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Noise Real Records

Interviews • February 9, 2026

Noise Real Records recently released Noise Pollution Volume 1, a limited run 7" that features two new versions of "The Recluse" by Cursive. The new series will continue this revision theme as we move forward. Founded in 2021 by two long-time friends from California's Central Valley, the label is focused on quality over quantity: curating a catalog that's focused on artistic development that will leave a lasting impression. SPB was curious about the new "Noise Pollution" concept, so we asked the label a few more questions about where it is headed in 2026. Scene Point Blank: Will all Noise Pollution series releases follow this "new versions" theme, or is that to be explored further on? Will you stick to the 7" format? Justin Martin: Yeah, The Noise Pollution Series will follow this same theme. We really like the idea of bands coming in and mangling their own songs however they see fit, getting another creative bite of the apple with older material. All of the releases in this series will be 7”s because it just felt like the right amount of music for this concept. Once the dust settles on the whole series, we’ve also tossed around the idea of putting together a small box set. Scene Point Blank: Do you have any kind of schedule or timeline with the series (noting the unpredictability of the vinyl market, of course), or will releases follow any pattern? Kevin Clark: There’s no hard timeline for the series. Vinyl pressing can be unpredictable, … Read more

Verböten

Interviews • February 9, 2026

ver·bo·ten adjective forbidden, especially by an authority. Verböten was formed in 1982 by a bunch of kids aged 10 to … Read more

Commerce or Amusement?

Regular Columns / Commerce or Amusement? • January 26, 2026

Howdy out there! Welcome to the introduction for a new interview series I’ll be helming. Thanks to SPB for having … Read more

The Rousers

Interviews • January 26, 2026

A dripping handful of Brylcreem and a well-used black comb situated in the pack pocket of the rolled up Levis, … Read more

Latest album reviews — browse all

Place Position

Went Silent
Blind Rage Records, Bunker Park, Poptek, Sweet Cheetah (2026)

There’s a certain kind of band that makes sense immediately once you see them live. Place Position is one of those bands. Before Went Silent ever landed on my speakers, I caught them at a show I played in Dayton, and they were the kind of band that quietly steals the night. There were no theatrics, no posturing, just total … Read more

Twenty One Children

After The Storm EP
Slovenly (2025)

Hailing and wailing from Soweto, South Africa, rising from the ashes After The Storm comes pounding like a fierce berg wind. Don’t let this trigger your ancraophobia; they are only here (hear) to rip your sagging, middle-aged flesh from your living corpsicle sonically. Ah, Daddy—yes, Son—tell us about a time when punk was raw, dangerous, and would generally stomp your … Read more

Awful Din

Anti Body
We’re Trying Records (2026)

There’s a certain honesty that only comes from bands who’ve spent years playing to half-filled rooms, basements with bad wiring, and bars where the PA is optional. ANTI BODY, the new LP from Brooklyn emo punks Awful Din, sounds like it was built in those spaces. Not as a gimmick, but as lived experience. This is a record that feels … Read more

Mariachi El Bronx

IV
ATO (2026)

As I review Mariachi El Bronx's latest album, IV I'm not going to pretend I'm well-versed in the deep cultural tradition that inspired The Bronx to adopt this project well outside of their fiery hardcore "main project." Instead, I'll grade it on "do I like it" merits. And I definitely dig the rhythmic and festival Latinx flavors. If you're familiar … Read more

Additional album reviews

Hoaxed

Death Knocks
Relapse (2026)

There’s a fine line between dark rock that feels theatrical and dark rock that feels transportive. On Death Knocks, Hoaxed land firmly in the latter. This is an album that … Read more

Carnivorous Flower

Carnivorous Flower
Dead Broke Rekerds (2025)

There's a time to be cerebral and there's a time to tell it like it is. Carnivorous Flower lives by the latter. Their debut has 10 songs: 18 minutes in … Read more

SUB/SHOP

Democatessen
Independent (2025)

Richmond, VA has always had a way of bending punk into something sharper and stranger, and Sub/Shop feels like a direct product of that tradition. Their EP democatessen isn’t a … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Guerilla Teens

I Cyclops / Pride of the Savanna-7"
Heavy Medication Records (2024)

One-eyed wind-up dancing eyeballs boppin' and weavin' with Scott "Deluxe" Drake and Jeff Fieldhouse from the one and only and never replicated the almighty "The Humpers". I was lucky to … Read more

Joyce Manor

I Used To Go To This Bar
Epitaph (2026)

Surely by now, you’ve heard their name. Joyce Manor have been writing soundtracks for heartbreaks and hangovers for nearly two decades now. They create short songs with their hearts on … Read more

La Luz

Extra! Extra!
Sub Pop (2026)

Formed in 2012, La Luz built their reputation on hypnotic surf-noir, eerie harmonies, and a uniquely supernatural warmth that made them one of Sub Pop’s most consistently compelling bands. Their … Read more

Dead Boys

Night Of The Living Dead Dolls
Cleopatra (2025)

Dead Boys, or should I say Dead Dolls (no, not those creepy little Dolls that were mass produced for wannabe Wednesdays). Johnny Blitz had just been stabbed on the streets … Read more

Crystal Lake

The Weight Of Sound
Century Media (2025)

Formed in Tokyo in 2002, Crystal Lake have spent more than two decades shaping their own high-velocity hybrid of metalcore, hardcore, and atmospheric chaos. Few bands of their era survived … Read more

News headlines — browse all

SPB featured stream: Clockface - s/t

Posted in Records on February 9, 2026

We're back with our first featured stream of 2026, a new 7-song 7" from Clockface out now on Dropping Bombs. Based out of Detroit and Chicago, think "90s Victory Records with a bit of 00s Lockin' Out attitude," to steal a succinct description from the label. It's hardcore with a … Read more

A big day for American Football

Posted in Tours on February 8, 2026

Have you heard the news? American Football -- the emo band -- has a world tour booked for 2026, beginning in May and covering parts of the United States, Europe, … Read more

Brendan Kelly's War On Easter

Posted in Tours on February 7, 2026

Brendan Kelly (The Lawrence Arms, The Wandering Birds, The Falcon), has announced a Birmingham, AL show dubbed "The War On Easter," a twist on the annual Riot Fest party in … Read more

Give Praise sampler for '26

Posted in Labels on February 7, 2026

No entering 21 years as a label, Give Praise Records (and skateboards) has shared a free new sampler on bandcamp, Better Hand Plant Than Dead. The 27-track compilation has too … Read more

Graveface Revival Series

Posted in Labels on February 7, 2026

Celebrating 25 years of operations, Graveface Records has announced the subscription based Graveface Revival Series, a year-long proejct that will issue "unreleased, unissued, and vinyl-absent recordings from Graveface’s 25-year history," … Read more

Time Bomb High School repress

Posted in Records on February 7, 2026

Merge Records has announced plans to reissue Reigning Sound's Time Bomb High School, first released in 2002. The new edition comes on March 6, available on vinyl and remastered with … Read more

Pool Kids Audiotree (karaoke) session

Posted in Bands on February 7, 2026

Pool Kids, following last year's Easier Said Than Done album (Epitaph), have posted an Audiotree Far Out session with two live tracks from the album, as welel as some karaoke … Read more

Album stream