AUSTIN - Big things and big names went down at the Afro-Punk event at SXSW. Big Boi, K'NAAN, Whole Wheat Bread, Janelle Monae, and many more. www.afropunk.com
SAN FRANCISCO - After leaving Santa Cruz at age 15, TOPR posted up in the Bay Area where he came up in the hip hop / graffiti scene. www.myspace.com/topr
DALLAS - The boys from The Valentine Failures are a punk rock band that play music for the fun and love of it. Check 'em out as they talk about their musical influences and how they're going to take it as far as it goes. www.myspace.com/thevalentinefailures
LOS ANGELES - Luckily, we caught up with the guys from Oh No Not Stereo before they left to tour in the UK with Bayside at their rehearsal spot where they performed live and talked about the band's history and music process. www.myspace.com/ohnonotstereo
NEW YORK - Telli Federline, DJ Teenwolf, and Reverend McFly are the hedgehogs of Ninjasonik. Be sure to catch them live at least once to get the full experience of what a ninja concert's all about. www.myspace.com/ninjasonik
LOS ANGELES - Don't tell Scotty cause Scotty doesn't know that we caught up with the dudes from Lustra talking about their latest record, What You Need & What You Get, out now. www.myspace.com/lustra
LOS ANGELES - The dirty south crunk masters of Duval County gave VIMBY's monthly party an unforgettable punk rock night. www.myspace.com/wholewheatbread
DALLAS - The Horrifics is a horror punk band with an attitude that just rocks. They do it to have fun, not for the fame and money. That's legit. www.myspace.com/thehorrifiics
DALLAS - We went bowling with the boys from The American Life after they played at the Plano Centre and explained how to play Wizard Stick. www.myspace.com/theamericanliferock
LOS ANGELES - A record release party, roller coasters with Ace and Liza, and a breakthrough when Civet opens for Rancid at the House of Blues. www.myspace.com/civet
LOS ANGELES - Volume one of TKO Record's weekly series showcasing the sickest bands on the label. Featuring The Stitches, Smut Peddlers, Smogtown, and The Forgotten. www.tkorecords.com
DALLAS - They're fast, they're in your face, they're Screaming Red. Hang out with them as they practice and talk about their record label and future plans. www.myspace.com/screamingred
LOS ANGELES - The girls are throwing the smack down on a new track for the WWE at 1am. But, they're not alone, Suzi's boyfriend is there to keep them entertained.
www.myspace.com/civet
LOS ANGELES - Floor shows, malt liquor, and an album titled Worldwide. It's the mutha f'ing Death Set yo! And don't mosh in the front, Mr. Security will throw a beat down. www.myspace.com/thdeathset
LOS ANGELES - VIMBY's giving you a lickitty taste-taste of the fast-paced punk rock original series titled Rock Journal, where 5 girls hustle for that 1 dream. www.myspace.com/civet
LOS ANGELES - Did a beer bottle just fly past you? Hell yeah it did, cause the Stitches are up on stage! Check out this piece to see where history's taken them and where they're taking history. www.tkorecords.com