Pop punk

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.

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.

BOYS LIKE GIRLS (all caps since 2023), the Andover, Massachusetts-bred rock band, burst onto the scene in 2005. Their self-titled debut album (2006) propelled them to mainstream success, selling over 700,000 copies in the US and achieving RIAA gold certification. Subsequent studio albums followed: Love Drunk (2009) and Crazy World (2012), solidifying their place in the rock landscape.

From 2006 to 2013, BOYS LIKE GIRLS toured relentlessly, hitting major milestones like a main stage appearance at the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, their inaugural headlining "Tourzilla" (2007), and a co-headline slot with Good Charlotte on the 2008 "Soundtrack of Your Summer" Tour. Their music video for "The Great Escape," directed by Alan Ferguson, reigned supreme as MTV's TRL #1 video on August 6, 2007, leading to a performance at the iconic Times Square studio.

The band's resurgence in 2023 saw the release of "Blood and Sugar," the lead single from their fourth studio album, Sunday at Foxwoods.

History:

Formation and Early Years (2005-2006): The band formed in Andover, MA, in late 2005, spearheaded by vocalist Martin Johnson (formerly of Fake ID/The Drive). Johnson, armed with a batch of new songs, recruited bassist Bryan Donahue and drummer John Keefe. Keefe then added lead guitarist Paul DiGiovanni, completing the lineup.

Formed in Manchester in 1976 by Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto, Buzzcocks are pivotal figures in the punk rock scene. Their sound, a potent blend of punk, power pop, and pop-punk, propelled them to success with a string of singles. These tracks, renowned for their infectious melodies and breakneck energy, culminated in the critically acclaimed compilation Singles Going Steady, which music journalist Ned Raggett hailed as a "punk masterpiece."

Devoto`s departure in 1977 to form Magazine left Shelley as the principal songwriter and frontman. The classic lineup – Shelley, Steve Diggle (guitar), Steve Garvey (bass), and John Maher (drums) – recorded their first three albums before a 1981 breakup stemming from label disputes.

Reuniting in 1989, Buzzcocks released six more albums, featuring key members like Tony Barber (bass) and Phil Barker (drums), before Shelleys death in 2018. The band perseveres, anchored by the enduring Steve Diggle, who now handles lead vocals. Their current lineup, including Danny Farrant (drums), Chris Remington (bass), and touring guitarist Mani Perazzoli, released their tenth studio album, *Sonics in the Soul*, in 2022, demonstrating the bands continued relevance and enduring legacy.

The Descendents, a seminal force in American punk rock, emerged from Manhattan Beach, California in 1977. Initially a power pop/surf punk trio featuring Frank Navetta (guitar), Tony Lombardo (bass), and Bill Stevenson (drums), the band underwent a crucial transformation in 1979. The addition of Stevenson`s school friend, Milo Aukerman, on vocals propelled them into the melodic hardcore punk scene exploding in Los Angeles. This shift solidified their place as major players in the burgeoning hardcore movement.

Their prolific career boasts eight studio albums, three live albums, three compilations, and four EPs. Since 1986, the classic lineup has settled on Aukerman, Stevenson, Stephen Egerton (guitar), and Karl Alvarez (bass).

Early Years (1977-1984): From "The Itch" to Hardcore

The Descendents story began even earlier, in 1977, with Frank Navetta and David Nolte initially collaborating on acoustic guitars under the name "The Itch." Navetta later coined the name "Descendents," but the early lineup proved unstable. Noltes departure to join his brothers` band, The Last, left the project temporarily stalled.

In late 1978, Navetta and Stevenson revived the Descendents, with Nolte briefly returning, this time on bass and sharing vocal duties with Navetta. However, The Lasts growing activity led to Noltes second departure in Spring 1979. Tony Lombardo filled the bass slot, completing the trio that recorded their debut single at Media Art studios, self-releasing it on Orca Records, a label named after Stevenson`s fishing boat. This marked a pivotal step on their journey to hardcore punk dominance.

HUSH HUSH, a high-octane post-hardcore quartet hailing from Buffalo, NY, ignites stages with their infectious blend of catchy guitar riffs and powerful basslines. Formed in 2022, their unique sound seamlessly fuses the intensity of post-hardcore with the melodic appeal of pop-punk, drawing inspiration from acts like Pierce the Veil and Senses Fail. Prepare for an unforgettable experience: HUSH HUSH`s energetic performances are guaranteed to get you moving and singing along.

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.

NOFX: A Punk Rock Powerhouse

Formed in Los Angeles in 1983, NOFX quickly established themselves as a major force in the punk rock scene. The core trio of Fat Mike (bass/vocals), Eric Melvin (guitar), and Erik "Smelly" Sandin (drums) remained the bands backbone for decades, appearing on every release despite Sandins brief departure in 1985. The lineup solidified in 1991 with the addition of El Hefe on lead guitar and trumpet, creating the most iconic NOFX iteration.

Their success paralleled the punk rock resurgence of the 1990s, yet they notably achieved this without ever signing to a major label. Over a career spanning more than four decades, NOFX built a formidable discography: fifteen studio albums, sixteen EPs, and numerous singles. Their breakthrough came with 1994s *Punk in Drublic*, their only album to achieve RIAA gold certification. The bands influence culminated in their fifteenth and final studio album, Double Album, released December 2, 2022. Having sold over eight million records worldwide, NOFX cemented their place as one of the most successful independent bands in history. Their cultural impact extended beyond music; in 2008, they even hosted their own show, NOFX: Backstage Passport, on Fuse. The band concluded their legendary career with a farewell tour in 2024.

Early Years (1983-1987):

The band`s origins trace back to 1983 when Eric Melvin and Fat Mike (then Mike Burkett) formed NO-FX, a name inspired by the Boston hardcore band Negative FX. They were soon joined by Erik "Smelly" Sandin on drums, launching their impactful journey through the annals of punk rock history.

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.

Hailing from Albany, New York, State Champs emerged onto the pop-punk scene in 2010. This powerhouse quartet, initially spearheaded by guitarist Tyler Szalkowski and vocalist Derek DiScanio, quickly made their mark. Their early self-released EPs, 2010 (August 2010) and Apparently, I'm Nothing (January 2011), laid the groundwork for their meteoric rise. The band's relentless energy and catchy hooks soon caught the attention of Pure Noise Records, solidifying their place in the industry.

Since signing, State Champs have unleashed a wave of musical fury, dropping three EPs and five full-length albums. Their debut full-length, The Finer Things (2013), exploded onto the charts, hitting #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Following up with the acoustic EP The Acoustic Things (October 2014) and their sophomore effort, Around the World and Back (October 2015), including a deluxe edition in May 2017, State Champs continued to build their fervent fanbase. Living Proof (2018), Kings of the New Age (May 2022), and their self-titled fifth album (November 2024) further cemented their status as a major force in modern pop-punk. Their journey showcases a band who've consistently evolved their sound while staying true to their high-energy roots.