DS Record Radar: This Week in Punk Vinyl (Ramones, Mad Caddies, Pinhead Gunpowder & more)

Greetings, fellow degenerates! Welcome to the latest installment of the Dying Scene Record Radar. The holiday season is finally upon us and it’s almost time to put a bow on 2022. Hopefully you’ve gotten your gift shopping done, because there’s a lot of new records to blow your money on this week! Kick off your […]

Greetings, fellow degenerates! Welcome to the latest installment of the Dying Scene Record Radar. The holiday season is finally upon us and it’s almost time to put a bow on 2022. Hopefully you’ve gotten your gift shopping done, because there’s a lot of new records to blow your money on this week! Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time.

R-A-M-O-N-E-S

We’re starting this week off with two nuggets of 80’s Ramones goodness. First up is a new 40th Anniversary reissue of 1983’s Subterranean Jungle on violet colored vinyl. This is due out on January 6th, 2023; not sure how many were pressed, but it does look like it’ll be readily available at independent record stores. Here is one of many places you can pre-order it online.

Remember that Ramones box set that was released on Record Store Day earlier this year? The one I spent $150 on? Well… it’s back, and it’s only $90 now! I’m kinda pissed honestly, but hey, if you don’t already have this, it’s a great fuckin’ deal. The Sire Albums 1981-1989 features all six of their 80’s LPs and a bonus rarities compilation (that’s $12.86 per record btw). If you’re a sucker like me and you bought this at full price on RSD, this would still make a great gift for the Ramones fan in your life (though it, too, is not due out til January 6th). Buy here.

Fat Wreck Chords has released another 25th Anniversary reissue, this time for the Mad Caddies‘ debut LP Quality Soft Core. This has been out of print since its original release in 1997. Head over to Fat’s webstore and get it before it’s gone!

The hard working folks at 1-2-3-4 Go! Records are wrapping up their long-running Pinhead Gunpowder reissues series. The final round includes the band’s 2003 LP Compulsive Disclosure and 2008’s West Side Highway 7″. Both are available here, along with all the previously reissued records.

Pennywise‘s 1995 classic About Time has a new European exclusive yellow color variant. Grab it here (and don’t worry, shipping to the US isn’t too bad if you really want this).

Continuing our theme of “old music on new colored plastic” is skate punk supergroup Implants (members of Strung Out, Pulley, Ten Foot Pole, etc.). El Hefe’s Cyber Tracks Records has reissued the band’s 2013 debut From Chaos to Order on gold colored vinyl. This is limited to 100 copies and will cost ya 40 fucking bucks!!! I’ll stick to my OG pressing… you guys can grab some lube and begrudgingly purchase your copy here.

Members of Mom’s Basement Records bands the SUCK, Proton Packs and Bad Secret have united to cover the Riverdales‘ classic self-titled record. This LP from “The Greendales” will be available on the label’s webstore Friday, December 16th. There will be two color variants (yellow and clear) of this vinyl-only release.

Our friends at Punk Rock Radar have announced a new release from German melodic punk band Astronuts. Their 2021 debut Dark Matters is getting released vinyl for the first time. I had never heard of these guys, but I’m listening to the album right now on Spotify and it kicks ass! Definitely recommend listening to a few tracks below and grabbing this on vinyl here (US) or here (UK).

I got a pleasant surprise this week when I opened up Facebook and saw Canadian melodic punks Colorsfade had announced a brand new record! Built from the Wreckage is due out January 20th, 2023 on People of Punk Rock Records. Check out the first two singles below (spoiler: they’re killer) and pre-order the LP here.

Also coming to us from north of the border is The Corps! These guys released a digital EP called From Oblivion earlier this year. Thanks to the fine people at Thousand Islands Records, it’s now being given the wax treatment. Get your copy on “green lantern” colored vinyl here.

RECORD OF THE WEEK

We here at Dying Scene are all about trying new things, so this week I’m challenging you, loyal reader, to listen to something new! This week’s Record of the Week comes from Tampa Bay’s Black Valley Moon. Formed by longtime Down By Law guitarist Sam Williams in 2019, the band’s latest album Songs from the Black Valley delivers a unique blend of surfy rockabilly with Americana flair. Check it out below and grab the LP on blue wax here.


