records; not sure how many copies were pressed but the splatter variant looks pretty sweet. Get it here.

Rancid‘s B Sides and C Sides compilation LP seems to be getting its first official repress in a decade, as a random pre-order has popped up on Amazon with a listed street date of May 3rd. Details are nebulous at the moment; aside from the cover art looking pink instead of red, I’ve seen some conflicting information. Amazon and this store both list Pirates Press as the label, but one says its a Double LP and the other does not. There also seems to be some debate about the release date. I rolled the dice and pre-ordered it, surely Bezos won’t disappoint.

The Circle Jerks and Descendents are on tour with the Adolescents right now (no, you did not just step out of a time machine in the mid-80’s). They celebrated the tour’s kickoff with a 7″ on which they cover a few of each others’ classic songs. The Descendents take on “Red Tape”, “I Want Some Skank”, and “Beverly Hills”; the Circle Jerks put their spin on “Kabuki Girl” and “Hope”.

Like a lot of the shows on the tour, literally every variant of this 7″ sold out fast as hell. The (potentially) good new is, you can (potentially) get a copy from the bands’ merch tables on tour. There’s a tour exclusive splatter variant, limited to 500 copies and signed by both bands (it seems these are limited to 20 per show), and it sounds like they’ll both have the red color variant as well. Peep the dates here.

Denver punks SPELLS have a new record coming out on April 11th on Rad Girlfriend, Shield Recordings, and a few other venerable labels. Check out the lead single from Past Our Prime below and pre-order the record on “Snowy White” and/or “Blade Bullet” colored vinyl right here. The first 80 people to pre-order will get a hand numbered alternate cover art print. Cool!

Another leak from big dawg Bezos at Amazon.com – looks like The Dwarves are releasing a new “mini LP” not even 6 months after their latest record Concept Album. Keep It Reel features 7 new songs, 2 remixes, and “All for You” from the band’s aforementioned 2023 LP. Here’s the tracklist:

1. One Musketeer
2. Voodoo
3. Kinda Konsensual
4. Nobody Fucked You
5. I Had a Dream
6. Blast Off
7. Parasite
8. Invisible People
9. We Won’t Skate
10. All For You

Pop-punk supergruppe The Phase Problem‘s lineup includes members of SquirtgunThe Murderburgers, City Mouse, and a bunch of other great bands. Their 2023 debut album was 10 years in the making. Luckily the wait for album #2 was not nearly as long; The Power of Positive Thinking is due out next month on Lavasocks Records (US), Brassneck Records (UK), and Stardumb Records (EU). The record features guest appearances from Heather Tabor from the Teen Idols and original Squirtgun frontman Matt Hart, among others. It’s limited to 250 copies on red w/ yellow splatter colored vinyl. Pre-order this shit!

One of the marquee releases featured on the last Record Radar was NOFX‘s new EP Half Album. At the time, all the color variants were sold out, but since then a new variant on “green-gold” colored vinyl (whatever that means) has popped up on some European distros including Green Hell Records, Coretex Records, and Cruise Records. Supposedly this is limited to 500 copies and exclusive to German indie stores. I guess if you missed out on all the others (or you’re sick in the head and collect every NOFX variant) this is a good option for you to import.

Israeli punks Free Sergio new record The Nail in the Coffee is being released on vinyl by our friends at Punk Rock Radar, Cat’s Claw Records and High End Demin Records. Limited to 100 copies on yellow wax, this is a highly recommended pickup for fans of melodic punk with a harder edge (No Fun At All, Satanic Surfers, Belvedere, etc.). There’s even some ska-core sprinkled in here and there. Check the record out below and pre-order it here (US), here (Canada), or here (UK).

Washington State melodic punks Hilltop Rats are back with a new record for the first time in a long time. I’m about halfway through my first listen as I’m typing this and can confidently proclaim this is a god damn banger. Life You Lead is out now on Felony Records, with three bitchin’ color variants; one of those already sold out so quit fucking around and get your copy.

Everyone’s favorite Green Day album Warning is back in print on colored vinyl for the first time in a decade. The new Florescent Green color variant is up for pre-order everywhere but ol’ reliable Amazon is probably the cheapest place you can get it.

Dutch pop-punks Jetlag Jenny have a new 3-song EP called Animal Escapades due out April 19th on White Russian Records. Check out one of the tracks below and click this link to grab the 7″ on green and/or blue colored vinyl (each limited to 125 copies).

Days N Daze are releasing an LP of demos from recording session for their latest album Show Me the Blueprints. That includes five (5) never-before-heard songs. Very cool! The record is streaming now but the physical release won’t be out on SBÄM Records ’til May 31st. Get it here on one (or all three) of the following color variants: Dopamine, Cosmic Green, Dirty Orange. Limited to 200 copies each.

