Wasted Sounds will be reissuing Final Exit's discography on vinyl. The legendary Umeå-based straight-edge band included both Dennis Lyxzen and David Sandström pre-Refused and will be performing a one-off reunion show at this year's Umeå Open. In other Wasted Sounds news, the label will be sending off new LPs from Knugen Faller, Blinds and Asta Kask to get pressed in the next week or so. For preorder info and tons of tourdates for all Wasted Sounds-affiliated acts, go to their website: http://www.wastedsounds.com/

Ny Våg reports that Knugen Faller's new album "Lugna favoriter" is done and set for a late November release. Also on the way is The Vicious' new album "Alienated" which should be out in mid-November. Further in the future look for new 7" releases from Randy sideproject Stefan and the Problematix (this was supposed to be out years ago) and The Most, a "super retro mod band from Umeå." Samples of the latter here: http://www.myspace.com/themostsweden

Ny Våg just posted a big update on various things they have going on including new releases from The Vicious and Knugen Faller and talk of North American and Australian tours for Regulations: http://www.nyvag.com/

Top 10s for 2005: Navy Keophan

Stereo Test Kit has confirmed that the self-titled debut EP from We Are Soldiers We Have Guns will be out in October. As mentioned before, the band is fronted by Malin Dahlberg (Douglas Heart, Laurel Music) and features Robert Tenevall (Royal Downfall, Knugen Faller) and Pontus Wallgren (Douglas Heart).

New track today from Regulations, whose self-titled debut album was recently released on Dennis Lyxzén's (The (Int'l) Noise Conspiracy, Refused) new label Ny Våg. Along with Knugen Faller, these dudes are putting Umeå on the map as the place to go for quality punk-rock. And we're talking classic 80s So-Cal style punk, not the kind of stuff that passes for punk on the radio or MTV. This is way more gruff and raw than any of that bullshit. Which is not to say that it's totally lacking in pop flavor. There's still tons of hooks and worthy sing-alongs. I listen to this stuff and I feel like I did when I was twelve years old and just discovering punk for the first time. It's not that they're tackling big issues with the lyrics or anything (they most definitely aren't), but they've got the spirit and that's enough to move me. I often get sour about how bad the scene has become, but then I hear stuff like this and I realize once again that it's not so bad. Can't wait to see 'em when they tour the US this fall. Go here for the latest dates.

MP3: Regulations - Fashion girl

New track today from Regulations, whose self-titled debut album was recently released on Dennis Lyxzén's (The (Int'l) Noise Conspiracy, Refused) new label Ny Våg. Along with Knugen Faller, these dudes are putting Umeå on the map as the place to go for quality punk-rock. And we're talking classic 80s So-Cal style punk, not the kind of stuff that passes for punk on the radio or MTV. This is way more gruff and raw than any of that bullshit. Which is not to say that it's totally lacking in pop flavor. There's still tons of hooks and worthy sing-alongs. I listen to this stuff and I feel like I did when I was twelve years old and just discovering punk for the first time. It's not that they're tackling big issues with the lyrics or anything (they most definitely aren't), but they've got the spirit and that's enough to move me. I often get sour about how bad the scene has become, but then I hear stuff like this and I realize once again that it's not so bad. Can't wait to see 'em when they tour the US this fall. Go here for the latest dates.

Regulations - Fashion girl

Podcast: The sound of Umeå

The UK's Stereo Test Kit Records will be releasing a new EP from Sweden's We Are Soldiers We Have Guns this coming fall. The band started as the solo project of Malin Dahlberg from Douglas Heart and Laurel Music and now includes Robert Tenevall (Royal Downfall, Knugen Faller) and Pontus Wallgren (Franke, Douglas Heart, Afraid of Stairs) as backing musicians. The recording will be handled by Jon Brännström (ex-Refused, JFK) and you can hear samples of older home-recorded material at the band's website: http://www.wearesoldiers.net/

Top 10s for 2004: IAT! writers

Top 10s for 2004: Thomas Kågström (Planekonomi)

Umeå Punkfest has been confirmed for March 5-6 at Studion, Folkets Hus and here's the initial lineup: Discharge (UK), Disfear, Sunday Morning Einsteins, Henry Fiats Open Sore, Hetsapa, Knugen Faller, Deünga, Dieanna, Regulation, Tristess, Personkrets 3:1 and Royal Downfall. There's still two or three more bands to be added and more info can be found here: http://www.shell.linux.se/umeahc/punkfest/7/