TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET – Ready to Roll
Ray Carlisle – vocals/guitar // Kody Templeman – vocals/guitar
Miguel Chen – bass/vocals // Darren Chewka – drums/vocals
Teenage Bottlerocket have always been about the essentials: fast songs, fun shows, and friends who feel more like family. With their new album Ready to Roll, dropping this September on Pirates Press Records, they’re leaning harder than ever into the punk rock values that started it all—no gimmicks, no agenda, just straight-up energy, melody, and mayhem.
Written with zero pressure and maximum heart, Ready to Roll is a celebration of everything that’s kept TBR going for over two decades. “We just wanted to write songs that felt good to play,” the band explains. “No overthinking, no distractions—just punk rock the way it’s always felt right to us.” That spirit courses through every second of the album, recorded at The Blasting Room (Descendents, Rise Against) with longtime friend and producer Andrew Berlin, and mastered by Jason Livermore. It’s got the urgency and hooks you’ve come to expect from Teenage Bottlerocket, along with a few curveballs that remind you they’re not done surprising you yet.
The album also marks the beginning of a new chapter, partnering with Pirates Press Records—a label known for quality, creativity, and serious vinyl cred. “Pirates Press has pressed records for half the punk scene,” says the band. “To have them behind Ready to Roll means we get to go wild with the physical release. They understand what makes a great punk record—from the music to the packaging—and that’s a perfect fit for us as collectors and fans.”
Even with this fresh partnership, TBR isn’t turning the page on their past. “We’ve had an incredible run with Fat Wreck Chords and nothing but love for them,” they say. “We’re proud of everything we’ve built together, and we’re stoked to be doing this new release with their full support.”
The first single, “She’s the Shit,” is already making waves—a fast, cheeky love song inspired by frontman Ray Carlisle’s wife, Rachel. “She gives me shit all the time, and I love her for it,” he laughs. “It’s about blasting tunes in the car, teasing each other, and being totally yourself with someone who gets it.” It’s the kind of song that makes you crank the volume, grin like an idiot, and remember why punk rock rules.
With Ready to Roll, Teenage Bottlerocket aren’t chasing trends or reinventing the wheel—they’re doubling down on what they do best. It’s fast. It’s loud. It’s catchy. It’s brown and gold (if you know, you know). And most of all, it’s a reminder that punk is still very much alive, especially when it’s played by a band that never forgot why they started.
Pre-orders, vinyl variants, and new tour dates are all on the way.
Let’s shred.
Tightwire
Tightwire formerly named “Drones” started as an acoustic project in 2015 by Paul Kettler. Through playing basement shows and opening for bands at The Triple Rock Social Club and Hexagon Kettler had met Parker Thompson and Tane Graves who joined in late 2016 to complete the three piece idea Kettler had intended all along. From 2016 – early 2018 the three had released two EPs on Bloated Kat Records under the name Drones.
In August of 2018 Toby Jeg (Red Scare Industries) had caught wind of the bands latest demos and offered to put out their first full length later that year. Due to a UK band already having the name “Drones” the band was asked by the label to think of a new name for the band which they did not do. Days before announcing the release of their record and the joining of Red Scare the band decided to start thinking of names most of which were rightfully rejected. Finally deciding on Tightwire after a day of listening to Tiltwheel. In an interview they express their dislike for the name stating “we just needed something that wasn’t already taken. Tightwire is a fine name, I guess. Whatever. If bands like Kiss and pull off a shitty band name, we can too.”
In late 2020, Kettler, decided to leave the band to pursue his masters degree, leaving Thompson and Graves to put off finding a new guitar player for at least a year. Procrastination seems to be a Tightwire tradition.
Finally in July of 2021 the band booked and announced shows with a new line-up. Graves taking over lead vocals and bass, Mullaney and Stolp on guitars, and Thompson still on drums.
As of June 6th, 2023, Tightwire has released their second record “Head Full of Snakes” via Red Scare Industries and have a handful of North America dates announced in support of the record.
