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Fest 23: Artist Interviews

Interviews / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

FEST 23 takes place later this month, from Oct. 24-26 in Gainesville, FL. Something like a billion bands are driving, flying, canoeing, and snowshoeing to the festival from across the country -- many of them for the first time and many come back to play nearly every year. Scene Point Blank has traveled to “over half” of them (we’ve lost count -- it's a theme you’ll read in this feature) and each has been a blast, merging a strong and positive community atmosphere with great musical finds and old favorites. This year we reached out to six bands to share their thoughts about The Fest, what they will do in Gainesville this year, and what new projects they might have in store. https://thefestfl.com/ Read the interviews below: Reconciler Celebration Summer Miller Lowlifes Pool Kids Rodeo Boys Partial Traces Reconciler Like many of the bands in this feature, Reconciler are punk veterans who play the festival often, but not quite every year. It's an annual tradition but also -- at least in this writer's opinion -- something of a showcase of what the southeastern US punk scene has to offer. We caught with guitarist/vocalist Joseph Lazzari to talk about regional punk, their latest EP and, of course, FEST 23. Scene Point Blank: What's the first thing you think of when I say the word “Fest"? Joseph Lazzari: Best weekend of the year Scene Point Blank: What was your favorite or most memorable experience at FEST 22? Joseph Lazzari: Its always hangin’ … Read more

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, … Read more

Guest List: ADD Records Picks 5 Favorite Leatherface Songs

Music / The Set List • October 18, 2025

This summer Little Rocket Records announced Leatherface: The Peel Sessions, a collection of live studio recordings with Leatherface from the … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands … Read more

Latest album reviews — browse all

Street Eaters

Opaque
Dirt Cult (2025)

Sometimes I'm surprised at how averse I am to change. Hearing that Street Eaters had expanded to a trio caused me more trepidation than I want to admit -- and, like most fear of change, it was all for naught. The band hasn't changed and they aren't spilling over with annoying guitar solos either. They just have a little more … Read more

Faulty Cognitions

They Promised Us Heaven
Dead Broke Records (2025)

On their debut, Somehow, We Are Here, Faulty Cognitions made their statement. This wasn't a garage-punk band in the style of the members' previous bands (Low Culture and Shang-A-Lang, among others). It's a guitar-first rock indie-punk band schooled by the college rock of the 1980s. This time around the transition has been so seamless that maybe the debut was a … Read more

The Penske File

Reprieve
Gunner Records, Stomp Records (2025)

I used to dislike punk music where people sing. And, well, I'm still not super fond of it but there is an exception to every rule. The Penske File are one of those exceptions and maybe it's because while they have a singer (as compared to a "vocalist"), it's still authentic and conveys that everyperson vibe I seek in the … Read more

Menace Ruine

The Color of the Grave Is Green
Union Finale Records (2025)

One of the most unique voices in extreme music, Menace Ruine stand out in their sonic evolution. The duo of Geneviève Beaulieu and Steve de la Moth started out in a raw, uncompromising fashion, merging black metal and industrial to create absolute havoc in Cult of Ruins and The Die is Cast. In the coming years, they would expand this … Read more

Additional album reviews

Extortionist

Stare Into The Seething Wounds
Unique Leader (2025)

With a band name like Extortionist, you instantly know they aren’t messing around. I’ve watched enough true crime documentaries to know when you’re going to get tangled up with someone … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Carolyn

Pyramid Scheme of Grief
59X, Disconnect/Disconnect (2025)

This is one of my "find" records of the year so far. I caught a few songs by The Carolyn at FEST 22 and that essentially put them on my … Read more

Angel Face

Out In The Street
Slovenly (2025)

Slovenly calls this JAPANPUNK. My preliminary google search of this portmanteau didn’t come up with much but I already know Angel Face features Fink from noisey ’90s Japanese garage rockers … Read more

Neutral Snap

I Hardly Know Her
Independent (2025)

Let’s get formally introduced to the underground and independent band Neutral Snap. They are an upcoming pop punk/emo band from New Orleans that have been around since 2018. Or maybe … Read more

To The Grave

Still
Unique Leader (2025)

Coming from Australia, To The Grave bring their brutal vegan deathcore offering Still to fans worldwide. This EP punches you right in the gut with seven tracks of horror infused … Read more

La Dispute

No One Was Driving The Car
Epitaph (2025)

Occasionally bands will surpass being musicians and become artists. La Dispute aren’t making music. They’re making art. The band returns after six years with their self-produced 14 track, full-length, No … Read more

Dying Wish

Flesh Stays Together
Sharptone (2025)

From their hardcore days to their newer, progressing sound on Flesh Stays Together, Dying Wish has been inching toward something sharper, more spectral, more personal. Not just lyrically, but also … Read more

Sam Russo

Hold You Hard
Red Scare Industries (2025)

Art is subjective -- and sometimes it's curious what appeals to you. Hold You Hard is the latest from solo songwriter Sam Russo about travel, memory, and experience. There are … Read more

News headlines — browse all

SPB featured stream: william h. travis - ruby

Posted in Records on October 3, 2025

Sometimes the singer-songwriter thing puts too much on the table. At SPB, we like a little bit of mystery, which ties into our newest featured stream, Ruby by william h. travis. william h. travis may or may not be an individual -- the project from Bethlehem, PA describes itself as … Read more

"Locked Room" with Superworld

Posted in Tours on October 19, 2025

Forget supergroups: meet Superworld, a San Jose, CA based math-rock/screamo band with a new single as the band preps for live dates with The Startling Line. "‘Locked Room’ started as … Read more

This winter brings Storm Boy

Posted in Records on October 19, 2025

Post-hardcore band Storm Boy will be releasing a new 8-song album digitally on Jan. 15, 2026, Beast Machine Theory, followed by a US East Coast winter tour. The band just … Read more

10 years battling The Eradicator

Posted in Records on October 19, 2025

Squash punk maeestro The Eradicator is back, releasing a single-sided LP called You Can Hate The Eradicator last month. While the band is inspired by a Kids in the Hall … Read more

Altarboy Halloween single

Posted in Bands on October 19, 2025

Formed last year in Philadelphia, PA, Altarboy has a new pre-Halloween single called “Rave From The Grave,” just released on Crusty Wrapper Records. The horror-tinged punk tune features a lineup … Read more

Cult & Culture vinyl

Posted in Records on October 18, 2025

Three One G Records and Smashed Plastic are teaming up to bring Cult and Culture podcast to your record player. The label has announced the Cult & Culture podcast compilation, … Read more

AFA EP by Auditory Anguish

Posted in Records on October 18, 2025

Death metal meets metalcore band Audiotory Anguish will release a new 5-song EP, AFA, out on Creator-Destructor Records on Nov. 14. The West Cosat band last released Crime Rituals EP … Read more

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