US - Stockton, CA

“Stockton CA used to be a lot bigger in the hxc/punk genre with older bands. Nowadays with the new generation we have this bullshit metalcore scene. I mean with cliques and all trying to fight people from being out of town and stuff. Through all that though we have some good bands trying to bring it back and sprouting up with all types of genres.

The band that really represents our scene well I would have to say is Place Called Home because of their work with local owner and promoter Middagh Goodwin to put on some awesome shows and bring bigger bands from out of town.


We also have 51-50 - a great power violence punk band for the fans of bands like Ceremony. They just came up and are Stockton local.


We even have some great bands from surrounding towns and both are stellar at what they do…

Cutting Loose who is hardcore/punk


Indian Taker who is Screamo/Emo


For venues we have the good ol' Plea For Peace Center ran by Middagh Goodwin and really without him and what he has been doing for years Stockton wouldn't have any scene.


We have also a couple of smaller promoters who bring some good stuff like GoldenNoose Promotions. State Faults and Ruptures came down to play (most definitely should check them out ) and there’s work on booking even bigger names.


Finally we also have Cutting Teeth who books in our area.”

Iceland 2

Iceland 1

“There's not much happening these days but the music is good. The scene has changed a lot, there are fewer bands, less people at shows, less shows and right now it's pretty much only two "collectives" that are putting things out there.

There's the PBP label/artists that are made up by a close-knit and tight group of people and then a band Muck who are quite active and like to mix things up a lot. PBP release stuff frequently and the press is always tiny but all their stuff is available on their site for free downloads.

Muck just got their first batch of their debut LP called Slaves. Check all of this stuff out because it's good and eclectic. Other than that, other bands that come into the fray are somehow connected or on friendly terms with these two entities. At that point they don't sound particularly punk or hardcore but are up for a good D.I.Y. rump.

There's no scene so to speak. I'm not sure how to pin-point it in that regard anymore because everything is in a limbo and in a different place. I guess you could by some margin call different factions/groups in this city a scene but I wouldn't be able to tell you with any certainty. It's interesting and exciting as a result.

Bands that do make a splash however and stay on the radar to a varying degree are…

Ofvitarnir


Muck


Reykjavík!


Logn


Swords Of Chaos


Klikk

Norn


Just Another Snake Cult


Buxnaskjónar


But I don't follow things closely enough to confidently assert that these bands fall under the prerequisites I just made for them. I'm sure I could be corrected on some of these points. Without a doubt I'm forgetting a couple of bands and not factoring in punk-worthy bands that don't sound very punk and hardcore but are. If you know what I mean. There are probably two reasons for this discrepancy. One: I've got a terrible memory. Two: the missing bands are probably too "underground" for me to notice them in general. Either way, no hard feelings people. Next time.

Labels and blogs:

PBP


Icelandic Hardcore
Dordingull
halifaxcollect


Reykjavik Grapevine

At this time there are no selected venues that the punks and the D.I.Y. scene relies on and acts as a place for people to congregate in that sense. Additionally there's no booking "agency" of sorts here, rather a few key individuals (usually members of aforementioned bands) that book shows and then it’s the people responsible for Eistnaflug festival and Resting Mind concerts that get things cooking from time to time.”

UK - Brighton

“Brighton has always had a strong vibrant underground music and art scene. There are loads of bands, projects, artists, venues and labels but I'm only gonna mention the alternative music scene...

Amongst its most famous exports are what remains of the ashes of Theatre of Hate (London originals but now resident in Brighton) - Spear of Destiny.

Also a Brighton resident is Chelsea's frontman Gene October and he told me they're getting together for a couple of gigs here in town and also the coming Rebellion festival in the summer with the "Evacuate" album line-up. That will be a blast!

Also still doing the rounds are probably the city's most famous Punk band Peter & The Test Tube Babies.

As for that great band Poison Girls - they're sadly missed but obviously not forgotten...

Now for the newest generation of rebels with a cause…


Burnt Cross and Constant State of Terror which fly high the anarcho-punk flag and in the case of the latter a slight crustie influence can be noted in their sound as opposed to the Crass and affiliates type of sound that Burnt Cross diffuse through the several means of communication...


Also we have Dollar Sent that owes its credentials to a more garage/punk genre but are a must to see live...


Now as for The Meow-Meows, ska is the dish being served. Bon-Apetite!

Speaking of Ska but with lashings of hardcore/punk infused in its sound The Junk have been slowly but surely gaining ground along with a faithful fan-base.