German punks Resolutions are releasing their sophomore album Monster Mirror on May 24th via End Hits Records. The lead single “Drop Dead” is great and the record comes in a pretty sweet looking reflective silver jacket. 3 variants: 50x lobster red, 200x black / white swirl (get both of those here), and 50x dewdrop (get it at the band’s shows).

New York pop-punk band Egghead (whose existence I’m just now being alerted to) released a compilation album called Dumb Songs for Smart People on Mutant Pop Records in 1999. 25 years later, it’s being released on vinyl for the first time thanks to the friendly people at Dead Broke Rekerds and Mom’s Basement Records. And as I finished writing this and went to look for links to pre-order I realized this shit is not up for pre-order lmaooooo. Well, when it is, it’ll be available on red and white color variants. Also probably worth noting these guys are playing some shows with the Ergs and Boris the Sprinkler in July.

Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next time!

Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!

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DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (RKL, Sum 41, The Shivvies, Goldenboy, Misfits & More!)

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold […]

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it!

Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar:

As you’ve probably already heard by now, RKL has risen from the ashes! They just wrapped up a quick run of reunion shows with Tony from Municipal Waste on vocals and now a reissue of Rock N Roll Nightmare has popped up. It’s limited to 500 copies on Green / Orange Swirl colored vinyl, due out in June, and right now the only places you can get it from are both in Europe: Green Hell Records and Rough Trade.

That Descendents / Circle Jerks split 7″ that was released for their co-headlining tour a few weeks ago (and promptly sold out online) is back in stock! So if you missed out the first time around, you can get the red color variant (limited to 500 copies) from the Descendents store once again. Someone was kind enough to rip the whole 7″ and upload to youtube, too, so that’s cool. Enjoy!

Dutch pop-punks The Shivvies took the Ramonescore world by storm with their self-titled debut album in 2021, and now they’re following that up in grand fashion with the announcement of not one, but two brand new records! The band’s sophomore LP Punk Boys will be released on May 31st and an accompanying 10″ EP titled Take on the Night precedes that on May 15th. If you’re in Europe, Shield Recordings is the place to buy. My fellow Americans can save a few chunk of change on shipping by buying from Mom’s Basement Records. PHYSICAL STREET DAY IS JULY 1ST. Check out the lead single to see what all the fuss is about:

Speaking of Mom’s Basement Records, did you catch our exclusive premiere of their latest release last week? If you didn’t, I highly recommend checking out Pool Party, the debut album from The Bacarrudas, a fun new surfy power pop / garage rock band fronted by Dirt Bike Annie‘s Adam Rabuck. Give ‘er a listen and add the shiny compact disc to your cart before you check out with those new Shivvies records!

Sum 41 just released their final album Heaven :x: Hell, but they’re continuing to keep 2019’s Order in Decline in print. I got an email from Spotify imploring me to buy this new pressing, limited to 500 copies on Pink & Blue Swirl colored vinyl. Apparently this is a “Spotify Fans First” release and you need a code to buy it. Go here and use the code OID! if you’d like to do that.

The MisfitsEarth A.D. is getting its 5 trillionth repress, but this one’s special! It’s a Record Store Day Essential release (whatever that means), due out July 26th and limited to I don’t fucking know how many copies on a pretty fucking sweet looking Purple Swirl color variant. You can probably buy this from any record store day in the continental US but I’ll direct you to Lunchbox Records because they’re pretty cool.

Some awesome new records have hit the Punk Rock Radar webstore! Up first is Norwegian punk band Goldenboy‘s new album Qualmbum, available on Blue w/ Splatter (125 copies) and Yellow (also 125 copies) colored wax. This is a highly recommended pickup for fans of mid period No Use For A Name (More Betterness!, Hard Rock Bottom, etc.). Check out the first single below and you’ll get what I mean. Once you’ve done that, click this link and buy the record if you’re in the US. If you live elsewhere, links to a bunch of other labels you can get it from can be found here.

Due out May 24th and also up for pre-order on the Punk Rock Radar store, it’s A Bolt from the Blue, the debut LP from Modern Shakes. These guys are an awesome punk band from London, England (not to be confused with London, Ontario) that also come highly recommended from yours truly. The vinyl release is limited to 125 copies on Electric Blue and another 125 copies on Shocking Pink(!!!) colored wax. You can get the record from Punk Rock Radar (as I previously mentioned), as well as Double Helix (US), Disconnect Disconnect (UK), and Fond of Life + Keep it a Secret Records in Europe.

But wait, there’s more! Cassette appreciators, I have good news for you as well. Our mates at Cat’s Claw Records are releasing this wonderful album on cassette tape, limited to 50 copies total; half of which come in Turquoise colored shells, and the other half housed in Transparent Pink shells. You can purchase each of them for 9 pounds sterling (or get both for the unbeatable value of £17!) riiiiiight here.

