Jonathan Diener

I’ve been a part of the music scene since I was 13 years old. I’m here to report that I just turned 30 and the world didn’t end. I’ve seen countless trends and friends come and go, so I wanted to share my experiences and some lessons I learned along the way. Read more: Blink-182 ... Read More ...

A note from the author, Sept. 2017: I've found what I believe to be the happy medium to pursuing my dreams. Instead of dropping everything and forgoing my main source of income, I've been easing off working and dedicating more time to the things I love...

You’ve probably seen them open for your favorite bands (Motion City Soundtrack, The Menzingers, Into It. Over It., etc.) and steal the show with their harmonizing guitar solos and energetic live performances. Riding that massive wave of momentum, nerd rock overlords, Rozwell Kid have a new album, Precious Art coming out June 23 on SideOneDummy Records. Rea... Read More ...

KBrakes Want the perfect gift for drummers? What if we told you there’s a way to stop their kick drums from sliding? Save the show and your favorite drummer’s sanity with these simple, affordable, low-profile miracles that slip right onto their kick drum spurs. Don’t beli ...

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) Not only is the fictional band Sex Bob-Omb super relatable, their music is badass. Strap on a guitar and save the world. Wayne’s World (1992) Wayne and Garth might be the stars of this movie, but we’ll never forget Crucial Taunt. This Is S... Read More ...

Get your wallets ready: November 19 is officially Local Comic Shop Day! Similar to Record Store Day (which has grown massively in the last few years), LCSD is a way to bring comic fans out to their local shops with enticing exclusive content, with everything from variant covers, new hardcover collections and more ...

Everyone’s favorite armor-clad, heavy metal shock rockers, GWAR, are finally getting their own comic series! A Kickstarter page was launched today to help the band and comic creators make this crazy nightmare a reality. Cover art by Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, colors by Josh Jensen Writer Matt Miner (Toe Tag Riot, Critical Hit) Artist Jonathan Brandon Sawyer (Welcome Back, Critical Hit) Colorist Mari

Social media gives a new inside look at the lives of our favorite artists. Whether it’s Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram, we get to see a daily snippet of how their time is spent on the road, writing, recording or just goofing off. Lately, I’ve been seeing professional wrestlers pop up all over my newsfeed (and not just from following wrestlers). How did th ...

Buy that guitar you’ve always wanted, put on these songs and get learning! Just maybe wait a bit before you try the solos. “All The Small Things” - Blink 182 Thank the pop-punk overlords for giving us a few chords that we could all learn.   “Smells Li... Read More ...

The last decade has been jam-packed with reunions of our favorite bands. Some have a successful return and decide to continue on, while others flail, fail and disappear before it’s too embarrassing. What most people don’t talk about in detail is the abundance of nostalgia tours happening with all of the bands who haven’t broken up. Playing an olde ...

It’s extremely hard to narrow down the thousands of great comics into a top 10 list, but Alternative Press wanted me to make things easy for you. Whether you’re in our music scene or just a fan of pop culture, these are the ten comics that I would highly suggest you pick up immediately. Worst X-M... Read More ...

I have fond childhood memories of watching cartoons, playing with action figures and escaping into the vast depths of my own imagination for most of the day. As I grew older, I felt the magic wane and lived through some Toy Story 3 tear-jerker moments: watching my tiny plastic heroes sold off at garage sales or thrown in the trash ...

The 2016 APMAs are only a few short weeks away, and voting closes on July 1! Just to make sure you've done your research before you cast your vote, we're helping you out and briefing you on all the nominees for Best Guitarist. Check out all your options, and then make sure to VOTE right here! KEVIN... Read More ...

This year's APMAs (get your tickets now!) bring a talented crop of musicians to the Best Bassist category presented by Razor & Tie, so we decided to take a closer look at the artists who are up for the award. Head below for a breakdown of each bassist's background and style, as well as a track that highlights his talent. And don't ...

Southern California post-hardcore rockers Capsize are heading out on Warped Tour this summer and gearing up for their new album with a “pay it forward” mentality. The guys launched a series of instrument giveaways encouraging their fans to start their own bands and follow their dreams just like they did. AP talked ...

This year's APMAs bring a talented crop of musicians to the Best Drummer presented by DW Drums category, so we decided to take a closer look at the stick wielders who are up for the award. Head below for a breakdown of each drummer's background and style, as well as a track that highlights their talent. And do ...

Everyone dreams of playing with their favorite band when they are younger, but having the chance to join your favorite band is more than just a pipe dream. This year alone I’ve already auditioned for a legendary band I wasn’t even expecting to meet in my lifetime. If you’re ...

The often forgotten crew members are a crucial part of successful touring. Whether it’s a small show with an opening band and their friend selling merch or a sold out Taylor Swift stadium show with 100-plus people making sure the production goes off without a hitch, they are essential and valuable human beings. Here ...

I just walked out of an intimate, private community meeting at my hometown venue, the Flint Local 432, with a very special surprise guest: Macklemore. Before playing the Fox Theater in Detroit tonight, he made the drive an hour north to follow suit with other high-profile celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Russell Simmons and Rev... Read More ... Read More ...

Whether you’re writing a song or an article, there comes that dreaded moment when your brain feels completely empty. You have officially hit a wall, you’re running on nothing and it sucks. Well fret not: Here are some ways to get your creative juices flowing.   KEEP A... Read More ...