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Articles by Joshua Maranhas
Interview: Kristian Sorge Talks About Limited to One Record Shop – New Noise Magazine
Growing up in Essex County, NJ, Kristian Sorge began to develop his record-curating ability and philosophy over time and physical distance. From the East Coast to the West Coast and back again, the journey brought him to where he is today: the owner of Limited to One record shop in New York City’s East Village. Early in life, music quickly got into his bloodstream. If it wasn’t vinyl, it was CDs, and before that, tapes.
Interview: Samiam Talk 25 Years of 'Astray' – New Noise Magazine
Last year, Samiam’s Astray celebrated its 25th birthday. Just months away from playing the record in its entirety at Riot Fest, this fall as part of 20 bands playing 20 full album sets for 20th anniversary, it is worth a look back at the Samiam album that bridged the ‘90s and welcomed in the aughts of punk rock. As the years unfolded, Samiam matured in the depth of their songwriting, capturing raw firsthand experiences that resonated with their audience.
Be Well Vocalist Brian McTernan Talks Rewarding LP, 'Hello Sun'
Hello Sun, out May 20 on Revelation Records, is the culmination of a storied life and career. Vocalist and songwriter Brian McTernan, says it’s some of his best work. He’s at the point in life of taking a deep mental inventory of the music he’s written and records he’s made with other artists, as well as childhood trauma, depression, and fatherhood. “I can’t think of anything I’ve ever have done that has been quite as rewarding,” McTernan says.
Interview: State Champs' Ryan Scott Graham on New LP, 'Kings of the New Age'
State Champs released the optimistic and confidently titled album, Kings of the New Age, on May 13 on Pure Noise Records and head out on the road. Pop punk has seen a cosmic shift in the past year, and the band spent their pandemic downtime working on songs that they’re ready to share. Bassist Ryan Scott Graham has a calm and collected attitude toward the music they make. He’s self-assured and not overstated—the album title says a lot. They know they’re good.
Devon Kay & The Solutions' Frontman Talks New LP, Full of 'Bangers'
It’s a snowy day in Chicago with the fireplace going. At least, it’s snowing in the Zoom call with Devon Kay and his roaring, digital fireplace. It’s a warm, kitschy scene to talk about his new album, Grieving Expectation, out soon on Pure Noise Records. It’s an album he and all The Solutions worked to make it the best collection of Devon Kay & The Solutions music to date. Kay lays out the timeline of writing, recording, and putting this album together. It was a complete group effort.
Comeback Kid's Andrew Neufeld Reflects on New LP, 'Heavy Steps'
With their next release Heavy Steps,out now on Nuclear Blast, Comeback Kid has captured their live ethos in a digital recording. Like lightning in a bottle, the album is electric. From the title track, “Heavy Steps,” to the next track, “No Easy Way Out,” bedroom floor punches and circle pits of one ensue.
Festival Review: FEST 19 - Looking Back at 2021 from Gainesville Rock City
Twenty-twenty-one was a year full of highs and lows, a year full of COVID. It was a rainy, windy October night in Tampa on approach to FEST 19. There was a parting of the clouds and a chance to put wheels down and eventually get to Gainesville. Fest 19 began on a red-eye flight from Thursday into Friday, Denver flying into Tampa, landing over a dark city dotted with tiny lights. It was like any other flight, everyone in masks and anticipating getting out and about.
Show Review: Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, and War On Women at Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO
Bad Religion got in one last show at Filmore Auditorium in Denver before leaving tour for 48 hours because, according to their Instagram, a member of the band has contracted COVID. Their performance in Denver was ageless. Bad Religion never disappoints in person; they’re expert entertainers after 40 years. They sound big and full; the songs pop off, and their records and bounce off the walls the way kids in the pit bounce off each other.
They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh on Audiovisual LP, 'BOOK'
Wake up early or any time, on a Saturday or any day; put on a pot of coffee, and pour a cup or drink the pot. Then grab BOOK. It’s a two-part thing—audio and visuals. The bundle comesin a CD/book set or add it on 180-gram vinyl for full audiophile experience. When ordering BOOK, there’s an instantaneous download on release day. Hell, it’s on eight-track and tape too! There’s choices, but the goal is this: crank the tracks, either in a home den on hi-fi speakers or in a head on headphones.
Grim Deeds' Mastermind Dustin Umberger Dives into 20th LP, 'Only The Beast III'
Grim Deeds, known in daily life as Dustin Umberger, has released his 20th album. Only The Beast III is out now on OUTLOUD Records. Following Umberger’s ascent and descent takes imagination, a white board, some yarn or dry erase marker, and a dark desire to take a trip in Grim Deeds’ world. Don’t worry, it lightens up once Grim Deeds strikes the first chord. Umberger says he celebrates at the altar of punk and metal. “I’m definitely interested in all of it.
