We finished booking all the bands for this year's Rockfest in Schaffen, Belgium on May 15th. It's always difficult for a self-made organization like ours to book good bands, but this year's edition surely promises to be the best ever in my opinion, with some more variation of styles.

For the first time we'll also offer a campsite, so transport shouldn't be an issue anymore. Also, this year's edition will have an outside stage, so we've been able to add a few extra bands to the roster.

Here's what we offer you: (click on band to go to their myspace-page)

Mainstage:

THE GHOST INSIDE (USA)
DEEZ NUTS (AUS)
THE REAL DANGER (HOL)
CAMPUS
DEAD AND DIVINE (CAN)
BURY TOMORROW (UK)
THE FLATLINERS (CAN)
RISE AND FALL
THE CASTING OUT (USA)
VANNA (USA)
THE STREET DOGS (USA)
EMAROSA (USA)

Outside stage:
A STRENGTH WITHIN
JORIS VANTHIENEN
MAKESHIFT HEARTS (Rockfest rally winner)
DAKTARI (Rockfest rally winner)
THE PRICEDUIFKES
GREY LIKE MASQUERADE

All further info at www.rockfest.be

Here's my favorites for 2009, in no particular order:

- Teenage Bottlerocket: They Came From The Shadows
- House Boat: The Delaware Octopus
- Dear Landlord: Dream Homes
- Broadway Calls: Good Views, Bad News
- The Swellers: Ups and Downsizing
- Banner Pilot: Collapser
- Billy Talent: Bily Talent III
- Rancid: Let The Dominoes Fall
- Pulley: Time-insesitive Material
- NOFX: Coaster

Best DVD: Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO

Looking forward to in 2010:

- The Gamits got back together and plan on recording a new album
- Youth Brigade plans to tour Europe again somewhere early summer.
- Groezrock's roster looks awesome again with names like Bad Religion, A.F.I., Pennywise, The Swellers, Fake Problems, Banner Pilot, Saves The Day, H2O, Strike Anywhere, Zebrahead, A Wilhelm Scream, The Real McKenzies, Mustard Plug, ... all and more on April 23 and 24 in Belgium
- And we did a good effort in putting together some nice names for this year's Rockfest on May15 with bands like The Flatliners, Vanna, The Casting Out and more to come.

In 2005 I discovered Teenage Bottlerocket, releasing their Red Scare album "Total" and fell in love with their tunes and catched a live show of them with an audience of about 30 people in Tongeren a bit later, and was even more amazed about this band. Early 2008 their second album "Warning Device" was released through Red Scare again, and a few weeks ago, just after they signed with Fat Wreck Chords, they returned to our country for another show in JH Kroenkel in Nijlen. That night reminded me of classic old-days punk clubshows that I miss so much these days. Their performance was amazing, the crowd very enthusiastic and the house was sold out. Look out for this band, because there's a bright future ahead for them. The great picture below was taken during that show by my friend Bart Cuyvers.

Since a couple of you asked me about my favorites for 2008, here goes in chronological order:

- Teenage Bottlerocket: Warning Device
- The Loved Ones: Build And Burn
- The Copyrights: Learn The Hard Way
- No Use For A Name: The Feel Good Record Of The Year
- Goldfinger: Hello Destiny
- The Real McKenzies: Off The Leash
- Rise Against: Appeal To Reason
- Dillinger Four: Civil War

So I guess no real surprises, although I have to admit that I didn't really put as much effort in this year to discover new bands.

I just decided to renew the domain punkupdates.com for another year, although as you notice I don't do anything with this site anymore. If there's ever anyone who feels like picking up this site and run it from here on, please feel free to contact me at hein.terweduwe@telenet.be. I put a lot of hard work in this over the last 10 years, so if ever anyone would continue this thing I'd be very greatful. In those 10 years I had the pleasure to receive tons of music for free, became in contact with numerous fine band- and labelmembers. It's here for the taking...

Enjoyed myself a bit with this intro-mp3 of classic punkrock songs. I took 10 intro's and put them together in the little mp3-file that you can download right here.

Try to get as many as you can, it shouldn't be too difficult to get at least 7 or 8 I think and send in your answers here

I'll have the results op in a few weeks or so, if anyone replies at all that is :)

Pulley is about to start recording a new EP with Matt Hyde, check out some stories here:

More info at www.groezrock.be

Wow! The guys of Rockfest and myself managed to book another show on October 12th in JC Smurf in Schaffen for Canadian bands Chixdiggit! and Riff Randells.

A couple years ago I organized a show for Fat Wreck band Chixdiggit as well which turned out great in Den Hemel in Zichem, and now they are back for some more pop-punk catchiness. Riff Randells are 3 girls who will be releasing their new powerpop album "Doublecross" on September 18th through Dirtnap Records.

Those unfamiliar with these bands should do some catching up at their respective websites (www.chixdiggit.com and www.geocities.com/riffrandells) or listen to some tracks on their myspace-pages myspace.com/chixdiggit and myspace.com/riffrandells

More info and reservations can be found at www.rockfest.be

Hope to see you there

We're organizing another show for you in my hometown.

On August 11th Karl Alvarez suffered a minor heart attack. While he is physically doing well, the mounting medical bills are taking a toll. This page has been set up as a resource for organizing benefit shows and taking gifts to help with medical expenses.



Karl Matthew Alvarez is the bass guitar player for both the Descendents and ALL. He plays finger style bass and provides backing vocals when live (and lead vocals as heard in "Cause" on the ALL Live Plus One album). Since joining the band he has been a major songwriter contributing many songs to ALL (both the album and the band), Everything Sucks and Cool To Be You.

myspace.com/karlalvarezbenefit

check it out: HERE !!

Some rare and out of print stuff, they're all in mint condition!

The new Vanilla Sky single, "Break it Out", is now streaming on their
myspace page at www.myspace.com/vanillasky and a video for the song
shot in Las Vegas will be available soon. Their upcoming album,
"Changes", will be released on Universal in Italy on June 8th, and
features Mark Hoppus (Blink 182, +44) contributing vocals to the
track 'Nightmare'. Expect the band to hit these shores later this
year for some live dates."