The Counterforce - Issue 11

The Counterforce #11

2026-05-18T15:45:40.000-04:00

The Counterforce Issue #11 has arrived. This zine compiles everything on the site since the last issue: How to make a show poster, numerous reviews and columns, and the second edition of The Counterforce Crossword. With a front cover by contributor Ralph Rivera.

Download the PDF for printing here and view more issues on The Counterforce Zines page.

REHASH NEU KLANG - War Crimes & Love Songs EP

2026-05-14T15:37:30.000-04:00

Contributed by Grego Clow

Antwerp ensemble brings a heavy dose of post-punk on this release. An equal balance of catchy, dancey, and angular. I typically go for a little rawer production for my post-punk, but THE STROKES fan in me can dig it. I hate to rag on people who are clearly great players, but the drums get a little same-y and there is something about how the hi hat sounds in the first track that kind of gets on my nerves. At first, I was confused by some of the GANG OF FOUR comparisons I kept seeing but some of the dubbier parts in the middle bring it out. Older band ABWÄRTS and 2010's band NEGATIVE SCANNER also come to mind. Seems to be some fun little studio tricks sprinkled in there as well, but I ain't no expert on the matter. I don't see myself playing this too often, but I would definitely recommend this to someone who gave 154 an honest listen but just couldn't quite hang.

Listen here: https://mangelrecords.bandcamp.com/album/war-crimes-love-songs

War Crimes & Love Songs, by Rehash Neu Klang

6 track album

MangelCustom Made In 1968

YELLOWCAKE - Apparitions of War CS

2026-04-01T15:52:56.000-04:00

If it seems like I disproportionately dunk on d-beat, consider for a sec that so much of it is inspired, unlistenable dogshit. Backwards looking, self-indulgent pastiche overly indebted to this or that country's scene from 20 or 30 years before any member was even born, lamenting the wars that filled their parents' bank accounts and paid for all the cider, studs, and hairspray they could ever ask for. Maybe maybe maybe... maybe I DO believe the many offenders should be locked in a gulag and forced to listen to Peter, Paul, and/or Mary 22hrs a day (I'm no monster), 7 days a week for their crimes against music and, once freed, a crossed out 8th note branded on their pointy little heads.

I say these things, and then I hear BLACK DOG or NO KNOCK or, of course, Arizona's YELLOWCAKE and consider the possibility that I've judged too harshly. Perhaps even I may be wrong from time to time (though, as Nevada may attest after the unrelenting punishment they received by yours truly this past weekend, if once informed, you find your way back to rightness, were you ever truly wrong? A Thought for another time, perhaps).

Just as evil as BLACK DOG, though a little more chaotic. The riffs rip through the speakers with 1,000,000mph (1,609,344km/h for most of yuz) rapid-fire downstroke madness, only diverting now and again to indulge in some lead-guitar wankery. The tom-heavy caveman drums punctuated by big fucking fills at the end of nearly measure evoke an infinity of fists punching unlimited low-clearance basements. And goddammn, Genesis' vocals are perfect, calling to mind the best moments of QUESTION/DETESTATION's Saira. Primal grunts and screams and shouts. Nothing breaks the 2min mark, as almost nothing should.

An almost perfect release from the CAKEsters and their label Total Peace, willfully marred by the exclusion of a fucking lyrics sheet.

Listen here: https://totalpeace.bandcamp.com/album/apparitions-of-war

Apparitions of War, by Yellowcake

5 track album

Total Peacestudsandswords

AG-3 - Covert Strike CS

2026-05-10T15:04:21.000-04:00

Another flawless demonstration of punk hardcore from Norway's naztiest export, the proud declaration thereof adorning the back flap o' the j-card almost brings a tear to my eye. Mass proliferation! May no ears be left unscathed!

My review of their prior outing read simply "fuck" with like 38 Ks, and that feels similarly pertinent here. Sure, they made us wait two years for like 8 minutes of music, but get to do that when you actually, eventually make good. The bass is a little bouncier, vocals a bit more strained, and it never feels more concerned with spotify playlist inclusion than being absolutely unhinged. "Dogfight" is the clear standout here, blasting the fuck off from the zero point zero zero scream and stick click intro and careening into the last terrifying seconds with, what sounds to these ears, like a murderous mantra of "I'm killing you."

A perfect 6 outta 5.