Buffalo punks On The Cinder just released their new album Heavy-Handed. Check out the opening track “Smells Like American Spirit” below and go here to get the record. You’ve got five(!) color variants to choose from: Opaque Red, Blue, Violet, Translucent Green and Clear. Or you can save yourself the hassle of choosing and just buy all five perhaps.

DustyWax Records is releasing 88 Fingers Louie‘s 1997 compilation album 88 Fingers Up Your Ass on vinyl for the very first time! It’s a double LP housed in a gatefold sleeve sporting some brand new art all over it. They’ve got two variants available to pre-order on their Canadian webstore: Galaxy Splatter / Red-Blue (320 copies) and the DustyWax exclusive 88 Eye Ball / Chicago Flag (208 copies). Meanwhile, Chicago’s own Loud Pizza Records has their own exclusive “Rocket Pop” color variant, limited to 125 copies; you can get that one right here.

Galaxy Splatter / Red-Blue is the “Indie variant” and can also be purchased from these fine labels all over the world: Bearded Punk Records (EU), TMom-Merch (EU), Revelation Records (US), Thousand Islands (NA), Le Noise (Canada), and Disconnect Disconnect (UK).

Pop-punk troubadour and The Prozacs frontman J Prozac has a new record called Obsession due out June 14th on Rum Bar Records. Check out a few tracks from the record below and pre-order it here on one or more of the color variants: Clear / Orange Splatter (40 copies), Black / White Splatter (40 copies), Opaque Orange (100 copies), Black Wax (100 copies). They’re $22 each or you can get a 4 LP bundle for $70 by ordering directly from Mr. Prozac himself.

And last up on this week’s Record Radar we’ve got Authority Zero frontman Jason DeVore with his brand new solo album Til the Voice Goes Out, due out June 7th and available to pre-order from these fine labels: Double Helix Records (USA! USA! USA!), SBAM Rekkids (Europe, UK… and most importantly also the USA!), Caffeine Bomb Records (Japan!), and People of Punk Rock Records (Canada, eh?). Check out the simply delightful new single “Turn it Off!”:

Well, that’s all, folks. Another Record Radar in the books. As always, thank you for tuning in. If there’s anything we missed (highly likely), or if you want to let everyone know about a new/upcoming vinyl release you’re excited about, leave us a comment below, or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll look into it. Enjoy your weekend, and don’t blow too much money on spinny discs (or do, I’m not your father). See ya next week!

Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Click here and you’ll be taken to a page with all the past entries in the column. Magic!

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DS Show Review & Gallery: Cultivate Music Festival featuring Fishbone, Murphy’s Law, and the The Goddamn Gallows, among others. (Chicago. (08.25.2023-08.27.2023)

Chicago, IL saw the debut of another multi-genre music festival. The one-stage Cultivate Music Festival was at the same time, a celebration of Cannabis Culture. For festival organizers, vendors, musicians, and attendees, it was a good time. It was also a celebration of the fact that in the year 2023, citizens are able to use […]

Chicago, IL saw the debut of another multi-genre music festival. The one-stage Cultivate Music Festival was at the same time, a celebration of Cannabis Culture. For festival organizers, vendors, musicians, and attendees, it was a good time. It was also a celebration of the fact that in the year 2023, citizens are able to use cannabis not only medicinally but recreationally and in the open sans fear of prosecution. Of course, there was also some really good music and performances, including one of the more famous marijuana anthems in decades. Punk was just one of the genres, but those representative bands presented rollicking sets in an otherwise, yes, mellow weekend, including for those who don’t partake in cannabis themselves but agree its use should be legal.


Rewinding the festival from Sunday, August 27 to back to Friday, August 25:

Day 3

Fishbone had the crowd in hand. Angelo Moore led his bandmates through a non-stop set with his legendary facial expressions and dance moves. Strutting across the stage, kicking out his legs at times, other times playing the sax, Moore was electric.

As hyper as Moore was, John Norwood Fisher on bass and vocals was just as powerful in his stoicism while Walter Kibby aka Dirty Walt blasted away on his trumpet.

The trio, along with the rest of the band members, kept Fishbone sounding as fresh and as powerful as ever.


Afroman is not considered to be in the punk genre. However, watch the video to “Lemon Pound Cake,” the first song he performed at this fest, then look up the events that inspired Afroman to write the song. The man is punk AF.

Afroman, whose real name is Joseph Edgar Foreman, announced in December 2022, that he was running for President in 2024. I am not sure of the present status of his campaign but his judging from his abundantly fun set at this fest, I wouldn’t bet against him getting more than a few votes. Backed by DJ on The 1, Afroman led the crowd in a rousing rendition of his most famous tune. Many members of the crowd, those who partake holding up their various cannabis delivery implements, and those who don’t holding up their empty hands, sang loudly, when the title lyric came up. 

