Some of you already know but we've made the decision to call it a day.
Its been a bit of a hard year for us and it was starting to feel a lot less like fun...The times it was fun was when we got to play live and meet all you lovely people...Thankyou for all the love that you have shown us, I'm really going to miss it.
I'm sure we've all got different ideas on why we are splitting, mine is we've spent a long time kicking against the pricks but the pricks kick harder. It has been the most important thing in my life for 4 years and its very scary to walk away, it feels like the end of a realationship. I'm proud of the music, I'm proud of our image, We worked with some fantastic people and I've made some great friends...Who knows whats going to happen next?
We are going to do a good bye gig soon in Nottingham...I'll let you all know when, it would mean alot to see you all there...Hopefully there won't be any tears involved.

Thankyou all so much
Joey xxxxxxxx

Well done every one for going out and buying the album, its climbing up to the top of the charts as we speak. Apperently Mercury are recalling all the previous votes for this years competition...With an album as collosal as I CRY DEMOLITION! in the UK charts there can only be one true winner.

Check out the great sweaty,dirty and dark video Nick shot of our last gig...Thankyou you are a sweety pie xxx

Heres a little interview I did for the Subba Culture lot about the album....


Its wonderful to think how exciting and packed the UK underground is right now with vibrant, urgent bands who can give us exactly what we need, electrifying rock n roll full of passion, heart and excitement-without the usual career ending hype bomb of the NME we present to you, one of our favourite bands right now, Punish The Atom answering our Q&A

NAME: Joey Bell
BAND: Punish The Atom
INSTRUMENT: Singer


How did the recording sessions for the new album go?

Very, very quickly it was all done in under a week. A very draining week. We put all our energy into the album and let Echoboy have the control to take it where he wanted. It felt great to have the idea of the songs but have the freedom to mess around with the structure and experiment with different sounds and instruments.



What goals did you set yourself before you started recording?

We asked Richard Echoboy to capture the live energy/chaos on the record; it had to be rough, exciting and LOUD. We also didn't want every track to sound the same, and to be layered enough not to get boring. We all sat down and played Richard records we liked whatever the style of music and he played us a mix of Terry Riley, R N' B and MonteVerde. It was great brining in everyone's idea of what a great album should sound like. We also wanted it to be a statement of how it feels to live in Nottingham.

What do you feel are your own limitations when it comes to creating/writing music?

I can't write or play music, which is quite a limitation! I just stick to writing crap lines and shouting them (badly).


Tell us 3 of your own/bands favourite songs and the inspiration behind them?

I've always had a thing for our last single "First Line In Frankenstein"; maybe it's purely for Johnny's backing vocals. Maybe its because he's my favourite member of Punish. There's something special about that little, rabid, funky man. The song is very linked in my mind to the video Saam made for us. Scary, camp and messy. It was a long, cold shoot, stuck in a warehouse drowned in white emulsion. One of the best days I've ever had.

Next up would have to be "We Are Infection" because I'm very proud of the lyrics. The NME thought the song was PRO- Drugs but completely missed the point. It's about a time in my life when I was constantly ill and seemed to play every gig with the Flu. I was really like the image of Punish being a disease that gets spread from person to person.

And last I'd have to choose "Do The Demolition" it was practically written in the studio so no one was sure how it was going to sound. It was always going to be Dubby and a bit Dancehall but I was blown away with what Richard brought to the song, he really is our Eno. I also really enjoyed recording the vocal parts for this song it was at the end of the session and I just let out a lot of Primal screams by the end. I think I needed to, a celebration and a cathartic exercise.

What do you enjoy most about recording, and in contrast what do you enjoy Most about playing live?

I think we all prefer to play live. It's hard to know if you getting it right in the studio but on stage you know instantly from audience's reaction. I am also a prancing Cock who needs constant attention; I love to make an idiot of myself on stage. Its harder to wear make-up and costume and thrust your crotch about your in a small sweaty room recording a drum track.


What are the bands plans for the rest of the year?

The album "I Cry Demolition!" will be released on August the 14th (48 Crash), so we will be gigging as much as we can. We're going release another single just after "Year 0" and we'll be doing another video with Saam for that.