Show Review: Pure Noise Records Tour at Summit Hall in Denver, CO
The Pure Noise Tour with Bearings, Just Friends, Four Year Strong, Real Friends, and State Champs is pure fun and simply about the fans having a good time. That’s the constant, noise, fun, and crowd surfing. The rest is more nuanced. each band has its own vibes. Pure Noise was closed by State Champs who threw a party. It was singer Derek DiScanio’s birthday weekend and boy did he, guitarist Tyler Szalkowski and the band play like they were celebrating. Air cannons, streamers and pop punk.
Festival Review: Riot Fest 2021 in Chicago, IL at Douglas Park
Riot Fest is hot, wet and noisy with a side of sticky and dirty—the late September weekend, right before fall officially begins, was all those things in Chicago, Illinois. It was a weekend highlighted at the end of Sunday night by Machine Gun Kelly calling out Slipknot’s singer Cory Taylor from the stage. Kelly referred to him as old and mask-wearing, which is true.
Joey Cape Dives into Writing Process of Newest Record, 'A Good Year to Forget'
When you’re the singer of a punk rock band, maybe the perception is: you show up, you yell your angst at the planet into a microphone, you get off stage, and you party. Some of that might be true, but Joey Cape isn’t content to stop there. Cape’s latest Fat Wreck Chords release, A Good Year to Forget, is out on August 13. The album puts coronavirus, quarantine, loneliness, friendship, family, and music on permanent file. In this interview, Cape details his time creating this music.
Artist Spotlight: Chris Graue Journeys From Musician to Director, and More
Music video director and musician Chris Graue makes great content. If you stop there, that’s selling his creativity very short. Graue visualizes thoughts, feelings and music vibes. He’s an army of one—well, that’s not entirely the case either, he’s a collaborator with a strong community of other creators. He values being part of a collective effort, and he’s figured out where he fits after a long journey from musician to music video director. He’s part of the punk and ska music scenes.
Photos: Punk In Drublic Denver Featuring Potato Pirates, Get Dead, Sick Of It All, Less Than Jake, and NOFX
Joshua Maranhas is a Denver based writer and photographer born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He specializes in 1990s hardcore, post-hardcore, and future punk rock.
Mark deSalvo (NOFX's 'Heavy Petting Zoo', Lagwagon's 'Let's Talk About Feelings')
Mark deSalvo is a professional artist, working in love and with a paintbrush. He expresses his adoration for music and skate culture by pushing paint into canvas. He makes punk ethos permanent and timeless – his art is worthy of hanging in a contemporary art museum, and definitely appears as a thumbnail in everyone’s streaming library. He has a heart that’s been quietly on display for 25 years, and he helps musicians, skaters, and Instagrammers visually express theirs, loudly.
Teenage Fanclub's Raymond McGinley on New Album 'Endless Arcade'
For Teenage Fanclub Endless Arcade is a warm, rich, and fully formed album with emotional depth for days. That depth is cultivated from a long career of strong and influential songwriting. The album is out on streaming services today, with physical copies on both CD and 12-inch vinyl available to order now, too. It’s been a while in the making and they’re ready for fans and newcomers to have a listen.
Interview: Pærish On Finding The Balance of Personal and Relatable on New Album 'Fixed It All'
France’s Pærish have released Fixed It All today on SideOneDummy Records. It’s been two years since they went to Philadelphia to work with Will Yip at Studio 4 on the album. When they entered the studio, they knew they didn’t have a label, but it turns out there’d be a few more obstacles in their way due to COVID. Drummer Julien Louvion sets a timeline for their new record. “The album [came out] on April 23, so literally two years later,” he says, laughing.
Hans Gruber & the Die Hards Drop Video for 'You're Being Watched'
Hans Gruber & the Die Hard’s Rosey Armstrong explains the play-by-play for their latest video, “You’re Being Watched,” premiering here with New Noise. “Originally the concept for this video was going to involve a security guard watching all of us on a CCTV sort of device. We’d have the band playing, everyone would ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh.’ Case closed.” Things then took a turn for the worse. It may not sound like a party, but on this one—the bugs came to get down.
Walt Hamburger believes he can be of service as alderperson
If you didn’t know it, Walt Hamburger lives in Appleton, Wisconsin and he’s running for alderperson to help his city, his neighborhood and his neighbors. He’s like a lot of musicians right now — currently watching the world at a safe distance, mostly at home and missing the road. He decided to put his energy and the downtime to a good and important commitment. “Well, it’s been a strange 12 months for a lot of reasons” Hamburger says.