And 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. See ya next week!

*Wanna catch up on all of our Record Radar posts? Type “Record Radar” in the search bar at the top of the page! Or, just click here. That’s probably easier.

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DS Photo Gallery: My First Night Shooting for DS – Bollweevils / Djunah (Chicago – 11/12/22)

I got a surprise message from MerGold on November 12th. She asked if I was going to the Bollweevils show that night. I dig and respect the heck out of The Bollweevils, but Djunah is one of my absolute favorite local bands still playing, and that’s where I was planning to be that night. Then […]

I got a surprise message from MerGold on November 12th. She asked if I was going to the Bollweevils show that night. I dig and respect the heck out of The Bollweevils, but Djunah is one of my absolute favorite local bands still playing, and that’s where I was planning to be that night. Then she told me they needed someone to shoot said Bollweevils show. I did not expect that. I sometimes take concert photos as a hobby, but I’ve never shot a band as big as The Bollweevils. I’ve never had any of my photos published anywhere, so I was floored by the offer, in a good way. But, I still really wanted to see Djunah too! Fortunately, I got lucky on timing and I was able to make it to both shows! 🤘


My first stop of the night was The Bollweevils, at Cobra Lounge. There was a great crowd and great energy in the room as they took stage. Speaking of energy, their set opened with a lot of it! After the first song it became apparent that Daryl’s tall stature and Cobra’s low ceiling were not an ideal match. As recommended by the crowd, Daryl did not hesitate to continue the show in front of the stage on the floor. This created a new problem, that Daryl no longer had a set list. His need to know what song was coming next quickly became the running gag of the evening. Every song sounded fantastic, a good time was had by all!

Next I made a mad dash over to the Archer Ballroom, and thankfully I got there in time to see Djunah. 🙌 The venue is pretty cool, but boy was it cold. Donna had her coat draped over her while tuning her guitar and I don’t blame her! Their set impressed as always. Halfway through the first song Donna’s hat fell over her eyes, but she managed rock around on stage and keep playing the bass notes with her foot while blind. The rest of their set went off without a hitch. The majority of it was new material for their upcoming album. I have been listening to their last release, Ex Voto, non-stop and I can not wait to hear the new album. All of the new songs absolutely ripped live.

It’s always a good night when you can catch two different shows in one night. All the bands were on point, and it’s such an honor to be shooting for Dying Scene. I can’t wait to do it again!

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DS Exclusive: Structure Sounds (Rhode Island punks) unveil debut video, “Break Me”

Allow your friendly neighborhood Dying Scene editors to introduce you to another one of your new favorite bands. They’re called Structure Sounds and they hail from the Ocean State. They’re comprised of a quartet of scene vets who might look familiar from their respective times in The Scandals, Howl, The Down and Outs, and Stereoflower. […]

Allow your friendly neighborhood Dying Scene editors to introduce you to another one of your new favorite bands. They’re called Structure Sounds and they hail from the Ocean State. They’re comprised of a quartet of scene vets who might look familiar from their respective times in The Scandals, Howl, The Down and Outs, and Stereoflower. They formed just around six months ago, honed their craft in a handful of shows in the area, and went into the studio a few months ago to get cracking on their first record.

And now, we get to hear what they’ve cooked up in a short amount of time. The band’s debut single is also their debut music video. It’s for a track called “Break Me,” and it’s a hell of an introduction to what the band has been up to in their Rhode Island hideaway. Grab yourself a ‘Gansett (or a coffee milk…or at least a Del’s) and fire it up!


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DS News: Bouncing Souls to release new album in March, 2023

New Jersey punk legends the Bouncing Souls have announced they will be releasing a new record in March, 2023. This will be the band’s 12th studio album, following 2020’s Volume 2. If you plan on attending any of the Souls’ shows in the tri-state area this weekend, you’ll be among the first to hear some […]

New Jersey punk legends the Bouncing Souls have announced they will be releasing a new record in March, 2023. This will be the band’s 12th studio album, following 2020’s Volume 2.

