In This Moment, the Los Angeles-based rock band, emerged from the ashes of Dying Star in 2005. Founded by vocalist Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth, the initial lineup soon expanded with the addition of drummer Jeff Fabb. However, a creative shift led to a name change and a revamped roster, incorporating guitarist Blake Bunzel and bassist Josh Newell. Newell`s departure in 2005 saw Jesse Landry take over on bass.

Their musical journey began with the 2007 debut album Beautiful Tragedy. Subsequent releases saw their star rise steadily: The Dream (2008) charted at #73 on Billboard 200, followed by A Star-Crossed Wasteland (2010) and Blood (2012), which peaked at #15. Black Widow (2014) became their highest-charting album to date, debuting at #8. The band continued to build momentum with Ritual (2017), reaching #23, and capped off the 2010s with their seventh studio album, Mother (2020). In This Moment`s trajectory showcases a consistent evolution and increasing commercial success within the rock genre.

Fifteen-year-old identical twins, Hallie and Dylinn Mayes, formed the Scottsdale, Arizona-based band Good Boy Daisy. Emerging in 2020, their distinctive alt-pop sound blends exciting originality with a comfortable familiarity, drawing inspiration from the grunge, alternative, and pop aesthetics of the 1990s.

Jack`s Mannequin, the acclaimed American rock band, emerged from Orange County, California in 2004. Initially a solo project for Andrew McMahon, formerly the frontman of the popular piano rock band Something Corporate, the project quickly gained traction.

Signed to Maverick Records, their debut album, Everything in Transit, dropped in August 2005, reaching a respectable #37 on the Billboard 200. Their follow-up, The Glass Passenger, released in 2008 on Sire Records, enjoyed significant success, selling 49,000 copies in its first week and peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200. People and Things followed in October 2011, but shortly after its release, McMahon announced he would cease releasing music under the Jack`s Mannequin moniker, focusing instead on a solo career.

The bands legacy wasnt over, however. In November 2015, McMahon announced a tenth-anniversary tour for Everything in Transit, reuniting Jack`s Mannequin for a highly anticipated run of shows. The reunion proved successful, leading to further performances in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this influential rock act.

Early Days and Everything in Transit (2004-2007):

Andrew McMahons musical journey began as the lead vocalist and pianist of Something Corporate. The genesis of Jacks Mannequin stemmed from a single song, "Locked Doors," recorded in December 2003, which fueled McMahon`s vision for a new, distinct musical project.

Indie rock duo Boyish, formed by India Shore and Claire Altendahl, exploded onto the scene after meeting at Berklee College of Music. Initially christened "The Blue," the Boston-based band quickly relocated to New York City in 2019 and rebranded as Boyish. Their sound quickly gained traction, leading to the release of two critically acclaimed studio albums: Carnation and Garden Spider. Carnation earned an Independent Music Award nomination and a coveted feature in The New Yorker, amassing over one million streams. The Garden Spider single, "FUCK YOU HEATHER," premiered on Atwood Magazine and racked up over 3.5 million Spotify plays.

The band's momentum continued with the February 2021 release of "Superstar," the lead track from their four-song EP, We're all going to die, but here's my contribution. Released in May 2021, the EP garnered positive reviews from Lyrical Lemonade, Highclouds, and Atwood Magazine, and "Superstar" itself soared past 1.6 million streams, landing on prominent editorial playlists including Lorem, All New Indie, Indie Pop & Chill, and Fresh Finds.

Boyish further solidified their presence with the May 2022 release of their My Friend Mica EP. Preceded by the singles "Smithereens," "Congratulations," and "I Think I Hate It Here," the EP reflects the duo's raw honesty, described by Shore and Altendahl as "one long journal entry" capturing the emotional landscape of the previous year.

Neon Trees, hailing from Provo, Utah, exploded onto the national scene in late 2008. Their electrifying performances opening for The Killers on several North American tour dates catapulted them to wider recognition, quickly leading to a record deal with Mercury Records. Their debut single, "Animal," became a chart-topping hit, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and conquering the Alternative Songs chart at No. 1.

Since then, this indie-rock powerhouse has solidified their place in the music world, releasing five studio albums: Habits (2010), Picture Show (2012), Pop Psychology (2014), I Can Feel You Forgetting Me (2020), and Sink Your Teeth (2024). Their prolific output also includes eight EPs (two exclusive to iTunes) and fourteen singles, showcasing their diverse musicality and sustained creative energy.

The band's history began with childhood friends Tyler Glenn (vocals, keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar, vocals), originally from Murrieta, California. Relocating to Provo, Utah, they formed the core of Neon Trees, later adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) and Elaine Bradley (drums, percussion, vocals) to complete their powerful lineup. David Charles rounds out the live experience as their touring guitarist.

Slightly Stoopid, the San Diego-based rock band hailing from Ocean Beach, California, have carved a unique niche in the music world. Their sound is a potent brew, blending folk, rock, reggae, and blues with dashes of hip-hop, funk, metal, and punk. This eclectic mix has fueled their impressive catalog of thirteen albums, including four live releases.