Listen here: https://ag-3.bandcamp.com/album/covert-strike

COVERT STRIKE, by AG-3

6 track album

AG-3B

FLOWER POWER - Raw Power CS

2026-05-10T15:10:31.000-04:00

Another six song, 8ish minute fuckin' psycho hardcore banger for this month's assembled readership. And, like AG-3, another band I'm glad didn't break up because their bassist moved a town away or some bullshit. Stop doing that. BLACK FLAG had 13 singers, I'm sure you can figure it out.

Like their last release, I don't at all see the CRUCIFUCKS comparisons that Big Punk is pedaling, but the URTICARIA label lands a bit closer to the mark with an ABURADAKO reference. I definitely see a bit of fellow Irelanders ANXIETY's DNA got spurted into the pot, so much so I had to check for members in common, but all this is to say "FFO: shit that doesn't suck."

Listen here: https://urticariarecords.bandcamp.com/album/raw-power

Raw Power, by Flower Power

6 track album

Urticaria Recordsshoober420

TV BUDDHA - 10,000 Buddhas CS

2026-04-01T16:02:58.000-04:00

Punk like NYC '69 or NYC '72 or NYC '76 or like... Chicago, circa right now. One shudders to think what the first 9,999 Buddhas must have endured to reach this one, but their sacrifice was worth it. Free Punk, Free Mod, Freek Beat, Free Youths.

In 15 minutes, in 15 days, in 15 years, there'll be a bunch of bands comprised of 30-somethings doing interviews in digital magazines that'll cite this release as the zero-point of their interest in dirty music, New Thenners hopelessly trying to replicate the effortless cool of this UHF transmission, but you should try not to miss out on it Now.

Listen here: https://tvbuddha.bandcamp.com/album/10000-buddhas-2

10,000 Buddhas, by TV Buddha

4 track album

TV Buddhahcarges

SLIT - Demo 2025 CS

2026-05-12T13:42:52.000-04:00

Once every ten years or so, I find it acceptable for a hardcore punk band to release a song over 1.5 mins. Not, I should say, out of some hivemind adherence to tradition, but because most of you me us chuckleheads just cannot fucking write something worth paying attention to for that long.

SLIT did it twice on their two song tape. Maybe a larger sample size will some day reveal this tape naught but a fluke, but for now, their record stands unblemished. Big, heavy, chunky (pretty?), Ebullition meets Pusmort meets Vermiform meets four alarm fire. All knuckles on the floor, all feet flying, all heads kicked in.

Bonus points for writing something on the tape and including a fucking lyrics sheet.

Listen here: https://hardcoreisforpussies.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2025

Demo 2025, by Slit

2 track album

SlitSlit

HAPPY FARM - Happy Farm CS

2026-05-12T13:53:32.000-04:00

Expect this clarification included any time I have the release in hand: no fucking lyrics sheet. That's sort of expect at this point, but jesus fucking christ.

Independent of that, I've gone back and forth trying to figure out how much I enjoy this or whether I did at all period. Whatever hesitation I felt in giving a full-throated endorsement dissipated after about 30 listens: I have decided that you and I both belong on the Arizona HAPPY FARM.

This art is fucking awesome. It looks like something you would have only discovered 15 years after its original release during the blogcore era of the late aughts/early teens. If I saw this in the racks at any age, I would have stopped looking. Journey over, tinnitus imminent. Good job, Joseph the artist, it's a shame no one asked you to lay out a lyric sheet.

As for the band itself, which does not include Joseph, you also did a good job! I always love when the drummer throws in a fill at every possible opportunity, I always love when the feedback shrieks and howls, and I always love when a band throws in a little tasteful palm muting whether or not it's congruent with the behavior of one's peers. I've always judged vocalists most harshly, but HF's clears, sacrificing themself over the course of 7 tracks and sending the recordings back in time to haunt the tape like a fucking ghoul. The delivery sounds like the corners of your mouth pulling away from the center of your face and every vein in your neck one second from bursting.

What thoughts and ideas I can make out seem earnest and uncompromising. It's a shame that there's no lyrics sheet I can use to confirm this, because I believe most of us would receive no small benefit by seeing ourselves reflected in the words of a band who champions the "survival of few against the apathy of most."

End diatribe.