If you plan on attending any of the Souls’ shows in the tri-state area this weekend, you’ll be among the first to hear some of the new songs. Check out the tour dates below and stay tuned for more info on the next Bouncing Souls record.

Tour Dates:

12/8/22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made
12/9/22 – Garwood, NJ @ Crossroads
12/10/22 – Garwood, NJ @ Crossroads
12/11 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
12/30/22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
12/31/22 – Denver, CO @ Summit

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DS News: Diesel Boy sign to SBÄM, working on new album

California punk veterans Diesel Boy have signed to SBÄM Records and announced they are working on their first new album in over 20 years. Diesel Boy last released Rode Hard and Put Away Wet in 2001 through Fat Wreck imprint Honest Don’s Records. Stay tuned for more info on their next record!

California punk veterans Diesel Boy have signed to SBÄM Records and announced they are working on their first new album in over 20 years.

Diesel Boy last released Rode Hard and Put Away Wet in 2001 through Fat Wreck imprint Honest Don’s Records. Stay tuned for more info on their next record!

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DS Album Review: Sideways – “Dog Bite/Secrets”

Sideways, the Green Day-inspired melodic/pop punk band from Anchorage, Alaska brings fun and catchy energy to their songs and continues to show Alaska’s scene that they have that high energy everyone craves at shows. They’ve announced a new album that has been in the works for quite some time and have finally graced us with […]

Sideways, the Green Day-inspired melodic/pop punk band from Anchorage, Alaska brings fun and catchy energy to their songs and continues to show Alaska’s scene that they have that high energy everyone craves at shows. They’ve announced a new album that has been in the works for quite some time and have finally graced us with the first two singles on a dual-single album!

Alright, so first song out the gate, “Dog Bite”, has an amusingly awkward intro, which they expertly finish the song off with in a similar fashion, and it kicks the song off to a great mood with catchy, fast paced guitar riffs that remind me of the roots of pop punk. They dig deep into their Green Day love in this song, and it pays off. The lyrics of the song are a compliment to the instrumentals and it vividly describes a situation that, I’m sure, many of us can relate to. Making the song that much more appealing to its audience!

Moving into “Secrets”, it’s a similarly styled song, yet has a completely different meaning. All of us can relate to intrusive and dark thoughts when getting into a life low or mental depression. It’s super important to let these thoughts and emotions out in some way. Putting them to paper and creating art while still being able to maintain that upbeat, fun, high-energy sound is a talent, and I applaud Sideways for taking our secrets from our heads and putting them to paper in a song that could very well just turn our mood around for that day.

All in all, I couldn’t be happier to finally hear a couple of the new songs, and I’m more excited than before to hear the rest of what they have coming for us! As a fan of these guys for some time now, I wanted to note how proud I am of these guys to get this done and out, and even more so when the full album is out. I know how hard they’ve been working to get this recorded and mixed for us to hear and it’s an incredible amount of work that goes into this, so kudos to you guys!

You can blare these singles on a dual-track album on most digital streaming services. Also, don’t forget to follow them and check their music out, checking back often to make sure you don’t miss the drop of the full album, Hollow Hearts! (Credit for album art goes to @jr2photogrpahy on Instagram)

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DS Band Spotlight: Introducing California skate punk band Checkp01nt

Hello, and welcome back to the Dying Scene Band Spotlight! While aimlessly browsing Facebook at work, I stumbled upon an awesome new band called Checkp01nt. These Sacramento skate punks just released a ripping new EP titled Where There’s a Yee There’s a Haw. If you like blazing fast melodic punk in the vein of the […]

Hello, and welcome back to the Dying Scene Band Spotlight! While aimlessly browsing Facebook at work, I stumbled upon an awesome new band called Checkp01nt. These Sacramento skate punks just released a ripping new EP titled Where There’s a Yee There’s a Haw.

If you like blazing fast melodic punk in the vein of the genre’s more technically proficient bands like Belvedere and Mute, that’s exactly what this five-song EP delivers. Give it a listen below! For more Checkp01nt, check out their 2021 self-titled debut album on Spotify.

