reprinted from PunkNews
Read a track-by-track breakdown for Knifetwister Records' new benefit comp, 'Not In Our City 2'!
by Em Moore April 17, 2026
Tomorrow marks the release of Knifetwister Records’ new benefit punk compilation Not In Our City 2. The comp features 22 bands from eight different countries across four continents including Incendiary Device from New York, 18fevers from South Korea, Rotunda from the UK, BANG BANG from Poland, Skanimals from Norway, VOIKOT from Chile, My Like Sunday from Indonesia, and Half Price from South Africa. The proceeds from the record will be going to Make the Road New York, an organization “working to build the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice.” Speaking about their involvement in the comp, Make the Road New York Civil Rights and Immigration Lead Organizer Luba Cortes said,
“It is incredible to have punk bands from all over the world come together at this critical moment to support our immigrant neighbors in New York City and across the country. In the face of adversity, this project is a reminder that our communities are resilient and can come together in joy and music. Make the Road New York is honored to be the benefactor of the second Not in Our City compilation.”
Speaking about the comp, Knifetwister Records founder Raph Copeland said,
“It shouldn't matter where you were born, where you've come from, and frankly, I don't care about your ‘legal status’. Everyone has the right to live without being harassed or discriminated against. Everyone has the right not to live in fear. In putting together this compilation, we want to stand with our brothers and sisters who are vulnerable right now. Immigrants make this country a better place, but people are more than just a label - Guatemalan, or Mexican, or Somali. They're human. We all are."
Maya Bishop of Knifetwister Records said of the comp,
“The Not In Our City 2 compilation is a labor of love and community. As leadership continually pushes for isolationism, 22 bands came together to make their voices heard. Spanning across the globe, these songs tell the stories of resistance, perseverance, and hope for a better future. The project also supports Make The Road New York, a charity dedicated to providing support and services to immigrant and working class communities. It's an important reminder that no matter what you see in the news or online people are standing together to support their neighbors. We aren't going down without a fight.”
The comp features artwork by Chris Yee of Rocktoonz and Harper Copeland with help from Maria Chaos of Doll Fest. We caught up with 21 of the 22 bands to hear about the songs they contributed to the comp. Not In Our City 2 will be available physically on April 18 via Knifetwister Records and you can pick up a copy right here. Read the track-by-track breakdown below!
Not In Our City 2 Track-by-Track Breakdown
Incendiary Device (New York) - “If The Time Is Right” (unreleased track)
“If The Time is Right” is a call to arms in these troubling and hectic times. It resonates now more than ever. Get up, get out and make it happen! - Drew Stone, vocals
Duel (New Jersey) - “Counting Sheep”
"Counting Sheep” was written out of frustration with society's ignorance and allowance towards a ridiculous, regressive, hate-filled political agenda. The lyrics are directly written as a way to symbolically grab our society by the shoulders and shake them out of their trance in hopes of disillusionment. - Lauren, vocals
Saints of Lorain (Ohio) - “Drunk & Dangerous”
We live in a world where people are constantly judged, categorized, and told they're not valid unless they meet arbitrary standards. Well, we don't need your approval to exist. That's what “Drunk & Dangerous” is really saying. That's what Make the Road New York fights for. That's why we're proud to be part of this comp. - Nick Pshock, bass
18fevers (South Korea) - “Let Me Live”
The song “Let Me Live” is a trans rights song inspired by a Korean soldier named Byun Hui-su who was discharged from the army after her transition and was fighting to rejoin the military because she wanted to continue to serve her country. Eventually depression and bullying overwhelmed her and she took her own life. The song is about how she had the heart and ability to serve her country but her government and society wouldn’t let her. -Christmas, guitar/vocals
Consumer Culture (Maryland) - “Allegiance”
"Allegiance” by Baltimore noise rock outfit Consumer Culture is a big middle finger to Trump and his cult of MAGA. Holding no words back, the opening lyrics "Christian right wing red hat terrorist…" are far from nuance or compromise. - Consumer Culture
Skip The Needle (California) - “Patterns”
"Patterns” is written about Afrofuturist author, Octavia E. Butler. It addresses multiple eras of her life when artists in other disciplines discovered Octavia’s writing for the first time and saw themselves represented in visions of past, present, and future. - Katie Cash, guitar/vocals
Young And Doomed (New Jersey) - “American Gothic”
"American Gothic” was written by Young and Doomed amidst the beginning of the second Trump presidency. It delves into the themes of frustration with the current political administration, and how the strongest weapon against this regime is coming together as a community to fight it. - Thalia Andrade, vocals
Rotunda (United Kingdom) - “I Refuse”
”I Refuse” is a song by Birmingham, England punk/hardcore band Rotunda. The song is a positive message about not being taken advantage of and wanting to make a positive change. And standing up for what is right and important. - Louis Warren, vocals
Crying At Work (Michigan) - “Dirty Laundry” (unreleased track)
"Dirty Laundry” is about accountability and seeing through people. There is an ethos to this genre, and what we say on stage needs to follow us so we can create stronger and safer communities. Do it brave and do it scared because none of us are alone. - Lacey, vocals