Video Premiere: Flying Raccoon Suit
If new-tone ska has a periodic table, Flying Raccoon Suit’s latest record Afterglow hits a ton of elements straight away. In the first minute of the title track “Afterglow,” they’ve checked boxes—some metal, some nonmetal, post transition metals (that sounds punk)— a box that reads “FRS,” their own unique element in the ska community.
Members of Bad Operation, Goldfinger, Skatune Network, Kill Lincoln on Why Ska is Thriving in the Time of COVID
This year, ska rose metaphorically from the modern jungle—in creative places, like web streams and quarantine videos on YouTube and Instagram. It started early in March, with John Feldman of Goldfinger dropping positive vibes and fun split-screen takes on two-and-a-half decades of classics. Goldfinger followed that up with a new record out now, called Never Look Back. Ska IS looking ahead and not showing any signs of slowing down.
Less Than Jake Provide a Silver Lining to 2020 With New Album
Silver Linings is the first full length release on Pure Noise Records for Less Than Jake, but it’s the latest in a long line of full brass, big fun, “ska-rockin’” for the band. It’s out everywhere on December 11. Stuck at home and needing motivation? The latest tunes by Chris DeMakes, Roger Lima, and the rest of Less Than Jake are a kickstart. They will get Grandpa Joe out of bed faster than a ticket to the Chocolate Factory.
'Scream, Dracula, Scream!' - Rocket From The Crypt's Great One is 25 - New Noise Magazine
Rocket From The Crypt’s first major-label release on Interscope is 25. Scream, Dracula, Scream! spawned three singles- “Born in 69,” “Young Livers,” and “On a Rope.” Propelled by the success of these tracks the band set out touring the US, UK and Europe. It was intense, full of showmanship and led to the band performing on BBC’s Top Of The Pops. Back in the states, they were getting play on MTV too. This album got lots of well deserved praise and it still holds up.
Anniversary: 'Scream, Dracula, Scream!'
Rocket From The Crypt’s first major-label release on Interscope is 25. Scream, Dracula, Scream! spawned three singles—”Born in 69,” “Young Livers,” and “On a Rope.” Propelled by the success of these tracks, the band set out touring the U.S., U.K., and Europe. It was intense, full of showmanship, and led to the band performing on BBC’s Top Of The Pops. Back in the States, they were getting play on MTV, too. This album got lots of well-deserved praise, and it still holds up.
B.A.Z. of B.A.Z.'s Orchestra on Transforming NOFX's 'The Decline'
The idea to write NOFX’s “The Decline” for an orchestra is a crazy idea. No crazier, maybe, then a record with one song 18 minutes about what was wrong with the world in 1999. It started with crazy beautiful YouTube medleys of artists from NOFX to No Use For A Name from France’s B.A.Z. It ended with a xylophone on one of the greatest stages of the world, the stage that hosted U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” music video. Crazy, weird, and as “Fat” Mike Burkett contextualized, pretty great.
Anniversary: Oasis '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' turns 25
It’s the big one. (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is a record that captures the nineties Britpop. It crossed Oasis from British indie to one of the biggest bands on the planet. From “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” to the closing track “Champagne Supernova.” It’s a time capsule that still feels contemporary. (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? takes listeners back to a time in Oasis’ history full of turmoil and chaos within the band.
Jon Snodgrass Talks New Record 'Tace' and Setting People on Fire
With the release of Tace on A-F Records, Jon Snodgrass has collected his favorite feelings from the last few years. He’s getting by in a pandemic with a whole lot of help from his family. Cumulatively, this record adds family to good friends, and the sum is Armchair Martian, Drag the River, and Snodgrass magic. Each track has its own vibe, and Snodgrass explains why he gathered together such an eclectic mixture.
'New Found Glory' the second album by New Found Glory turns 20
New Found Glory or the self titled record by New Found Glory released by MCA and is 20 Years old. The syrup sweet, near flawless pop record is almost able to drink legally. Although, would it? It’s the nice guy of albums and would mow your parent’s lawn if it had thumbs, or legs. At 20, this album stands up as a great marker in history. New Found Glory made such a good album at a time when the mainstream was adopting punk as pop music. It’s a complete thought.
Lifetime's 'Hello Bastards' is 25
Hello Bastards on Jade Tree Records is 25. Lifetime’s second full length, right before they anointed themselves “Jersey’s Best Dancers” with the next album is everything you want from a melodic hardcore record. Lodged firmly between their first full length, Background, and critic’s favorite, their third album, Jersey’s Best Dancers, Hello Bastards is full bodied in sound like Jersey’s Best Dancers while stick kicking around ideas and finding their groove from Background.