Oh, and the set was especially a treat for Vee Sonnets of The Crombies, as Afroman borrowed his guitar to play during his set. Afroman shows you don’t have to be “Punk” to be punk. 


The Crombies, one of the Chicago punk scene’s favorite hometown two-tone ska outfit, put on an exuberant performance. Lead singer Mike Park (note his Instagram and yes that is me in his most recent image, with long-time friends, including those in the band, and familiar-looking new acquaintances. Photo by Corinne Lydon) in his signature chilled out mode. Despite a recent very serious clavicle break earlier this year, guitar player Dave Simon spun around the stage, as bass player Kevin Lustrup pogoed in place. 

Guitar player Vee Sonnets, drummer Matt Meuzelaar, and keyboardist Karl Gustafson provided powerful, if not flashy, work. They put the steady in rock steady. Gustafson sported a t-shirt emblazoned with words that perfectly sum up the spirit of the festival: “Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago.” As a born and raised on Long Island transplant to the Windy City, I have slightly conflicted feelings about it. But I dig it and think much is true about it, sans pizza. (NY Slices for life!) Prodigious trombone player, Andrew Zelm added a dash of classic 2-tone ska flair at the far side of the stage. Though Zelm is not always on stage with the band, he has played trombone on every The Crombies recording.

Speaking of horns, Park, who started playing trumpet in the 4th grade, showed off his considerable skills on the instrument.

I never get tired of watching a Crombies set. I am not alone in that, by far. 


Milwaukee’s Highball Holiday returned to Chicago and gave an energetic and affable performance. Paraphrasing the band’s lead singer, Shahanna McKinney Baldon, after spotting my cap with this site’s name emblazoned across it, she loudly alerted the crowd that “Dying Scene is in the house!” And we were, though the house was actually a parking lot on a steamy day. She also held up her phone throughout much of the set as she live-streamed the band’s performance. 

Highball Holiday also dedicated its performance to Matt Norberg, a member of the band who died on July 18, 2023. David Wake of De La Buena joined the band on stage to make sure they could still perform in the absence of Norberg. 

McKinney Baldon spoke of the struggles of mental illness, and had the crowd recite back to her, various crisis hotlines numbers. The national crisis hotline number is 988

But the band members also celebrated all of their loved ones, and life in general with a delightful set. 

Finally, McKinney Baldon made sure to point out sports teams in Milwaukee are better than those in Chicago, while simultaneously bemoaning that Wisconsin has not yet decriminalized cannabis use.  

These highballers sure know how make every single day a holiday. 


Day 2

Day 2 was an easy one for DS, as there was just one band on our “to cover” list. The Goddamn Gallows, with Mikey Classic, at the helm, put on a rambunctious set. Baby Genius, was a spark plug on both on drums and when he took the mic and the headed to the front of the stage. The hard-hitting ensemble, which also included Jayke Orvis and Bafunfa, tore through its performance. The Goddamn Gallows are currently on tour so check them out when they hit your town. It’ll be a favor you grant yourself.


Day 1


Lucky Boys Confusion, another Chicago group, gave a forceful performance as the day moved into evening. It was an enjoyable set and the popular band fit well on the bill.


Andy Frasco & the U.N. put on a set easily described as dynamic. Frasco, at the keys, gave a magnetic performance. This was even more so when he moved to the hot pavement of the crowd area sans shoes. Dancing joyfully, Frasco requested those in attendance to hold hands as they sang a rendition of the Jewish Folk song Hava Nagila. Naturally, the crowd enthusiastically complied. Hava Nagila is traditionally played at various celebrations, perhaps most notably weddings. Andy Frasco and the U.N. left little doubt it found this Friday a time for celebrating.


Mac Sabbath, the fast food-themed Black Sabbath parody band, may seem silly at first and indeed they elicited many a laugh. But underlying the goofiness of musicians dressed as demented and eerie versions of the mascots for a certain fast food behemoth, there is actually a more serious message. Vocalist Ronald Osbourne, guitar player Slayer MacCheeze; bass player Grimalice on bass, the Catburglar on drums, are sending a warning. The warning being how fun, corporate-created characters are actually devices used to manipulate children into unhealthy eating habits which may last a lifetime. Neither the fun nor the message lost on a certain heavy metal legend and loving “Papa” to a young girl name Pearl in 2018. 


OTNES, out of Nashville, TN, kicked off the music at this fest in a solid way. Self-described as gender-bending pop, OTNES aka Emily Blue, might not be considered punk. However, the pleasant performance was a great way to kick off the festival.


Please see more photos from Cultivate Music Festival. Thanks, and Cheers!


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