For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley Plaza, named for the influential musician and one-time Gainesville resident. While Fest is always adapting, it has consistently maintained a "built by us" DIY element even as it spans throughout downtown and has achieved city approval. As long-time Fest attendees, we wanted to hear more about how the Fest team turns a city park into a main venue that's loud and vibrant for 4 nights a year, but is mostly chill for the other 360-some days of the year. The Bouncing Souls playing at Bo Diddley Plaza (Photo: Andy Stern) Scene Point Blank: As I understand it, Fest builds up everything except the literal, permanent stage at Bo Diddley Plaza. Is that correct? And what does that mean? Jason Rockhill: We had to create a venue out of just an open field and a bandshell. We have been tweaking it over the years and adding little bells and whistles but, for the most part, Bo Diddley Plaza is a city block in the middle of Gainesville, Florida. It's envisioned as a place where bands play with a lot of free events. But to set it up where you can serve alcohol and you're charging admission and you're trying to keep … Read more
The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out … Read more
Like most independent labels, Sell The Heart started to document a scene without really asking themselves “Where do you see … Read more
We're halfway through the year: when did that happen?! Luckily for you, SPB is on hand to share the music … Read more
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
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 you shouldn’t. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this band gives you exactly what you want and expect – raw, merciless and unforgiving music. Looking at the cover art and their … Read more
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 radar, but a new record gets a band even more on my radar. But I've been struggling on how to describe The Carolyn. I'll start with "like The Lawrence Arms, … Read more
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 Teengenerate. I also learned that some people consider them a supergroup as members also previously played in other bands like Fadeaways, Raydios, Ruler, Triple Junk and Firestarter, none of whom … Read more
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
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
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
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
Spite House is a post-hardcore band based out of Montreal dropping their second record titled ”Desertion on Pure Noise Records. This is a follow up to their self-titled 2022 album … Read more
If you haven’t heard of the Southern Californian band Bad Cop Bad Cop, then you are truly missing out on a top tier, female punk powerhouse. They sit at the … Read more
Toronto punks The Mendozaz are premiering a new single today, “An American Werewolf in London, Ontario” off their upcoming The Completely Fictional History Of This Great Nation of Canada EP. Of course, the single inspired by the classic horror flick is also timely for Halloween. It is “an epic tale … Read more
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. … Read more
November 21 will be the release date of a new EP from Los Angeles, CA based Spanish Love Songs, coming via Pure Noise Records. Titled A Brief Intermission in the … Read more
Boise, ID metallic hardcore band Witness Chamber shared a new single late last week, "Stranger," off the band's soon to come LP Bronze Gates. Bronze Gates will release on Dec. … Read more
Sentient Ruin Laboratories just announced the scheduled release date of Nov. 7 for Corrosion of Existence by Uranium, an intense new record from the black industrial band and a follow-up … Read more
Buffalo, NY shoegaze band Elemantra just announced a new EP on the way, Air Like A Buzzsaw, along with a new sincle, "Ishimura." The EP comes out on Oct. 9 … Read more
Vancouver, BC pop-punk band Chief State just shared a new single called "No Brakes," a song about life on the road -- released as the band prepares for a tour … Read more
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