Listen loud, and often, here: https://happyfarmaz.bandcamp.com/album/happy-farm

Happy Farm, by Happy Farm

7 track album

Happy FarmB

THINK! Column #3

2026-05-13T14:46:06.000-04:00

THE LIMITS (pt. 1)

I've been taking a lot more walks lately, dropping off newsletters in the little libraries. Punishment by proxy! A great big fakeout! Congrats, you have in your hands what looks like a punk zine but is actually 6-10 pgs of RFK's Exhibit A when it's time for my Tismternment at the Barron Trump Wellness Camp. Nerds, sloths, masturbators, they're coming for you and me alike so I'll see you on the chain gang for another 12hr shift spent smashing Kristi Noem's dog's head in for tinkling outside of designated tinkle time.

Walking, yes. Talking to myself? Maybe. Leave the house, buy thing, eat drink or play with thing. The headphones are on and it's FLOWER POWER or PARKING or FU-SCHNICKENS or C. Did you hear ever this band? Japanese band that took a chance on a letter that wasn't X, wrote an album called "Dear Fuckin' Shit All The Fascists +2" and if that doesn't make it move then it's no wonder RFK's coming for the punks last: you're their greatest warrior. 9 songs bop bop bopping on the bass and stacc stacc staccato on the drums, Steve Ignorant and Pete Wright jamming with D and Mike Watt. Fucking corndogs, but not for the cat, and on the walks continues.

Last week, the walks included NEVADA, fresh from their 10th tour just this year, out and about with HIRS or BLACK EYES and lord willing they'll regale us with those many torrid tales in these here pages soon-like. They were here for 9 days cut down from 10 and I saw them about half, rounded up for soup, chai, matcha, pastry, tacos. I like my quiet walks of solemn contemplation as much as the next red-blood american male, but it was nice to have a companion during daytime hours with whom I waxed nimrodian.

B_____, my neighbor, was out tending the garden during the one most recent. He plays picture pages on the same sets I shepherd, shifting chairs for 12 hrs and moving coffee cups lest we break the immersion when one pretty person screams at another, or professes their love, or pantomimes real good for Post. I'm certainly losing my lust for the whole ordeal, though not for eating or shelter, and it seems he's not far off what with all the garden tending, but my walks and the trimming and the snip snip snip of the sheers has afforded us enough time for the small talk to grow big before our very eyes. "Oh how's the dog?" "Fine, and how's the leg?" and now we're talking about our parents and planning potlucks and parting with a friendly embrace.

At the end, again most recent, check my messages, one from justa, lowercase, always. Older guy I know from the depths of the dead ccg underground. Creative, prolific, maybe somewhat lonely. His family lives closer to me than he now, or so I'm told. Won't speak up in the group chat, but always sends me reassurances and advice and confides to me directly. He told me recently he didn't feel qualified to speak on such and such topic and I responded, like I often do to Jeeny, that I believe in some circumstances that makes you even more qualified. I told him I wished I could give him a great big hug. Selflessness is selfish, I think I need one, too.

Everything feels... Feet go slow, muscles weighed down, air feels thick, distended, pregnant. I walk and walk and the concrete's uneven, shifting with every step as the earth beneath reaches a rolling boil. The sirens go off and you wonder who is it this time and the choppers overhead and you wonder if its passengers are the cause of all this or are they just passing by, observing. I walk and I trip and the concrete is bubbling and covered in bird shit and black black black gum and my legs are tired and the door is locked and I forgot the keys and I climb through the window and see the ants have breached the cracks in our walls and our floors and I collapse into bed and contemplate the absolute limits of everything. (End pt. 1)

GLASS DOLLS - Old Friend

2026-05-12T22:04:05.000-04:00

GLASS DOLLS is the project of my TOTAL NADA bandmate Etienne, who also plays in WAYS OF HIDING, RECALL, and likely filled in on drums or guitar in the last band you saw... Last year he started playing shows with a backing band of friends and released the debut GLASS DOLLS EP. At the time I was bit disappointed - not because the EP was bad, but because all the songs I had gotten to know from the live shows were missing! The EP seems to be a collection of songs that predated the live show. Old Friend is a full LP, comprising those live songs and several more. A lot of work went into these songs, and it shows.

While the 2025 EP leans bit more indie-rock, Old Friend straddles stripped-down postpunk and melancholic lo-fi synth pop. Overall this is a sad record, and not in the gloomy gothy vampire-vocals way. Just earnest genuine emotion. I might caution you before listening to it if you are already feeling down. But after only one listen you will surely have the guitar lead from "Echoes", the bassline from "Black Cloud", or a fragment of lyrics stuck in your head which somehow won't feel so sad.

