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.

Cousins Tony and Matt Lovato grew up across the street from each other in the Blue Island section of the south side of Chicago and began playing together at seven, borrowing instruments from Tony's father, with Tony picking up guitar and singing and Matt playing bass. In high school, they hooked up with guitarist Jeremiah Rangel and drummer Nick Gigler. Tony came up with the band name Mest while looking at a case of Milwaukee's Best beer. Playing in local Chicago punk clubs, the group self-released their debut album, Mo' Money, Mo' 40'z. They got their first real break when Tony wrote to Goldfinger lead singer John Feldmann and got a response. After listening to a demo tape, Feldmann agreed to let Mest open for Goldfinger, got them a record deal with Maverick, and produced their major-label debut, Wasting Time, which was released in July 2000. A year later, Mest returned with a cameo-filled (Young MC, Save Ferris' Monique Powell) spiky-punk second album entitled Destination Unknown. A self-titled third album, which included a cameo from Good Charlotte's Benji Madden, appeared in June 2003. A lengthy stretch of Warped Tour dates followed, which led to exhaustion for Mest and back surgery for Tony Lovato in particular. But the band soldiered on, and in autumn 2005 they released their fourth effort for Maverick, Photographs. After ten years together, Mest called it quits in early 2006. They went out on an appropriately titled final tour, So Long and Thanx for the Booze, that February alongside Allisterand Scary Kids Scaring Kids. A brief reunion a few years later set the stage for the band to get back together, and they toured as well as releasing the 2013 album Not What You Expected. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi

MakeWar is about a fight. It’s a fight against ignorance and hate. A fight to do what you want instead of what you’re supposed to. A fight to stay up when everything is pulling you down. It’s fighting for the dreamers and drinking to the screamers. Fighting off what’s holding you back. That’s why MakeWar sounds like letting go. So let’s fucking go! MakeWar is Jose, Edwin, and Daniel. Welcome to our fight.

4 sweaty dads playing punk rock with constant pummeling banter mostly pertaining to collective soul and hatebreed.