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DS News: Swedish melodic punks From the Tracks stream new album “Martyrs”

Swedish melodic punk band From the Tracks have released a new album titled Martyrs. Check it out below and, if you like what you hear, head over to their Bandcamp page to grab a digital copy for a few bucks. From the Tracks last put out a six-song EP called Old’s Cool​/​New’s Cool in early […]

Swedish melodic punk band From the Tracks have released a new album titled Martyrs. Check it out below and, if you like what you hear, head over to their Bandcamp page to grab a digital copy for a few bucks.

From the Tracks last put out a six-song EP called Old’s Cool​/​New’s Cool in early 2021. Martyrs is the band’s sixth full-length album, and their first released since 2019’s Get Worse.

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DS Staff Picks: Dylan’s Top 10 Albums Of 2022

Hello, friends! My name’s Dylan, but you might know me better as “Screeching Bottlerocket”. I write stuff for Dying Scene. I also write snide replies to your comments on our Facebook page. For some reason you’re supposed to care what my favorite albums released this year are (at least I think that’s why you clicked […]

Hello, friends! My name’s Dylan, but you might know me better as “Screeching Bottlerocket”. I write stuff for Dying Scene. I also write snide replies to your comments on our Facebook page. For some reason you’re supposed to care what my favorite albums released this year are (at least I think that’s why you clicked on the link). On the off chance that you do, in fact, care, here are my Top 10 Albums of 2022:

#10 Cigar – The Visitor

Remember how Duke Nukem Forever took like 20 fucking years to come out? This album’s kinda like that, except it doesn’t blow complete ass like Duke Nukem Forever. Cigar released their debut album Speed is Relative in 1999 and kinda just peaced out. Then they came back and released some demos of new songs… and kinda peaced out again. Then they signed to Fat, and we finally got this skate punk beast. They haven’t lost a step. This is a great record. For more eloquent analysis, read my full review here.

#9 No Quarter – Fear and Loathing on the Pacific Highway

One of my favorite things about the revival of Dying Scene has been seeking out lesser known bands and, in turn, discovering some great albums nobody’s talking about. No Quarter‘s Fear and Loathing on the Pacific Highway is one of those albums. These Australians don’t fuck around. If you’ve got a hankering for fast, melodic, no frills skate punk, listen to this. “Long Distance” is the best song.

#8 Friends With the Enemy – Divide & Conquer

Two Australian bands. Band to back. What’s going on down under? Those Aussies make some great music! I like this Friends With the Enemy album a lot. These guys (and girl) have been around a long time, but this is by far the best thing they’ve ever done. I’m a sucker for riffy melodic punk, and that’s exactly what Divide & Conquer delivers. I reviewed this album, too, so you can read that here if you’d like.

#7 OFF! – Free LSD

Look, it’s another album I reviewed! Are you seeing a pattern here? Anywho… OFF! makes their triumphant return after eight years without releasing a new album. Keith Morris is one of the best do ever do it, folks. Their new drummer Justin Brown is pretty fucking awesome, too. This is OFF!’s best record.

#6 The Flatliners – New Ruin

After years of being a hardass about not listening to The Flatliners‘ non-ska output, I finally decided to give them a shot with New Ruin. And you know what? It’s a great album! I also went back and listened to Inviting Light, and you know what? That’s a great album, too! I’m usually not a fan of slower shit, but I’ll make an exception here. And on an unrelated note, I think New Ruin‘s cover art is really cool. Kinda reminds me of Insomniac.

#5 Pulley – The Golden Life

Pulley has never released a bad album, and The Golden Life certainly doesn’t buck that trend. This is the veteran SoCal melodic punk band’s seventh LP, and their first with Sean Sellers of Good Riddance on drums. It’s not radically different from their previous output, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Pulley still kicks ass! (oh yeah, I reviewed this album by way).

