Maximumrocknroll *393 (Feb 2016)

2015 YEAR-END TOP TENS. We’ve given music “journalists” and rock “critics” a polite but firm kick in the head: these top-tens were composed by real live actual punks. Writers include your favorite MRR reviewers and contributors as well as some special guests: members of the punk community at large including Laura Lança (Rakta, Chroma), Greg Benedetto (S.H.I.T., Not Dead Yet fest organizer), Arto Hietikko (editor of Toinen Vaihtoehto) Ralph Rivera (Not Normal Tapes, The Bug), the ladies of Shequalizing Distort (CIUT Toronto radio takeover), Paco Mus (La Vida Es Un Mus label impresario) and many more. No two lists are alike; over 232 records are discussed here. Expect to find your new favorite records in these pages. We also have an interview with BUSTED OUTLOOK, one of the most exciting hardcore bands in California, getting live on stage and on the page. Australia’s SCAB EATER talk about their new record, relive touring in Southeast Asia, relate some controversies at home and explain why they seem to be on the road at least every three months. Another intercontinental enterprise: SEI TO SHI discus splitting members between New York and Kyushu, Japan and the return from their brief hiatus. Texas crust outfit COMMUNION OF THIEVES talk about their origins on both sides of the El Paso-Juárez divide as well as their introductions to the wide world of punk. On top of all that, we managed to pack in a photo spread from Cacophonie Nights, a weekend of noise punk gaiety in Portland; all of the columnists you know and love; and of course, punk’s hugest reviews section.