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.

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 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.

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 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 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.