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

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 Going To Heaven is firmly planted in that tradition. Elway returns sounding less interested in rallying cries and more invested in documenting collapse as it happens. They cover every collapse … Read more

Heather The Jerk

Very Motorcycle EP
Goodbye Boozy (2025)

200 Words Or Less

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 4-song EP is called Very Motorcycle, released about a year after the Not Very Motorcycle tape. I have no idea what the phrase means, yet it sets a distinct mood. … 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 “Jerkoff”. I made the trip down to Seattle to see them with Off With Their Heads specifically for this reason and was in no way disappointed. I had somehow managed … 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, unpolished punk mayhem that feel tailor-made for sticky floors, smoky blue air (ahh, remember those years?), piss puddles for those who can’t miss a note, and the smell of a … Read more

Additional album reviews

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

Place Position

Went Silent
Blind Rage Records, Bunker Park, Poptek, Sweet Cheetah (2026)

There’s a certain kind of band that makes sense immediately once you see them live. Place Position is one of those bands. Before Went Silent ever landed on my speakers, … Read more

Twenty One Children

After The Storm EP
Slovenly (2025)

Hailing and wailing from Soweto, South Africa, rising from the ashes After The Storm comes pounding like a fierce berg wind. Don’t let this trigger your ancraophobia; they are only … Read more

Awful Din

Anti Body
We’re Trying Records (2026)

There’s a certain honesty that only comes from bands who’ve spent years playing to half-filled rooms, basements with bad wiring, and bars where the PA is optional. ANTI BODY, the … Read more

Mariachi El Bronx

IV
ATO (2026)

As I review Mariachi El Bronx's latest album, IV I'm not going to pretend I'm well-versed in the deep cultural tradition that inspired The Bronx to adopt this project well … Read more

News headlines — browse all

SPB featured stream: Clockface - s/t

Posted in Records on February 9, 2026

We're back with our first featured stream of 2026, a new 7-song 7" from Clockface out now on Dropping Bombs. Based out of Detroit and Chicago, think "90s Victory Records with a bit of 00s Lockin' Out attitude," to steal a succinct description from the label. It's hardcore with a … Read more

59 X FakeYou

Posted in Records on February 23, 2026

Of Montreal, punk band Fake You has announced their upcoming debut album, Promise to Disappear, a gruff yet sensitive collection to release via 59 X Records on April 3. The … Read more

Caterwaul 2026 includes Didjits, Mike Watt, Dazzling Killmen+

Posted in Shows on February 23, 2026

Caterwaul returns to defiant Minneapolis, MN in 2026, taking place June 5-7, 2026 at Zhora Darling this year. The lineup is still not fully announced, but organizers have announced 10 … Read more

Meet Mental Gymnast

Posted in Records on February 23, 2026

Mental Gymnast is a new band with past and present members of Dog Park Dissidents, Dissidente, Binary Heart, Sarah and the Safe Word, wolves&wolves&wolves&wolves, Almost People, and I'm singing, plus … Read more

White Reaper Expand Only Slightly

Posted in Bands on February 23, 2026

White Reaper have announced the deluxe version of their 2025 record, Only Slightly Empty. They will release Only Slightly Expanded on March 13th via Blue Grape Music. The deluxe album … Read more

The 2024-2025 Art As Catharsis label sampler

Posted in Records on February 22, 2026

Art As Catharsis just shared a biennial label sampler, in their own words, described as "packed full of lush nu-jazz, cavernous sludge, polyrhythmic escapades, cinematic doom, hypnotic ambience, earthy psychedelia … Read more

Death Lens asks What's Left Now?

Posted in Records on February 22, 2026

A new Death Lens comes out on April 24: What's Left Now?, coming via Epitaph Records. The band is also touring with Drug Church and White Reaper. Read more Death … Read more

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