Their unlikely launchpad was a high school garage. Childhood friends Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, along with drummer Adam Bausch, were discovered by Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell. Nowell, while in rehab, happened upon the band rehearsing and was immediately captivated. He signed them to his Skunk Records label, a remarkable feat for still-in-high-school musicians.

Their debut, the punk-infused Slightly $toopid, dropped in 1996, featuring a guest appearance by Nowell himself on "Prophet" (later covered by Sublime and included in their Everything Under the Sun box set). This was followed by 1998's surf-rock-infused The Longest Barrel Ride. Adding to the early lineup was Adam's brother, Eric Bausch, on keyboards.

The band's journey continued with the self-released Acoustic Roots: Live & Direct in 2001, a 40-minute acoustic set recorded live for San Diego's rock 105.3 radio station. This marked the launch of their own label, Stoopid Records. Their 2003 release, Everything You Need, marked a stylistic shift and a commercial breakthrough for the band on Surfdog Records, selling over 185,000 copies. This era also saw the departure of Adam Bausch in 2000, two years after the release of The Longest Barrel Ride.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Reclaim The Fallen emerged as a post-hardcore force. Their debut EP, Cliché While Still Captivating (September 2005), showcased a captivating blend of familiar and innovative sounds across five tracks. While echoing influences, the EP possessed a distinct originality that set them apart. Known for their passionate performances, Reclaim The Fallen delivered an unforgettable live experience fueled by a genuine love of music.

In 2024, the band reunited for a series of live shows featuring the original lineup, with the exception of keyboardist Joel Morton. A notable change saw vocalist Judah focusing solely on vocals, relinquishing his past dual role of vocals and bass. Skyler Mann filled the bassist's role for the reunion tour.

Hailing from Gilbert, Arizona, Lydia emerged from the fertile indie rock scene in 2003. The band's journey began even earlier, however, with Leighton Antelman, William Bradford, Evan Arambul, and Steve McGraw honing their songwriting and performance skills from the tender age of seventh grade, first as Rolo 15, then Nextabest, while attending Greenfield Jr. High. After the latter incarnation disbanded, Antelman and McGraw persevered, recruiting drummer Loren Briton and bassist Dustin Forsgren. Their persistence paid off: a contest victory landed them a track on the Atticus: ...Dragging the Lake, Vol. 3 compilation.

This breakthrough led to a record deal with Arizona's HourZero Records, resulting in their debut album, This December; It's One More and I'm Free. Since then, Lydia have conquered the road, racking up miles on extensive tours across the US, and sharing stages with major acts at prestigious festivals like the Zumiez Couch Tour, Vans Warped Tour, and Bamboozle.

The Spill Canvas, hailing from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, exploded onto the alternative rock scene, carving a niche with their emo-tinged anthems. Their signature sound, a potent blend of aggressive acoustic rock and subtle symphonic elements, propelled hits like "All Over You," "All Hail the Heartbreaker," and "Polygraph, Right Now!" to widespread acclaim. They also cemented their place in emo history with classics such as "Our Song," "The Tide," and "This Is for Keeps."

From Solo Project to Band Phenomenon:

The band's journey began with Nick Thomas, the frontman and guitarist, who picked up the guitar at age 11 in his Sioux Falls hometown. A self-released punk and acoustic CD, The Blur of Motions, in 2000, showcased his early talent. After forming The Spill Canvas in 2001 with vocalist Becca Flinn, bassist Alan Burkhard, and violinist Hannah Peskey, the band briefly experimented with a fuller, more symphonic sound. However, this lineup proved short-lived, with the original members departing within a year. Undeterred, Thomas kept the Spill Canvas name alive as a solo project, moonlighting as a guitarist and backing vocalist for Nodes of Ranvier until 2003. He then dedicated himself fully to The Spill Canvas, releasing the five-song Concept EP in May 2003, produced at Cathouse Studios in Sioux Falls. This marked the beginning of the band's ascent to prominence.

The Early November, a New Jersey-bred rock band, burst onto the scene in 2001. Their raw energy and DIY spirit quickly caught the attention of Drive-Thru Records, who signed them in 2002 after receiving a low-fi demo and a homemade videotape – a testament to their scrappy beginnings. The band, initially comprised of Ace Enders (vocals/guitar), Jeff Kummer (drums), and Sergio Anello (bass), honed their sound in Enders' basement before adding guitarist John Dubitsky.

Their debut EP, For All of This, dropped in December 2002, followed by The Acoustic EP the same year, quickly establishing them on the burgeoning emo scene. Drive-Thru wisely leveraged their new signees, booking them on high-profile tours like Skate and Surf Fest and the Vans Warped Tour. Since then, The Early November have built a formidable discography, releasing seven full-length albums: The Room's Too Cold (2003), The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path (2006), In Currents (2012), Imbue (2015), Lilac (2019), Twenty (2022), and their self-titled album in 2024. Their enduring career showcases a band that, despite humble origins, has consistently delivered compelling and influential rock music.