Currently this is just a tape available in person, but I wouldn't be surprised if you see this released on vinyl later this year.

Listen here: https://glassdollsmtl.bandcamp.com/album/old-friend

Old Friend, by Glass Dolls

13 track album

Glass DollsScott

I Will Do My Worst #4

2026-05-11T20:56:42.000-04:00

How-to Contribute to The Counterforce

The Counterforce is a distributed and community project! Through 11 issues and 280+ posts, we've been lucky enough to have contributors from all over the world: many are friends, many are strangers, and some were strangers and are now friends. But we can always use more contributors! I don't particularly like writing, and I didn't start this to have a place to publish my own writing. I would really much prefer to just do the shit-work and provide a platform for punks from all over to share and connect, replacing algorithmic recommendation with curation and community.

In that pursuit, I am often shaking down my friends and acquaintances to contribute something to The Counterforce, so this issue's column is going to be the little encouraging pep talk I usually give.

First, ideas on what to contribute:

Review a new release you are excited about. It can be your friend's band. It can be a record that you think everyone already knows about, or a record you think no one knows about.
Interview a band. Cold call a band you like, interview a band passing through on tour, or just interview a local band you are friends with.
Write a scene report. What's up in your local scene? What local bands are playing, what new releases are coming out, where do shows happen, how is the punk community engaging with local (or global) politics?
Do you know how to do something useful for punks? A bit of a DIY-type? Write a how-to.
Send a letter to The Counterforce for publication. This could be anything: a short idea, something you want other punks to read, a reaction to something you read in The Counterforce (positive or negative), and idea, a dream. Be creative.

Second, how to rip-off the band-aid:

Start small. Don't just get stuck on trying to decide on the "perfect first contribution". Just start with something small and easy, like a review. Spend 10 minutes re-listening to a demo and just a paragraph like you are selling it to a friend. If 50 people sent in just 1 review every other month, the website and each zine would be packed.
Similarly, an interview can be as simple as four questions: "1. Who is in the band and how did the band start? 2. What's the best show you've played and what was so good about it? 3. What releases/tours/shows do you have coming up? 4. What else is going on in your local scene you want to talk about/shout out?" Easy!!!
Don't overthink it. First thought = best thought. This isn't a newspaper, it doesn't have to be perfect. It's a punk zine. The bar for writing is, and should be, low. And we'll edit it for you to make sure what you are saying is clear and that your article matches the in-house style guide.
If you feel intimidated... you can use a punk name! We will protect your true identity.
You can contribute in the best way that works for you. Send it by e-mail, leave a voicemail, sent a text or message on Signal, or send a letter in the mail.

More tips:

Read past issues/stuff on the website and make sure you read the manifesto. Basically any contribution that fits under the broad umbrella of hardcore punk underground and is aligned with the manifesto is welcome. So remember, we want to highlight punk stuff happening outside of or in opposition to corporate social media and streaming platforms. No Instagram handles!
Try to include at least one photo or image. It could be a live band photo, a flyer, whatever.
This isn't some exclusive publishing house. If you have a blog where you post reviews, you can submit your reviews here too. You can do a column, and then collect all your columns into a zine. If you've done something for a local zine that you thing would benefit from a wider audience, send it it and we'll publish it too!

That's it. If you want to contribute something, do it! Check the contact page (it's always the last page of the zine).

The Counterforce CrosswOird #2

2026-05-11T20:22:53.000-04:00

ACROSS

1. Oi fanatics against white power, abbr.
6. Scooter-riding youth of the 60s, disdained by skins.
10. Grassroots union with a red logo and cat
13. Real name: Douglas Colvin
14. Sum, short form?
15. The sound of one befuddled
16. A no scratches, no wear, record
18. 1960s radical student activist org.
19. Investment yield, short form
20. End of the name for playwright Oscar
21. Philly's sandwich
24. Former Breitbart editor, target of 2017 Berkeley protests.
25. Snitch on
28. The 1990s predecessors to 46D, abbr.
30. What happens when protests escalate
31. Croft of Tomb Raider
33. Resting place?
36. Traditionally female shaved-head haircuts
38. Jerk (in Britain).
41. Italian “they”
42. Main actor in Trainspotting
43. DISCLOSE, “____ not music!
44. What you may use to slick back your hair
46. Made amends
47. An equal number of
50. THE MAD ARE ___
52. Argot
53. Salon service
54. Place to eat
57. External troublemaker, allegedly
61. Employ
62. Rookie, according to your 12 year old cousin
63. "Speed it up!"
64. Left-hand side, briefly
65. Hosp. workers
66. “ ___ target”

