brett gurewitz

The 15 best punk albums of 2002, from Sleater-Kinney to the Used

The most notable aspect of punk rock in 2002 was the mainstream ascension of garage for the first time since the ‘60s. But all those albums by the Strokes, the White Stripes and the Hives that went mega this year were all recorded and released in 2002. Which explains their inclusion on this list, rather […]

1998’s top 15 punk albums simultaneously changed and preserved the form

Top 15 punk albums of 1998? You’d be forgiven for thinking that there weren’t any in the year the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal dominated the news. A quick perusal of Billboard’s Hot 100 singles of the year sees domination by several R&B (Destiny’s Child, Janet Jackson, Usher, Mariah Carey) or hip-hop (Puff Daddy, Master P, […]

These 15 classic albums made 1996 a crucial year in punk history

1996: President Bill Clinton was squaring off against Kansas Sen. Bob Dole in a successful bid for a second term in the White House. On April 3, former math professor Ted Kaczynski was arrested in his remote Montana cabin, suspected (correctly, it turns out) to be American domestic terrorist the Unabomber. Conservative public policy bulwark […]

15 punk albums that set up 1994 to be a year of major change for the genre

To consider Alternative Press’ list of 1994’s top 15 punk albums, one has to bear in mind two factors: Green Day’s Dookie was released Feb. 1. Kurt Cobain died by his own hand April 5. The alternative nation’s voice was suddenly, shockingly stilled. After three years of the most popular music being an agonized scream […]

15 punk albums from 1993 that embraced contrarianism over prefab rebellion

Alternative rock still dominated popular music in 1993. This obviously begged the question of just how “alternative” something was if it was now on a major label and on the radio. Not necessarily a bad thing. After all, we’d never have to hear Whitesnake again. Bottom end and distortion returned to rock record-making in a […]

15 punk albums from 1992 that thrived in the era of grunge

The mood of 1992: “We won!” Nirvana’s Nevermind sold by the truckload hourly. All anyone could talk about was alternative rock and grunge. Record biz execs walked around that spring’s SXSW convention in Austin in floppy, artfully unwashed hair, just-purchased flannel shirts and ripped jeans. You’d pass a line of them in the parking lot […]

10 Sub Pop Records releases that set the stage for modern grunge

When Evergreen State College student Bruce Pavitt began his Subterranean Pop fanzine in the early ’80s, covering American independent bands and recordings, he had no idea he would virtually invent an entire rock genre. He was just looking to earn a course credit at the freewheeling Olympia, Washington, higher education outlet. But the ‘zine had […]

Bad Religion's Greg Graffin has some theories about the return of shows

For several generations of punks, Dr. Greg Graffin is somewhat of a folk hero. As a founding member of SoCal punk icons Bad Religion, Graffin has been the epitome of reason. His vigorous pursuit of academia didn’t dilute his punk ideals. If anything, it cemented them. In this APTV interview, he briefly discusses his band’s […]

It looks like Bad Religion are already working on more new music

Due to coronavirus, Bad Religion were forced to cancel their tour with Alkaline Trio. Despite this setback, the band have been using the new downtime to their advantage. In a new interview, vocalist Greg Graffin reveals that Bad Religion plan to release various new singles during the pandemic. Read more: It only took Bella Thorne […]

Bad Religion's personal punk-rock rulebook only has one sentence

In 2020, no band would be spared the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Punk icons Bad Religion weren’t going to mope about it. If anything, they took the opportunity to move forward sonically and culturally. The band refunded their fans’ ticket money for their planned tour with Alkaline Trio, but that hardly meant they were […]

This is how Brian Baker ended up in Bad Religion over 25 years ago

If there was a punk-rock hall of fame, Bad Religion would certainly belong in it. The long-running California punk outfit have maintained a positive agenda while creating some classic songs. But if the band drove up to the front door of said punk building, they’d probably look through the glass door, look at each other […]

Why you’re not punk if you don’t support BLM according to Brett Gurewitz

Since being founded in 1980 by Bad Religion guitarist/songwriter Brett Gurewitz, Epitaph Records has become synonymous with punk rock. Whether you’re a punk lifer or a casual fan of the Offspring’s Smash, Epitaph has had a big, loud effect on your life. Scan the spines in your vinyl collection. You’ll see their signature tombstone logo […]

Bad Religion's Brian Baker found his new band's singer in a catering line

With a resume including stints in culturally defining outfits such as Minor Threat, Dag Nasty and Bad Religion, Brian Baker has his name etched into the veneer of punk-rock history. The guitarist has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone. However, Baker is always up for a moment to hold a guitar and hang out with […]

Lil Lotus is rewriting the emo playbook and there are no rules

Lil Lotus grins as he admits, “I’ve always stood out like a sore fucking thumb.” With a sawed-off shotgun tattooed above his eyebrow, a self-beheading angel on one cheek and a bleeding heart inked on the other, the 26-year-old vocalist has always shied away from expectations—with his music being no exception. By utilizing his seemingly […]

Bad Religion mark 40 years with autobiography

Bad Religion, one of the most enduring and evolving bastions of punk rock on the planet, are readying the release of their autobiography. The book, DO WHAT YOU WANT: The Story Of Bad Religion, is set for release August 20th by Hachette Books. If you’re a Bad Religion stan, you’re going to need this in […]

Bad Religion begin recording new album

In June, Bad Religion announced that they were working on a new album, but they have now officially entered the studio. According to a post from Epitaph on Tuesday, Bad Religion have endered Joe Barresi’s JHOC studio to work on their latest album.  It will be co-produced by Bad Religion vocalist Gregg Gaffin and guitarist […]