#4 Screeching Weasel – The Awful Disclosures of Screeching Weasel

In case my username isn’t a dead giveaway, Screeching Weasel is one of my all-time favorite bands. The Awful Disclosures of Screeching Weasel sounds a lot like First World Manifesto and Some Freaks of Atavism. And that’s a very good thing, because I love those records. I enjoy this album a lot as well. That’s why it’s in my Top 5 (and also why I gave it quite the positive review).

#3 The Manges – Book of Hate for Good People

Alright, folks! We’re in the Top 3. No more fucking around. On the cusp of their 30th anniversary, Italian pop-punk mainstays The Manges released their best album ever. Book of Hate for Good People is a near perfect pop-punk record. “Lucky Tiger”, “Back to Bangkok”, “High On Stress”, “The Hate Parade”, “I’m Not A Sissy”, “Red Flags”… all bangers. If you have not listened to this, you’re a god damn idiot. Read my fuckin’ review, too, while you’re at it.

#2 The Windowsill – Focus

I thought I had my Top 10 list locked in about a month ago, then I found out The Windowsill had a new album coming out in December and I knew my list was about to be blown up. My fears were confirmed when I hit play on Focus for the first time. Dear lord, this album is incredible! I’ve listened to it at least once a day since it came out. This album deserves to be on a lot of Top 10 lists. Did I mention that I reviewed it? Because I did.

#1 No Fun At All – Seventh Wave

No Fun At All is one of the greatest skate punk bands of all time, in my opinion. Seventh Wave is the band’s seventh full-length album, and I think it’s one of their best. This is right up there with their 90’s output, rivaling classic records like Out of Bounds and The Big Knockover. NFAA never disappoints. Seventh Wave is easily my favorite album of 2022.

READ MY REVIEW!!!

Honorable Mentions

Rehasher – Open Roads (single)

In case you didn’t already know, Less Than Jake‘s Roger Lima has a killer side project called Rehasher. They came through with a new single in the 11th hour of 2022. “Open Roads” is excellent. Shit sounds like Motorhead gone skate punk. How bout a new ‘Hasher record in 2023, Roger?

Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!

I like Megadeth. This is a pretty good Megadeth album. I think Anthony Fantano gave it a bad review, but fuck that guy. Long live MegaDave!

Florida Men – Self-Titled

What’s that? You thought I was done plugging my album reviews? Think again, motherfucker! I thoroughly enjoyed Dutch pop-punk band Florida Men‘s self-titled debut album, and gave it a glowing review. Perhaps you, too, will enjoy it.

Handheld – A Canadian Tragedy

2022 saw Canadian skate punks Handheld making a triumphant return with their first new album in 14 years. I had actually never heard of these guys before, but when I saw they were on Thousand Islands Records, I knew A Canadian Tragedy would probably be a good record. I was right!

The Bruce Lee Band – One Step Forward. Two Steps Back.

Mike Park does it again! The latest album from the revived Bruce Lee Band also features Jeff Rosentstock, MU330‘s Dan Potthast, and former Chinkees drummer Kevin Higuchi. Best ska record of 2022 right here.

I REVIEWED THIS ALBUM 🙂

Thanks for reading all that bullshit. Here’s a neat little Spotify playlist with a song from each of these albums!

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DS Exclusive: (World) Cup The Punx! Volume 2 w/members of Flatfoot 56 and The Real McKenzies and Good Friend and more!

We’ve made it to the knockout round of the 2022 World Cup! So far, there’s been jubilation and disappointment in supporters of various Clubs and a few surprises. Among the highlights: USA followed up draws against the two UK teams, Wales and England, with a win against Iran. Saudi Arabia shockingly beat Argentina; before its […]

We’ve made it to the knockout round of the 2022 World Cup! So far, there’s been jubilation and disappointment in supporters of various Clubs and a few surprises. Among the highlights: USA followed up draws against the two UK teams, Wales and England, with a win against Iran. Saudi Arabia shockingly beat Argentina; before its elimination by the USA, Iran stunned Wales with an extra-time win. THAT goal by Brazil’s Richarlison de Andrade! There were acts of courage by fans and team members; and broken promises by the host nation. Legendary United States Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941) introduced the oft-quoted idea that sunlight is the best disinfectant to counteract negative governance. Hopefully, in the case of the tournament, the eyes of the world that are focused sharply on both the host country and the governing body overseeing the World Cup act as that disinfectant. Punk rock has a long legacy of acting in that same manner whether or not the musicians know of Louis D Brandeis’ and/or his famous words.

