Maximumrocknroll *395 (Apr 2016)

Chicago’s NEGATIVE SCANNER talk about DIY in their hometown, their songwriting process, their still-expanding musical vocabulary and touring the US in a “soccer mom van.” Philly’s SOUL GLO and Temecula’s the COLTRANES dish on their respective brands of weirdo hardcore punk, and Brazil’s the PESSIMISTS explain their musical approach, their upcoming tour plans and their origins in a São Paulo head shop.

This issue also features a huge special on three of this year’s most promising punk fests, giving us an opportunity to sit down with some of the most organized, energized, creative and resourceful punks out there. “Anti” Christian of Oakland’s Manic Relapse explains how he pulled their insane lineup of domestic and international bands and talks about carving out an inviting space while managing the fest’s hard-partying reputation. Everything Is Not OK organizer Roz Adams paints a portrait of the punk artist as a young man and shows where the Oklahoma City fest falls in a continually inspirational landscape of artists and musicians. Lastly Chris Moore and Nick Tape, the folks behind Damaged City, map out DC’s legacy as both an American metropolis with a long history in hardcore punk and a place where creating punk and expanding the scope of a fest takes constant work and commitment.

On the global media front, we were able to speak with the filmmakers of the upcoming three-part documentary series Bogotá Punk. Last but not least: an uncompromising interview with Berlin/Munich’s HeartFirst Records conducted by the late Filip Fuchs. Of course, we know not even all this is enough for you: this also comes with hundreds of reviews, a photo spread by Martin Sorrondeguy, all your favorite columnists (Turbo & Gang are taking their Oi! column in an exciting new direction) and the long-awaited return of the classifieds section. It’s no joke.