Tag: Punk

Final Gasp Expands Their Sound on New Album ‘New Day Symptoms’

New Day Symptoms is the new album by Final Gasp, due out February 27. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Final Gasp Announce New Day Symptoms

Steeped in nocturnal death rock adventurism, driven by post-punk anxiety that feels increasingly like the twitching heart of our modern age, and fueled by hardcore punk intensity, the second studio album from Boston’s Final Gasp, New Day Symptoms, does what all great rock records do. (another side, 2026)

Not only does it place itself within a lineage, summoning and amplifying a spectrum of powers from rock ’n’ roll lore, it makes them resonate in the here and now. The album gives voice to the fears and frustrations lurking just under the surface of waking consciousness and transforms them into a rallying cry.

Produced by Arthur Rizk, New Day Symptoms will be released on February 27 via Relapse Records. Pre-order/Pre-save here.

Channeling Fury and Reflection

Throughout New Day Symptoms, Final Gasp creates a potent emotional reaction, balancing fury and forlorn introspection. Frontman Jake Murphy vocalizes both a supercharged howl into the void and a remorseful echo back, capturing the album’s emotional duality.

Lead Single: “The Apparition”

The lead single, “The Apparition,” tells what Jake describes as “a story of reality being much more horrifying than fiction.”

“It’s about a captain and his crew on a small boat. A storm came and capsized it, and he and his two crew members were forced to swim to some sort of safety. Ultimately, only he survived—having to watch his two friends be taken away by something that could have been avoided. He knew a storm was coming but thought they could make it. It’s all about bad timing and facing the consequences.”

“The Apparition” is available now, along with its haunting video directed by Caleb Gowett and Bill Politis.

Expanding the Sound

Where Final Gasp’s acclaimed 2023 debut, Mourning Moon, was a concentrated shot of acrid underground death rock, its propulsion tanks largely filled with references to Samhain and Killing Joke, New Day Symptoms retains that core urgency while vastly broadening its scope.

With new space to explore, the album feels communal: a mapping of personal trials and dark recesses onto a landscape dotted with rafter-rousing marker points.

A More Democratic Process

Final Gasp’s ability to meld opposing forces into something vibrant and new is encoded into their DNA. Forging a sound that both honored and moved beyond their musical backgrounds required deep soul-searching, placing the band on a path whose destination remains open-ended.

One of the main reasons for the broadened sound on New Day Symptoms is that the album was written far more democratically than Mourning Moon, allowing multiple creative voices to shape its direction.

Themes of Acceptance and Moving Forward

That open-mindedness, paired with a firm grip on underground roots, gives New Day Symptoms its galvanizing force. While its predecessor dealt directly with personal loss and anxiety, this album approaches similar themes from a different angle.

“With this one, I didn’t want it to be as personal,” says Jake. “But then reading the lyrics back, I ended up feeling differently about them—they were personal on a different level. A lot of these songs are written from an outside perspective, what could’ve happened if things were different, but ultimately it didn’t end that way. You can’t change what’s already been done, so you just have to move on. It just means it’s a part of who you are now.”

A Record Built to Last

Above all, New Day Symptoms is one of those rare killer rock ’n’ roll albums whose conviction and honesty set it apart, an album primed to stand the test of time.

As acclaimed tours with Abbath, Gatecreeper, Fiddlehead, Poison Ruin, Devil Master, and Imperial Triumphant make clear, Final Gasp’s appeal is both expansive and unbounded.

Last month, Final Gasp announced a headlining North American tour which crosses both coasts, the Midwest and more.

See below for a full list of dates. Tickets are on sale here.

Feb 26: Cambridge, MA – Sonia
Mar 01: Cincinnati, OH – Dsgn Clltcv
Mar 02: Kansas City, MO – Howdy
Mar 04: Denver, CO – Bar 404
Mar 05: Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon
Mar 07: Portland, OR – The High Water Mark
Mar 08: Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
Mar 09: Seattle, WA – The Funhouse
Mar 11: Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial
Mar 12: Oakland, CA – Stork Club
Mar 13: Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge
Mar 14: Joshua Tree, CA – Joshua Tree
Mar 15: San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
Mar 16: Mesa, AZ – The Nile Underground
Mar 19: Tulsa, OK – Whittier Bar
Mar 20: Austin, TX – The Lost Well
Mar 21: Dallas, TX – Dusty’s
Mar 22: Little Rock, AR – Vinos

