Gouge Away: A Florida Hardcore Punk Force

Emerging from Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2012, Gouge Away quickly established themselves as a vital force in the American hardcore punk scene. Their sound, a potent blend of post-hardcore and noise rock, draws heavily from influential acts like Pixies, The Jesus Lizard, Fugazi, Unwound, the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, and Nirvana. This eclectic mix fuels their raw energy and distinctive sonic attack.

The band cut their teeth playing shows and releasing two self-released EPs, Still Bored and Focus Your Anger, in 2013, using their platform to support local charities and activist groups. This commitment to social action became a hallmark of their ethos.

Their debut full-length, , Dies, dropped in February 2016 via Eighty-Sixed Records, earning immediate underground acclaim. The album's impact was significant enough to land it at #17 on BrooklynVegan's "The 20 Best Emo/Punk Albums of 2016" and among Noisey's "37 Best Overlooked Albums of 2016." This success led to high-profile touring opportunities, including slots with Touché Amoré, Ceremony, G.L.O.S.S., and Paint It Black—a testament to their growing reputation.

Gouge Away further solidified their position with their 2018 sophomore album, Burnt Sugar, released through Deathwish Inc., cementing their place as a key player in the contemporary hardcore landscape. Their uncompromising sound, combined with their strong social conscience, has earned them a dedicated following and solidified their legacy within the genre.

Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, Enumclaw—named for their hometown—burst onto the indie rock scene. Signed to Luminelle Recordings (a Fat Possum imprint) in February 2022, they quickly made their mark. Their debut album, Save the Baby, dropped October 14, 2022, followed by a triumphant first European tour in May 2023, hitting 15 cities. Already prolific, the band released their second studio album, Home in Another Life, on August 30, 2024, solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the indie rock world.

Hailing from Fairfield, Connecticut, Anxious are a rising force in the emo scene. Currently signed to Run for Cover Records, the band exploded onto the scene with their critically acclaimed debut album, Little Green House, released in 2022. The album earned the coveted "Album of the Week" accolade from Stereogum and garnered widespread positive reviews.

A History Forged in Connecticut:

Anxious' journey began in 2016 in Darien, Connecticut, with the core trio of Grady Allen (vocals/guitar), Sam Walter (vocals/bass), and Michelle Siegel (drums). Siegel departed in 2017, making way for Dante Melucci on drums. That same year, the band independently released their debut EP, Carved, showcasing their raw talent. Adding lead guitarist Ryan Savitsky to the lineup in 2019 further solidified their sound. The year also saw them sign to Triple-B Records and unleash two more EPs: Promo 2019 and Never Better, building momentum towards their full-length breakthrough.

Hailing from Philadelphia, Sweet Pill emerged onto the emo scene in 2019. Fronted by vocalist Zayna Youssef, the band—which also includes guitarist Jayce Williams, guitarist Sean McCall, bassist Ryan Cullen, and drummer Chris Kearney—quickly made their mark. Formed while Youssef was a student at Rowan University, the band wasted no time, dropping their debut single, "Doubt," in March 2019, followed a month later by their first EP, Lost In It.

Building momentum, Sweet Pill announced their debut full-length album in March 2022, previewing it with the singles "Blood," "High Hopes," and "Diamond Eyes." Where the Heart Is finally landed on May 25th, 2022, solidifying their place in the emo landscape. Their rising profile earned them a coveted support slot opening for post-hardcore giants La Dispute on their extensive US and Canada tour in Fall 2022, showcasing their talents to a wider audience and cementing their position as a band to watch.

American Football, the seminal indie rock band from Urbana, Illinois, first emerged in 1997, leaving an indelible mark on the emo and math rock scenes before disbanding in 2000. Their reunion in 2014 reignited a fervent fanbase.

The band's core initially comprised Mike Kinsella (guitar/bass/vocals – formerly of Cap'n Jazz and Joan of Arc, currently of Owen), Steve Holmes (guitar – also of The Geese), and Steve Lamos (drums/trumpet – formerly of The One Up Downstairs, a brief stint with The Firebird Band and Edward Burch & the Staunch Characters, and currently of The Geese and DMS). Lamos departed in 2021 but rejoined in 2023.

Their self-titled debut album, released during their original run, achieved legendary status, solidifying their place as a cornerstone of the genre. The reunion saw the addition of Nate Kinsella (Mike's cousin), resulting in two further self-titled releases: American Football / LP2 (2016) and American Football / LP3 (2019).

History:

Formation:

Mike Kinsella and Steve Holmes, former classmates at Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Illinois, forged a musical connection early on. Kinsella drummed for Cap'n Jazz, while Holmes played guitar in various bands and shared a room with Kinsella. Before American Football, Kinsella, Lamos, and the Johnson brothers (David and Allen) formed The One Up Downstairs in 1997. Kinsella focused solely on vocals in this project, which recorded three songs intended for a 7" release on Polyvinyl Records.

Hailing from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Balance and Composure emerged from the ashes of two local bands in the winter of 2007. Quickly establishing themselves, their sound drew comparisons to grunge giants Nirvana and fellow Pennsylvanian post-hardcore act Title Fight, but also revealed influences ranging from the indie-rock of Neutral Milk Hotel and Sunny Day Real Estate to the emo intensity of Jawbreaker and Braid.

