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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.