DOWN

1. Dispatch
2. Fashion lines?
3. A nickname for Addison
4. Stimpy's Pal
5. An oogle's squeaking companion?
6. New Zealand Native
7. Warning, of sorts
8. Fantasy role-playing game, for short.
9. Reputation harmer
10. CRASS, "Yes sir, ___"
11. "Just ___ you think you are?!"
12. Lessen
13. Shame
17. “Fuck capitalism! We are all just a __ in the machine!”
21. Rowdy football fanatics
22. Baseball stats
23. Stud site
26. Nirvana achievers
27. Cliche Father's day gift.
29. A type of punk, or Sashimi?
31. 1985 comp, "We Don't Want your Fucking ___!"
32. King of Judah
33. The theme of this puzzle!
34. Lab wire
35. Fashion brand with a laurel wreath logo and iconic polos.
37. Slippery
39. Poker stake
40. Exaggerated 'never!
45. It purrs when it's cared for
46. Right-wing pundit's favorite boogeyman
47. REPLACEMENTS, "Don't tell ____"
48. Blizzard aftermath
49. Blokes
50. Picket-line crossers
51. Summer mo.
54. What you put an instrument in
55. "___ boy!"
56. 6A vs 33D, e.g.?
58. A sub's counterpart
59. "End of Today" abbr.
60. Earth tone

Answers

For last issue's The Counterforce Crossword #1:

CELL DETH – Death Seller 7"

2026-05-07T15:02:18.000-04:00

Death Seller hits the ground sprinting and barely lets up over ten tracks of tight, noisy, blisteringly fast hardcore punk. I've been waiting for this record since I visited PEI on tour last spring and ran into CELL DETH on their way into the studio to record, fresh off performing these songs the night before (I moshed). Now that's it's finally out I am NOT disappointed. Buzzy, evil-sounding feedback heralds each song, replete with sufficiently catchy riffs and straight-shooting lyrics that tackle classic themes like the misery of life under the boot of capitalism, as well as more timely crises such as overdose deaths, attacks on bodily autonomy and Israel's genocide of Palestinians. Story's vocals are a real standout for me – it takes a crazy amount of power and control to make vocals in the highest ranges sound harsh and big, and they totally nail it here. At times it feels like everything is nearly flying off the rails and pulling itself back together just in time to hit a mid-tempo moment or a whisper of a breakdown (nothing wanky though – the closest you'll get to indulgence here is a sprinkling of guitar noodles). The members of CELL DETH are connoisseurs and stewards of hardcore punk in their small scene, and while there are a lot of familiar building blocks in play, they've expertly assembled the pieces together in a way that kept me on my toes, even through multiple listens. You may occasionally get the sense that things are spinning out of control, but don't worry – Dad's driving the minivan and you're (probably) perfectly safe in the backseat. Enjoy the ride.

Released by Broken Skull Records, listen here after May 15

DEATH SELLER, by CELL DETH

10 track album

Broken Skull RecordsBlastbeat Junkie

How to make a show poster

2026-05-07T11:22:49.000-04:00

If a flyer was only posted on Instagram, did the show even happen?

Physical media has always been important to punk and DIY. Tapes, records and zines are the first things to come to mind, but flyers and posters are just as important. At our house there are posters from meaningful shows and tours past hanging on the walls, and even hundreds of flyers bursting out of the archives.

You’re organizing a punk show. Great! The purpose of this how-to is to stress the importance of doing physical promotion, and show you how to do it right – whether flyers (aka handbills, small paper you can hand out) or posters (larger papers you can staple/tape/wheatpaste up around town). I’ll mostly talk about posters in this guide, but at the end I’ll give some tips about how to shrink your posters down into handbill size to make them easier to copy and hand out.

A show poster is an advertisement. It should 1. entice people to come to the show, and 2. give them all the info they need to do so. Think about the person you would want to come to the show who wouldn’t necessarily come by default – your flyer or poster should be trying to sell the show to this person.

IF: your flyer looks cool but has scant information about the bands, time and location, and is only posted on Instagram, your show is going to be attended by the people who already know the drill. Your shows will get smaller and smaller as less and less new blood turns up.