Final Gasp is:
Jake Murphy – Vocals
Alex Consentino – Guitar/Synth
Sean Rose – Bass
Peter Micanovic – Guitar
Kevin Ordway – Drums

Photo: Caleb Gowett, used with permission

New Day Symptoms tracklist:
01 – Eternal Silence
02 – Look Away
03 – The Apparition
04 – Gifted Shame
05 – No Hand To Lead
06 – Prediction
07 – Burials Of Birth
08 – Fractures
09 – New Day Symptoms
10 – Pale Sun

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Bad Brains Partners With Trust Records to Preserve Punk’s Most Powerful Legacy

Bad Brains 1981 backstage at CBGB New York City. Photo: Glen E. Friedman, used with permission.

Bad Brains Partners With Trust Records to Preserve Punk Legacy

NEW YORK, NY —  The iconic and highly influential punk rock band Bad Brains announced last month that they have partnered with Trust Records, the company formed to ensure that classic punk and hardcore music continues to endure. (another side, 2025)

A New Chapter With Trust Records

Under the new deal, Trust Records will ensure that Bad Brains’ music remains available for generations to come. In addition, Trust Records has established an Artist Advisory Board, on which Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer will serve. The board will help guide the future creative vision of Trust Records.

The partnership will govern and administer the entirety of Bad Brains’ owned and controlled intellectual property, including:

  • Music publishing
  • Recorded music
  • Name and likeness
  • Trademarks
  • Visual intellectual property

This includes the band’s self-titled debut album as well as seminal releases Rock for Light, I Against I, and Quickness.

Darryl Jenifer on the Partnership

“After 40 plus years of forging the spirit PMA through our brand of progressive punk rock aka Hardcore, I’m happy that Bad Brains will be sharing the wheel with TRUST in our ongoing quest to keep Bad Brains alive in the hearts and minds of our supporters as we step into the future. TRUST’s love and knowledge of Bad Brains and the PMA ethos makes them a perfect match to partner with as we keep Bad Brains ‘Sailin’ On’. Stay tuned for what’s next to come. One love and a hefty dose of PMA.”
— Darryl Jenifer, Bad Brains bassist

The Legacy of Bad Brains

Formed in 1978 in Washington, DC, Bad Brains is one of the most influential American recording artists to emerge from the punk and hardcore scene. The band’s pioneering artistry, strong ethics, and virtuosic musicianship have had a profound effect on global culture.

Bad Brains are cited as an influence by countless artists, including Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Sublime, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Deftones.

The original lineup consisted of H.R. (vocals), Dr. Know (guitar), Darryl Jenifer (bass), and Earl Hudson (drums).

Trust Records on the Partnership

“We started Trust Records to promote, preserve, and protect punk and hardcore music and the culture that surrounds it. Bad Brains is the absolute top of the mountain in punk and hardcore. They taught the rest of us how to do it. It is the highest honor to partner with Darryl and Bad Brains in the stewardship of their iconic work.”
— Matt Pincus, Founder, Trust Records

“Bad Brains are an iconic and legendary band whose impact on global culture cannot be overstated. We are thrilled that they’ve chosen Trust Records as their home and we look forward to working with them to continue to build their fan base around the world.”
— Joe Nelson, Co-founder, Trust Records

About Trust Records

Founded in 2020, Trust Records was created to give classic punk and hardcore records the home they deserve. Born from DIY roots, the genre’s most influential releases shaped generations of disaffected youth around the world. As the industry moves further into the streaming age, preserving both the spirit and legacy of this music is more important than ever.

Trust Records focuses on ensuring this music remains accessible to future generations while maintaining historical accuracy and high-quality releases.

Their catalog includes 40th Anniversary Deluxe editions of Circle Jerks’ Group Sex and Wild in the Streets, 7Seconds’ landmark 1984 album The Crew, and reissues of Youth Brigade’s Sound and Fury, DFL’s My Crazy Life, SSD’s The Kids Will Have Their Say, Ink & Dagger’s The Complete Works, and more.

The Enduring Legacy of SNFU’s …And No One Else Wanted to Play

SNFU reissues pivotal punk LP ‘…And No One Else Wanted to Play.’ Photo: Doug Humiski, used with permission.

