Fleshies are back with a new album. Titled Introducing the Fleshies, the new jam is available from Dirt Cult Records now.

The Oakland, CA band originally formed in 1999 and has previous records on renowned labels including Alternative Tentacles, Recess, Adeline, and more. They’re known for a serious work ethic and active tour schedule, along with lefty political themes and an intense, unpredictable live show.

The new record captures that raw energy that blends aggression with humor and an underlying sense of melody.

Listen here:

A lot has happened since 2003, when SPB first launched onto the worldwide web. Three-fourths of the site founders moved on to new projects. People graduated from college, got married, found careers, and more. Staff comes, goes, and sometimes returns. As the world changes, SPB remains focused on independent music through it all.

When SPB turned 10 in 2013, we celebrated with the release of a book, All Downhill From Here. We're proud of sticking around; we're proud of our work. We also want to thank you for supporting us. 2018 marked our 15th anniversary, and to celebrate we're giving away 15 ebook copies of All Downhill From Here. We gave away several earlier this year, but we're back with more free copies. 

Enter the contest here. (Or purchase a physical book here.)

After a brief(ish) hiatus, we're back with the new 2019 season of our podcast! You can find us on iTunes and use your regular podcast search engine to look for Scene Point Blank, or you can just use the handy embedded player below to listen to our new episode. Show notes are also included below.

Copenhagen's Halshug will release its third studio album this July on Southern Lord Recordings. The Denmark punk band will titled the record Drøm, with an official release set for July 19.

The band has two previous LPs under their belt: 2015's Blodets Bånd and 2016's Sort Sind.

They've also shared a new video, "Fantasi" here:

Backtrack, who formed in 2008 and have released music on Flatspot Records, 6131 Records, and Bridge 9 Records, will disband at year's end.

Before the group calls it a day, they will embark on several tours, including dates in the US, Canada, Asia, and Australia.

"We appreciate everyone who has shown this band love over the past eleven years. Thanks to anyone who has supported us along the way, and we look forward to seeing you one last time," the band says in a prepared statement.

Confirmed tour dates are listed below, with more still to come. Backtrack most recently released Bad To My World in 2017 (Bridge 9).

Fifty punks bands will perform at the upcoming Bristol Booze Cruise, taking place May 24-26. Inspired by Hamburg’s Booze Cruise Festivals, 50 bands will play across 3 stages over 3 days at The Exchange and Stage & Hounds.

The lineup, listed in full below, come from 9 different countries and includes Apologies I have None, Erica Freas, Vacation, The Dauntless Elite, Western Settings, Sssnakes, and more. A portion of profits will be donated to Sea Watch, a not-for-profit organisation that helps to rescue refugees stranded in the Mediterranean Sea.

War records will release the new EP by LA's Berthold City on June 14, releasing on 7" vinyl and digital platforms. The EP follows-up last year's Moment of Truth EP.

Bursting through with four songs of straight edge hardcore over seven minutes, the band features a number of familiar faces, sharing members with Strife, World Be Free, Internal Affairs, Allegiance, and more.

Listen to "Beware the Snakes" from the EP courtesy of No Echo.

On Sept. 13, Ipecac Recordings will release a new collaborative album by Mike Patton and French composer Jean-Claude Vannier.

Corpse Flower will be available on cd and digital platforms and is open to preorder via the label now. While written by Vannier and Patton, US musicians including Smokey Hormel (Beck, Johnny Cash), Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Air, Nine Inch Nails) and James Gadson (Beck, Jamie Lidell), and Parisian musicians Denys Lable, Bernard Paganotti (Magma), Daniel Ciampolini, Didier Malherbe, Léonard Le Cloarec and the Bécon Palace String Ensemble, all perform on the record.

“Jean-Claude and I met while working together on a Gainsbourg retrospective at the Hollywood Bowl in 2011,” Patton says of the making of. “We bonded immediately. I could see he had a dedication and attention to detail that was relentless so the respect I had for him in my mind was magnified in person. We spoke loosely about working together in the future… and it took some time, but after a few years I contacted him and we began to ignite some sparks.”

“I would send Mike rough versions of the songs to get his thoughts, then I’d wait impatiently, staring at the clock, until I received his response,” Vannier adds in a pre-album press release. “He made my music awaken with his unique perspective and interpretations of my songs. A formidable vocalist, with a sense of humor, Mike and I created a strong, beautiful and sincere collection of music, as well as a friendship.”

Listen to the song "On Top Of The World" below.

Manchester-based psychadelic five-piece URF's new single "Solitude" is out now, and the band will be performing at the Manchester Psych Fest in August.

The band has described "Solitude", which follows on from the band's debut EP For The Ride, as "an expression of the uncertainty of contemporary life and the often-cynical thoughts that occur within it."

URF have a variety of influences, including Suede, Joni Mitchell, Kurt Vile and The Cure, who inform their psychadelic pop and shoegaze sound.

"Solitude" is available now on all major platforms, or you can listen to it on YouTube here. URF will also be playing at the Manchester Psych Fest on August 30 and tickets are available here.