The terms “hard work” and “blood, sweat, and tears” get tossed around almost nonchalantly in the punk community, not necessarily because the words have lost their impact, but because they’ve become staples of what’s so great about the genre. Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat and Fugazi was pretty spot on in describing punk as “playing music for music’s sake and being part of a family for family’s sake.” Bridge Nine Records founder Chris Wrenn lived by this mantra in pouring everything he had into backing the local hardcore acts he’d grown close with. And after years of DIY promotion and crea ..read more

We’re super pleased to bring you another DS premiere to get your weekend started the right way! Cincinnati rock’n’rollers Veronica Grim have a brand new live video of “Straight to Hell”, live from Urban Artifact in downtown Cincy. Co-written by Ryan Malott of 500 Miles to Memphis, the live track comes straight off of a brand new EP titled Summer Goth. Described as “an eclectic sound reminiscent of Blondie and Social D combined with some Paramore”, the duo of Grim and Malott reminds me some of old 500 Miles to Memphis, but with a brand new spin on it. Be sure to check out the newest Veronic ..read more

Local Drags is back with a new album called City in a Room, due to be out May 17th on Stardumb Records. We’re stoked to be premiering the music video for the album’s leadoff single “Left in the Sun’”, another catchy power pop nugget, something people who followed Lanny Durbin’s in both this band as well as Starter Jackets have come to expect from him. Check the video out below and pre-order the record here! After dipping into alt country accents with its predecessor Mess of Everything, Local Drags makes an even sharper left turn with their fourth LP City in a Room. Lanny Durbin’s songwriting i ..read more

In what may be one of the more random and unique turns of events in the recent memory of at least one long-time DS staffer (read as: me), we had the opportunity to shoot night two of Sessanta at Boston’s Wang Theatre. What is Sessanta, you might ask? Valid question. Sessanta – the word – translates from the original Italian to “sixty” and not, contrary to popular belief, to “sexy Santa.” But Sessanta in this case is so much more. Specifically, it’s a touring celebration in honor of noted oenophile and Brazilian jiu-jitsu enthusiast Maynard James Keenan turning – you guessed it – sixty years ol ..read more

Dying Scene went to Indianapolis to catch this absolutely sick line up of bands that span from across the nation. Check out the photos and be sure to follow and support these bands! The Rosies opened up the night with high-octane energy, keeping true to their own artist bio: “Fueled by cheap beer and the power of lightning, The Rosies are here to fill your ears with the sound of the truth. From Cleveland, Ohio these Lake Erie Surf Punk rockers are all about high energy, good vibes, and just being yourself. So crack open a cold one and enjoy the ride.“ Local Indianapolis hardcore band Se ..read more

Dan Wleklinski, aka “Dan Precision,” is one of the Chicago area punk scene’s top-level multi-hyphenates. As a musician, Wleklinksi was a founding member of 88 Fingers Louie; Rise Against; Soulscape; Break the Silence, and now The Iron Spiders.  He is also a prolific record producer. I recently spent a few hours documenting his production work, on the upcoming Bumsy and the Moochers record, at The Bombshelter Recording Studio. He founded the studio in the basement of his suburban childhood home in 1999. Later, in a wide-ranging interview, in which we discussed his work as a musician and as ..read more

Greetings, and welcome to the Dying Scene Record Radar. If it’s your first time here, thank you for joining us! This is the weekly* column where we cover all things punk rock vinyl; new releases, reissues… you name it, we’ve probably got it. Kick off your shoes, pull up a chair, crack open a cold one, and break out those wallets, because it’s go time. Let’s get into it! Check out the video edition of this week’s Record Radar, presented by our friends at Punk Rock Radar: Last year, we loyal Against All Authority fans were graced with the long awaited All Fall Down Reissue. The year of ..read more

DS caught a KILLER show showcasing female punk rockers! Otoboke Beaver, Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, and Ovef Ow played an amazing SOLD OUT show at the historic music venue Thalia Hall in Pilsen district. Fans came out and supported this exciting line up. Japan’s punk band Otoboke Beaver headlined a mind blown show in Chicago! This quartet consists of Accorinrin – main vocals, Yoyoyoshie – guitar, Hirochan – bass, and Kahokiss – drums. Fans came out and were not disappointed. Find them here. South Korea’s skate punk band Drinking Boys and Girls Choir brought their amazing sound and v ..read more

The Pacific Ocean, sunshine, warm weather, sitting at the beach, spending time with friends, laughing, feeling joy, eating tacos, baseball, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Disneyland. All of these come to mind when thinking about the state of California. This is probably what you’re thinking about at this moment, right? Who are you kidding? You know why you’re here. Okay, maybe all of us are thinking about tacos. Who doesn’t love tacos? Before you make that taco run, you’re going to need some mood music. There is no better band out there to get the blood flowing at any time of day than skate punk lege ..read more

Big things are happening lately! Baseball season has begun, I just won the Dying Scene company Easter egg hut (3x consecutive champ btw), and today we’re premiering a new track from Dallas punk band Morocco! “Livin’ in the City” is the lead single from the band’s forthcoming Shitheds EP. Check it out: Here’s some background on the song, provided by drummer Forrest Cook: “Livin in the city was written by our bass player Bob over the course of a decade through the really traumatic breakup of his last band, involving heavy drug use, hospital visits and jail time for the parties involved, throug ..read more