SNFU’s …And No One Else Wanted to Play Turns 40

Trust Records Announces Deluxe Anniversary Reissue

In 1985, underground rock was staunchly divided. At the heart of it was the crossover movement, the confounding middle ground between the longhairs and their arch enemies, the punks and hardcore kids. While each style had its own version of the punk-meets-thrash approach (itself a confrontation of scene norms), hardcore punk found its true disruptor in SNFU. (another side, 2025)

By bucking all the rules and writing their own, SNFU created a singular document that proved frenetic hardcore pacing and genuine catchiness were not mutually exclusive.

Trust Records is proud to announce the reissue of the bona fide classic, SNFU’s debut full-length …And No One Else Wanted to Play.

A 40th Anniversary Release

This reissue marks the 40th anniversary of the pivotal album and is available now in stores and across digital retailers.

The physical release includes two versions:

  • Standard Edition: A repress of the original LP
  • Limited Deluxe Edition:
    • Housed in a box set
    • Includes a bonus rarities LP featuring all-new artwork incorporating elements from the original seminal release
    • Accompanied by a 104-page book documenting the band from 1981–1985

Inside the Deluxe Book

The 104-page book is a treasure trove for fans and historians alike, featuring:

  • Unseen early photographs
  • Original fanzine interviews
  • Flyers, letters, and assorted ephemera
  • Ty Stranglehold’s oral history of SNFU (1981–1985)
  • Vocalist Chi Pig’s original yearbook photo

Both editions are available in several color variants.

A Cornerstone of Skate Punk

…And No One Else Wanted to Play stands as a cornerstone of skate punk and a monument to punk rock writ large, helping usher in the burgeoning genre of melodic hardcore.

With the sung vocals of Mr. Chi Pig, the dueling guitars of the Belke brothers, and a pummeling rhythm section capable of blinding velocity and sudden turns, the album achieves the rare feat of doing it all, anchored by a deep-rooted sense of melody and an ear for well-honed songwriting.

Across fourteen classic tracks, SNFU proves they can stand comfortably alongside genre-defining acts like Bad Religion, 7 Seconds, and the Descendents, influencing countless artists and sparking a shift still felt across modern music today.

The Origins of SNFU

SNFU formed in 1981 in Edmonton, Alberta, with core members:

  • Mr. Chi Pig (Ken Chinn) – vocals
  • Marc “Muc” Belke – guitar
  • Brent “Bunt” Belke – guitar

Bonding over skateboarding and punk, the band originally went by Society’s NFU (short for No F*cking Use).

The debut LP was recorded across two hectic days at Track Record Studios in Hollywood, CA, in December 1984, with BYO Records founders Mark and Shawn Stern producing. Jimmy Schmitz (bass) and Evan C. “Tadpole” Jones (drums) rounded out the lineup, departing shortly after the sessions.

Hitting the Road and Making History

Following the album’s release, SNFU embarked on a 48-date North American tour, spreading these then-new classics live and earning cult success from coast to coast.

With the release of …And No One Else Wanted to Play, and the shows that followed, those cities, and the world of punk, would never be the same. And now, after decades out of print, neither will your turntable.

New Music Video: “Cannibal Café”

SNFU is also pleased to share their new official music video for album centerpiece “Cannibal Café.” Compiled by Nathan Drillot, the video features unseen live footage and a special appearance by Mike Belke.

…And No One Else Wanted to Play – Standard LP tracklist:

Side One
1. Broken Toy
2. She’s Not on the Menu
3. Money Matters
4. I’m Real Scared
5. Joyride
6. Seein’ Life Through the Bottom of a Bottle

Side Two
7. Cannibal Café
8. Misfortune
9. Plastic Surgery Kept Her Beautiful
10. The Gravedigger
11. Bodies in the Wall
12. Get Off Your Ass
13. Loser at Life / Loser at Death
14. This Is the End

Sacred Bones Unveils Remastered Alan Vega Classics and Rare Archival Gems

The Vega Vault Project and Sacred Bones to reissue Alan Vega’s first two trailblazing solo albums. Photo: Peter Noble/Redferns

Alan Vega’s Legacy Continues: Sacred Bones Announces Remastered Reissues and Deluxe Editions

The Vega Vault Project and Sacred Bones Records are once again unearthing the extensive body of work left behind by Alan Vega, visionary visual artist, musician, and poet. Their latest announcement brings exciting news: the reissue of Vega’s landmark 1980 self-titled debut, along with its follow-up, Collision Drive. (another side, 2025)

Remastered From Original Tapes & Streaming for the First Time

Both albums have been newly remastered from the original tapes and are available on streaming platforms for the first time ever. Sacred Bones Records will re-release the albums with a commitment to preserving the raw intensity of Vega’s original recordings while making them newly accessible to listeners worldwide.

