In 2005 I discovered Teenage Bottlerocket, releasing their Red Scare album "Total" and fell in love with their tunes and catched a live show of them with an audience of about 30 people in Tongeren a bit later, and was even more amazed about this band. Early 2008 their second album "Warning Device" was released through Red Scare again, and a few weeks ago, just after they signed with Fat Wreck Chords, they returned to our country for another show in JH Kroenkel in Nijlen. That night reminded me of classic old-days punk clubshows that I miss so much these days. Their performance was amazing, the crowd very enthusiastic and the house was sold out. Look out for this band, because there's a bright future ahead for them. The great picture below was taken during that show by my friend Bart Cuyvers.

Since a couple of you asked me about my favorites for 2008, here goes in chronological order:

- Teenage Bottlerocket: Warning Device
- The Loved Ones: Build And Burn
- The Copyrights: Learn The Hard Way
- No Use For A Name: The Feel Good Record Of The Year
- Goldfinger: Hello Destiny
- The Real McKenzies: Off The Leash
- Rise Against: Appeal To Reason
- Dillinger Four: Civil War

So I guess no real surprises, although I have to admit that I didn't really put as much effort in this year to discover new bands.

I just decided to renew the domain punkupdates.com for another year, although as you notice I don't do anything with this site anymore. If there's ever anyone who feels like picking up this site and run it from here on, please feel free to contact me at hein.terweduwe@telenet.be. I put a lot of hard work in this over the last 10 years, so if ever anyone would continue this thing I'd be very greatful. In those 10 years I had the pleasure to receive tons of music for free, became in contact with numerous fine band- and labelmembers. It's here for the taking...

Enjoyed myself a bit with this intro-mp3 of classic punkrock songs. I took 10 intro's and put them together in the little mp3-file that you can download right here.

Try to get as many as you can, it shouldn't be too difficult to get at least 7 or 8 I think and send in your answers here

I'll have the results op in a few weeks or so, if anyone replies at all that is :)

Pulley is about to start recording a new EP with Matt Hyde, check out some stories here:

More info at www.groezrock.be

Wow! The guys of Rockfest and myself managed to book another show on October 12th in JC Smurf in Schaffen for Canadian bands Chixdiggit! and Riff Randells.

A couple years ago I organized a show for Fat Wreck band Chixdiggit as well which turned out great in Den Hemel in Zichem, and now they are back for some more pop-punk catchiness. Riff Randells are 3 girls who will be releasing their new powerpop album "Doublecross" on September 18th through Dirtnap Records.

Those unfamiliar with these bands should do some catching up at their respective websites (www.chixdiggit.com and www.geocities.com/riffrandells) or listen to some tracks on their myspace-pages myspace.com/chixdiggit and myspace.com/riffrandells

More info and reservations can be found at www.rockfest.be

Hope to see you there

We're organizing another show for you in my hometown.

On August 11th Karl Alvarez suffered a minor heart attack. While he is physically doing well, the mounting medical bills are taking a toll. This page has been set up as a resource for organizing benefit shows and taking gifts to help with medical expenses.



Karl Matthew Alvarez is the bass guitar player for both the Descendents and ALL. He plays finger style bass and provides backing vocals when live (and lead vocals as heard in "Cause" on the ALL Live Plus One album). Since joining the band he has been a major songwriter contributing many songs to ALL (both the album and the band), Everything Sucks and Cool To Be You.

myspace.com/karlalvarezbenefit

check it out: HERE !!

Some rare and out of print stuff, they're all in mint condition!

The new Vanilla Sky single, "Break it Out", is now streaming on their
myspace page at www.myspace.com/vanillasky and a video for the song
shot in Las Vegas will be available soon. Their upcoming album,
"Changes", will be released on Universal in Italy on June 8th, and
features Mark Hoppus (Blink 182, +44) contributing vocals to the
track 'Nightmare'. Expect the band to hit these shores later this
year for some live dates."

Today is the release of I Love Sarah's "Hoekzetel Bruno". Easily described as 'supermarket love boat mathrock'.
Check that shit out! Those guys are living geniuses.
website
myspace

We received a mail a couple days ago that Alexisonfire has to cancel their remaining dates for their European tour due to family matters for one of the band members. This means that Alexisonfire and support band Attack In Black won't be playing the Rockfest show in Schaffen next saturday May 12th!

We were pretty desperate after receiving this message, but we're more than pleased to announce you that we replaced both bands by Across Five Aprils (US) and no other than the mighty Boy Sets Fire (US) who are playing their last European tour! Ain't that amazing!

Please head on over to rockfest.be to find out how to obtain your tickets. And make sure to catch this final show of an already legendary band. Release The Dogs!!