Navel Gazing for May 11, 2025

Navel Gazing for May 11, 2025

Welcome to Navel Gazing, the Punknews.org commenter community's weekly symposium, therapy session, and back-alley knife-fight. Chime in below with your latest playlists, record store finds, online time wasters, and site feedback

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Interviews
Casper Skulls

Casper Skulls talk their new album 'Kit-Cat'

Good things tend to come in threes and that's something Casper Skulls know well. Last month the Sudbury and Toronto-based indie rockers released their third album, Kit-Cat, which also marks their first release since becoming a trio. The eleven tracks showcase the band’s musical prowess with creative arrangements that allow everyone to shine including the excellent interplay between Melanie and Neil’s vocals and Fraser’s multi-instrumental mastery. The lyrics hit home whether the band are talking about grief, family dynamics, technology, recurring nightmares, the oil boom in Texas at the turn of the century, or drawing parallels between professional wrestling and relationships. Kit-Cat is available everywhere now via Next Door Records. You can stream the album here and you can order a physical copy here. Casper Skulls will be playing shows around Ontario later this month.

Through the magic of the internet, Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Melanie St. Pierre-Bednis, Neil Bednis, and Fraser McClean to talk about the new album, recording in Sudbury, creating the album art, songwriting, and so much more. Read the interview below!

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Tours
Maruja

Maruja to release debut album, share “Look Down on Us” video, announce world tour

Manchester-based Maruja have announced that they will be releasing their debut album. It is called Pain to Power and will be out on September 12 via Music for Nations. The band has released a video for their new song “Look Down on Us” which was directed and produced by Light in the Tower. Maruja have also announced tour dates for this fall which will see them playing around the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Europe. Maruja released their EP The Vault in 2024. Check out the video and dates below.

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Videos
Private Function

Private Function: “Animal”

Private Function have released a video for their new song “Animal”. The video was directed by Aidan McDonald and Lauren Hester. The video carries a warning for people with photosensitivity. The song is off their upcoming album ¯_(ツ)_/¯ which will be out on May 23. Private Function released their album 370HSSV 0773H in 2023. Check out the video below.

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Pink Snot

Watch the new video by Pink Snot!

Today we are thrilled to bring you the premiere of the new video by Winnipeg-based punk rockers Pink Snot! The video is for “Firewater” which is the first single off their upcoming record The Great Deception. It was directed by Trav Anema and Kris Pollard. Speaking to Punknews about the song and video, lead vocalist and guitarist Katie McNorgan said,

”We shot the video in an evening in St. Agathe, Manitoba. It was done by Trav Anema and Kris Pollard. We have worked with Trav before and he just keeps getting better! The song is about alcohol, hope, despair, love and hate. It’s a mixer of emotions and cocktails that weave the tale together. This song is the first single off our upcoming second album titled The Great Deception. We had a lot of fun recording this song with John Paul Peters at Private Ear and even more fun shooting this video! We hope you all enjoy it too!!”

The Great Deception will be out later this year. Watch the video for “Firewater” below!

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Videos
Kaonashi

Kaonashi: “Red Sink, Yellow Teeth”

Kaonashi have released a video for their new song “Red Sink, Yellow Teeth”. The video was filmed by Slice House Media and features tour footage by Chris ‘Ging’ Wilson. The song is off their upcoming album I Want To Go Home which will be out on June 6 via Equal Vision Records. Kaonashi released their two EPs A Second Chance At Forever: The Brilliant Lies From Casey Diamond and The 3 Faces of Beauty: A Violence Misinterpretation of Morgan Montgomery. Check out the video below.

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Tours
Panic Shack

Panic Shack announce UK / Europe tour

Panic Shack have announced tour dates for the UK and Europe. The tour will begin on October 9 in Margate, UK and will wrap up on December 5 in Cardiff, UK. Panic Shack will be releasing their self-titled debut album on July 18 via Brace Yourself Records and released their debut EP Baby Shack in 2022. Check out the dates below.

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Interviews
Dealbreaker

Making memories with Dealbreaker

Yesterday (May 7, 2025) officially marked one year since Welland-based punks Dealbreaker first got together to jam and what a year it’s been. Since that fateful day, the band has released two EPs - Run It Again and Quick Split - along with a single called “Power Moves” which has been used as an alternate opening song to the podcast of the same name. Along with kicking out a multitude of rocking punk tracks, the band has been bringing their high-energy shows to venues across Ontario with more shows on the way. Dealbreaker will be touring down to Pouzza Fest with Pro Wrestling The Band and Het Up! starting tomorrow, playing a handful of shows in June, and playing Buddies Fest in Tillsonburg, Ontario in July. You can see their full tour dates below.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Connor, guitarists Nick and Bil, and drummer Scott to talk about the formation of the band, the origin of 1-800-DEALBREAKER, power moves, their upcoming tour dates, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Connor, Nick, Bil, and Scott took place over Zoom in April 2025. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

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Gina Birch

Gina Birch to release second solo album, shares “Causing Trouble Again” video

Gina Birch of The Raincoats has announced that she will be releasing her second solo album. It is called Trouble and will be out on July 11 via Third Man Records. The album was produced by Youth of Killing Joke. She has also released a video for her first single from the record called “Causing Trouble Again” which she co-directed along with Dean Chalkley. Gina Birch released her debut solo album I Play My Bass Loud in 2023. Check out the video below.

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Sodom releases video for "Witchunter"

Sodom releases video for “Witchunter”

Sodom have released a video for their new song "witchunter." That's off The Arsonist, out June 27 via steamhammer. In a press release, the band's Tom Angelripper stated that the release has no "Studio tricks" or digital overdubs. He added: "No plastic! The difference in sound compared to today's standard drum productions is amazing and has had a positive effect on all the instruments. Naturally, time and effort as well as costs were also higher, but we're happy to fork out for a superior result." You can see the video below.

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