Interview: Kyle Hollis and Zach Williamson of Picturesque
Do You Feel O.K?, the latest release by Picturesque on Equal Vision Records, is continuing in a direction like many other artists on the label. Picturesque has more in common with blackbear than with Ray Cappo’s Shelter from 1991. Duh. It’s 2020 and way past post-hardcore. They are quietly a new brand of DIY, producing and recording without a strong boast for their self reliance or multitasking skill set.
Anniversary: AFI's 'The Art of Drowning' turns twenty
AFI’s fifth album is almost old enough to drink this year. At 20, The Art of Drowning release on Nitro Records is AFI at its highest stride. The Art of Drowning is the record that created interest from labels like Dreamworks who put out their next record Sing the Sorrow. Davey Havok‘s voice and dark style really took shape with this record and the glimpse of greatness was cemented for future success. It’s a whole album, not a song or two that are exemplary.
Mark "V" Vecchiarelli of Shades Apart Talks New Record "Eternal Echo"
Eternal Echo is the latest release on Hellminded Records from veteran melodic hardcore trio Shades Apart. This record takes them back to where they came from more than 25 years ago—literally, metaphorically, and in the spirit of old friends. Eternal Echo is New Jersey versus the Blasting Room for a third time. It’s hardcore history versus the future of music-making—this is rock music pounding forward from memories wrapped in present thoughtfulness and wisdom.
Be Well Singer Brian McTernan on 'The Weight and The Cost'
The Weight and the Cost gets Equal Vision Records back to the hardcore sound of its roots in the ’90s, back to the head and the heart of what hardcore meant in the minds of so many young kids. It’s how so many old punks still feel now, pain and healing. Be Well has created a very meaningful album. Each record McTernan has produced, played guitar for, or sang on is a vertebra holding a community strong — the bands on his resume have held the backbone of hardcore together.
Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Freaky Styley' Turns 35
Freaky Styley has been called the closest the Red Hot Chili Peppers ever came to making a funk record. Produced by Parliament and Funkadelic’s George Clinton, it was recorded in Detroit, Michighan. The album was released by EMI America. With Hillel Slovak returning to the band full-time from his other band, What Is This?, it’s the first of two albums Slovak recorded with the Chili Peppers before his death after a heroin overdose.
The Rentals' Matt Sharp Pushes Musical Boundaries with New Album "Q36"
Photo Credit: Dirk Mai The Rentals are back with their fourth record, Q36. Self-described by band leader and creator Matt Sharp as a “launch series of interstellar communal collaborations including new partnership with HitRecord.” According to Sharp, The Rentals new crew includes Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers, and Dave Fridmann of The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, and The Gentle Assassins Choir.
The Rentals' Matt Sharp Pushes Musical Boundaries For New Album "Q36"
Photo Credit: Dirk Mai The Rentals are back with their fourth record, Q36. Self-described by band leader and creator Matt Sharp as a “launch series of interstellar communal collaborations including new partnership with HitRecord.” According to Sharp, The Rentals new crew includes Nick Zimmer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers, and Dave Fridmann of The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, and The Gentle Assassins Choir.
'Dinosaur,' the Debut Record by Dinosaur jr. Turns 35
Dinosaur, the first record by Dinosaur jr. is 35! In 1985, when guitarist and vocalist J. Mascis, bassist and vocalist Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph released Dinosaur on Homestead Records, it was self-titled. They changed their band name after getting sued a couple albums later. Dinosaur jr. from Western Massachusetts formed out of the wreckage of Deep Wound featuring Barlow and Mascis. They played shows in 1984 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Tonia Broucek of The Lippies on their New EP and Pushing Through Quarantine
The Lippies’ new EP, Pop ‘n’ Lockdown, out now on Red Scare Industries, is an expansion of a single to three songs. The band originally planned to contribute the song “On Your Mind” to a compilation about President Donald Trump. That didn’t happen, and now Tonia Broucek and The Lippies have added two more songs for a collection of new music released during quarantine. New music is good. Nonetheless, the isolation has not been easy for the band.
Jesse Sendejas and Whitney Flynn of Days N' Daze
In the current world where concerts and shows are nonexistent and record stores are nonessential businesses, Days N’ Daze are holing up in quarantine, and their record was released at the beginning of May. Show Me The Blueprints is the first record by the Houston based four-piece released on Fat Wreck Chords. Also, this is the intensely DIY band’s first true, studio release.