IF: your flyer has detailed information about what the music is gonna be like, and what’s gonna happen where and at what time, more people who are on the fence will feel empowered to come.

A note about gatekeeping: People who care about punk and know where to look – whether at posters around town, on websites they don’t have to log into our use an app to access, in show listing newsletters, or being handed a flyer at a different show – SHOULD be able to find out about your show. If your flyer looks punk and has info that punks or punk-curious people can decipher, normies will simply not see it. Your show shouldn’t be “gatekept” from people who don’t wanna use Instagram (If you need more convincing about this, you should probably reread the manifesto.) I live in a pretty big city with lots of punks, lots of shows and lots of infrastructure for promoting shows outside of corporate platforms, and STILL once a month or so I find out about a show too late that I would have wanted to go to but didn't see because it was only promoted on platforms I don't use and can't access. It's unacceptable!

Making the poster

Think of the artwork and design of your poster as one among many important pieces of info. Just like album artwork, it’s meant to give people an idea of the vibe of the show. But it doesn’t matter if you paid too much money for some siiiiick art from the most hype punk illustrator, if your poster doesn’t have actual info that people need to know how, where, and when to see the show it’s totally useless!

Before you start making a poster (or sending out the info to an artist), first compile all the information that should go on the poster. Check that you are not missing anything, and that all of the information is accurate. Run it by the bands playing or anyone helping you with the show. You don't want to have to get someone to redraw everything because you made a typo in a band name.

1) Date

Day of Week, Date, Month. These are all essential. But don't forget the often-overlooked YEAR!!! If you take one thing away from this guide, put the year of the show on your posters. You might not think this is important, but it is. If your poster (or the show) was good, it will end up as wallpaper in some punk house bathroom and hoarded in flyer archives for years to come. Including the year is especially important in this digital age, where images are often shared online out of context.

2) Location

How much info you include for the location can depend on your city and the show. If you’re in a smaller place with only a few regular show joints in town and they're easily searchable, you can probably forego the address. If you’re in a bigger city with a lot of venues, you might want to include the address or transit stop to give people an idea of where they’re going. If the show is at a house or location that isn’t posted publicly, you can always add the classic “ask a punk.” If it’s a squatted or illicit event, put the instructions for how people can find out where the show is day-of. Don't tell people to DM an Instagram handle for the location c'mon.

3) Bands

Include not only the names of all the bands playing, but also where they’re from (for touring bands) and some kind of description. You can get indulgent and write a full sentence describing the band, but it probably shouldn't be that long. Just a few genre descriptors or a "members of" or "FFO" (for fans of). You and maybe some of your crew will already know these out of town bands (you are booking their show, after all), but many local punks will have never heard of them, no matter how hype you think they are! Give people something to let them know what to expect and you are more likely to get a better turnout, and more people checking out the touring bands. Even if it's a bit silly or ironic, some kind of description will give people on the fence a reason to come to the gig. If you’re insecure about your ability to describe bands or clock genres, just ask the bands how they’d describe their music or look on their website or bandcamp page.

4) Time

Include a door time and a show time, or if you only advertise one time, make sure it’s clear whether it’s when the doors will be open or when the music is starting. If people don’t know when things are happening, they are gonna be pissed that they missed their friend’s band, or annoyed that they have to stand around for 3 hours waiting for the music to start because you have to delay the show waiting for people to show up. Time on this earth is precious and limited. People have kids, jobs, and other things going on in their lives. If your show is running on clearly advertised times, more people with busy lives will be able to show up!

5) Price

How much does the show cost to attend? Is there a sliding scale? Is it PWYC (Pay What You Can) or NOTAFLOF (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds)? Is the show a benefit for something? Are there advance tickets?

6) Age limits + consumption info

Is the show all ages? (it should be!) 18+ or 21+? Do attendees need to bring ID if they want to drink?

7) How to learn more

Include info for a website, hotline, forum, or whatever else exists in your town where people can get more info about the show, find links to check out the bands, or find updates if anything changes. e.g. “yourtown.askapunk.net”. Remember that people who don’t have Instagram or Facebook (aka real punks) cannot usually access the info without an account, so keep that in mind when including links or handles. If those are the only options in your town, try to do something about it!

Another note on art and design when it comes to show posters: the poster should be legible. Cool punk art is cool, but sometimes the show information can get lost in the art forest. A poster with really cool huge art and really tiny illegible information in a weird hard-to-read hand drawn font will probably look cool, but it won't help anyone new get to your show.

