Something In The Way 2025

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 Seattle, Washington, Great Grandpa emerged onto the indie rock scene in 2014. Their initial foray, the Can Opener EP, dropped in 2015 via Broken World Media, showcasing their raw talent. The band solidified their presence with their debut full-length, Plastic Cough, released in 2017 on Double Double Whammy. Following up on this success, their second album, Four of Arrows, arrived on October 25, 2019, garnering significant critical acclaim. Stereogum premiered the lead single, "Mono No Aware," in August 2019 and later crowned Four of Arrows their "Album of the Week" upon release, solidifying Great Grandpa's place within the indie rock landscape.

Hailing from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, MS PAINT exploded onto the scene in 2019. This fiercely independent quartet—vocals, drums, synth, and bass—boldly eschews the guitar, a surprising omission in their otherwise raw, energetic sound.

Launched in March 2020 with their debut release, MS PAINT quickly established themselves, collaborating with fellow genre-benders Militarie Gun. Their unique blend of synth-punk has been described as industrial art-punk—a visceral, uncompromising attack on the senses.

Hailing from Newtown, Connecticut, Ovlov are a rock band whose name—a playful inversion of the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo—perfectly encapsulates their sound: a cleverly deconstructed, yet powerfully nostalgic blend of influences. Formed in 2009, they quickly made their mark with the Crazy Motorcycle Jump EP, followed by What's So Great About The City in 2011. Their debut full-length album, Am, dropped in 2013 via Exploding in Sound Records, showcasing a raw, emotive energy. The band's collaborative spirit shone through with 2014 releases: a split with Little Big League, and another with Krill, LVL UP, and Radiator Hospital. Their sophomore effort, Tru, also released on Exploding in Sound in 2018, further cemented their position in the indie rock landscape. Ovlov's discography concluded (so far!) with their third full-length, Buds, in 2021.

Musically, Ovlov delivers a melancholic yet driving sound. Their style has been likened to the potent guitar work and rhythmic intensity of Dinosaur Jr., creating a sonic tapestry that’s both familiar and uniquely their own.