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.

Slowdive, the lowercase-loving English shoegaze pioneers, emerged from Reading, Berkshire in 1989. The original lineup—Rachel Goswell (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Neil Halstead (vocals, guitars), Christian Savill (guitars), Nick Chaplin (bass), and Simon Scott (drums, guitars, electronics)—laid the groundwork for the band's iconic sound, all contributing to their early recordings. Halstead served as the primary songwriter.

After a string of EPs, their 1991 debut Just for a Day and its 1993 follow-up, Souvlaki, cemented Slowdive's status as leading lights in the burgeoning UK shoegaze scene. However, internal tensions led to the departure of Scott, Savill, and Chaplin, resulting in the band's dissolution following their 1995 album, Pygmalion. Goswell and Halstead continued making music as Mojave 3, pursuing a more folk and country-influenced direction.

Slowdive's highly anticipated reunion in 2014 at Primavera Sound festival ignited a resurgence. Their self-titled album in 2017 marked a triumphant return after a 22-year hiatus. The band's continued success culminated in 2023 with the release of Everything Is Alive, their fifth studio album and their first to reach the top ten in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, a significant milestone in their already legendary career.

1989-1991: Formation and Early EPs

Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell, friends since the age of six, formed Slowdive in Reading, England, in October 1989. Both contributed vocals and guitar to their early work.

Fiddlehead: A Post-Hardcore Powerhouse

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Fiddlehead isn't your average band. This post-hardcore supergroup boasts a lineup of seasoned veterans from the scene's most respected acts. Patrick Flynn (vocals) and Shawn Costa (drums) bring the Have Heart pedigree, while Alex Henery (guitar) adds the Basement touch, Alex Dow (guitar) contributes the Big Contest edge, and Nick Hinsch (bass) lends his experience from Stand Off and Nuclear Age. The result is a potent blend of experience and raw energy.

A Legacy Forged in Sound:

Their journey began with the 2014 EP, Out of the Bloom, laying the groundwork for their explosive sound. Signing with Boston's Run for Cover Records in 2018 marked a turning point, culminating in their debut full-length, Springtime and Blind. Subsequent releases, Between the Richness (2021) and Death Is Nothing to Us (2023), both via Run for Cover, solidified their place in the post-hardcore landscape.

A Unique Approach to Touring:

Unlike many bands of their caliber, Fiddlehead maintains a more selective touring schedule. This is largely due to vocalist Patrick Flynn's demanding day job as a high school history teacher. However, fans can still catch them live through occasional one-off shows and focused regional weekend tours. This deliberate approach only enhances their mystique and the intensity of their live performances.

Mannequin Pussy, the Philadelphia-based punk and indie rock quartet, exploded onto the scene in 2010. Originally a duo – Marisa "Missy" Dabice (vocals, guitar) and Athanasios Paul (drums) – their early years saw the release of raw, fiercely independent EPs like Bonerjamz! and Meatslave. These early releases showcased their signature blend of aggressive energy and melodic hooks, culminating in contributions to compilations like Leisure Rules (Reeks Of Effort) and the split cassette Banditos with Art Fad (Trash Palace Tapes).

By 2014, the band had solidified its lineup with Kaleen Reading (drums), Colins "Bear" Regisford (bass, vocals), and Maxine Steen (guitar). This powerhouse lineup propelled them through the release of their self-titled debut album, Mannequin Pussy (2014), followed by Romantic (2016), Patience (2019), the Perfect EP (2021), and their latest release, I Got Heaven (2024). Live shows consistently feature the addition of multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Haynes, bolstering their already explosive performances. Their evolution from a DIY two-piece to a critically acclaimed four-piece (plus Haynes) showcases their relentless creative drive and enduring impact on the indie rock scene.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Militarie Gun exploded onto the scene in 2020, a project born from the pandemic-induced pause of frontman Ian Shelton's other band, Regional Justice Center. Shelton's initial solo effort, the My Life Is Over EP, dropped in September 2020, laying the groundwork for what would become a fully-fledged band. He quickly assembled a powerful lineup: Nick Cogan and William Acuña on guitar, Max Epstein on bass, and Vince Nguyen on drums.

The band swiftly followed with a flurry of releases. June 2021 saw the arrival of All Roads Lead to the Gun, followed by its sequel, All Roads Lead to the Gun II, in September of the same year. A deluxe edition combining both EPs solidified their growing momentum in 2022. Building anticipation for their debut LP, Militarie Gun unleashed the single "Do It Faster" in 2023, complete with a striking music video.

Finally, on June 23rd, 2023, Militarie Gun unleashed their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Life Under the Gun, via Loma Vista Recordings, marking a significant milestone in their already impressive and prolific career. Their blend of raw energy and tightly-crafted songwriting has cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with in the current rock landscape.

Hailing from the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Glare emerged onto the shoegaze scene in 2017. The band quickly made a name for themselves with their debut singles, "Into Me" and "Blank," both released that year. Following a period of intense creative work, they dropped the Heavenly EP in 2021, further solidifying their ethereal sound. Now, after years of crafting their sonic landscape, Glare are poised to unleash their highly anticipated debut studio album in Spring 2025, with the lead single "Mourning Haze" already captivating listeners since its August 2024 release.

Hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts, My Fictions exploded onto the post-hardcore scene. Their journey began in 2011 with the I Want Nothing EP, released on Flannel Gurl Records. Quickly gaining traction, they signed with Topshelf Records in 2012, dropping the Always Trapped EP that same year. Further solidifying their presence, a 2013 split with The Saddest Landscape, When You Are Close, I Am Gone, also via Topshelf, showcased their evolving sound. The band culminated this early period with their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Stranger Songs, released by Topshelf Records in 2014.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Portrayal of Guilt emerged in 2017, a potent force in the American black metal scene. The band's genesis lies in the fusion of two distinct Austin hardcore scenes: guitarist/vocalist Matt King and drummer James Beveridge, veterans of the hardcore outfit Illustrations, joined forces with bassist Blake Given of the screamo band Lyed.

Their self-titled 7" EP, dropped in May 2017, immediately announced their arrival, propelling them onto extensive US and European tours alongside heavy hitters like Centuries, Majority Rule, Planning for Burial, Street Sects, and Slow Fire Pistol. The critical acclaim continued with their March 2018 split EP with industrial hardcore act Street Sects – a collaboration forged on the road – further solidifying their reputation. Deathwish Inc. also reissued their self-titled 7" that same month.

Building momentum, they released a single-sided 5" single, "Chamber of Misery (Pt. 1)," in July 2018, a precursor to their debut full-length. This cleverly orchestrated campaign, launched just before a US tour with French post-hardcore mainstays Birds in Row, culminated in the September 2018 announcement of their debut album, Let Pain Be Your Guide, alongside the premiere of the single "A Burden." The album’s sonic assault was further previewed with the October release of "Your War," a track featuring guest vocals from Dylan Walker of Full of Hell.

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sadurn exploded onto the indie rock scene. What began in 2017 as a solo project for G DeGroot, armed with a newly acquired guitar and a songbook brimming with potential, quickly evolved. The addition of Jon Cox on guitar later that year solidified the duo, who began making waves in the city's vibrant DIY circuit as an acoustic act.

By 2019, Sadurn had inked a deal with Dead Definition Records, releasing two EPs: "Gleam" and a highly-anticipated split with Ther. A significant lineup expansion in 2020 saw Amelia Swain joining on drums and Tabitha Ahnert on bass, bolstering their sound. This expanded lineup culminated in the announcement of their debut album, Radiator, via Run for Cover Records in February 2022. Released on May 6th, 2022, Radiator cemented Sadurn's position in the indie rock world. Their impact was undeniable, earning them the coveted "Best of What's Next" accolade from Paste magazine, a testament to their undeniable talent and potential.

Philadelphia's They Are Gutting a Body of Water (TAGABOW), the lowercase-loving shoegaze outfit, has evolved from the solo project of songwriter and guitarist Douglas Dulgarian into a fully formed band. Initially a solo endeavor crafting the atmospheric tapes They Are Gutting a Body of Water and Sweater Curse, Dulgarian, born circa 1990-91, brought TAGABOW to life after relocating from his New York roots (Middletown and later Albany, where he fronted the band Jouska, releasing the album topiary in 2016). Teaming up with drummer Ben Opatut, TAGABOW solidified its sound, releasing its debut album, gestures been, in 2018.

The band's evolution continued with the release of 2019's Destiny XL, a cyberpunk-tinged effort recorded in a repurposed West Philadelphia house show venue and heavily influenced by William Gibson's Neuromancer. Re-released in 2021 by Citrus City Records, Destiny XL cemented TAGABOW's place in the shoegaze scene. 2022 marked another significant milestone: the signing to California's Smoking Room Records and the release of both the An Insult to the Sport split EP and the full-length album lucky styles. The current lineup includes bassist Emily Lofing and guitarist PJ Carroll, completing the sonic tapestry that defines TAGABOW's unique brand of atmospheric rock.

Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, Wishy is a rising indie rock force. The band, featuring Kevin Krauter (formerly of Hoops), Nina Pitchkites, Conner Host, Mitch Collins, and Dimitri Morris, exploded onto the scene in 2021. After laying down their groundwork with the 2023 EPs Mana and Paradise, Wishy unleashed their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Triple Seven, via Winspear on August 16th, 2024. Already generating buzz, the band is set to hit the road on a late 2024 tour.

One Step Closer, hailing from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, are making waves in the melodic hardcore scene. This straight-edge quartet has quickly garnered attention, landing on Stereogum's "Bands To Watch" and earning praise from BrooklynVegan as "one of the most exciting new bands in hardcore." Currently signed to Run for Cover Records, their debut album, This Place You Know (2021), received widespread acclaim.

Musically, One Step Closer blends classic DC emo with the raw energy of youth crew and the accessibility of late 90s melodic hardcore. As Upset Magazine's Rob Mair aptly described, their sound draws inspiration from hardcore's rich history while refusing to be confined to any single subgenre. Their songwriting incorporates elements of indie rock, post-hardcore, and even shoegaze, creating a unique and captivating sound. Influences range widely, from the emotive intensity of Turning Point and Inside Out, to the melodic punk of Blink-182 and Green Day, and the hardcore grit of Have Heart and Bane, alongside the post-hardcore nuance of Title Fight and Mineral. This eclectic mix has cemented One Step Closer's position as a truly exciting force in modern hardcore.