PUNX ALERT! is a news/info column in this Viva La Punk fanzine, containing some news updates, releases information, short biographies or anything relatively brief about bands, labels and the hardcore/punk scene. For future issues, if you want to send your news/info, please do not hesitate to email to: atandistorted@mail.com
THE CULT OF SPACESKULL (USA) is Detroit’s premier blood cult! For years now they have been terrorizing the area with their over the top live shows featuring decapitation, occult rituals, monsters, and more -- and now all this chaos is coming straight to you! “Horror punk” doesn’t cover all that these maniacs do, but that’s the best you’re going to get because The Cult of SpaceSkull is in a league of their own! Their first full length-album “That’s What You Get” was self-released to CD in 2021, but now it’s getting the Morbid And Miserable Records treatment! Cassette-Tapes out on May 19th, include a mini comic book featuring tales of the cult’s origins and illustrations for the songs on the album. Woe to the non-believers, may their souls rot! Recommended for fans of: L7, GWAR, The Meteors.
DEAD MAMMALS (UK) is a Noise Rock two-piece from Rochester formed in 2020, consisting of Chris (guitars, drums, bass, vocals) and Peter (vocals). The duo released 5 song “Chew The Fat” EP; about choking, cats, dumb comments, acid reflux and wrestling. Features guest vocals by Chris Taylor from Order of the Toad on a track titled ‘Thick PPL’. The EP available through Trepanation Recordings (UK), Forbidden Place Records (US) and Pogo Records (Belgium).
NŌ (Japan) put out their debut release, “Punk Is A Message, Think For Yourself” featuring 6 tracks of intense Crust Hardcore/Punk -- delivering important messages in raging style! CD and 10" vinyl prroduced/distributed by UK label, Chaos Control.
BOTCHED TOE (UK) released their debut full-length, “A False Glimmer of Hope” LP. There are ten songs, clocking in collectively at just over 18 minutes. Why mess around, right? The catchy, pummelling, BIB-esque riffs Flanagan serves up provide the perfect backdrop to a bleak vocal narrative from Domestic of a country in decay. Government corruption at an all-time high, those in power displaying ever-increasing contempt for the public; the ravages of unbridled capitalism and a poorly handled pandemic carving ever deeper scars into our individual and collective mental health; simple dreams now out of reach, and a populace so on edge and exhausted by it all that any significant, organised dissent seems less enticing that just retreating into one’s shell and hoping for the best (even when it’s clear that this is the most flawed tactic of all). The thundering, insistent, bass and drums of Green and Baughurst underpin it all and provide the turbine that powers the howling beast. Available on standard black vinyl or limited pink vinyl, with lyric insert.
FUSHOJIKI (Pahang, Malaysia) is the result of four ordinary guys’ ideas with various musical backgrounds who succeeded in realising a band with a little combination of punk, hardcore, thrash and other related music. The band recorded at IseekMusic Studio and launched (via their bandcamp) 5-track EP entitled “Atypical” but never been properly release (on physical format) after the Covid-19 pandemic strikes nationwide. Now, it’s available on 7" vinyl under the production of local label, Bollocks Records -- pressed in 150pcs Black Vinyl in 4 panel sleeve cover. Expect the ferocious Hardcore/Punk with thrashy touches!