In between Asylums debut album ‘Killer Brain Waves’ (July 2016) and their highly anticipated forthcoming sophomore album ‘Alien Human Emotions’ (July 2018) they have released a series of critically acclaimed singles by The Horse Heads, Indian Queens, Beckie Margaret, Suspects, BAIT and Petty Phase.

“We started our label with a few friends back in 2014 as a simple way to facilitate releases for Asylums. We felt at the time that it would allow us some freedom and spontaneity over the process of releasing music and remove any pressure we might have felt under the gladiatorial conditions of the music industry. As we have evolved and built a roster we have tried to incubate a creative community that allows other artists the same freedom and support through the process of developing and releasing new work. Essentially we are still just big record nerds having fun and learning as we go and it’s a huge honour to work with every act that puts faith in us”  Luke Branch explains.

Check out the Cool Thing Records sampler below entitled ‘An Introduction’

Asylums have also announced the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album “Alien Human Emotions” which is set for July 6th release. You can pre-order the album here and receive an instant download of “When We Wake Up” and current single “Millennials”.

Asylums aren’t waiting for millennial redemption to find them, they’re making their own. Straight out of Essex and running at full throttle.  The band have taken the challenge of the “difficult” second album and used it as a jump ramp to a higher plane. They’ve always been about massive, thrashing melodic anthems but this is, quite simply, the massivist. The band has changed fundamentally in the last two years, certainly older and potentially wiser. A project that started out as a fizzing ball of un-focused youthful energy (albeit one with great tunes) has morphed into something altogether darker and more intense. It’s a slug of ice-cold Jagermeister coming after the two pints of lager and a vodka Red Bull of the debut.

“Alien Human Emotions” tackles themes of bitter sex and soured relationships which swirl over bleak analyses of a disintegrating social and political landscape. Frustrated rage writhes below the surface on every track and occasionally bursts through with a shocking intensity. But everywhere are hooks both musical and lyrical that demand repeat listens. The music seeping through owes as much to the brooding darkness of The Cure as it does to the disjointed mind of Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne, both of which only add to the dark danceability of the album.

Asylums play the following shows:

JULY

9 Rough Trade, Bristol

10 Rough Trade, Nottingham

11 Rough Trade East, London

14 2000trees Festival, Cheltenham

20 The Summer Westival,  Aldershot

AUGUST

3 Neverworld Festival, Tunbridge Wells

SEPTEMBER

1 Wilkestock, Frogmore Hill, Hertford

7 Wheels and Fins Festival, Josh Bay Beach,   Kent

OCTOBER

6 Neighbourhood Festival, Manchester

NOVEMBER

3 2Q Festival, Lincoln

9 Camden Assembly, London

Photo Credit : Kana Waiwaiku

This year’s compilation includes bands such as Muncie Girls, Shit Present, The Fairweather Band, The Cut Ups, and American Enthusiasm. The compilation CD will be distributed for free online and at shows alongside an exclusive zine containing contributions from each of the bands.

“The scene in the South West is something to be celebrated and supported as it is vibrant and full of talented people who are exceptionally passionate about music, politics, and inclusivity,” explain No Seatbelt. “The scene has in recent years been struck a number of massive blows, after a devastating fire occurred at legendary venue, the Exeter Cavern, and a number of venues in Plymouth have also closed. While those in both cities are now rebuilding, this compilation aims to help show that bands and music continue through hard times.

“There are a lot of people working very hard to get things back up and running and this effort in addition to the talent and community we already have is sure to create something very special indeed.”

You can find out more about No Seatbelt over on Facebook.

“This Compilation Series was designed to showcase our friends and upcoming artists alongside more established acts, giving our friends/’fans’ something that they want and hopefully introduce them to their new favourite band,” say the Mark Rocket from the label. “This particular collection of songs feels pretty special; representing how far we have come in just 7-months as a label but also being able to release this quality compilation for free at a time of year where money is stretched & a lot of us need a pick-me-up or just 38 solid minutes of solitude and solid tunes.”

Check out more releases from Little Rocket over at their official website.

Paper + Plastick have teamed up with us, weliveinhell.com (Brazil), Rock-Metal-Punk.org (Belgium), Bigbombopunk.com (Spain) and Ox-Fanzine (Germany) to announce a 100-track free download (that’s 5-hours worth of free music) and a celebratory vinyl competition!!

The extensive compilation (which will launch on November 27 and shall cost you absolutely nothing! What could be better?) features artists & tracks from the Paper + Plastick discography such as The Ataris, Less Than Jake, Red City Radio, The Shook Ones, Guerrilla Monsoon, The Moms and many, many more. We love Paper + Plastik here at Punktastic and are stoked to be able to join up to bring you so much great music!