Now also of the Punk persuasion but with a comic and funny outtake on life are Los Mendozas, Always dressed as Mexican wrestlers in their gigs, they're a band that you gotta see them to believe it and the sound damn it rips!


For those that like a bit more melody then maybe Corrigan would be the answer.


For the trasher that hides inside you one can always rely on Crypsis to deliver...


For the new hardcore legions of nouveau kiddies then it'll have to be The Fallthrough. These guys don't mess about!


Finally Random Heroes are also worth mentioning...

There are loads more bands about but I think I've given you all the right pointers as if you go to see or hear one of these then you probably hear about others sometime too...

As for venues places like The Hydrant, Prince Albert, Cowley Club and for the bigger gigs the Concorde 2 are the usual rendez-vous.

For the place to buy records, cd's and t-shirts, I have to mention Buz and his store the Punker Bunker as he is also one of the people that organizes events in town and has over the years delighted many folk bringing to town such great acts as The Adicts, the Dickies, NoMeansNo, etc...”

France 3

France 2

"There is nothing much new from my region except...

Death Mercedes


Youth Avoiders released a new EP


Idiot Talk from Lille released a new EP


And that's pretty much everything that comes to mind..."

US - Oxnard & Ventura County, CA 2

US - Oxnard & Ventura County 1

“Frankly I was appalled at the first report that you had for the Oxnard area. At the moment we have TONS more bands than 5 groups who all play the same generic (not a huge fan of myself) 2-stepping HXC. Don't get me wrong, the dudes who play in those bands are all cool. I went to school with some of them. It's just not the only bands that are, and at that time, were active.

The Oxnard scene has always been thriving. Every clique of people seem to have their own opinion about the vitality of the scene.

The "street punks" scene tends to come alive once every ten years. Same with the "pogo" and "drunk" punks.

The "HXC" kids scene usually makes a revival every two years or so when bands like Ceremony or Trash Talk decide to come down to Oxnard to visit.

A list of genres and bands are below. Separating active bands, styles/genres/ and area of origin.

All bands listed represent a whole spectrum of punk and hardcore. Not just one style. Tons of styles with people of all types.

Cheers!

--"ACTIVE"--BANDS—CURRENT

BLASTING CONCEPT (SCUMMY PUNK RAWK/SANTA BARBERA)


CATHOLIC SPIT (PUNK RAWK/VENTURA)


CHIMPOWA (PV/NOISE/OXNARD)

CRUCIAL (HARDCORE/OXNARD)


EL MARIACHI (PV/NOISE/OXNARD)


FLYSWATTER (POP PUNKISH/VENTURA)


THE FUCKING WRATH (STONER/DOOM/VENTURA)

GLOBAL CRIME SYNDICATE (PUNK/VENTURA)


GUN OF A SON (PUNK RAWK/VENTURA)


HEROS FUNERAL (RNR/DEATH/SANTA BARBERA)


HIPSTER TRASH (THRASHCORE/VENTURA)

ILL REPUTE (PUNK RAWK/OXNARD)


OUT OF TRUST (PUNK/VENTURA)

LAZY DOGS (STONER/RIFFAGE/OXNARD)


THE LAST PRIORITY (PUNK/HARDCORE/OXNARD)


LOCKED IN SILENCE (HARDCORE/OXNARD)


THE MISSING 23RD (PUNK/HARDCORE/VENTURA)


MISSIONARY POSSESSION (PUNK/GOLETA)


NEVER MEANT (PUNK/HARDCORE/OXNARD)


NO ADVISORY (PUNK/SIMI VALLEY)


THE ONLY CHILD (ANARACHO/PUNK/OXNARD)

ONE HATE (PV/NOISE)


RETALIATE (HARDCORE/OXNARD)


SIDEWALK SLAMMER (R'ALSH/OJAI)


SHATTERED BADGE (PUNK/HARDCORE/OXNARD)


SORDO (FASTCORE/OXNARD)


STOP BREATHING (PUNK/HARDCORE/VENTURA)


SUBURBAN MOMS (PUNK/HARDCORE/VENTURA)

SWELLBOW (PUNK/HARDCORE/MOORPARK)


VIOLENT AMERICANS (PUNK/HARDCORE/OXNARD)


UMARRA (THRASH/METAL/FILLMORE)

WAGES OF FEAR (PUNK/HARDCORE/VENTURA)