#alternativefacts

My Chemical Romance split in 2013, but in the years since, their legend has grown considerably. Next week, Billboard is breaking some news about one of its members' new projects. The writer of that piece, Maria Sherman, joins us to debate the chances of an MCR reunion, and what it would mean for each member. Also, Kevin Rutherford from the charts department hops aboard to preview this week's Billboard 200. How will Harry Styles' and Paramore's albums sell first week? Who gets the top spot? Listen up!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two great interviews in this week's episode! First, music journalist Maria Sherman stops by for a chat about punk and indie rock albums we're excited for this year. And then, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley comes by for a truly eye-opening discussion. Years of alcohol abuse nearly killed him in 2014, but he's taken his life back and has Sum 41's latest album to show for it. He also reminisced on playing SNL in the early 2000s and what he was like in high school.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What's it like to interview the man behind Gorillaz? Billboard's Andrew Unterberger recounts a recent hang with Damon Albarn for a Billboard mag story, and discusses how the band's cartoon identity gives it a timelessness that eludes those comprised of actual humans, since, you know, humans get old and die. Then, former Walkmen frontman Hamilton Leithauser stops by to discuss his new live album with former Vampire Weekender Rostam, who's embarking on a solo career of his own.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Before Fall Out Boy dropped its new single "Young and Menace," we discussed their recent success on the charts and what it'll take them to have a 2017 hit. Later on, Stereogum's Michael Nelson stops by to talk one of the year's best punk records: Charly Bliss' hook-filled debut "Guppy." We've also got an update on how Paramore's "Hard Times" is doing on the charts as well as up-and-coming hits from new bands on alternative radio.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Four years after their last album, Paramore’s new single is finally here. “Hard Times” is an addicting, Talking Heads-inspired jam that sounds like it could follow “Ain’t It Fun” as a Hot 100 smash. But will it? On the premiere episode of #AlternativeFacts, Billboard investigates.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Billboard's new rock and alternative music podcast is here! Here's an intro to the new weekly show -- hosted by staff writer Chris Payne -- that will launch with its first full episode Thursday, April 20. Expect insider discussion from around the Billboard office about artists like Paramore, Vampire Weekend, the 1975, Twenty One Pilots, Grimes, Panic! at the Disco, Haim, Blink-182 and more. We'll also have artist interviews, chart analysis and insight from those who know best your favorite artists.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matador Records has an impressive history of discovering indie rock talent and their latest up-and-comer is Virginian singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus. 2016 debut "No Burden" is destined to appear on a lot of year-end "Best Of" lists and the musician behind it has an inspirational story to tell. There's no viral moment, no big city scene, no gimmick here -- just a recent college grad with stories to tell.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The "True Trans Soul Rebel" herself is this week's guest! Laura Jane Grace chats with host Chris Payne about Against Me's new album "Shape Shift With Me" is out Sept. 16 and her autobiography, "Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock's Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout" is due Nov. 15. Take a listen for a candid preview of both, along with updates on how Laura Jane's been doing lately and some crazy anecdotes from her past. Strip club tabs, machete-wielding drug dealers and drunk tattoos are all involved.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Like synthpop? Get into Cardiknox -- one-time members of the pop-punk scene, now navigating the pop world. Lonnie Angle and Thomas Dutton talked about their old band, Forgive Durden, Cardiknox's debut album "Portrait" and what they're planning next.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Domino Records mainstays Wild Beasts have been messing with rock 'n roll norms and reinventing their sound for five albums now. Hayden Thorpe and Tom Fleming chat with host Chris Payne about new album "Boy King" and recount a decade making music: sharing a bill with a young Adele, trolling lads in their hometown of Kendal, and how Britpop never quite happened in America.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

He's in the studio working on the new Paramore record and he's getting ready to unveil the fresh vibes of his new solo album as Halfnoise. The man is Zac Farro and he stopped by Billboard's Alt In Our Stars podcast to chat about both new albums, and how he mended ties with Hayley Williams and Taylor York after a quitting the band six years ago.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Blink-182’s “California” went No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and people are wondering (yet again) if pop-punk and emo are on their way back. But did they ever leave? And how does a band like Blink-182 — even after well-publicized inner turmoil — earn so much commercial success in 2016? Host Chris Payne and cultural critic/emo historian/podcast MVP Andy Greenwald discuss all this while reflecting on his 2003 book, “Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo.”  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A new album is on the way for L.A.'s Local Natives. "Sunlit Youth" drops Sept. 9, and the band stopped by Billboard's New York office to reflect on almost a decade of existence. How do you push your band to the next level when you've entered your early 30s? Kelcey Ayer and Matt Frazier discussed artistic reinventions, artistic goals (festival appearances, film soundtracks) and why they decided to get political and endorse Bernie Sanders this year. Now how do they feel about Hillary as the nominee?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The opening track on Pup’s rollicking 2016 album 'The Dream Is Over" is literally about wanting to kill your bandmates. But don’t get it twisted -- these Torontonians are just about the nicest band you’ll ever meet. Frontman Stefan Babcock and drummer Zack Mykula stopped by the Billboard office to chat about Canadian politeness,, being nominated for the 2016 Polaris prize, keeping fans safe at rowdy punk shows, and more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do A-list festivals choose their A-list headliners? And why do so many of these lineups look really similar? Why are there so few female headliners? Why are there so many new festivals popping up in New York City, and is there room for all of them? Billboard writers Chris Payne, Joe Lynch and Natalie Weiner answer all these questions and reveal what makes a great music festival.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Critics love “Puberty 2” and there’s good reason why — Mitski’s first album for Dead Oceans Records is raw, poignant indie rock from an artist with charisma and wisdom to share. At Billboard’s New York office, Mitski chatted about her Twitter game, her Myers-Briggs personality type, and why she thinks the press writes about her the way it does. ​  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you just know them from "that whistle song," it's time to get your head in the game. Peter Bjorn and John are back with their first album in five years, and "Breakin' Point" is pure alt-pop fireworks. The Swedish trio stopped by Billboard's New York office to discuss how new attitudes in the indie rock game helped them get on board with superstar producers like Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, and Emile Haynie.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You know "Higher," "With Arms Wide Open" and "One Last Breath" -- but do you know Scott Stapp? Following the hits, the Creed frontman dealt with some very public difficulties around bipolar disorder and drug abuse. But he's turned his life around and he stopped by the Billboard office to talk about it. Stapp is touring solo, fronting a new project, and what about a Creed reunion? Scott spoke about all this, in addition to telling the story of how Creed broke big while he was at Florida State.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are they reviving emo? Are they reviving pop-punk? Let's just agree that these Philly punks are ensuring sincere, life-altering music remains something we can all aspire to. On their 2016 album "Holy Ghost" Modern Baseball's songwriters took on heavy subjects -- Brendan Lukens tackled his triumph over addiction and self-harm, and Jake Ewald, his grandfather's death. The whole band stopped by Billboard's New York office for an occasionally somber -- but mostly lighthearted -- chat on all things MoBo.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chicago emo revivalists Into It. Over It. have an inner circle of wildly devoted fans, yet they still think they're misunderstood. Maybe it's because their sound keeps evolving; maybe it's just because they've released so much music over the years. The band chatted with host Chris Payne about what they're really about... and how they've found their way onto some of the most carefully-curated concert bills you'll ever see.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.