Loren

In a different world, which we think was shortly before COVID and MAGA and all things bad and in ALL CAPS occurred, Scene Point Blank had the idea to write a comprehensive piece about mailorder experiences from the people who dedicate their free time to sending you records, cds, tapes, zines and the like. Time makes fools of us all, … Read more

The Darts have a busy year ahead. First, they will release the brand new full-length Halloween Love Songs on March 3 (Meow Hiss Music). Then the band hits the road – France in March-April, then much of the US in May-June. They are also booking dates in the EUK, Australia, and New Zealand as we speak. With the band prepping … Read more

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 … Read more

For many years now, Scene Point Blank has taken the opportunity as the year ends to formally "pass the mic" to our friends on the other side of the mostly-imaginary divide between listeners and artists. This year is no exception as we ask a bunch of bands, artists and labels to tell us about their 2025. What music did they … Read more

The less I say about 2025 the better. Well, except to say that Scene Point Blank's 2025 Year End coverage is in development so, actually, I'll be talking about the year a lot. Search/Play/Repeat is a sporadic playlist feature that's just about sharing music though, instead of hitting some topical … Read more

It's been a while since I put another playlist up. I actually had this 99% done a couple of months ago, but everything went haywire and the list went on hold. This edition of Search/Play/Repeat is a quick play, running about 30 minutes in total. Enjoy! Read more

Visual Learner, BlackDots, City Mouse, Couch Potato Massacre Cloudland Theater Minneapolis, MN May 7, 2025 I’m embarrassed that I haven’t covered any shows at Cloudland for SPB previously. It’s a relatively new addition to the Minneapolis scene and a welcome addition that feels as much like a community space as … Read more

Sometimes I get all introspective and ask myself why I do this. Not very often, but the answer is always because I like music. It's that simple. I like to discover new stuff and I like to share it. Every year, the staff at Scene Point Blank sink a ton … Read more

Ska-punk band Big D and the Kids Table returns with The Good Ole American Saturday Night, the first record from the Boston, MA band in five years. It is the band's 12th album, out on June 12 on SideOneDummy Records. The first single is "Whiplash," below. Read more Read more

Long-running rabblerouser punks the Dwarves return with a new album, Jenkem, out June 5. More info is likely to stream in soon, and we'll let you look up "jenkem" on your own. For the time being, the band tells us: The JENKEM album harkens back to the hard, fast sound … Read more

Swedish grindcore band Gadget just announced the new Coerced EP, out May 8, 2026 on De:Nihil Records. It's the band's first official release since 2016 and features a new lineup that includes Emilia Henriksson on vocals and Kristofer Jankarls on guitar. The EP's new songs were written between 2019 and … Read more

This Is Hell has a new EP on the way, Born Suspicious, out May 15 on Trustkill. The band just shared the new single "Don't Wreck Your Life," shared below. Read more Read more