Over their career, the band released three critically acclaimed studio albums and two EPs, culminating in their sophomore effort, The Things We Think We're Missing. This album climbed to impressive heights on the Billboard charts, reaching #51 on the Billboard 200, #10 on the Independent Albums chart, #13 on Modern Rock/Alternative Albums, and #16 on the Rock Albums chart.

However, their journey came to a close. In a surprise announcement on Taylor Madison's Strange Nerve podcast (December 14, 2017), vocalist Jon Simmons revealed their upcoming anniversary tour would be their last. A subsequent press release on January 14, 2019, confirmed a farewell tour—initially six dates, expanded due to overwhelming demand—with select shows featuring support from fellow scene heavyweights Tigers Jaw, mewithoutYou, and Touche Amore. This marked the end of a significant chapter in the emo/post-hardcore scene, leaving behind a legacy of powerfully emotional music and memorable live performances.

San Jose, California's Mugshot burst onto the scene in 2016 with their debut album, Dull Boy. Five years later, the band achieved widespread recognition with their EP, Empty Heaven, rapidly gaining a devoted following within the metal and hardcore communities. The current lineup features drummer Connor Haines, guitarist Michael Demko, and vocalist Ringo Waterman.

Hailing from the Los Angeles underground, HEALTH is a genre-bending force in industrial/noise rock. The current lineup features vocalist/guitarist Jake Duzsik, bassist/producer John Famiglietti, and drummer B.J. Miller. Formerly including guitarist Jupiter Keyes (who departed in 2015), the band first gained traction with their remix of Crystal Castles' "Crimewave." Their self-titled debut album dropped in 2007, launching a prolific career.

Since then, HEALTH has unleashed a sonic assault across six full-length albums: Get Color (2009), Death Magic (2015), Vol. 4: Slaves of Fear (2019), and Rat Wars (2023), alongside the collaborative double album Disco4 (2020/2022). Their distinctive sound has also infiltrated the world of video games, with contributions to soundtracks for Max Payne 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Grand Theft Auto V, and Ultrakill.

History:

The band's genesis lies in a chance encounter between vocalist Jake Duzsik and bassist John Famiglietti at the flagship Los Angeles Guitar Center. They recruited guitarist Jupiter Keyes (a university acquaintance of Duzsik's) and drummer B.J. Miller, solidifying their lineup. The name "HEALTH," chosen from a long list of possibilities, was simply the only "everyday word" still available.

Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Boundaries exploded onto the metalcore scene as a force to be reckoned with. The band's current lineup is a powerhouse featuring Matthew McDougal on ferocious vocals, guitarists Cory Emond and Cody DelVecchio laying down crushing riffs, Tim Sullivan on drums and backing vocals, and bassist/vocalist Nathan Calcagno holding down the low end.

Early Days (2013-2016): Boundaries formed in 2013, the brainchild of guitarist Zadak Brooks. Drawing members from a recently dissolved local band (and following the demise of his own cover band), Brooks forged a new path. Their debut single, "Two Faced," dropped in 2014, showcasing original vocalist Jake Buzzell alongside Matthew McDougal, who would soon become the band's permanent frontman. This period saw a flurry of singles featuring McDougal, several of which would later be included on their 2018 Spring Demonstration EP.

Hartford County Misery (2017-2018): The band unleashed Hartford County Misery in Spring 2017, which included the previously released 2016 single, "Sour Mouth." This era also saw a lineup change, with bassist Lucian Armstrong being replaced by Brandon Breedlove.

My Body in Bloom & Beyond (2018-Present): 2018 marked a significant turning point. Boundaries signed to Unbeaten Records, setting the stage for their label debut. My Body in Bloom, released February 22nd, 2019, solidified their place in the metalcore world. The EP, tracked throughout 2018 and 2019, was preceded by the singles "Blush" and the title track, generating considerable buzz. The band continues to evolve and dominate the scene.

Havok, the Denver, Colorado thrash metal powerhouse, ignited the scene in 2004. While the band's lineup has undergone significant evolution – with frontman David Sanchez the sole original member remaining – their impact remains undeniable. Their blistering sound, forged from a potent blend of 80s thrash, NWOBHM, death metal, hardcore punk, and progressive elements, has solidified their place as a key player in the late 2000s/early 2010s thrash metal revival, alongside bands like Bonded by Blood, Evile, Hatchet, Municipal Waste, and Warbringer.

Havok's discography boasts five studio albums: Burn (2009), Time Is Up (2011), Unnatural Selection (2013), Conformicide (2017), and V (2020). Currently, the band features Sanchez on vocals, Pete Webber on drums, and Nick Schendzielos on bass. They continue to craft new music, promising more high-octane thrash to come.

Early Days: The band's origins trace back to David Sanchez and drummer Haakon Sjoegren. Their quest for a guitarist led to the recruitment of Shawn Chavez via flyers plastered across Denver. Rounding out their initial lineup with bassist Marcus Corich, Havok unleashed their debut demo, "Thrash Can," in 2004, followed by the self-released Murder by Metal EP in 2005. By 2007, Tyler Cantrell had taken over bass duties, and Rich Tice became the drummer.