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.

Emery, the acclaimed post-hardcore band, emerged from Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2001. Founded by Toby Morrell, Devin Shelton, Matt Carter, Josh Head, Joel Green, and Seth Studley, the group quickly relocated to Seattle, seeking a more vibrant and supportive music scene.

Their early efforts, including the The Columbus EP and the The Weak's End demo, served as potent calling cards, ultimately securing them a deal with Tooth & Nail Records. This partnership yielded a prolific run: five studio albums and two EPs. Their debut full-length, The Weak's End (2004), was followed by The Question (2005) and I'm Only a Man (2007), the latter fulfilling their initial contract. Undeterred, Emery re-signed with Tooth & Nail, releasing ...In Shallow Seas We Sail (2009) and We Do What We Want (2011).

The band later signed with BadChristian Music, releasing You Were Never Alone (2015) and Eve (2018), showcasing their continued evolution and enduring appeal within the post-hardcore landscape. The band's name, incidentally, is a tribute to a first-grader Morrell encountered during a college internship.

Hailing from Douglasville, Georgia, Norma Jean (formerly Luti-Kriss) are a metalcore powerhouse that's defied expectations since their 1997 formation. While boasting a prolific career with nine studio albums and a 2006 Grammy nomination for Best Recording Package ( O' God, the Aftermath), the band has undergone extensive lineup changes, resulting in a completely refreshed roster from their initial lineup. Their name, a nod to Marilyn Monroe's real name, perfectly encapsulates their transformative nature.

Initially known as Luti-Kriss, the band's early sound, showcased on the 1999 split EP with Travail and the 2000 5ep, leaned heavily into aggressive nu-metal and rap metal. This aggressive sound was far removed from the band's later stylistic explorations. The original lineup, featuring Josh Scogin (vocals), Scottie Henry and Chris Day (guitars), Josh Swofford (bass), Mick Bailey (turntables), and Daniel Davison (drums), solidified for their debut album, Throwing Myself, though even this era saw shifts, with bassist Swofford replaced by Josh Doolittle and turntable player Bailey exiting during the album's production. This early chapter laid the groundwork for a band that would continuously reinvent itself.

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.

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.

Hailing from Orem, Utah, The Used exploded onto the rock scene in 2000. The original lineup – vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford – quickly gained traction, catapulting to fame with their self-titled debut album in June 2002. This explosive release was followed by a string of critically acclaimed albums: In Love and Death (September 2004), Lies for the Liars (May 2007), and the B-sides compilation Shallow Believer EP (February 2008). Their powerful sound continued to evolve with Artwork (August 2009) and Vulnerable (March 2012), showcasing their dynamic range. The band further solidified their legacy with the The Ocean of the Sky EP (July 2013) and their sixth studio album, Imaginary Enemy (April 2014). While the current lineup boasts a consistent core, former members Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Justin Shekoski also contributed to The Used's rich history.

The Dead Daisies, a hard rock "supergroup" formed in Sydney, Australia in 2012, boasts a revolving door of all-star musicians with pedigrees that read like a who's who of rock royalty. Members have played with legendary acts such as Whitesnake, Guns N' Roses, Black Sabbath, and Mötley Crüe, among others. Despite its shifting lineup, the band has consistently been spearheaded by guitarist David Lowy.

Initially founded by Jon Stevens (Noiseworks, INXS) and David Lowy (Mink), the pair were reconnected by former INXS manager David Edwards. Their eponymous debut album, recorded in just two weeks at Los Angeles' Wishbone Studios with producer John Fields, dropped in August 2013 via Caroline/Universal in North America, and later in the UK. The album's lead single, "Lock N' Load," features a guitar solo by none other than Guns N' Roses' Slash, who also co-wrote the track. This Rolling Stone Daily Download and BBC Radio 2 staple launched the band into the international spotlight, setting the stage for a career defined by both its impressive roster and its consistently powerful sound.

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.