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Commerce or Amusement?

Regular Columns / Commerce or Amusement? • January 26, 2026

Howdy out there! Welcome to the introduction for a new interview series I’ll be helming. Thanks to SPB for having me. My interviews are going to revolve around “music biz” kinds of things. Before I keep going, I need to tell you something…I am not actually in the music business. However, I am involved in music. As a musician, label owner, producer, engineer etc…I never approached any of those monikers from a business standpoint. I’m a fan above all else and the rest has occurred as a direct result of that. As such, the interviewees will all be drawn from various corners of the music world. It’s important to realize that there are financial implications in various fields of music, but that will unfold over the course of the interviews I conduct. For anyone doing a band, label, blog, etc., I’d like you, the reader, to ask yourself: “Am I in the music business, or just involved in music?” If you’re reading this as a music fan, the question for you changes slightly: “Do I support the music business, or just support music?” These are not trick questions and there are no wrong answers. It’s not the '90s anymore, where if you’re in a punk band and admit you’d rather make money than lose money you’ll be ostracized. If you’re a fan that wants to work at a record label or manage a band, you won’t get any sideways glances by people who are suspicious of your motives. What this … Read more

The Rousers

Interviews • January 26, 2026

A dripping handful of Brylcreem and a well-used black comb situated in the pack pocket of the rolled up Levis, … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #2

Music / New Kids On The Block • January 12, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and then die … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2025)

Music / Year End 2025 • December 23, 2025

Every year we diligently assemble a list of our favorite albums of the year. Each SPB staff member enters the … Read more

Latest album reviews — browse all

Joyce Manor

I Used To Go To This Bar
Epitaph (2026)

Surely by now, you’ve heard their name. Joyce Manor have been writing soundtracks for heartbreaks and hangovers for nearly two decades now. They create short songs with their hearts on their sleeves, while sticking to that distinct Southern California mix of self-deprecation and sincerity. From the lo-fi charm of their 2011 debut to Never Hungover Again’s cult-classic status and the … Read more

La Luz

Extra! Extra!
Sub Pop (2026)

Formed in 2012, La Luz built their reputation on hypnotic surf-noir, eerie harmonies, and a uniquely supernatural warmth that made them one of Sub Pop’s most consistently compelling bands. Their 2024 full-length News of the Universe marked a major artistic shift. The sound became lush, cosmic, dust-covered, and produced by Maryam Qudus, whose work helped push the band into its … Read more

Dead Boys

Night Of The Living Dead Dolls
Cleopatra (2025)

Dead Boys, or should I say Dead Dolls (no, not those creepy little Dolls that were mass produced for wannabe Wednesdays). Johnny Blitz had just been stabbed on the streets of New York. A benefit was created to raise funds to help the fallen comrade, known as the Blitz benefit. Look it up, plebeians. Anyways cue in snot, attitude and … Read more

Crystal Lake

The Weight Of Sound
Century Media (2025)

Formed in Tokyo in 2002, Crystal Lake have spent more than two decades shaping their own high-velocity hybrid of metalcore, hardcore, and atmospheric chaos. Few bands of their era survived the genre’s shifts with their identity intact, and even fewer survived a complete vocalist change. But instead of slowing down, Crystal Lake sharpened. Now fronted by John Robert Centorrino, the … Read more

Additional album reviews

Tired Radio

Hope In The Haze
Red Scare Industries (2025)

I knew of Tired Radio, but I didn't really know the band's work. When Red Scare announced they'd signed the band, I figured it was a good excuse to dive … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Resinators

Recorded In 2005 By Jay Reatard
Independent (2024)

Interesting little slab we got sent to SPB by a Mr. Ed Young. Two originals and a cover, recorded in Jay Reatard’s living room back in 2005 as the title … Read more

Various Artists

Bombs Away!
Rad Girlfriend Records (2025)

Split records have always worked best when they feel intentional rather than convenient, and Bombs Away! lands firmly in the former category. Bringing together East Bay veterans Tsunami Bomb and … Read more

Floating Boy

Perfect Place
Independent (2026)

Sarasota, Florida’s Floating Boy have been grinding for seven years, quietly shaping themselves into a band that lives and breathes the ethics of Fugazi (if you couldn’t tell by their … Read more

