Music streaming service Spotify has announced a new documentary chronicling the rise of Green Day. The first episode “Sweet Children” just released, and the three remaining episodes will premiere each Thursday through April 13th. The film features interviews with Fat Mike and Brett Gurewitz, among others.

Check out the first episode below if you’ve got some time to kill. [Read more…]

Saturday March 18th at Kick Butt Coffee in Austin Texas, Altercation Records delivered another incredible day of punk rock fun at the 7th annual Altercation Punk Rock BBQ.

I have been lucky enough to experience the last 4 years of this event held each year in Austin during the South By Southwest Music Conference, and I have to say it is probably my favorite punk event after PRB, although it in no way compares size wise to major events like PRB or The Fest, the people at Altercation know how to throw a party! First off It’s free admission for all ages, there is free BBQ and free Beer for a limited time, this usually last for the first hour or so, during the first two sets, of which there are usually 10-12 sets of amazing bands, half of which are brand new up and comers, others are gritty road warriors who have been at it for years and usually there is at least one old classic band or figure like Cheetah Chrome, Fishbone, or Sylvain Sylvain…This year there were no classic punk acts, I don’t know maybe they are getting harder to come by? This year the venue also changed from the Vortex to a smaller indoor venue called Kick Butt Coffee, at first I was suspect of a punk show of this size in a coffee house, but Kick Butt Coffee is an actual venue with a stage and a full bar.

The place steadily filled and by the 4th set it was mobbed with the crowd spilling out into the parking lot, first up were The Glory Holes out of Memphis who do an all gay oriented Ramones styled pop punk that is really fun…Second to hit the stage was Heels who are a really awesome duo who are sort of like Lucero on speed…followed by New York City’s Jukebox Romantics who always put out a killer performance and this day was no different than the last few times I have seen them, super high energy take no prisoner punk rock…The next band up was a new one on the Altercation label who’s name it took me a minute to figure out; Dr. Beardfacé And The Spaceman, which if you don’t immediately get it is a hybrid of two television characters, Dr. Beardfacé from Scrubs, and Dr. Spaceman from 30 Rock.This band was new and interesting to me, the front woman Kerrie Trube has a really rich voice which during some songs really stood out, I think we will be hearing more from them in the future as their sound and live performance matures…After that was another new band on the Altercation roster The Split Seconds from Washington DC, this might be my favorite new act of 2017, The Split Seconds are a pop punk/retro punk band who have a fresh new sound yet still pull on my spirit of 77 heart strings, I really liked this set…They were followed by The Hangouts who reunited for this show, I love The Hangouts, I have seen them maybe 4 times and they are always great and I was stoked to see them reunite for this show…Next was Boston’s OC45 who do straight up Boston style punk rock, and they do it very well with lots of fist pumping whoa oh’s…American Pinup returned this year and as always delivered a phenomenal set, I don’t know if there is a better voice in rock & roll than Lauren West? This woman I adore…I felt bad for the next band up having to follow American Pinup but Houston’s Grizzly Band did not disappoint by any means, and truly rose to the occasion with a killer alt country set of their own, This is a band that you just have to see live at least once before you die…Mind Spiders were wow, these guys have a post punk garage rock vibe all their own…Then came From Parts Unknown out of Dallas whos Upright bass fueled set was breakneck and furious…And last in the lineup up was F Woods of Mercury Radio Theater form Philadelphia PA who brought solo guitar quirk to the BBQ which was unsurprising considering his regular touring alongside of The Dead Milkmen.

So there you have it the complete lineup, all in all one of the best shows I have been to, I watched all 12 sets and in all honesty have to say that the Altercation Punk Rock BBQ impressed me once again, not only was every band great, but the mix of genres and the placement in the lineup kept it interesting and kept us in the audience wondering what was next…Hope I can make it to number 8

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Former Groovie Ghoulies frontman Kepi Ghoulie has released a new solo album titled Lost and Lovin’ It through Eccentric Pop Records. Check out two of the tracks below, and head over here to grab the LP.

