alt-rock
These are the best alt-rock artists featured on Release Wave.

Eastern Bleeds
Eastern Bleeds is an indie rock band that channels the sound of bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Twilight Singers and Hot Snakes. The band was formed by drummer Bob Penn after his previous bands The Jealous Sound and Racquet Club went on hiatus. Penn enlisted the help of a few friends -- guitarist Joe Rivera (Coco B’s, Black Swan Runners), singer Bill Kielty (O Zorn!, Who Rides the Tiger) and bassist Trent Steinbrugge (The Kite Eating Tree) -- to bring the project to life.

Tape Trash
TAPE TRASH is a Norwegian duo comprised of Anders Magnor Killerud and Kristofer Mathias Staxrud. Drawing inspiration from the music that first sparked their passion for playing instruments during their teenage years, they craft a sound that blends elements of shoegaze, alternative rock, emo, and punk. Their music has been described as "in your face shoegaze/emopunk/indierock", known for its raw, anthemic quality and a "more-is-more mentality" existing in the space between ecstasy and panic. Killerud handles lead vocals, guitar, and keys, while Staxrud plays guitar, bass, and drums. They previously worked together in the band Ludvig Moon.
RIYL: Mew, Bloc Party, Jimmy Eat World, Broken Social Scene, Japandroids

Slow Crush
Slow Crush is a Belgian shoegaze band known for their contrasting sounds, blending ethereal dream pop with crushing walls of noise. Formed in 2017, they've gained global recognition for their immersive and swirling soundscapes. The band, fronted by vocalist and bassist Isa Holliday, has evolved through lineup changes and label shifts, ultimately landing at Pure Noise Records for their upcoming third album, "Thirst," set to release on August 29, 2025.

Spoils System
Spoils System is a New York-based band formed in 2021 by Dan Coutant (vocals, guitar, keys), Sean Hansen (guitar, background vocals), David Fateman (bass), and Mark Frankel (drums). They are known for their melodic and often discordant indie rock, drawing on influences from their past work in the emo band Joshua (Doghouse Records). The band is gearing up to release their sophomore LP on Sweet Cheatah Records in summer 2025.

Sunday Morning
Hailing from New Haven, Ct Sunday Morning is an alternative rock / post-hardcore band consisting of Westly Benjunas, Erik Stanzel, Dom Barone, Jason Moriarty, and Mike Verrastro. The band began in 2018, opening for artists such as Microwave, Boston Manor, Can’t Swim, and The Plot in You. Sunday Morning’s refined hardcore infused alternative sound is what sets them apart from their peers, making them one of the most exciting up and coming bands in the scene right now. At their core, Sunday Morning is about connection – writing songs that will resonate with their listeners, playing shows to connect with new fans, and at the end of the day, they’re living the dream, playing music they love as best friends. The band is currently signed to Open Your Ears Records who released their last EP in June 2024, and have just announced their debut LP releasing in October 2025.

MS Paint
MS PAINT is an American rock band from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, known for their experimental synth-punk sound. The band consists of Deedee (vocals), Nick Panella (synthesizers), Quinn Mackey (drums), and Randy Riley (bass). They are known for their guitar-less approach and blend of punk, industrial, and electronic elements.

Tired Radio
Tired Radio is a Brooklyn, NY-based melodic punk band known for their raspy emo-punk anthems. Initially a solo project by singer/songwriter Anthony Truzzolino, it evolved into a full band with the addition of drummer Kevin Daly, bassist Jason St. Angelo, and guitarist Chris Schmidt. They are known for their energetic, anthemic songs that blend gritty punk rock, big melodies, and hooks you can hang your heart on.
RIYL: Beach Slang, The Lawrence Arms, Samiam, Jawbreaker, Hot Water Music, Leatherface, Goo Goo Dolls

Garage Sale
Garage Sale is an Australian indie rock band based in Melbourne. The band blends elements of fuzzy indie rock, dream pop, slowcore, alt-rock and shoegaze.

Shiner
Shiner is a post-hardcore / space rock band formed in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1992. They are known for their intricate, melodic sound, with heavy guitars and spacey atmospherics, often compared to Failure, Swervedriver, and Hum. The band initially consisted of Allen Epley, Jeff Brown, and Shawn Sherrill, with Tim Dow later replacing Brown on drums. After several lineup changes and releases, Shiner disbanded in 2003. However, they reunited in 2012 for a series of reunion shows and eventually released a new album, Schadenfreude, in 2020. The band is currently signed to Spartan Records and will release a new LP in fall of 2025.