The Brokedowns

Let's Tips The Landlord
Red Scare Industries (2025)

I've reviewed a lot of Brokedowns records over the years. First, I'll say I love the band and I honestly feel like they keep getting better. Second, I'll say that … Read more

Dumbells

Up Late With
Mind Melt Records (2025)

When I started my end of year list this year I asked my pal Joel from Portland’s Dumpies to share his best of 2025 playlist with me. Several songs caught … Read more

Osiah

Aion
Unique Leader (2025)

Deathcore is a genre that’s constantly threatening to eat itself alive. For every band trying to push boundaries, there are ten more content to recycle the same breakdowns, the same … Read more

Ramleh

Hyper Vigilance
Sleeping Giant Glossolalia (2025)

Ramleh is a cornerstone of the UK industrial and noise underground. Staring out in the early '80s, they are one of the pioneers of noise and power electronics alongside the … Read more

News headlines — browse all

"Murder & Violence" by Brad Marino

Posted in Records on January 26, 2026

Brad Marino, formerly of The Connection, has a new single out now from the upcoming Agent Of Chaos, which will release on April 3 followed by a tour in May. The record will release via Spaghetty Town Records (North America), Ghost Highway Recordings, and Beluga Records (EU). Check out "Murder … Read more

New LOTUS

Posted in Records on January 26, 2026

LOTUS of Belgium recently shared "JLD," a new single from the band's Forever Martial album -- out in March. The hardcore-fuelled punk band described the album as "a punk record … Read more

New Vial taps March 20

Posted in Records on January 26, 2026

Minneapolis trio Vial announced a new album this spring, Hellhound, out on Trout Hole Records, followed by US tour dates. Formed in 2019, the band released burnout in 2024. The … Read more

Mega Infinity w/ MC Lars

Posted in Records on January 26, 2026

Mega Infinity has a new album on the way, sharing a new single called "And the Crowd Goes Mild," which also includes a guest appearance from MC L9ars. The new … Read more

Ohyung on Iowa

Posted in Records on January 25, 2026

Solo artist Lia Ouyang Rusli, performing as Ohyung, has announced a March 6 release date for the new album Iowa, a stripped-down and atmospheric record which documents Rusli's year in … Read more

CoC with Whores and Crobot

Posted in Tours on January 25, 2026

Corrosion of Conformity will headline a US tour in the spring, bringing along Whores and Crobot through April-May. Dates below. The band is also planning a new double album, set … Read more

Powerwasher set Pressure cycle

Posted in Records on January 25, 2026

Powerwasher, of Baltimore, MD, will release an EP on March 6: Pressure. The band last released Everyone Laughs, a full-length, back in 2024. This time around the EP comes via … Read more

More news — browse all

Druglords of the Avenues (and sidewalks)

Posted in Records on January 25, 2026

Druglords of the Avenues are prepping for their third album, … Read more

Coming to Austin Psych Fest this year...

Posted in Shows on January 25, 2026

Running May 8-10, 2026 at The Far Out Lounge in … Read more

Double Dutch singles

Posted in Labels on January 24, 2026

White Russian Records just shared two new singles: "Encoded Message" … Read more

Micah and the Mirrors this May

Posted in Bands on January 24, 2026

Denver, CO musician Micah Morris (ex Fast Eddy) has a … Read more

Ablaze with Slow Death

Posted in Records on January 24, 2026

We're two short weeks from the release of Slow Death, … Read more

It's A Superworld

Posted in Records on January 24, 2026

San Jose, CA scream band Superworld, featuring members of Spy, … Read more

The Black Spot in 2026

Posted in Records on January 24, 2026

First released in 1995, D.O.A.'s The Black Spot has been … Read more

AIDS Wolf with Harsh Human Style

Posted in Records on January 24, 2026

SKiN GRAFT Records is preparing to releease the final recordings … Read more

SkyTigers proclaim …Injustice for All

Posted in Records on January 24, 2026

Heavy punk band SkyTigers just shared “Immortelevision” today, the first … Read more

Pet Needs UK punk

Posted in Records on January 24, 2026

UK punk band Pet Needs has announced a follow-up to … Read more