Sam Russo on New Album, 'Back To The Party'
Five years on from 2015’s Greyhound Dreams, Sam Russo is adding a new record to the world. Back to the Party is out now on Red Scare. The album is centered by his ruckus invoking acoustic guitar playing. Winding around his writing, there are layers of instrumentation from strings to percussion and electric reverb. There’s a walk through Russo’s world from the opening strings and electric build of “Purple Snow,” into a hard strum of his acoustic.
Interview: Jonathon Fraser of Northbound
Jonathon Fraser, also known as Northbound, is evolving the DIY thing he does to the next level with the release of Soul Kiss on Smart Punk Records. Northbound has now become a full band, and working with other musicians gives Fraser the flexibly to be the primary songwriter, while building a bigger sound with a band. “The songwriting has not really changed,” Fraser says. “At its core, I suppose, every song starts me in my room with an acoustic guitar, and then I’ll typically demo it out.
Interview: Punk Rock & Paintbrushes Presents “There are such things as in your dreams”
Interview with artist/writer Jason Cruz of Strung Out | By Joshua Maranhas In addition to creating a new Strung Out album, Songs of Armor and Devotion,released Aug. 9 on Fat Wreck Chords, vocalist Jason Cruz has been busy writing books and making art. Cruz’ first children’s book, “There are such things as in your dreams,” will be available on Oct. 25.
Interview: Another Step Forward For Strung Out On New Album
Interview with vocalist Jason Cruz | by Joshua Maranhas | Photo by Alan Snodgrass Songs of Armor and Devotion,released Aug. 9 on Fat Wreck Chords, is the latest release by the pioneering Fat band from Simi Valley, California, Strung Out. It’s another step forward for vocalist Jason Cruz and company, something for fans to chew on and think about while enjoying a sound that’s true and familiar.
One Week Records Comes to Streaming
Interview with Chris Cresswell, Brian Wahlstrom, and Joey Cape | Words & Photos By Joshua Maranhas Lagwagon frontman Joey Cape’s brilliant idea to invite musicians into his home to eat, sleep, and make a record in one week is now getting a wider release. “One Week Records started as an idea to give exposure to musicians and songwriters I had met from around the world,” Cape says. “It was a great excuse to collaborate and work with people making music I love who otherwise had no way to connect.
Show Review: Punk In Drublic at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado
It was a punk rock black hole from Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the nation’s best small clubs for NOFX’s Punk In Drublic festival—a “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock” sort of time, much louder than a Face To Face acoustic set and a littler ruder, but every band were on their top performance. Things sounded great, and it was a beautiful day for “The Decline.” A who’s who of punk turned out toplay in the natural setting.
Fat Tour 2019: A Rocket from Taco Bell to Chicago
With Teenage Bottlerocket headlining the Fat Tour 2019, this isn’t a rocket, it’s a missile. A quest for fast food, occasional coffee breaks, bathroom stops and a van load of partying. It’s coming to town now. Ray “Rocket” Carlisle is hooking up with Mean Jeans and Clowns for the first time, and his long time bestie Jen “Pop” Razavi. He explains the anticipation of Fat Tour, “I’m pretty sure most of the TBR fans have no idea who or what Clowns are but they are in for a crazy ass show.
Show Review: Teenage Bottlerocket Speed Through A Weekend, A Birthday Weekend
On the weekend of Ray Carlisle’s birthday, Teenage Bottlerocket played three shows. Starting with a basement show in the band’s hometown at Laramie Center on Friday, they played Marquis Theater in Denver on Saturday. The weekend ended at Hodi’s Half Note minutes from The Blasting Room, where the band’s latest album, Stay Rad, was recorded. From Wyoming to Colorado, it was a great celebration supported by Pegboy at all three shows, four shows if you include Colorado Springs on Thursday night.
'Terminal' Resilient Music from Wire Lines looks at the Frailty of Humanity
New Bedford, the coastal Massachusetts city about an hour from Boston, is a place that demands resilience in order to excel. Wire Lines are a band built by members being resilient. These musicians—vocalist Kevin Grant; guitarist Jeremy Medeiros, also of Daltonic and Slow Death; bassist Ryan Parker, also of Holy Hands and Supermachiner; and drummer Ted Ilsley—have written a record that examines conflict and the idea that human existence may be finite in duration.
'White Bat' Flies From the Depths of He Is Legend’s Soul to the Top of Their Career
Interview with vocalist Schuylar Croom | By Joshua Maranhas | Photographs By Joshua Maranhas The latest release from North Carolina’s He Is Legend, White Bat, is the next album missing from your collection. It’s available for preorder from Spinefarm Records ahead of its release on June 28, and it’s more He Is Legend than the band have ever been. On White Bat, they’re comfortable, and they’re tight.
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