ICK (California) - “Useless”
Suffering is a core tenet of existence. The pointlessness of life’s struggles leave one dumbfounded, a drooling, scarred heap of flesh and bones scrambled by the daily assault of the violently animated decomposing carcass that is the world. To be human - to dive headfirst into a meat grinder of spiritual disfigurement, undergoing the horrid, unsympathetic transformation through age and trauma by a distorted universe refracted through its own waste. To live, grow and exist is to be mangled beyond recognition by the comings and goings of our own cruel species and the powers beyond our control. It’s useless. - Jackie Westcott, guitar/vocals
BANG BANG (Poland) - “Kto To Wie”
The lyrics to “Kto To Wie” (in English, Who Knows It), are existential about all the questions for which we do not know the answers. Who are we? Is there is life after death? Are we alone in the universe? It also raises questions about the good and the bad forces behind it. - Piotr Wilinski, vocals
The Colourflies (Washington) - “Watterbuffaloe”
The song “Watterbufaloe” was recorded in twenty minutes by myself and my engineer. Kind of like the fast side of the Pixies on Trompe Le Monde, a la "The Sad Punk" but also with a little Cage The Elephant thrown in for good measure. I once met Joey Santiago at an LA thing, and heard through a back channel that Frank Black liked one of our songs, so I guess it’s a tribute to the Pixies." - Matt Legard, guitar/vocals
Skanimals (Norway) - “Gods On My Shoulders”
Hailing from Norway, Skanimals embrace their roots with “Gods on My Shoulders,” a Norse mythology–inspired track that blends ska-punk and punk rock with a heavier metal edge. It’s the perfect song to open a show with, and we love playing it live. We also chose it as the first full track on our debut album. When the first note hits, we feel a rush of adrenaline. — Marius Fugelsnes, bass
Wonderland Rejects (California) - “First Puberty Ruined My Life”
This one's about holding on to hope and resilience as a trans person, despite all the social and political turmoil. We're more than the stereotypes and fear mongering they slap on us; we're just living our lives and trying to get by, like everyone else - Alice Vendetta, guitar/vocals
VOIKOT (Chile) - “Descontrol”
The song addresses the stress and social tension that arise in a daily life marked by haste and sensory overload. With lyrics that reflect emotional exhaustion and the collective chaos of the modern era, VOIKOT delivers a direct, energetic composition with a guitar-driven sound, maintaining our punk identity but with a fresh, contemporary production. - Romilio Bascur, vocals
Pretty Frankenstein (California) - “We Are Not A Virus”
“We Are Not A Virus” is an anthem written for the immigrant families that built our cities and those who face discrimination in this country on a regular basis. For this song, Grey Starr (lead singer, instrumentalist and producer of PF) teamed up with singer/songwriter Matt Easton (of The Jenny Thing), bassist Millie Chan (formerly of Glam Skanks and Retra), and vocalist Edwina Maye (Grey’s mother and lead singer of Raging Glitter). All musicians involved in the making of this song are of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) descent and are very passionate in the fight for equal rights for those who have migrated to this country. - Grey Starr, vocals
My Like Sunday (Indonesia) - “Punk Love Story”
"Punk Love Story” tells the story of a teenage couple in love whose relationship is opposed by the girl’s parents because the boy is considered reckless and troublesome. However, the boy remains determined and continues trying to earn the parents’ approval by working hard and always doing his best to make his girlfriend happy. – My Like Sunday
Half Price (South Africa) - “Still Playin’ Punk”
"Still Playin' Punk” is a song about our passion for Punk Rock. Punk has been the guiding light throughout our lives, in good times and in bad times. The song captures this feeling and makes it clear that being punk was definitely never "just a phase" for us nor for many other like minded people. After playing in a band for as many years as we have, we still feel as excited for the music as we did on day one, 25 years ago; this life-long passion is best captured in the song's chorus line of "punk rock, running through our veins. - DFG, bass
Less Than Perfect (California) - “I Don’t Need Therapy”
"I Don't Need Therapy” started out as a statement about our own sense of identity. As we wrote the song, it evolved into a laundry list of complaints about the issues facing our country today, and how these issues can impact our mental health and happiness. We aren't ok with this country's failing democracy, its mistreatment of marginalized communities, and the broken power dynamics of late stage capitalism. If you are distressed about these things, you aren't alone. - Eric Lawrence, guitar/vocals
unpolished* (California) - “Collateral Damage”
Sick of people who think they’re all that? Us too. But they ought to watch themselves before they end up as “collateral damage” — unpolished*’s latest single is a punch-in-the-face, metal-tinged, punk rock diss track full of power, rage, riffs, and an irresistible urge to bang your head (to the beat or on the wall). For fans of Dead Sara, The Pretty Reckless, and Halestorm. - Celinda Chang, guitar
Kill The Sun (New York) – “Breakdown” (unreleased track)
The lyrics to “Breakdown” were written and first performed by our original singer and brother, English Dave Reilly (Ashes Of Us All). We re-recorded the vocals with our new singer and literal brother, Cliff Catropa (Coventry Carols) specifically for this compilation! Our songs are about whatever you think, want, or need them to be about but my favorite lines in the song are “out of my mind, my guard is down, my desperation makes no sound” Make of it what you will. We create music that we like … but ultimately, it’s for you. -Chris Yee, bass