How would you describe your own/bands sound?

Pantomime Punk with a side splatter of Post No Wave Art Noise Techno Fear.


Who is currently moving you musically at the moment?

I'm a bit addicted to Talking Heads " Fear Of Music" at the moment especially the track "Cities" which is pretty much perfection for me. I love how stripped the album is and Byrnes vocals/Lyrics are so inspirational. I love listening to something and thinking how the fuck did they do that? I really admire their progression. And Eno! The Klaxons are pretty much the best British band at the moment, fantastic on record even better live. A band with ideals/style/costumes and a bit of wit. I love the whole gabba circus that gets whipped up when they play. Another album I'm currently in love with is "Surface To Air" by Zombi. If you love John Carpenter and Goblin you'll love this. Synth Horror Prog. YES! YES! YES! Other bands at the moment Crystal Castles, Zom Zoms, Man Man, P.I.L, Copter, Shy Child and Dandy Wind.



What album changed your life and why?

Hard question!
Probably Wire "Pink flag" it showed me that music did exist before Brit Pop and people were having far more exciting ideas years before any of the music I was listening to. Wire turned me on to so much and I thank them for that. "Pink Flag" is such a great punk album, Intelligent, sneering,, nasty, loud, Art- punk. They have obviously inspired us.

A moment in your life and a song that seem so perfectly intertwined in your memory? My whole childhood is linked to Nilsons " The Point!" sunny afternoons in front of my dads stereo, Tomato soup and early afternoon naps. Perfect. But the saddest album to let a child grow up on, its so bleak in places. The track "Are you sleeping?" has the power to break my heart on every listen.


Your proudest achievement so far?

Playing at SXSW and it was my birthday...God that was a FUN week. If it all ends tomorrow I'll feel so proud that we played at the best festival in the world.

If you could erase one single/album from history (your own or someone else's) which would it be and why?

If I get started I'll never stop...


How do you see yourself altering the band and your sound in the future? Is There anything you wish to attempt in the future that's inspiring you right Now?

More keyboards and a more electronic element to the band. I think we want to be a bit more experimental with the next album we've been jamming out some nice Can/ P.I.L style stuff. We've been using an old drum machine and its sounding great. I think its just getting it to a stage were its not boring to watch live.


A rumour you'd like to start about yourself, or one you'd like stopped?

I am neither a Cockney nor an American.


What drives you?

Kevin Rowland, Devo and Bryan Ferry.


What are your fears?

That people can't see the tongue shoved firmly in my cheek.

The revolution comes, who would you like to be first against the wall (and If you're feeling particularly bitchy, a second, third, fourth and so On...)?

The NME.


Best piece of advice you'd give to aspiring musicians, or the best piece of Advice you were given when you started?

Never slag of the town in which you are playing, especially if you're on
stage.

If you're in a car going at the speed of light, and someone turns the Headlamps on, would they do anything?

I'm more worried where the car is going.


Thanx to Joey himself, you star!

We've also been interviewed by PLUG Magazine (sorry Notts only), the interview is probably the most in depth and honest we've ever given...It also features lots of big words, several of which are used twice!

Heres a great review from Roomthirteen.com which got lost in all the critical plaudits...


From the opening track 'Battle of the Electric Tongues' Punish The Atom deliver songs that are raw and packed with off the wall attitude. They have sing a long choruses but they are never conventional and it's refreshing to hear something a little different where the musicians have clearly made a record for themselves without pandering to any sense of commercialism & it sounds all the better for it!

'I Cry Demolition' is not catchy in a conventional way, it's more infectious, they get under your skin and you find yourself getting into it without necessarily being able to recall any of the tracks afterwards! That said there are some great tracks on offer here 'Another Heart Strikes Out' for instance has the kind of off beat riff that DEVO would be proud of but it's coupled with a touch of Fugazi. There is an overt sense of creativity that is prominent in all the songs that gives them a real feel of originality. It's rare that I agree with the description of a band from their press release but you can't really argue when Punish The Atom's describes them as Art-Punk anarchy, that pretty much sums them up in a nutshell!

