Pop-punkers OVER IT have posted the song “Anyday” to its MySpace page. The song will appear on the band’s self-released upcoming b-sides/acoustic collection, The Strand. “Anyday” was recorded during the band’s sessions for their final Lobster Records release, Silverstrand. OVER IT released their major label debut, Step Outside Youself on Virgin Records in 2006.

From the desk of Norm Brannon:

This is probably more of a public service announcement than a proper blog post, but there’s a great deal of activity around Anti-Matter HQ, and I thought I’d get the word out.

First of all, attention all procrastinators and fence-sitters! Our Saturday, November 24, Anti-Matter Book Release Party featuring SNAPCASE, 108, TRIPLE THREAT, and SOUL CONTROL is officially sold out! This, of course, is great news for Cal Robbins ‚Äî the wonderful son of Jawbox’s J. Robbins ‚Äî for whom these concerts will benefit. For those of you who missed out on tickets for this event, not so much. Which is why I thought I should reiterate the good news: Tickets for Sunday, November 25, are still available and on sale now through Ticketmaster.com and The Mercury Lounge Box Office. These won’t last forever, either, so get your tickets now, people!

As I mentioned before, both nights will be unique and ‚Äî seriously ‚Äî you never know what is going to happen. That’s all I’m saying.

We’re hoping to put together raffles at both shows as well, featuring all sorts of cool prizes that I’ll get into more detail about at a later date. And both shows will also make available a commemorative poster for the event designed by the Grammy-award nominated ‚Äî no, seriously! ‚Äî Jesse LeDoux, who has illustrated record artwork for The Shins, Pedro The Lion, and Elliott Smith, among others. And of course, you’ll be able to pick up a copy of The Anti-Matter Anthology, which, by the way, comes out next Tuesday!

You can say whatever you want about me, but don’t tell me I don’t know how to throw a party.

- I just started reading this book last night; it should be on every kid’s reading list. Totally gold stuff.

Long Island’s melodic rock/punk group ANXIOUS ARMS have three new demo songs available for download on their MySpace page. The group is presently putting together a winter tour with friends DISARMING ARTICA.

As many of you know, I currently reside in Boston. The Red Sox swept the Rockies tonight, which resulted in a crazy riot-esque scene down at Fenway park. If you want to check out photos of the madness, click here.

And now, a photo of a banana jumping off a traffic light:

What is it about teams winning major sporting championships that induces people to disrobe?? -Alex

Oxnard, California’s RETALIATE (ex-IN CONTROL) play mean-streakin’ hardcore (“burlacious” according to their record label) like it’s the ultimate expression of pent up release. On Coup D’Etat, the band’s 10 song, 13 minute EP, the band doesn’t dicker around with frilly anthems for the kids and the group probably wouldn’t know what to say to those [...]

Long Island’s hardcore/punk act CAPITAL have added another two songs to their MySpace page in support of their brand new full-length Home Front. You can check out “Rubberface,” and “Procrastination,” at the above link, along with the previously posted “250 32nd,” and “Home Front.” Home Front is out this Tuesday on Revelation Records.

Five months and one day ago, the loooooong-running punk and hardcore band GOOD RIDDANCE played its final show (well – final as in final for right now – we know how these things go…). Pastepunk’s Sean Rusev was one of the lucky ducks to be there for the one last hurrah and lead singer Russ Rankin was generous with his time in talking to Sean about the ending of GOOD RIDDANCE, the appeal starting over in ONLY CRIME, and all of the other activities that have kept Russ as one of the more vocal people in the punk and hardcore scene. You can check out the interview here.

It should be stated that interviewing Russ is no easy task, as I found out in 2000. For all of his obvious smarts and willingness to take positions on things, he can be a tough interviewee – a man who is just fine with giving out terse answers and getting on his way (which can be noticed in the countless amounts of interviews his given over the years – maybe that has to do with it). I wouldn’t bring this up if this trait was linked to a frontman for a typical carbon-copy preening emo band, but Rankin drew the adoration of myself and others because of what he was so able to state. “Last Believer,” and “Choices Made,” are two songs that are so deeply burned into my self that the lyrics have virtually taken on a life of their own.

“Last Believer”

Do you believe?

We can make a change

Will you believe tomorrow?

Or will it slip away?

Black and white, we’re all the fucking same

Demographics keep up caught up in the game violence What the fuck do you expect?

The cause has left us leaving nothing but effect

The laughter has subsided leaving hatred in it’s wake

In a nation trusting no one, sworn to bend but never break

America is burning look around it’s in the air

But I’ll be the last believer, just as long as I still care

And I still care

What’s going on?

What’s happened now?

Show me a purpose

Please show me how

Desperate times, one thousand symptoms one disease

Government tradition and genocidal policies

Don’t look back

Don’t wait until history repeats

No, no more lies no more bodies in the streets

“Choices Made”

I’m so alone

In the darkest place I know

I’m a prisoner in my mind

And I’m searching for that light

And the faith I left behind

I’ve tried so hard

To look you in the eye

Time has never been a friend

And once again I’ve been betrayed

By the weight of what I know

And the choices that I’ve made

You stood so tall

And I’ve watched you fall

Looking on the bright side

I’ve known some peace

Cried on the shoulders

Of better men than me

It’s going to take a lifetime

To wash away

If I want to stay clean

I’ve got to start today

A live CD of GOOD RIDDANCE’s final show will be released on Fat Wreck Chords. A release date has not been set.

From Anko Records: The Johns features members from Die Hunns, Fuel, The Adz, The Crowd, The Bleeders, The Grabbers, The Pushers & Chester Bennington’s Bucket Of Weenies. Now that’s a well-aged punk rock pedigree! Preacher is a 12 song, 28 minute full-length that nails the quintessential early punk rock sounds of Southern California (sex, drugs, [...]