alternative press

In honor of our 30th anniversary, we polled the many editors, wunderkinds, and general shit starters past and present to create this playlist: 30 years and 30 tracks. Below you’ll find the crucial songs that soundtracked each staff member’s tenure, shaping editorial content, artistic discovery and general office morale. 1. DAVID EARLE, Editor-in-chief (1985-1988) Scratch Acid, […]

Of the myriad of publishing arts, photography might be the most ambiguous and unteachable. Being in the right place, at the right angle, at the right millisecond, with the right lens, in the right light — it all amounts to an act of practical magic. And no amount of photographic skill is useful if you […]

Dr. David Earle was the first editor of Alternative Press. A full 30 years later, the magazine and punk-rock never come up in conversation in his daily life, even when he writes scholarly books about periodical publications. But the magazine still informs his personal and professional world, whether he’s teaching college courses or breaking out […]

Who is Rob Ortenzi? He’s the most sarcastic man on earth. He’s a huge Apple fan. He’s a former “industrial” dude, and he’s also Alternative Press’ Director of New Media. Ortenzi has been with the magazine for 16 years (since 1998) and he spearheaded our voyage into the digital realm. In honor of AP’s 30th […]

Now in its 30th year, Alternative Press Magazine continues to be on the forefront of discovering new artists, breaking news and reporting on the latest trends in music and youth culture. Since its early days as a pasted-up fanzine in the mid-’80s, Alternative Press has been revered as one of the largest music magazines in […]

In retrospect, Alternative Press’ eventual role as the Rolling Stone for the Warped Tour generation was an obvious conclusion: the magazine’s roots were in vintage punk-rock. When punk grew up, AP grew with it.But as the story unfolded, the magazine’s path was not nearly so linear. Before Warped exploded as a cultural force, the idea […]

Photo: AP Creative Director Christopher Benton with twenty one pilots Would you believe it if we told you that Alternative Press Creative Director, Christopher Benton, had never done design on a computer before his first day on the job? It’s true, but back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, that wasn’t an uncommon story. […]

Rob Cherry, a high school friend of AP founder/publisher Mike Shea, joined the magazine in 1990. A recent college graduate, he made some sacrifices to join the staff. “To show you how bad the economy was, and how small AP was at the time, I actually had to take a pay cut from my job […]

In the mid-1990s, an idea began making the rounds among the journalist set: This new computer thing called the internet was going to be big. Many—if not most—established print-media behemoths resisted the ’net for a decade, to their detriment. A few forward thinkers at established periodicals embraced the idea. Alternative Press founder Mike Shea returned […]

In celebration of Alternative Press’ 30th anniversary, we’ve conducted special interviews with the magazine’s “founding fathers,” so to speak. Jason Pettigrew is AP’s editor in chief, and he’s been with the company since 1986—almost its entire 30 years! Pettigrew is a unique blend of rebel and class—he could fit in at the roughest of basement […]

In light of our 30-year anniversary, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will be honoring AP with an exhibit that tells the story of how Mike Shea started all of this. Never Give Up: Alternative Press Magazine At 30 will feature AP relics, various land markers taken from throughout our history and, ultimately, convey the impact […]

From now until July 29, fans can receive a free 1-year subscription to AP with the purchase of the 2012 Warped Tour compilation CD along with any of the below listed releases from Warped Tour artists at FYE. Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade Miss May I – At Heart Of Mice & Men – The […]

With summer festival season coming in at full force, the Vans Warped Tour is fast approach and AP has you covered! Download this free digital guide to Vans Warped Tour right now. Head here right now to get our exclusive Vans Warped Tour Guide for your iPad or mobile device so you're prepared for another […]

Alternative Press president/founder Mike Shea, editor in chief Jason Pettigrew and managing editor Scott Heisel will be guests on 90.3 WCPN's “Around Noon with Dee Perry” show today from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST (that's 9-10 a.m. for you West Coast peeps), talking about the magazine's current issue, playing music from their favorite albums of […]

For Never Shout Never’s spring tour, AP and the band teamed up to let you decide who would fill one of the opening slots on each date. Without further ado, here are the winners of the contest. Congratulations to everyone who won! To buy tickets to any of these dates, head to Never Shout Never’s […]

AP #282, which features Paramore on the cover, is still in stores—but not for much longer! Don’t delay in picking up a copy! (If you can’t find it in brick-and-mortar places, you can always order one right here.) For a taste of the kind of things you’ll see in the magazine, check out this exclusive […]