Here we present more diehard soccer/futbol fans. Most indicate that they are watching the World Cup with that awareness. One musician understandably chose to boycott. Yet all discuss their love of the beautiful game. Remember, you can read Part One of “(World) Cup The Punx” here and you can check out our World Cup playlist, chock full of all your favorite futbol-related punk anthems, right here!


Part 2 of our World Cup special, as with Part 1, starts with a musician hailing from Northern Ireland. Adam Carroll aka Mad Adam, vocalist and bass player with the band Good Friend, reveals his take on the tournament and which clubs he regularly supports.

DS: What are you most looking forward to in the World Cup?

AC: “I’m looking forward to how The World Cup brings people together. Football is on the tip of everyone’s tongue and even people who usually don’t relate to the sport are supporting a team passionately. And there is always drama!

Carroll adds:

“That’s what sports supposed to be about, right?”

DS: Which team(s) are you rooting for? Which teams do you think are going to be there at the end fighting for the trophy?

AC: “As there is no R.O.[Republic of] Ireland or N. Ireland and our usual back up of Iceland also didn’t make it this time round, I’m rooting for Argentina. An England v Argentina final and [Lionel] Messi wins the game with a hand of God. That’s how I think it’s all gonna happen.

DS: Do you have a favorite team(s)/player(s) in the English Premier League, Major League Soccer or any other leagues around the world?

AC: “I support Liverpool (Premier League) and Coleraine FC (Hometown team).

DS: How did you become a fan of the team if not from that area?

AC: “My older brothers support Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United and rather than swear allegiance to one I wanted a team of my own. I loved how Liverpool played. They were fast and frantic and anything could happen in front of the Kop.

DS: Did you ever play football/soccer yourself?

AC: “I did, I was a right winger and played for a few local teams. I once had an unsuccessful trial for Leeds.


Kyle Bawinkel, bass player for Flatfoot 56, has worn his Chicago Fire scarf around the world. It’s kept him warm from Murmansk, Russia (Arctic Circle) 2013, (photo on right) and back home on the sidelines of the team’s pitch (photo on the left, below, with Part 1 participant, Mike Park of The Crombies.)

DS: What are you most looking forward to in the World Cup?

KB: “It’s hard to not get excited over the first Poland vs Mexico match. growing up in predominant Polish and Mexican neighborhoods. it’s going to be an all out brawl.” [The match ended in a 0-0 draw.]

DS: Which team(s) are you rooting for and which teams do you think are going to be there at the end fighting for the trophy and will win that trophy?

KB: “I’m excited to watch this young USA team and think it’s time for Brazil to hoist.

DS: Do you have a favorite team(s)/player(s)in the English Premiere League, United States Major League Soccer or any other leagues around the world?

KB: “I’ve always been a Bundesliga watcher so I followed Breman and St Pauli but favorite player has been Schweinsteiger, so I guess you can say the Chicago Fire was watched a lot as well.”

DS: How did you become a fan of the team if not from the area?

KB: “I watched the Chicago Fire growing up because they played down the street and watched a lot of Bundesliga on tour. Our driver was a huge Breman fan so I started following them. My first love of Bundesliga though is St Pauli. I’ve played many of their supporters’ events over the years and obviously what they stand for is 100%.

DS: Did you ever play football/soccer yourself?

 KB: “I only played pickup games growing up. I was never in an organized league.

DS: Favorite Football related punk songs?

KB: “How can it not be Hardcore HooliganThe Business?


Henrike Baliú (Blind Pigs; Armada) will be experiencing the World Cup with his children. The musician is from Brazil, where the National Team has won the World Cup 5 times. That makes the South American nation the winningest in the tournament’s history. Will 2022 earn the Brazilians their 6th title? Baliú shares his thought on that and more with us.

DS: What are you most looking forward to in the World Cup?