Turn your poster into handbills

Here's a little visual cheat sheet for shrinking down your poster to print as handbills:

If your original poster is Letter (8 1/2" x 11" aka regular ol' printer paper) or A4 (regular printer paper outside North America), OR if the digital version you're working with is roughly 4:5 ratio, you can fit 4 mini flyers/handbills onto one sheet.

If your original poster is a larger Tabloid (11" x 17"), you can comfortably fit two side by side on Letter/A4/Printer paper. You could print them smaller but unless the info on the original poster is huge and legible, you might not be able to read it well (and if you're on North American paper sizes there'll be a little extra space on the sides cause it's not the right height-to-width ratio – this is not a problem with A3, A4, etc sizes). If you want to print quarter-sized handbills of a larger poster like this, you might want to ask the artist to do a separate version that's optimized for the smaller size.

There's a few ways to "n-up" your posters (print multiple sheets on one page e.g. 4-up, 2-up, etc).

Digitally: Maybe you have access to or know how to use design software like Photoshop (evil, expensive), GIMP (cool, free and open source) or something ethically in the middle like Affinity. If that's the case, you can shrink your design by a little more than 50% and then copy-paste until you fill your page like the examples above. BTW, in most cases you will want to save it as a PDF for easy printing.
Analog: If you are using a photocopier or printer with a flat bed scanner, lay down your original and find the option to reduce the size by 50%. Make 4 copies of this. Cut out each of the small flyers and lay them out like the examples above.
Pro tip: whichever method you use, leave a little extra space around the edges and between flyers to give you some wiggle room for cutting and print margins. Always print and cut a test copy before you run 100 copies.
Pro tip 2: print a different show flyer (or some other message you want to get out) on the back side and it's a 2-for-1 special.

Don't make your show flyer 1:1 ratio (perfectly square). It's useless for everything except Instagram (including most other digital applications) and it's hard to print either full size or 4-up without wasting paper.

For more info about printing, paper sizes and layout, see my Punk's Guide To Printing Zines

Promoting your show!

Go to shows and stand near the door as the last band finishes playing and personally hand a flyer to everyone leaving the show. This is especially important if there is overlapping interest/demographics, e.g. if your show is all ages (it should be), make sure you get to other all ages gigs to hand out flyers!
Keep flyers in your bag and try to remember to hand them out if you run into people you know, or give those people a few extra to hand out.
Put up posters around town! Get into wheatpasting, or go around to record stores, bars/coffeeshops, community sign boards, etc. If your show is all ages (it should be) put up posters around high schools, youth centres, and universities.
Don't forget to send the info about your show to any local DIY show listing websites/blogs or print newsletters so people off social media can get the scoop.
Got leftover handbills after a gig? Bring them to your jamspace, they’re great for setlists.

POISON RUÏN - Hymns From The Hills

2026-05-07T11:25:55.000-04:00

Contributed by Felix L.G.

There has been so much talk in my immediate circles about how good this album is. I don’t know how much more I can say about it. Look, you get it. If you’re into the first edition D&D aesthetic, the midtempo metalpunk tunes, and have been into the singles and the first two LPs, then you will dig this. That said, if you’ve missed out till now for whatever reason, there’s no better place to start then here. Opening track "Lily of the valley" has been on constant repeat for me – I challenge you not to raise your chain-mail-gloved fist to the sky and sing along. "Guts (Lay Your Self Aside)" includes a cheeky nod to the 1997 anime adaptation of every punk’s favourite manga, Berserk. I could mention the JUDAS PRIEST inflected riffs on "Eidolon" or the early black metal stylings of the album’s last two tracks. I could argue that "Howls From The Citadel" is POISON RUÏN fully realizing their dungeon synth side quests. But all of these references and influences would fall flat if they’re not combined in a way that is emotionally satisfying! Dear reader, I was not a fan of Harvest, and was lukewarm on Confrere, so I was a little worried how this LP might turn out! Ultimately it is the sense of mystery and wonder that this album conjures that keeps me listening again and again. It reminds me of being sixteen with a "Number Of The Beast" back patch and being a total chucklehead. It reminds me of being twenty and stoned, listening to HWAKWIND’s Space Ritual and being a complete numbskull.This album makes me excited to be alive. Enjoy the mystery. Enjoy POISON RUÏN.