You can subscribe to this here: http://paperplastick.limitedrun.com/products/535753?preview=true

The compilation is being released to celebrate Paper + Plastick’s 100th free download project (and over 250,000 downloads). When you when you subscribe to Paper + Plastick compilation at the link above you will receive free download from the label, usually at least once per week. Brilliant music, right to your inbox, once a week, for FREE. How can you even turn that down?

Now for the competition!

To coincide with this announcement we are offering you the chance to win a package containing the following recent Paper + Plastick vinyl releases:

1. Junior Battles – Rally
2. And We Danced – Back to the Middle.
3. The Shell Corporation – Mandrake
4. Guerrilla Monsoon/Gameday Regulars Split 7″
5. Guerrilla Monson – Big City Plans

To enter the competition (winners shall be announced on November 27) all you need to do is pre-order and subscribe your e-mail address to the free weekly download here & tweet us (@punktastic) saying “Punktastic! Give me that P+P Vinyl bundle NOW! #ptpandp”. We will pick a winner for the US and a winner for the UK! Good luck everyone!

On New Year’s Eve we’re also launching 13.13, our favourite songs of 2013.

We’re closing things down with some absolutely fantastic bands that will be doing great things in 2014.

Check out the magazine and the compilation below, and thanks for listening to all of our 2013 compilations. We’re going to be doing something a little bit different next year, so keep your eyes peeled in January.

If you want to download them all to listen in your own time, then just pop in your email below and we’ll let you know what’s going on.

And here’s the songs..

And below is our companion zine to read along with the music – have a look.

Scottish DIY Punk is filled with brilliant, charismatic people who put on loads of fantastic gigs and create some fantastic records.

There’s a wide-range of sounds on here, from the messy garage-punk of Cleavers to the emo-tinged, melodic vibe of Little Anchors. This is just a taster of what Scottish punk is really all about.

After listening to this compilation and reading the companion zine below, we hope you have a look north of the border, find more great music and support some brilliant bands.

In case you missed any of our previous compilations, here’s a full list. You’re welcome.

13.01 – The Original
13.02 – The Darker One
13.03 – The Mixtape
13.04 – The Acoustic Special
13.05 – Gnarwolves, Marmozets +more
13.06 – The Stay At Home
13.07 – Pop to Punk Rock
13.08 – Beach Community signees ++ 
13.09 – The Fest Special
13.10 – New and unreleased

OK here they all are.. have a listen

And below is our companion zine to read along with the music – have a look.

Number ten. Or številka deset, as they say in Slovenia (I think), where this month’s cover photo was taken.

These tracks are all new releases, or songs from upcoming releases. There’s a re-release thrown in too for good measure. We’ve watched and chatted with every band personally, which only makes us want to spread the love for all of them far and wide.

Have a listen and see below for to read our helpful companion guide to each of the songs.

By the way, you’ve heard all our other compilations, right? Here’s a list in case you missed any.

13.01 – The Original
13.02 – The Darker One
13.03 – The Mixtape
13.04 – The Acoustic Special
13.05 – Gnarwolves, Marmozets +more
13.06 – The Stay At Home
13.07 – Pop to Punk Rock
13.08 – Beach Community signees ++ 
13.09 – The Fest Special

Here’s the songs!

And below is our companion zine to read along with the music – have a look.

This month, we’re featuring the likes of Hindsights and Bangers who are both recent Beach Community signees, and many many more besides. We reckon it’s up there with the best of these so far, so have a listen using the player in this article, and read that handy booklet as well for some more information. If you’d like to download the compilation, please sign up for the mailing list below! If you’ve already signed up then you’ll be getting your download shortly!

Check out the compilation and the accompanying booklet below. If you want to get it all as a download, please use the mailing list signup (if you’ve already signed up, you’ll get a link in your inbox soon!

Welcome to numero six.

This month is the most varied set of bands we’ve had yet. We’re right in the middle of festival season now, and although you might want to be getting your wellies on and checking out your favourites in a field, there’s plenty of new bands to discover at home.

Have a listen using the stream player below, or sign up for our mailing list and you can download em all for free to listen whenever you want.  We’ve been making a companion zine to go with each compilation and this month is no exception – have a read below for an intro from each of the bands.

You’ve heard all our other ones, right?  Here’s a list in case you missed any.
13.01 – The Original
13.02 – The Darker One
13.03 – The Mixtape
13.04 – The Acoustic Special
13.05 – Gnarwolves, Marmozets +more