Super Nintendo and Sega keeping a solid following

While many people in current times spend their time playing futuristic video games on the new Xbox One or the PlayStation 4, many still prefer the old style of gaming. This may seem unorthodox to the young gamer out there but surprisingly the old systems like the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis are still sought after at a somewhat high rate.

            The Super Nintendo came into the gaming world in 1991 changing the whole landscape of gaming and soon after came the Sega Genesis. These two systems featured better graphics and more big name titles than any other consoles at the time. The games were usually 2D side scrolling games, puzzle games, or strategy that could usually be beaten in only hours. Unlike today where games on PS4 and Xbox basically are never ending and can take months to thoroughly master.

            But why are these systems and games still hanging around after almost twenty years of not being produced by the makers? Many contend they are nostalgic while others say they like the simplicity. Ijah Shepard, rapper from Denver, CO, said “I like the newer systems but, I still rock these games (Super Nintendo) because I grew up playing them... It just brings me back to a simpler time” While gamers like Ijah prefer to play Retro-systems just to bring back memories, many play them solely. Quinn Camp, of Fort Collins, CO says he only plays these retro-systems because there not as time consuming as the newer style of games. Many secondhand game stores still hold games for SNES and Sega Genesis, only selling the games they buy from customers.

            Anyone that grew up in the 90’s can agree that the SNES and Sega Genesis was a huge part of being a kid back then. While the companies no longer sell authentic Super Nintendo’s or Sega’s they can still be obtained through EBay, secondhand gaming stores, or unofficial models being sold by a different company. It seems people still enjoy these games enough to create a market. They tend to connect you more with friends while playing together. Like Ashley Woody, of Pueblo, CO said “When you’re playing these games with people anybody can pick it up, you don’t need to know any secrets or anything, you can just chill and play.”

New Punk Streams this week

Another week, another day, another hour. Here are some good new punk streams to get you through your week:
The punk band Cerebral Ballzy, from Brooklyn, streamed a song this week off their upcoming album, after signing to Cult Records. You can check it out here.

The California punk band All Things End are streaming their new EP called "December 5th, 1933″. You can find that right here on their bandcamp page.

And the last good band I came across was Down Goes Goodman. This band is brand new and is streaming their debut EP "Stiffy" right here on their bandcamp page.

New Album from Bad Religion in 2014?

After releasing their album True North in January of 2013, and a Christmas album this month, Bad Religion may have another album in the works for 2014, according to a recent interview with band member Brett Gurewitz.
In the interview with Diffuser.FM, Brett Gurewitz discussed many things pertaining to the bands new Christmas album, but when asked what the future looked like after this new album Brett said:
Nothing major in the works. We’ll play some shows next year, not heavily. I think 2014 will be when we start writing the next album, too.
Hopefully Bad Religion will start working on an album next year. In the mean time, check out their new album "Christmas Songs" right here.

New Less Than Jake album out this week

The ska/punk act Less Than Jake are releasing a new album this week through Fat Wreck Chords. The new album is called "See The Light" and is going to be released on November 12th. The band is currently streaming the entire album on Alternative Press.com. The Saxophonist of Less Than Jake JR Wasilewski also had this to say about the album, according to AP:
"The five of us wrote it in our rehearsal space without any outside influences, We recorded it at Roger's home studio and at the end of tracking it, we all felt we made something special. Time will tell, of course, but we feel this is the strongest collection of songs we have released in some time. Also, we are extremely excited to be back on Fat Wreck Chords and to have them backing us for this album. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it."
Less Than Jake is currently headlining The Fat Tour with other bands such as Anti-Flag, Masked Intruder, and Get Dead. The Fat Tour will be coming through Colorado on the 22nd and 23rd of November in Denver and Fort Collins.

Mustard Plug coming with new album

Ska band Mustard Plug revealed on their website and in an interview recently with "Punkupdates", that they are officially done with their new album. According to the bands website, the band is awaiting manufacturing details then they will be able to confirm a release date. Mustard Plug recently played at The Fest 12 and plans to release 14 new tracks sometime soon hopefully.
 Mustard Plug hasn't released an album since "In Black And White" in 2007 on Hopeless Records.To see the full "Punkupdates" interview with Mustard Plug bassist Rick Johnson click here.

A Few Punk Rock Freebies For Ya

While the week of Halloween was pretty slow for punk and ska news, here are a few up-and-coming punk bands who are throwing their music into cyberspace for us to listen to.
Flirting With Disaster streamed their cover of Millencolin's song "Penguins & Polar Bears" on SoundCloud and you can access that here. The band is currently working on their debut album.
A great punk band out of SoCal called Gasoline Kills are giving out three songs on their bandcamp page from their upcoming untitled album, which they will be releasing slowly throughout the next few months. I seriously recommend listening to these guys. Listen to it here.
The ska/punk band Maxwell's Dead are streaming their new album "On the Floor" in its entirety. Access it here.
And last but not least, Florida punk/ska label Pinhead Records, released a Halloween Compilation with bands such as The Moguls, 4 Aspirin Morning, The Blendours, Alex Retro, and more. Check it out here.

 

Russia's Prison Service makes statement on whereabouts of Pussy Riot member

The Interfax News agency released a statement made by Russian Federal Penitentiary Service, saying that Nadezhda "Nadya" Tolokonnikova, Pussy Riot member, was being sent to another prison facility. Russian prison services also said that her family would be notified of her whereabouts within 10 days of her arrival. This statement comes after there were numerous reports from her family that she had gone missing during the prison transfer.
Tolokonnikova, 23, was moved after beginning a hunger strike to protest the conditions of the prison system in Russia. Tolokonnikova's husband and father told BuzzFeed that they last knew her whereabouts on October 21 when she was abruptly moved with no explanation. Petya Verzilov, Tolokonnikova's husband, told BuzzFeed “This is basically the only way they have to punish Nadya — ‘let’s cut her off from the outside world,’” he said.
  Nadezhda "Nadya" Tolokonnikova, is serving a two year sentence, along with her bandmate, for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” after participating in a protest against Vladimir Putin outside of a Moscow church in February 2012.
If you are interested in the Free Pussy Riot movement there is a Facebook page and Free Pussy Riot website for more information on global action.