FFO: PAUL DI’ANNO ERA MAIDEN, KENTARO MIURA, HAWKWIND

Released by Relapse Records, listen here: https://poisonruin.bandcamp.com/album/hymns-from-the-hills

Hymns From The Hills, by Poison Ruïn

13 track album

Poison Ruïnhello-audrey

Questions & Statements #2

2026-05-11T20:15:13.000-04:00

Singalong Song

When’s the last time you saw a room full of people singing a song that wasn’t a hit on the radio at one point or another?

Growing up in St John’s, Newfoundland, one song stuck out for many years, most importantly for its story: "Dry Show" by CONDITIONER.

The band’s member have served in different punk projects over the years like BAD PLAN, YEE GIRLS and PILLOWCOUNT. It’s not a punk song, it’s a song about punk. The story describes the atmosphere of St John’s shows at one time.

I didn’t know it was a true story till I joked to the singer about the starting lyrics, asking “so who punched you in the face?” That’s when the story found me. It’s a small enough town that I think he even pointed to the person at that show.

After talking to another friend about my newfound knowledge, he told me excitedly that he was in fact one of the kids described in the song who the singer had stuck up for.

Sometimes you steal someone’s beer, tag the wrong shit or break a rule. We take it, dish it out and learn along the way. You never know when that stupid kid from the gig might act a bit smarter and become a lifelong friend. This song embodies that feeling of waking away in defeat (yet with a smile) after breaking some rules.

I hope this song does not get forgotten. There’s a great live session version on the Lost Opus YouTube channel that I recommend.

The lyrics as listed on bandcamp:

I was punched in the face by an aging punk outside of a house show a few years back.
I recall that.
I guess I shouldn't have said anything in defense of those kids.
Their only crime
was doing cocaine with the sketchy dude you invited but who invited you?
You stood outside gatekeeping with an open beer, arms folded you wore a sneer. They were nothing like what you lost.

When you really get a taste for it, it really sucks you in.
They want to be your friend.
You want to run away.
Makes you want to walk home

DRES CODE - Not From TX Demo

2026-05-01T15:16:30.000-04:00

First thing. Yes, the band name is spelled correctly. DRES. Next, the name of the tape. There was a band from Houston, TX called DRESS CODE, not active since 2015 it seems. The tape named as such to help those who are confused I guess. This band is out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A scene that is demanding to be seen and quickly gaining momentum over the past few years as a freak punk hot spot. There's a joyfulness and almost fun vibe to DRES CODE. It's hardcore punk make no mistake. The vocals are what really makes this release for me. Very forward in the mix, bright, nothing gruff, just punks shouting. Shared vocals duties between the guitar and bass player. Take any BLATZ recording and put these vocals over it and it just works. I love 'em. Gang vocal shouting the phrase "FUCK YOU" in the last track. It's just plain fun hardcore punk. This band is a three piece. Rare for music like this. Another factor that makes this band stick out in my mind to me. This the best of Murfreesboro. No lyrics sheet. Shame, so close to true greatness on this one. Absolutely worth a listen still.

Available from Ragdoll Records (US) https://ragdollrecords.bandcamp.com/album/not-from-texas
and Noise Merchant Records (UK) https://noisemerchantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/not-from-texas-demo

NOT FROM TEXAS, by Dres Code

1 track album

Ragdoll RecordsDay-V

HAVANA SYNDROME - Tour Tape

2026-05-01T15:14:26.000-04:00

Freaky and fast hardcore punk straight outta Buffalo, NY. Saying this is a synth punk band feels wrong, just a ripping punk band that also has a synth, ya know? As far as I can tell this tape is a tour exclusive. Two/three new tracks and 4 tracks from their Dog City Sessions video. The new tracks are easily the best recordings of this band so far. At times reminds me of a scrappier and faster more punk version of the band LEATHER from Philadelphia. Some slick guitar rocking combined with some synth styles, winning combo here. Screaming about computers and AI and the eyes on you. Full disclosure I recorded the final 4 tracks so I think they rock obviously. Watch the video for yourself if think journalism is truly dead. For fans of driving a sick motorcycle through the digital mainframe of Neo-Buffalo.

Cassette tape rip here: https://archive.org/details/havana-syndrome-spring-tour-tape
Watch the Dog City Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBYNkgOVCWg

Havana Syndrome - Spring Tour Tape (2026) : Havana Syndrome : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Cassette Rip Havana Syndrome - Spring Tour Tape

Internet Archive