Latest features — browse all

The Boys

Interviews • February 22, 2026

The Boys were perhaps one of the most underrated bands to ride the crest of the first wave of UK punk. Formed in London in 1976, they stood out from their peers with astute musicianship, melodic hooks, and clever lyrics. While bands like the Sex Pistols were focused on cash for chaos, The Boys embraced strong songwriting, classic rock ’n’ roll influences, and well-crafted songs that truly resonated with their fans. Their albums The Boys (1977) and Alternative Chartbusters capture the energy of the era while showcasing the band’s own unique identity and sound. I had the opportunity to ask Matt Dangerfield and Casino Steel a few questions as they prepare for their Canadian tour in March. Scene Point Blank: I spent some time writing back and forth with Andrew Matheson around the time of his book's release, Sick On You: The Disastrous Story Of The Hollywood Brats. Unfortunately, it became complicated to bring him back to Canada to promote his book. Anyway, his book is one of the best books on a rock 'n' roll band. Did you read the book, and do you have any thoughts on its accuracy? (Out of interest, I was asked to contribute to his obituary for Billboard Canada , which is an interesting read on his time in Toronto.) Cas: Yes, of course, I have read Andrew's book. He is a superb writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Andrew's book accurately reflects the times we all went through during the formation and chaos … Read more

The Darts – Tour Talk

Interviews • February 22, 2026

The Darts have a busy year ahead. First, they will release the brand new full-length Halloween Love Songs on March … Read more

Noise Real Records

Interviews • February 9, 2026

Noise Real Records recently released Noise Pollution Volume 1, a limited run 7" that features two new versions of "The … Read more

Verböten

Interviews • February 9, 2026

ver·bo·ten adjective forbidden, especially by an authority. Verböten was formed in 1982 by a bunch of kids aged 10 to … Read more

Latest album reviews — browse all

Pacifist

Five
Independent (2026)

There’s a reason five doesn’t feel like just another EP title. This isn’t a casual release or a stopgap between bigger moves but a line in the sand. On their latest five song statement, Bombay’s Pacifist sound fully aware of the lineage they’re working within, and just as aware of how much effort it takes to keep those ideals alive … Read more

Pure Intention

Pure Intention
Independent (2026)

Pure Intentions is a hard hitting punk band first emerging in the Chicago scene in 2020. Since its formation by Joe Asshole and Tommy Volume, they have since added Judson Jones in 2024 to become its current standing trio. During that time, these guys have spread their gritty sound by touring the United States while gaining a strong following along … Read more

Exhumed

Red Asphalt
Relapse (2026)

There are few bands in extreme metal who understand their own lane as well as Exhumed. For nearly three decades, Matt Harvey and company have made gore feel theatrical, technicality feel fun, and deathgrind feel almost celebratory. Red Asphalt doesn’t rewrite that formula but weaponizes it, straps it into the driver’s seat, and floors the accelerator straight into oncoming traffic. … Read more

The Dumpies

Lub Dub
Dirt Cult (2026)

Ok full disclosure, I sung backups on (allegedly) three of these songs and one song is a cover (albeit a stretch lol) of a song I co-wrote. What can I say tho? I was a fan of The Dumpies from the get go, before we all became very close friends and constant tour mates! Dub music diehards might be a … Read more

Additional album reviews

Elway

Nobody’s Going To Heaven
Red Scare (2025)

There’s a specific kind of punk record that doesn’t try to inspire you, doesn’t bother offering solutions, and doesn’t pretend things are going to work out in the end. Nobody’s … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Heather The Jerk

Very Motorcycle EP
Goodbye Boozy (2025)

Heather The Jerk is a project from Madison, WI musician Heather Sawyer -- a scrappy punk band with garage and pop influences running rampant through the peppy, raw sound. This … Read more

Toys That Kill

Triple Sabotage
Recess (2026)

If you were lucky enough to catch Toys That Kill live last year, you were maybe treated to a set that included classic F.Y.P bangers like “Come Home Smelly” and … Read more

Various Artists

Gino and the Goons / Chinese Junk – Talk Trash With
Big Neck Records (2025)

Split LPs can be a gamble, but Talk Trash With lands squarely like a swift kick to those tender testicles dancing in the steel-toe-boot category — ten tracks of loud, … Read more

Citric Dummies

Split With Turnstile
Feel It Records (2025)

Citric Dummies might be the band I saw live the most often in 2025, yet I put off a thorough review of their latest LP until the calendar turned to … Read more

Pageant Mum

Finis Amoris Est
Red Tape Music (2026)

Breakup records usually announce themselves with a band. There is betrayal, shouting, and doors slamming shut. Finis Amoris Est, the new EP from UK post-hardcore outfit Pageant Mum, takes a … Read more

Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders

After The Dolls
Heavy Medication Records (2026)

Pat Todd is a roots rock and roll incarnate — a relentless road dog, grinding it out night after night with his hot-as-buckshot band, The Rankoutsiders. His shows are raw, … Read more

Dewey

Summer On A Curb
Howlin’ Banana Records (2026)

If you like your pop melodies wrapped in fuzz, your shoegaze grounded in real songwriting, and your records best experienced front-to-back on a quiet night, Dewey’s debut is absolutely worth … Read more

News headlines — browse all

SPB featured stream: The Dumpies - Lub Dub

Posted in Records on March 1, 2026

Following up 2024’s near-perfect Gay Boredom comes Lub Dub by Oregon’s The Dumpies. Recorded in Austin TX at the BBQ Shack by Jason Morales and Mike Vasquez, this is their second release on Dirt Cult Records. Bassist Tim Janchar, whose long running label Hovercraft Records is co-releasing the LP says … Read more

Joey Shithead for office

Posted in Videos on March 6, 2026

MVD Entertainment will release a documentary called SOmething Better Change, the story of D.O.A. frontman Joe Keithley's political victory in 2018 to become a city councillor in Burnaby, BC. The … Read more

Brand new Prince Daddy & The Hyena

Posted in Records on March 6, 2026

Mouthful of a moniker band Prince Daddy & The Hyena just shared a new single, "Big-Box Store Heart," along with news of the group's latest albu. Hotwire Trip Switch will … Read more

Whose on Ipecac?

Posted in Labels on March 6, 2026

Ipecac Recordings has added a new band to their roster and, despite the headline, we aren't going to drag this out. The label has just signed Cor De Lux of … Read more

El Ten Eleven goes Nowhere Faster

Posted in Records on March 6, 2026

Instrumental math-rock band El Ten Eleven shared news of a new album called Nowhere Fast this week, out on April 10 on Joyful Noise Recordings. "The title is us poking … Read more

A Gentilesky Dream

Posted in Records on March 5, 2026

Italian-Turkish punk band Gentilesky has just announced Dream, the band's second album, coming out on April 3 via Slovenly Recordings. "Taking their name from the Baroque master Artemisia Gentileschi, the … Read more

Get Choncy

Posted in Records on March 4, 2026

Cincinnati, OH "twisty turny punk" band Choncy just announced a new record, their third, comign in April. Trademark will release officially on April 17 on Feel It Records, pulling from … Read more

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