Time for Rock...
Time for Rock...
Founded in: 2022
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.
Founded in: 1994
Bowling for Soup, the Wichita Falls, Texas natives, burst onto the scene in 1994. The band's current lineup features Jaret Reddick (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Burney (guitar, backing vocals), Gary Wiseman (drums), and Rob Felicetti (bass guitar, backing vocals). Known for their catchy pop-punk anthems, they've scored hits with "Girl All the Bad Guys Want," their cover of SR-71's "1985," "Almost," and the eternally relatable "High School Never Ends." Their contributions extend beyond their own catalog; they also penned the theme song for the Disney Channel's hit show, Phineas and Ferb.
History:
Bowling for Soup's roots run deep in Wichita Falls. Founding members Jaret Reddick and original drummer Lance Morrill connected in 1976. Reddick's musical journey began in 1985 at the tender age of 13. He and guitarist Chris Burney, who met in high school (1986), grew up immersed in the commercially successful heavy metal of Quiet Riot, RATT, and Mötley Crüe, but also found inspiration in the faster-paced punk rock of the Ramones and later Green Day. Burney's family owned "The Refuge," a local coffeehouse with a music stage, where he played with his band The Persecuted. It was there, in the early 1990s, that he, Reddick, bassist Erik Chandler, and drummer Gary Wiseman (who wouldn't officially join Bowling for Soup until 1998) crossed paths. Burney and Chandler later formed the Folkadots, while Wiseman pursued his own project, Gary & the Wiseman.
Founded in: 1997
Hailing from Coral Springs, Florida, New Found Glory (initially A New Found Glory) exploded onto the pop-punk scene in 1997. The current lineup – Jordan Pundik (lead vocals), Ian Grushka (bass), Chad Gilbert (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Cyrus Bolooki (drums) – continues to deliver the goods, though longtime rhythm guitarist and lyricist Steve Klein departed in late 2013.
Since their inception, NFG have cemented their status as pop-punk titans, releasing a staggering catalog: twelve studio albums, a live album, two EPs, and four cover albums. Their journey began with 1999's Nothing Gold Can Stay, followed by their self-titled major label debut in 2000, which propelled "Hit or Miss" to #15 on the Alternative Songs chart.
The band achieved mainstream success with 2002's Sticks and Stones, featuring the hit single "My Friends Over You." Their momentum continued with 2004's Catalyst, earning a VMA nomination for "All Downhill From Here" in the Breakthrough Video category. 2006's Coming Home, spearheaded by "It's Not Your Fault," marked a stylistic shift towards alternative rock, a temporary departure from their signature pop-punk sound. This critically acclaimed album further solidified their place in the annals of rock history.
Founded in: 2000
Silverstein, the Burlington, Ontario-based post-hardcore band formed in 2000, takes its name from children's author Shel Silverstein, a source of childhood inspiration for the members. Since their inception, they've built a prolific discography encompassing eleven studio albums, seven EPs, a compilation album, and a live DVD/CD, selling over one million albums worldwide.
Their breakthrough came with Discovering the Waterfront (their second studio album), which earned a Juno Award nomination and peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent releases achieved similar chart success.
The band's lineup remained stable from May 2001 to July 2012, featuring Shane Told (lead vocals), Neil Boshart (lead guitar), Josh Bradford (rhythm guitar), Billy Hamilton (bass), and Paul Koehler (drums). However, in September 2012, Boshart was replaced by Paul Marc Rousseau, who also contributed backing vocals alongside Hamilton.
After a long tenure with Victory Records (ending in 2010), Silverstein transitioned through Hopeless Records and Rise Records, ultimately landing on their current label, UNFD. Their tenth studio album, A Beautiful Place to Drown (released March 2020), garnered a 2021 Juno Award nomination for Best Rock Album, solidifying their status as a significant force in the Canadian and international rock scenes.
Founded in: 2020
Calling The Bonstones simply a "pop punk band from the East Bay" is a gross understatement. It's like describing nachos as "chips with stuff." Born and raised in Alameda, a town so East Bay it practically defines the term, these veteran rockers are steeped in the region's vibrant musical legacy.
Robby, Marky, and Joey Bonstone aren't musical newbies. Each boasts a resume longer than a CVS receipt, but their past achievements pale in comparison to their ambitious future. The Bonstones craft infectious, melodic noise that burrows into your brain like a catchy earworm, equally inspired by classic punk pioneers like The Ramones, The Pretenders, Buzzcocks, and The Clash, mid-90s heroes The Queers, Screaching Weasel, Chixdiggit, and The Lillingtons, and modern pop-punkers like Jagger Holly, The Prozacs, Dee Cracks, and Sweatpants Party.
With roots firmly planted in the Lookout Records scene, The Bonstones are a collective force, writing and creating as a tight-knit unit. Their self-produced debut album, "East Bay Elegy," has been captivating listeners on streaming platforms since 2023 and saw physical release in 2024 on Sell The Heart Records and Monster Zero Records.
Known for their high-energy, crowd-pleasing live shows, The Bonstones regularly rock the San Francisco Bay Area. They've also taken their infectious sound on the road across the US and even toured Europe, spreading their infectious East Bay spirit across the globe.
Founded in: 2018
The Linda Lindas, hailing from the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles, are an all-female punk rock band making waves with their energetic performances and sharp lyrics. The quartet is comprised of Bela Salazar (guitar), Eloise Wong (bass), and sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza (drums and vocals, respectively).
Their story began in 2018, inspired by the Japanese film "Linda Linda Linda," a fitting name for a group known for their playful spirit and unapologetic energy. After a chance encounter with director Amy Poehler, they were tapped to record the soundtrack for her film "Moxie," catapulting them into the spotlight.
The year 2021 saw the release of their viral single "Racist, Sexist Boy," a powerful anthem that garnered widespread attention and critical acclaim. This success led to a signing with Epitaph Records, one of the most respected independent labels in the world.
In 2022, the band released their debut album, "Growing Up," to rave reviews. The album showcases their raw talent and maturity, blending elements of punk, pop, and alternative rock. The Linda Lindas are not just a band – they're a movement, proving that punk rock is alive and thriving, with a fresh, feminist perspective at its core.
The band's formation is a testament to the power of shared passion and community. It all started with Eloise Wong, whose father, Martin Wong, was approached to have her perform with a group of aspiring young musicians. Martin suggested his nieces, Lucia and Mila de la Garza, who had been singing and dancing together since childhood.
The group, spearheaded by Kristin Kontrol, started practicing, but it was clear they needed someone who could play an instrument. Eloise's parents reached out to their family friend Bela Salazar, who was learning guitar, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Linda Lindas, a group of friends bonded by music, were officially formed.
The band's journey is a testament to the power of community, shared passion, and a whole lot of talent. With their infectious energy and powerful message, The Linda Lindas are a force to be reckoned with, inspiring a new generation of musicians and listeners alike.