Matt

2021 might seem like a challenging time to resurrect a zombie-themed thrash metal/hardcore band, but the path of the rotting undead is never an easy one to tread (or shuffle). Thankfully for fans of British zombiecore pioneers Send More Paramedics, that's just what they've chosen to do. Resurrected for a second time, the four piece have reformed a decade after … Read more

Who still reads webzines? Who still publishes them? In a world where Spotify, Twitter, Facebook and Myspace (again) are drowning users in new music, it’s clear that music is more important than ever - but music publications might not be. Of course, we at SPB feel differently, so we reached out to a bunch of fellow punk/alternative webzines to see … Read more

The phrase "elder statesman" doesn't really feel appropriate for the punk scene, but people like Larry Livermore are the closest thing we have to it -- founder of Lookout Records, frontman, columnist, blogger, and now, curator. Larry is teaming up with Adeline Records to release The Thing That Ate Larry Livermore: a compilation of up-and-coming bands that Larry feels need … Read more

  Since their formation, Against Me! have enjoyed a somewhat cult following in the punk scene, and tend to split audiences down the middle in terms of opinion. Their recent signing to Sire Records attracted a lot of attention and many "fans", already feeling alienated by the band's previous signing to Fat Wreck Chords, denounced the band as sellouts. Anyone would … Read more

When I last wrote here, I was halfway through a four-week songwriting course taught by Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes fame, facilitated by LA-based School of Song. It’s an online class conducted over Discord and Zoom – each week, participants are set a homework assignment, and join a Zoom breakout … Read more

When I saw the words "songwriting workshop with Robin Pecknold", I knew at once that I was going to end up signing up for it. I've been a Fleet Foxes fan since the early days (and don't try to come for me because I have the receipts) so when I … Read more

Elliott Smith at his last-ever NYC show, January 29th 2003. He killed himself that October.Photo: Alexis I have this friend, let's call her L. We "met" on a music messageboard back when things like that were still popular. We lived in different cities and we never met in person, but … Read more

(This review contains copious spoilers: if you intend to read the novel yourself, proceed with caution. We're posting it as a blog since it's not strictly music-related, despite being written by a prominent musician. Now read on!) Joining the vast array of musicians-turned-novelists (wait, what?), Davey Havok of AFI fame … Read more

It's that time again – episode 13 (unlucky for who? not us!) of the SPB podcast just dropped. You can stream it right here, follow it on Apple Podcasts here, or just search "Scene Point Blank" wherever you get your podcasts. Here's what show host Ian says about this episode: … Read more

It's new podcast episode time and you know what that means – go here to listen to it, or subscribe via Apple Podcasts or other podcast apps here. This episode features music from Nastyfacts, The Senders, Attic Salt, Chat Pile, Clown Sounds, Howardian and more. Go listen! Read more

Mathcore legends Botch are back with a surprise new song after two decades since their breakup. The band had already announced their signing to Sargent House records in order to release some vinyl reissues, but they've just shared "One Twenty Two", a brand new song – see it below. No … Read more

Derry, Northern Ireland punk newcomers Parker have released "Never Miss", their debut single. They're touring across the UK and Ireland later this year (see below for the dates) and you can stream the song on Spotify here. The band formed during the pandemic and are aiming to release their first … Read more