I started writing for the site in early 2008. I also work for a publishing company and do freelance writing on the side. I occasionally use the twitter here: https://twitter.com/lorenmgreen.
Dillinger Four, Arrivals, Brokedowns, Tim Version, Weakerthans, Broadways, The Blind Shake, Tiltwheel, Fugazi
What I enjoy most about the Jesus and Mary Chain is arguably also their biggest flaw. The band’s slacker energy meets wall of feedback with a surprisingly melodic twist has always worked for me, but it kind of blurs together after a while. It’s kind of rainy day music – hence the classic “Happy When It Rains” off 1987’s Darklands. The … Read more
Sweat hit the ground running with their debut, working up a lather on Gotta Give It Up. Two years later, the California trio is back and they still seem plenty angry. Their second LP, Love Child may have a charming title but it has just as much fire as their debut. It follows a similar style while showing more nuance and growth. The … Read more
With the billion or so punk subgenres and comeback cycles, it’s interesting to me that more bands aren’t playing this style of Crimpshrine-inspired East Bay punk. Popstar by Bad Idols is crunchy yet melodic. It’s generally pop-structured but with gruff and deeply personal lyrics. Let’s just say the word “I” is prevalent throughout this 12-song record. I’ll also add that I’m a big … Read more
You know how most records start out with an absolute banger? It sets a mood, for sure, but it often feels like the band doesn’t top it as the full album plays out. I’m definitely not saying that The Sleeveens deliver a dud with the first song here, “Give My Regards To The Dancing Girls,” but I am saying that … Read more
There are a lot of misconceptions about life in the music biz. While late nights and travel are a big part of it, day jobs always influence the process and the product. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how careers influence the scene. In this edition, we chat with Kate Hiltz, she who is namedropped … Read more
There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene … Read more
It's been a long year, right? You may well find yourself examining the last twelve months and trying to remember what music got released so you can include it on your "2023 best of" and still look cool. But—disaster! You can't remember anything! Thankfully, SPB has got you. We've reached out to our friends in the music community: bands, labels and … Read more
With a lineup of 300-ish bands playing throughout town over a 3-day period, there's a lot to discuss about The Fest, an annual celebration of punk rock that takes place in Gainesville, FL in late October. At FEST 21, the headliners included GWAR, Lucero, Dillinger Four, Thursday, Descendants, Tim Barry, Screaming Females...the list goes on. Yet, as I made the … Read more
Every day is an information overload. The web has a lot of great things, but sometimes it feels like too much too. Politics, news, rumors...it's a lot to take in. But too much music? C'mon. That isn't a real thing. SPB has a lot of different pieces. Our focus is … Read more
What can I say, I like to make playlists. The latest Search/Play/Repeat keeps my theme of music that Scene Point Blank has covered -- some recently, some long ago, mostly my own work because I've listened to that material the most. So below enjoy a half-hour of curated music below. … Read more
Worriers, Kali Masa The Garage Burnsville, MN October 5, 2023 photo by Loren Green I hadn’t been to The Garage in probably 10 years, a youth center turned all ages venue in suburban Minneapolis. In the past it was more of a stage in the corner, but it’s grown into … Read more
It’s been a while since we’ve shared a playlist here at Scene Point Blank. This time around, I’ve compiled 13 songs that are on records we’ve reviewed, records that showed up in the mail, or stuff we covered in some other way. If you like what you hear, … Read more
Leipzig hardcore band with a hard to type name of G I F T has shared a new single, the song "Winter" from their upcoming debut, Ruptures. The raw, heavy and hardcore record is set for release on May 3 via This Charming Man. Watch/listen to the single in advance: Read more
Having previously released one solo album and collaborating with artists such as Mike Patton and Calexico, Italian composer Alleandro "Asso" Stefana has announced a new self-titled album which will release on May on Ipecac Recordings, executive produced by PJ Harvey. A composer and multi-instrumentalist, Appalachian folk musician Roscoe Holcomb also … Read more
Metalcore band Foreign Hands has announced What's Left Unsaid. The band's debut album was produced by Will Putney and will release on June 21 on SharpTone Records. The band will be touring soon along with Better Lovers, Seeyouspacecowboy, and Greyhaven, then a stop at Bloodaxe Festival in Tokyo in June. After … Read more
Prepare for a double album from stoner desert rock band Fu Manchu, The Return of Tomorrow, out June 14 via the band's At The Dojo Records. It's their first new record since Clone of the Universe in 2018 and their first double album. Scott Hill, guitar/vocals, gives us his perspective: When I listen … Read more
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