An Slua
An Slua. A band that manages to combine the melodiousness of Oi! with the uncompromising punch of anarcho-punk, and instead of the clichéd pub rhymes about weekend beer drinking, they sing about evictions, Ireland’s revolutionary history and animal liberation. This is raw news from the West Coast, where humor meets everyday misery and a deep […]
The Upsessions
The Upsessions are a band that fans of early reggae, ska, rocksteady, and classic reggae know very well—and rightly hold in high regard. They are among the key European groups dedicated to authentically interpreting Jamaican music while also pushing it forward in their own distinctive way. Their work isn’t just a tribute to the old […]
Out Of Order
We recently received a short note from the Canadian Ministry of Culture that we had not covered a Canadian band in a long time. We were a little embarrassed and since the note was delivered at night and in the form of a stone in the window, we decided to listen to this organization and […]
Savage Beat
Savage Beat blend a wide range of influences in their music, drawing from styles such as punk, rock’n’roll, and Oi!. Their sound is anything but boring — on the contrary, they can lead the listener straight through the defense like a Ballon d’Or winner in top form. They’ve been active on the scene for quite […]
Periferia Nord
Perifèria Nord: Where Post-Punk Meets Literary Horror. Forget sun-drenched beaches and tourist postcards. The Perifèria Nord project emerges from the gray suburbs of Barcelona and the chill that sets in when Vitamin D fades in winter. The band, whose members are veterans of the punk, Oi!, and hardcore scenes, have traded distorted guitars for introspection […]
Nežfaleš
Nežfaleš is a band that has been active on the Czech punk scene for more than twenty years. After years of honest touring throughout the country, when the band has played almost every hall and pub where it is possible to drag a playing machine, the band has become an established and leading band in […]
Fitz
Fitz is a relatively young band from Belgrade that plays Oi!. They have just released their first full-length LP, which is a good reason to ask a few interesting questions. Singer Cobe answered our questions, and we talked about where that undying drive to create and leave a mark comes from. About the scene in […]
Wouter Davids (Rebellion Records, Razorblade, Live By The Sword, Heathen Peace)
Wouter Davids is a name that’s been part of the Oi!, punk, and hardcore scene since the 1990s. He has been — and still is — active as a musician in bands like Squalor, Razorblade, Live By The Sword, and Heathen Peace, and he also runs Rebellion Records, a label that has long been one […]
Emscherkurve 77
German punk veterans Emscherkurve 77 (EK77) don’t mess around. Melodic punk straight from the heart of the Ruhr region, honest lyrics, and a pure DIY approach – that’s been their signature for many years. We caught up with guitarist Marcel to find out what the band is cooking up (yes, a new record is coming!), […]
Hardsell
The history of this interview is rather complicated. When I started working on the web version of the Tighten Up zine half a year ago, Chris from Hardsell was the very first person I reached out to. From our subsequent communication, I got the impression that he was frustrated with the current state of the […]
Prorva
Being a punk in Belarus probably never was easy. Following the massive protests of 2020, brutally suppressed with violence, the members of the band PRORVA decided to leave their home in response to the overall situation and conditions in the country. Since then, they have been building their existence and musical identity in Warsaw. PRORVA […]
Kong Kong
Kong Kong: Oi Punk with King Kong DNA and swedish charm. Prepare for a journey to Gorilla City, a world where the DIY ethic reigns and three-chord anthems feature keyboards, saxophone, and organ! The Swedish band Kong Kong isn’t just any group of ugly middle-aged guys—they are gorillas with punk in their blood who genuinely […]
Lidské Zdroje
This is our tenth published band interview, and it is also the first time we have decided to focus on a domestic Czech formation. I chose Lidské Zdroje because their story and their work are genuinely relevant, interesting, and unpretentious in contemporary punk. Their lyrics and attitude are the very essence of what the underground […]
The Buzzers
Lately, our zine has been focusing quite a bit on Canadian bands. It wasn’t really a plan — it just sort of happened naturally. There are simply a lot of interesting projects coming out of Canada right now. One of them is The Buzzers, whose latest record you can find reviewed on our site. Since we […]
Reckless Upstarts
Canadian Oi! scene has its legends and its fresh blood — and Reckless Upstarts stand somewhere in between. A band that’s earned its name the hard way: through honest work, relentless gigging, and staying true to what Oi! has always meant — music, attitude, and community. Hailing from Windsor, a city at the very bottom […]
Shaved For Battle
Oi! on the East Coast of the USA has its own heroes and history. At the same time, new projects are emerging, and one of the most notable is definitely Shaved For Battle. Stylistically, it’s pure Oi! without compromise and without hardcore influences, carrying a proud stance. We spoke with Curtis, the main face and […]
Fléau
Fléau – brutal oi!/street punk/hardcore from Lyon – started out as a covid project, but with their first EP from March 2021 (Fléau) they gained international attention. In 2025, they released their second self-titled EP (s/t), which includes new songs as well as tracks from their debut and a cover. With a dark medieval visual […]
Tear Up
Recently, the new record by Tear Up from Watford was released, and it sold out within a few days. No wonder – it’s great. Since it caught my attention as well, we asked the band’s frontman Jamie for an interview. You can catch the band live at upcoming shows in Europe, so get ready for […]
Poor Impulse Control
Poor Impulse Control are a band from Massachusetts whose work could probably best be described as skinhead hardcore. They have released one LP from last year and an EP this year. They caught my attention mainly with their online single Fresh Cut Stomp, which is an uncompromising hit. Singer Steve answered my questions. How […]
Badterms
I first came across Badterms when Ramon GD was preparing the cover for their second record. I tried their work and discovered great rock’n’Oi!. This band from Boston makes great music, loves subculture and has something to say about music and life in our tribe. Plus, they’re going on a European tour in a few […]
Over The Hill
Over The Hill is a band from Montreal that caught my attention with their album „Over The Hill“ released on UVPRV. A bunch of guys living in the subculture, but whose lives have been shaken by parenthood and midlife crisis. It’s a story I know all too well — just like anyone who’s been a […]
Hats & Caps
Hats & Caps from Helsinki play honest Oi! punk with the spirit of the ’80s. They’ve released an EP, a split, and one full-length album — and their second LP is already on the way. We talked to vocalist Wille about his journey into the Oi! scene, the bands that shaped him, and what punk […]