stiff little fingers
These 15 albums from 1997 irrefutably proved that punk was far from dead
1997: All media is declaring the alternative–rock explosion—for which Nirvana lit the fuse—over. This means the commercial pop-punk wave Green Day touched off was over in their eyes, too. That selfsame media could not have been more wrong. Green Day had just issued their fifth album, Nimrod. The Offspring, the band who made the catchphrase […]
How punk and reggae united and went "outernational" to rule the world
This past March 5, the French punk label Guerilla Asso quietly slipped a genius album into the marketplace: Rocket To Kingston, credited to Bobby Ramone. The melding of the isolated vocal tracks from nine of Bob Marley’s most deathless classics to edited Ramones backing tracks, it sounds like a joke on paper. The cover even […]
15 artists who draw influence from the Clash’s dynamic punk spirit
Some promo copywriter at the Clash’s American label, Epic Records, came up with the questionable slogan “19 songs by the only band that matters” for the sticker that appeared on the face of 1980’s U.S. release of London Calling. While singer/guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Topper Headon didn’t […]
15 alternative music stars who got their start working in record stores
Record stores are magical places. A good, well-stocked and curated record shop with a knowledgeable staff can influence tastes, expand horizons and serve as the hub for a local musical community. It can be a community center, a place to meet with your friends, promote your band’s upcoming shows by hanging up flyers, even sell […]
10 essential political bands every punk fan needs to hear
When pub-rock singer Joe Strummer of the 101ers first met with former London SS guitarist Mick Jones in 1976 to brainstorm material for a new band eventually named the Clash, Strummer was shown one of his songs, “I’m So Bored With You.” He wasn’t having it: “‘Ere, let’s rewrite this now!” The rather wimpy romantic […]
10 essential punk Christmas songs to add to your holiday playlist
Christmas is quite possibly the most musically controversial holiday of the year. Not everyone digs the varying styles of seasonal music, though it’s a genre unto itself. You have the ancient carols, full of religious imagery, usually sung by hoary old choirs. The early 20th century’s awash with hokey Tin Pan Alley Christmas standards, sung […]
QUIZ: Do you know when these classic ’70s punk albums were released?
Record collectors of any sort can be a persnickety bunch. But few can be worse than punk-rock record collectors with titles spanning from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond. They can make Simpsons character Jeffrey “Jeff” Albertson (aka “Comic Book Guy”) look positively well-adjusted. Come on: In a world in chaos, much like the lyrics […]
These 15 punk records from 1980 were complete game-changers
By 1980, U.S. major labels abandoned punk with Sid Vicious‘ corpse. The American underground reacted, hard: “Don’t want us? Fuck you, we’ll do it ourselves!” The independent record distribution and touring network kicked off in earnest, as the harder/faster/louder hardcore punk sound started revving up, initially in Los Angeles before spreading across America through the […]
15 punk-rock albums of 1979 that still rule four decades later
By 1979, punk was firmly established. Seemingly, a million new bands formed weekly, releasing great singles seconds later. But some of the old guard were starting to feel constrained by angry teenage ramalama. Where else punk could go? These are the best punk-rock albums of 1979. As bands such as the Clash and the Damned […]
The Fest 18 announces full 2019 lineup
Gainesville punk fest The Fest already revealed a stacked lineup, but now they’ve announced the full list of artists performing. The lineup is rounded out by Against Me!, Stiff Little Fingers, the Bronx and a whole lot more. Read More: Dave Grohl listens to Lil Pump as a result of his own upbringing The three-day festival takes place Nov. […]
Flogging Molly, Social Distortion announce co-headliner
It’s shaping up to be one nostalgic summer, especially now with Social Distortion and Flogging Molly adding to an already stacked slate of shows for the warm months. The two punk godfathers will be co-headlining a full cross-country tour kicking off in August, taking them from coast to coast. Read more: blink-182 among most hacked passwords, […]
Riot Fest Oral History: Making music history—and overcoming dark times
Over the past decade, Riot Fest has become one of the most beloved festivals in the world. They have reunited some of punk’s most iconic bands, and, in many ways, set the bar for how genuinely great a music festival can be. But when founder Mike Petryshyn started out in 2005, literally none of this […]
Dead Ending (members of Alkaline Trio, Rise Against) stream "All The Villains You Call Boss"
Chicago hardcore/punk band Dead Ending are streaming a new song titled “All The Villains You Call Boss.” They will release their DE III EP on April 15 via Bridge Nine Records. It features guest vocals from Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers) and Jeff Pezzati (Naked Raygun). Pre-orders can be obtained from the B9 Store. The EP will follow the […]
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