The majority of the songs are upbeat and never stop to dwell in quiet or mellow interludes, the frenetic pace is maintained throughout and Joey's fairly unique vocal style ensures that there is no let up in their urgency. There is plenty going on in the background too, none of the instruments are overpowering in the mix and on successive listens you'll find yourself discovering something new every time that should keep you hitting the repeat button several times at least. It's on final track 'Do The Demolition' where they really come into their own, at over eight minutes in length it combines all the elements that have been prevalent throughout the album and yet they still manage to inject yet more into this rambling monster of a tune. Taking their cue here from electronic punk crossover bands like P.i.L and early Killing Joke they produce a pretty outstanding track that careers through all manner of styles and finishes the album on a definite high.

The overall impression is one of intense angst fuelled energy, to appreciate it fully you have to give it your full attention, it certainly isn't background music but it's well worth the effort and on this evidence they should be a spectacular live band.

Good bye

Joey xxxxxxx

Form a nice long que outside of the record shops of Britain ( but not Fopp)
"I Cry Demolition!" gets its offical release today ( There have been a large amount of dodgy promos doing the rounds!)
I hope everyone loves as much as we do, let us know what you think.
JOey xxxx

Hello Atoms, Loads of stuff to get through.

RELEASE DATE:

This is it, the 100%, definetly, no really, won't change ever, ever, we're certain, release date for the album is 21st August...Its been a long HOT wait this summer but in a few weeks "I Cry Demolition" will be on everyones mantelpiece. You can have it in your hands and listen to it and stuff...If you like.

REMIX:

We have posted an EXCLUSIVE Remix by Antronhy OH (our God like drummer) of SELF HELP GROUP, You can download it off our Myspace now...Its not available in the shops and is our little present to you for your paitence.

COMPETITION TIME:

The first 5 people to leave a comment on our Myspace will win a T-shirt...Thats right A FREE T-SHIRT!!! Be the envy of the world in one of our designer tops.

LONDON GIG...8th Aug...This Tuesday...Artrocker...Come Party...

See you soon....Joey xxxxx

What a great week for Punish.

But before I start can I just slag off the Kooks -  it's gotta be worth a try 'cos Lily Allen slagged them off on Myspace and got a mention in the NME for it.

First off NEW special friends The AUTOMATIC have chosen PUNISH's First Line of Frankenstein as their single of the week on PLAYLOUDER.COM!

SWEET BOYS...


Punishtheatom - 'First Line In Frankenstein' (48 Crash)

Readers, we didn't even need to point them towards this one. Longtime readers might recall PTA's stunning 'Filthy Advice' getting Single Of The Week a couple of years back, and this is every bit as mighty, a tantrumous chainsaw of a comeback that judders like a freshly rutted dinosaur and squeals like a scalded vole. We imagine it'd appeal to these fellers even had they not just experienced today's horrors, and we're not wrong.

P: "I like this! It's a bit !Forward Russia!, isn't it? Yeah, this is wicked! I like the vocals - he's quite punchy and quite punky, with the way he tails off at the end."

He sounds not unlike yourself, don'tchathink, Pen?

P: "Really? I'll take that as a compliment. They sound like an interesting band live."

They are. They do tend to make a point of scampering across pretty much the entire stage. Much like, er, yourselves. Were you always as demented?

P: "We used to be worse! I used to cut my hands open on tambourines all the time. Not on purpose, like, just playing!"

R: "I don't think we've calmed down, though, I think we're just better at being chaotic. We're more organised now - we've had to play longer sets and we've got more room on stage, so we've had to get to the point where we set things up so we can't destroy anything! I like this record, it's really cool."

I: "That whole electro thing really appeals to us."

P: "I'd really like to see 'em, actually."

Well, they're coming back soon. Hooray!

SINGLE OF THE WEEK!

P: "What should we say, then? Punishtheatom for Single Of The Week?"

R: "Can we have a runner-up?"

'Course you can!

R: "I'd like to make Exit Music runner-up. It's not their song, but it shows how much you can do with a Radiohead song. And I'd like to say Punishtheatom."

