“We want nothing more than to have people come away with positive feelings from our band because we know everyone has experienced some kind of loss and pain but the power of music can help ease it,” said Zacharyj.

Mo Troper, Peter Gill of 2nd Grade and Ben Cook of Young Guv talk modern power pop and the music that inspires it.

“I do music because it’s a passion, it moves me. I also work to contribute to make it better and create something that can be inclusive. Wrestling also challenges me and I’m hopeful my passion for it can make positive contributions to improve it. If I can make connections with people doing both, I know I’m doing something right.”

Lynn Perko-Truell of Imperial Teen, Sister Double Happiness and The Wrecks talks about her time drumming with the (SF) Dicks in this chapter excerpt from ‘Forbidden Beat: Perspectives on Punk Drumming.’

Uncomfortable truths from Bob Mehr’s Replacements biography, ‘Trouble Boys,’ have created a sort of cognitive dissonance for some fans of a certain age.

Dayton, Ohio-located pop/soul outfit TV Queens have release an enticing, ’80s-vibed single that melds spacey synth-pop and soulful vocals.

The multi-genre ensemble helmed by Johnny Manchild have recently released a compilation album of long-awaited demos and new compositions.

Alexander Sheppard mixes clever melodies with dark soundscapes to create truly original pieces of American art on his new album.

Nashville-based, garage-punk/dark surf duo The Serpenteens offer up guitar power, infectious rhythms, and biting social commentary on their new LP.

San Francisco Bay Area genre-melding outfit Quick Fiction deliver an exciting to reflective math-/prog-/post-rock/pop punk/folk hybrid album.

Washington/Massachusetts indie/alt-rock outfit New You deliver not one, but two fresh singles that drench power pop in guitar-driven fuzz.

Cleveland-located singer-songwriter Kevin Bianchi collaborates with a rotating cast of musicians on his heartfelt new album with real life themes.

A lifelong Replacements “Customer” impatiently waits for his 40th Anniversary Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash box set to arrive from Rhino Records.

The El Paso, Texas exploratory shoegaze outfit unveil the captivating lead track from their exciting and enthralling upcoming album.

Intriguing and astute Swiss electro-/art-pop singer, songwriter, and activist Daniela Weinmann reveals details about her new album and premieres a music video.

The dreampop trio, who are inspired by films, art, and post-punk music, recently released their debut album via Somewherecold Records.

Burkdoll (Whimsical, LoveBlind) interviews shoegaze, dreampop, and adjacent bands/artists in video format, including Ringo Deathstarr and A Place To Bury Strangers.

“The Hall of Counterfeits is an unwieldy chaotic dense bunch of songs that we have plucked fresh out of the thin air.”

“Asking for help and turning to people has also humbled me. I still have angst within me, as evident on the records but I do feel hope. To work and create something among all the rubble that is going on is very powerful and forever positive.”

The full band was pared down to veteran musician Ryan Lescure during the pandemic, with other vocalists added later to their upcoming LP.

The Portland, Oregon-located electro-/synth-/dream-pop group have unveiled their engaging lead single from their upcoming 2nd LP.

Lawrence Matthews, the multi-talented creative behind Don Lifted, will soon unveil his latest alluring and stylistically hybrid album via Fat Possum.

Kansas City-based collective Monta At Odds ply a dark synth-pop/ethereal sound on their new album out now via Record Machine Label.

The acclaimed Belgian heavy shoegaze band unveil a transfixing new single/music video ahead of second album Hush via Quiet Panic/ Church Road Records.

International rock/pop noir artist (and poet/writer, and illustrator) Rykarda Parasol returns with a captivating new album and lyrics book.

“I’ve never been the type of person to say anything in life was easy, even Anthrax. My father had abandoned my family, for whatever reasons, when I was 10. Music was my outlet and it saved me. I knew music was something I HAD to do! I got tunnel vision very early and focused on nothing but that goal. Joining Anthrax felt like I had even more purpose and my family were supportive though I was really going thru a lot.”

Dutch stoner rock/grunge band Rockford deliver the alternative rock goods on their new single and accompanying music video.

Trinidadian Trish Hosein uses spoken word, vocal effects, and live looping on her upcoming album that mixes pop, hip-hop, and more.

Sam Rosenthal, owner of Projekt Records, darkwave pioneer, and mastermind of electronic/Gothic/darkwave/ambient BTFABG needs your help to fund Kickstarter campaign to create this album! Only 4 days to go!

Kansas City-based band Emmaline Twist blend vibrant art-rock and haunting post-punk on their latest single and are currently recording new music.

The grunge-punk outfit drop a new single/music video, and get the royal treatment from renowned Steve Albini for their upcoming debut album.

The LA-based outfit’s anthemic single gets the party started before the arrival of their pop-loving, punk-spirited second album in September.

After over a year of devastation, we are slowly coming back to life and Philadelphia indie (dream)pop outfit Miss Cantaloupe celebrate with a lovely new album.

The Christchurch, New Zealand-residing singer-songwriter unveils a relevant new single/video that’s a dark harbinger for her upcoming album on Flying Nun.

The Nebraska-based outfit mix R&B, electronic, blues, rock, soul, reggae, and more on their newly released ’80s/‘90s-vibed album.

Singer-songwriter Ryan Horns pays tribute to our very own writer Chip Midnight’s late daughter Olivia on a poignant new single.

“Jazz offered me a whole new world and it was very exciting! I enjoyed the new challenges of improv. Why should I limit myself? It was certainly difficult at first and at times, felt like starting all over! I had technique, I could sweep pick, play fast but a lot of my other techniques I relied on didn’t transfer. The dynamics are totally different. The chords don’t transfer and the natural feel is a different level,” stated Skolnick.

Renowned songwriter/musician/producer John Vanderslice is set to release a tribute and rarities collection in honor of his late friend David Berman.

Philadelphian indie rock/post-punk outfit Courier Club release a stirring new single and chat about their exploratory hybrid-genre music.

Jordan Smith of Twinsmith drops a nostalgic soft rock track as Steady Wells and talks about this flexible new music project.

The Ember Glows: From Montreal With Love. And Guitars.

“Tomahawk has always been this special place where we can play hard, heavy music and mix in expressionism with a vocalist who can do anything. Tonic Immobility is a statement we’re still around and still doing it. You can take life at your own pace. Sometimes, you just have to wait until the time is right.”

A brief look into a new band – time balanced by fear and excitement, and The Big Question.

“From the moment we’re born into this world we have a natural, rhythmic beat; Our heart. The pulsing rhythm is just like drums,” affirmed Horn.

As 2020 rolls to a close, writer Kevin Burke looks at a selection of worthwhile reissues

2020 was a brave year to release music without the touring or usual album promotion, writer Kevin Burke explores 10 of the Best album release

“It will be great to get back out but I am sure once on the road, I’ll laugh and say ‘Oh God, why am I doing this all over again?’ We always worked to play all-ages shows, why preach to the converted? We’re like a sick rock & roll cult that wants to recruit a new congregation,” laughed Hopeless.

Tim Kinsella, Melina Ausikaitis, Theo Katsaounis, and Bobby Burg tell the tale of bringing Joan of Arc to an end in this oral retrospective.

“In the face of futures postponed or cancelled, the underbelly of civilization shows itself in increased violence and racism while caution, politeness and caring are disregarded without a thought by those who feel freed to do so by the examples set by their leaders.”

Amidst a pandemic, political unrest, and economic distress, Diamond Dogs offers a new translation to a listener in 2020. David Bowie infused his talent for changing personas directly into the album itself as though he knew something that we did not. It is almost if he knew this was coming.