HB: “Well, I’m looking forward to Brazil bringing home the World Cup trophy. Not because I care, ‘cause I don’t, but I’d like to see my three sons have this experience. I’ve had it in 1994 and 2002 when football (not soccer, that’s how Yanks call it) was still a big part of my life.

DS: Which team(s) are you rooting for? Which teams do you think are going to be there at the end fighting for the trophy?

HB: “Brazil, obviously, even though our national team’s shirt has been stolen by neo-fascists here as their uniform. So, I’ll be rooting but you won’t see me wearing the jersey.

DS: Do you have a favorite team(s)/player(s) in the English Premier League, Major League Soccer or any other leagues around the world?      

HB: “I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. My dad is Flamengo. It’s like a religion that your dad passes on to you.” [The photo to the left is of a young Baliú, in 1982, sporting a Flamengo shirt for his Angell School portrait in Ann Arbor, MI.]

DS: Favorite Football related punk songs? 

HB: “1982” by my band, Armada. It’s about the classic match between Brazil and Italy in 1982 in the World Cup in Spain. I watched it on TV. I was 8. Brazil lost and I couldn’t stop crying. It traumatized me so much that I wrote a song about it decades later.”


Aspy Luison of The Real McKenzies is a diehard supporter and player of futbol but not of this year’s World Cup. Whilst some of us believe eyes focused on the tournament hopefully will lead to change, Luison has a different point of view. He, understandably, believes boycotting the game is the way to avoid rewarding those who deserve anything but.

DS: What are you most looking forward to in the World Cup?

AL: “I don’t expect anything at all. I’m not going to watch it and I hope that all of us who love the real football, football with values, please do the same and turn off the fucking TV.

I am not going to support a World Cup that the corrupt and mafia-like FIFA gets richer with their shit modern football. Qatar is a country where human rights are violated, it oppresses the rights of migrant workers, women, people from the LGBTQIA+ collective, in addition to preventing freedom of expression.

DS: Do you have a favorite team(s)/player(s) in the English Premier League, Major League Soccer or any other leagues around the world?

My team is Deportivo de A Coruña, but I sympathize with all the anti-fascist and anti-racist teams like Celta Vigo, Athletic Bilbao, St.Pauli Hamburg, Celtic Glasgow

 DS: Did you ever play football/soccer yourself?

AL: “I have been playing football all my life, until I was 16 years old I was a defender (centre-back) and then for due to team needs I have changed to goalkeeper until I was 28 years old.

Now I am coach of the women’s team of my town of 4ª division.

DS: Favorite Football related punk songs?

AL: “Right now the only songs that come to mind are: The Adicts You’ll never Walk Alone‘ [and] Los Fastidios – ‘Antifa Hooligans‘”


John Payne from Heart and Lung is hoping one of the best players in the history of the sport never wins a World Cup.

DS: What are you most looking forward to in the World Cup?

JP: “I cannot wait for the moment that Messi fails to win in his last Cup ever.” [Lionel Messi’s Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia but it did beat Mexico.]

DS: Which team(s) are you rooting for? Which teams do you think are going to be there are the end fighting for the trophy?

JP: “Viva Mexico! They’re at the top of my bracket, but I think Germany, Brazil, and Uruguay are gonna stick around for a while.  Then again, I’m nearly always wrong.

DS: Do you have a favorite team(s)/player(s) in the English Premier League, Major League Soccer or any other leagues around the world?

JP: “I wake up super early on the weekends to root for Tottenham, mostly because of Son Heung-min.  Kulusevski is fast becoming a favorite, though.

DS: How did you become a fan of the team if not from that area?

JP: “My buddy lived in London for a bit, and when he got back he asked if I wanted to get up early to watch matches with him.  I said no.  He told me I could get drunk at the bar at seven am.  I said yes.

DS: Did you ever play football/soccer yourself?

JP: “I was on the purple team in fourth grade.  My parents neglected to tell me about the traveling team in fifth grade because they didn’t wanna drive me anywhere in the morning.

DS: Favorite Football related punk songs?

JP: “The Real McKenzies ‘Raise the Banner’ is a fun one!


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