P: "Any band you can listen to on record and want to see live are a great band. Can we keep the single?"


There you have it, readers. Punishtheatom: so unfeasibly great, pop stars are stealing them as we speak.

The AUTOMATIC are now my Fave band...

Punish ROCK even harder with this cracking review from

ROCK SOUND...

...We are well METAL now!
Music Magazine of the year CLASH had this to say....

Industry insiders CMU had this to say (believe me this is them being nice!): 

ALBUM REVIEW: Punish the Atom - I Cry Demolition (48 Crash)
'I Cry Demolition' is Punish the Atom's second full length album following the widely acclaimed 2003 release 'Let's Do The Don't Care'. It's not entirely clear which particular atom the band are aiming to punish, but presumably it's all of them. This album is made up of 10 very loud tracks, each punishing the singers' vocal chords, the guitarists' guitars and the drummer's kit. The opener, 'Battle Of Electric Tongues', starts out as a dedication to heavy metal with cheesy chord riffs and tom-heavy drumming but ends as a chaotic chanted punk track. The music of 'We Are Infection' reminds me of Test Icicles style of just-put-your-hands-anywhere-on-the-guitar-neck-and-see-what-happens approach combined with the vocal style of any well respected political punk band.

By track 6, 'Join Our Sexual Armistice', it appears either Dr Who has landed in the world of Punish or token strange sounds guy John Cox has decided that what the album really needs is more Moog. 'Do The Demolition' is one of the only tracks where you can understand each lyric, that is, until the chorus, when the theory of 'the more vocal parts, the lower in the mix they need to be,' is really put to test. Punish the Atom are un-trendy chaotic punk who will more than likely be adopted by the emo kids a.k.a. nu-metallers a.k.a. hardcore crowd and thrown into MySpace music's top ten
list faster than Test Icicles rise (and fall).

BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!

 I didn't write this review, the lovely, god like people of subbaculture.com did...

Stunning does not even begin to cover this lot. With the pent up energy of At The Drive-In surging through the backing chants like some demented Dexy's Midnight Runners song via Fugazi's off-kilter and achingly taut post-punk whilst an amalgamation of all the late seventies UK punk bands body slam each other whilst gobbing on each other simultaneously, it's like all my dreams came true at once in one huge and sticky mess under my covers. Moments of Dub-like soundscapes bleed over the melee and add so much depth to the recording, with every listen something else is revealed to you, no doubt darker and more sinister than the last. True Genius never sounded to vibrant.

I can now die happy...A review like that makes everything worth it.
Keep your eyes peeled at the weekend for a SPECIAL competition...
JoeYY xx

Those lovely rocker types from Kerang towers had this to say about our album....







....fair enough!
Oh thankyou to all the lovely Punish fans for getting us into the top 30, we reached the grand hight of 28 in the INDIE charts which = 345 in the real charts!
Love you,
Jopey xxxxxxxxxxx

We are well London with this SUPER review in Time Out today....






....I can't even slag this review off because I LOVE the first Liars record too!...
xxxxxx

Buy this magazine...........






......And get a brand new Punish track for free!
Everyone who knows and loves this song had thought that this track was called "Self Help Group", In fact I wrote the song and I know for a fact it was called "Self Help Group", but apparently we were all wrong and Artrocker knows the truth its really called "Self Group Help"!
I'd like to thank Artrocker for clearing that up.
PUNISH THE TYPOS!
Oh and don't let the fact that the Horrors are on the CD put you off.
Love JEYO LEBL XZZZXXZC

Its true, at last P day is upon us.
The single will be in real shops on Monday, you be able to buy it from a real person and they will enter it into the the real charts and we will get a real number 1 ( Some of this is not true).
If you would like to order it on line I suggest trying www.selectadisc.co.uk, you can even listen to the B side too.
BUY NOW...BUY MORE NOW...
Love Joey "Subliminal" Bell xxxxxxxxBUYxxxxxxxxxITxxxxxx

Yeah we made it to the Guide in the Guardian today....I don't think any of us actually did grow up in Nottingham in the 90s though?
Oh well.
Joey xxx