These carefully curated reissues will be accompanied by Alan Vega Deluxe Edition, a limited deluxe double LP packed with unheard demos, unseen photos, new artwork, and Vega’s original track sheets from his 1978 Suicide / The Clash tour notebook.

Release Date and Availability

Alan Vega, Collision Drive, and the Alan Vega Deluxe Edition all arrive on January 23, 2026. The deluxe edition, available as a limited double LP, is positioned as the definitive version of Vega’s solo debut. Pre-order/Pre-save here: Alan Vega, Alan Vega Deluxe Edition, Collision Drive.

A Look Back at Vega’s Solo Breakthrough

Released in 1980, Alan Vega arrived at the same time Suicide released their second album, Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Eager to explore his personal sonic identity, Vega drew inspiration from rockabilly, early rock ’n’ roll, and his lifelong admiration for Elvis Presley. Filling the spaces between Suicide sessions, he began writing and performing his own material, developing a sound that pushed even further into the edges of experimentation.

The Grit and Fire of Collision Drive

Recorded in the same year and the same New York studio as his debut, 1981’s Collision Drive expanded Vega’s artistic reach. The album delivered a harder, grittier, and more layered energy. Vega’s lyrics tapped into universal themes inspired by street culture, science fiction, politics, comics, love, and cosmic mystery. The result: a record bursting with rebellion, feeling, and the evolving spark of Vega’s creative vision.

Unearthed Demos and New Visuals

The new reissues pair the remastered original albums with early, previously unheard demos discovered in the Vega Vault by Liz Lamere and Jared Artaud. The tapes were transferred by engineer Ted Young and mastered by Josh Bonati, offering rare insights into the making of Vega’s cult classics.

All three albums include newly designed artwork by Artaud and Michael Handis, making each release a collector’s piece and an essential addition for longtime fans.

More About Alan Vega and the Vega Vault Project

Born in Brooklyn in 1938, Alan Vega co-founded the groundbreaking avant-garde band Suicide with Martin Rev in 1970. Their influence has echoed across genres for decades. Vega’s solo career took off with the hit “Jukebox Babe,” leading to a contract with Elektra Records and the release of two albums, including the cult favorite Saturn Strip, produced by Ric Ocasek.

Rejecting commercial constraints, Vega returned to his experimental roots, generating a steady stream of solo releases over the following decades, from Deuce Avenue to Dujang Prang (released on Henry Rollins’ 2.13.61 imprint), culminating in his late-career masterpiece, It. Vega viewed these albums as sonic counterparts to his visual art, capturing both the world around him and timeless, universal themes. His work remains just as relevant today.

During this prolific era, Vega began collaborating with Liz Lamere, his wife and most significant creative partner. In 2019, Lamere and Jared Artaud unearthed the lost Vega album Mutator, released in 2021, followed by Insurrection in 2024. They co-produced and mixed both records and now lead the Vega Vault Project, dedicated to bringing rare and unreleased Vega material to the public.

A third full-length collection of previously unheard recordings, Ascension Dive, is currently in development.

Alan Vega Tracklist:

01 – Jukebox Babe
02 – Kung Foo Cowboy
03 – Fireball
04 – Love Cry
05 – Speedway
06 – Ice Drummer
07 – Bye Bye Bayou
08 – Lonely

Alan Vega Deluxe Edition Tracklist:
 
01 – Jukebox Babe
02 – Kung Foo Cowboy
03 – Fireball
04 – Love Cry
05 – Speedway
06 – Ice Drummer
07 – Bye Bye Bayou
08 – Lonely
09 – Ice Drummer (Demo)
10 – Fireball (Demo)
11 – Speedway (Demo)
12 – Love Cry (Demo)
13 – Kung Foo Cowboy (Demo)
14 – Lonely (Demo)
15 – Bye Bye Bayou (Demo)

Collision Drive Tracklist: 

01 – Magdalena 82
02 – Be Bop A Lula
03 – Outlaw
04 – Raver
05 – Ghost Rider
06 – I Believe
07 – Magdalena 83
08 – Rebel
09 – Viet Vet