Lost and Lovin’ It is Kepi’s first full-length in half a decade, following 2011’s I Bleed Rock & Roll. The album features guest appearances from Dan Potthast of MU330, Jimmy Boom of the Phenomenauts, and more. [Read more…]

The good people at Fat Wreck Chords have the latest installment in their Original Demos. Set to release on May 5th, the 7″ will feature previously unreleased demos of No Use For A Name‘s “Justified Black Eye” and “Sidewalk” which were found on 20-year-old reels in Fat’s tape archive.

Head over here to pre-order the 7″.

This will be No Use’s second posthumous release since frontman Tony Sly passed away in 2012. They last released a reissued version of their best-of album All the Best Songs.

Netherlands pop-punk band The Travoltas are streaming a brand new song called “Great Expectations.” The song is one off of the group’s upcoming full-length, Until We Hit The Shore, which is due out for release on April 21st via White Russian Records.

On the topic of the new track, vocalist Perry Leenhouts says:

I must have been 13 years old when I saw my first show, we’re talking mid-80s. It was a local hard rock band, and anyone who liked loud guitars was there: hard rockers, punks, goths, and a few lost hippies. This was the first time I witnessed what live music can do to people, but what stuck with me the most was the few minutes leading up to the band starting the gig. You’d feel the energy around you, you’d feel the adrenaline flowing through your veins, you’d see the bouncers getting restless cause they know what’s coming, and all the people around you share that feeling. They’ve all been waiting for this moment, and now it’s going to happen.

I still believe it’s THE moment of a live show, whether I go see a band or perform myself. Those final few minutes before the band plays its first chord, the moment of Great Expectations, and that’s what this song is all about.

You can stream the new song here.

By now you may have heard, but the organizers over at Riot Fest recently announced that they will not be bringing the festival to Denver in 2017 and for the near future. This decision comes as a result of the loss of fellow leader, Sean McKeough, who was cited as an integral part in allowing the event to move forward. Riot Fest will continue in Chicago, so it looks like everyone (including Toronto fans who are also missing out out future editions as well) will have to make the trek to Illinois to take part in the activities.

You can read a full statement by the festival organizers below.

This years edition will take place in Chicago, IL on September 15th-17th.

[Read more…]

New Mexico pop-punk band Russian Girlfriends are streaming a brand new split EP with fellow New Mexico punkers Rock Jong Il. The two bands both contribute two kicking tracks to this release.

You can stream the EP below.

The split serves as a follow up to Russian Girlfriend’s 2015 album, All Around, and Rock Jong Il’s 2017 LP, Dictators of Rock. 

[Read more…]

Irish indie-punk band The Winter Passing have premiered another brand new song called “Paper Rabbit” off of their upcoming EP, Double Exposure. The song is a brazen combination of punk rock grit, alternative, and emo styles, all blended perfectly in unison to create a unique sound that is perfectly embodied by this new track.

You can give it a listen here.

Double Exposure will be released through 6131 Records and Big Scary Monsters on April 21st, 2017 and will serve as a follow-up to the band’s 2015 album, A Different Space of Mind. 

International skate-punk band Setbacks have premiered a brand new music video for their song, “Remember.” The track is one off of their upcoming album, Oceans Apart, which is scheduled for release on April 7th, 2017 via Morning Wood Records. 

You can check the clip out below.

Oceans Apart will serve as a follow-up to the group’s 2015 EP, The New Frontier. 

[Read more…]

Scotland based ska band The Hostiles have released a new music video for their song, “Night Out.” The tune is a single off of their latest album, Last Call. 

The group will also be heading out on a tour of the UK, which starts today in Lancaster and ends on April 16th in Annan.

You can take a look at the clip along with a full list of dates and locations below.

Last Call was released on July 15th, 2016 via Bubble Tea Records.

[Read more…]