As comes as a surprise to no one, Ben Varkentine’s list of what you should have been listening to last year contains a lot of synth pop, new and old wave, dance and Joe Jackson. But wait! Where’d these punk bands come from?

1992-2002 (Junior Boys Own/V2). Review by Ben Varkentine.

Vol. 1 (Slash/Bigg Massive). Review by Stein Haukland.

About two months ago, lucky Eric J. Iannelli got to enjoy the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, which presages the current crop of Sundance highlights. Look inside for a glimpse into what’s making the rounds of independent film.

General Wesley Clark, fashion plate - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 18, 2004 13:00

Equal time - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 18, 2004 12:43

And now, a message… - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 18, 2004 11:55

Why we’re going to Mars - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 17, 2004 11:45

With Vision (Southern Lord). Review by Terry Eagan.

Go For It… Live! (Steamhammer / SPV). Review by Stein Haukland.

Darkside of the Rumors. Review by Marty Pursley.

Books about writing, bubblegum music, mystery, songwriters, and politics of both the fictional and real varieties. Trust us, this is frighteningly close to being an X-ray of Ben Varkentine’s head.

Ink19 Update Updated - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 15, 2004 14:01

The original T.S.O.L. are back, and anarchist lead singer Jack Grisham spoke to Mary Ellen Gustafson in the middle of his bid to be governor of California. Now that’s punk rock.

The Forever Changes Concert (Snapper). Review by Stein Haukland.

Invisible (Table Turns). Review by Bill Campbell.

I don’t wanna be a poor man… - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 14, 2004 14:29

One of my odder fantasies - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 14, 2004 12:39

Shine a Light (Sub Pop). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Resolutions and troubling posts - posted by Ben Varkentine on January 14, 2004 11:42