Saturdays At Your Place
Saturdays At Your Place is an emo band from Kalamazoo, MI. Their intimate lyrics pair with heavy hitting instrumental hooks and cleverly placed twinkly guitar parts to create a uniquely personal sound that has come to define the band.

Have Mercy
Have Mercy is a Baltimore-based indie / alt-rock band heavily influenced by post-hardcore and emo music, with heart on your sleeve vocals and driving guitar melodies. They have released multiple albums, with their latest being "Numb" in 2023 and their recently announced 6th LP, "the loneliest place i've ever been," is set to release in August 2025 via Rude Records. Fans of bands like The Dangerous Summer and Jimmy Eat World will enjoy their emotionally charged anthemic alt-rock.

Hotline TNT
Hotline TNT is a New York based noise-pop band that play their own brand of melodic shoegaze and grunge pop combined with elements of dream-pop and loud fuzzed out anthemic alternative rock. Laying out sheets of buzzy guitar sounds over simple, forceful melodies, Hotline TNT take their shoegaze influences and meld them with a pop undertow and personal lyrics about life and relationships. Founded and led by guitarist and songwriter Will Anderson (of former band Weed), the group started as a one-man-band in the studio, with Anderson calling all the shots, and expanding into a quartet or quintet on-stage. Anderson established Hotline TNT's sound and style with the 2021 indie release Nineteen in Love, and made their music sound bigger and bolder on 2023's Cartwheel, their debut for Third Man Records. Now the band is back with "Rasberry Moon" their first album built as a full band and follow up LP to 2023s Cartwheel set for release June of 2025 via Third Man Records.

Somerset Thrower
Hailing from Long Island, NY, Somerset Thrower was founded by four friends who share a love of all things rock and roll. Built on punk and hardcore roots, the four-piece blends raw energy with melody-soaked textures to create something both urgent and timeless. Fans of bands like Seaweed, Jawbreaker, Samiam, Jimmy Eat World and more recent bands like Drug Church, Taking Meds, Praise and the like will enjoy their sound. The band has signed to Smart Punk Records and will release their third album, Take Only What You Need to Survive in July 2025.

Brooklyn Comic
Formed in 2022, Brooklyn Comic, alternative emo band from Sydney, Australia, are known for their raw and emotional lyrics, and powerful music. With a mission to raise awareness about mental health, the band resonates with listeners who are navigating their own struggles and seeking connection. Through their honest songwriting and powerful live performances, Brooklyn Comic has quickly become a voice for those who feel unseen or unheard. The band’s music blends emo, hardcore, indie and alternative rock, tackling themes such as loss, self-doubt, heartache and personal growth. As proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, Brooklyn Comic is also committed to fostering inclusivity and acceptance, both in the music industry and in the wider world.
RIYL: Movements, Citizen, Basement

Sainthood Reps
Sainthood Reps are an emo/indie/post-hardcore band from New York. They have been known for their unique blend of grunge, post-hardcore, shoegaze, and emo since the late 2000’s. After releasing Monoculture in 2011 on Tooth and Nail Records, Headswell in 2013 on No Sleep Records, and a couple of singles here and there, the band spent several years pursuing other projects before eventually regrouping during COVID. Since 2022, the band has been in and out of the studio compiling new music that marks a definitive step forward without straying too far from their signature sound. The band are now signed to Smartpunk Records and will release their 3rd LP titled "Dull Bliss" in September 2025.Sainthood Reps consists of Derrick Sherman, Cesco Montesanto, Bradley Cordaro, and Jani Zubkovs, with Chris Smith featuring in live performances.
RIYL: Balance and Composure, Common Sage, Stay Inside, Superheaven

Idlewild
Idlewild is a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1995. They are known for their evolution from early punk-influenced sound to more melodic and experimental art rock styles including influences from R.E.M, The Replacements, The Smiths, Fugazi and everything in between. The band's lineup has seen some changes, with Roddy Woomble (vocals), Rod Jones (guitar), Colin Newton (drums), and Bob Fairfoull (bass) being the core members. Idlewild's discography includes nine studio albums, showcasing their diverse sonic landscape and willingness to explore new sounds, with a 10th LP slated for fall of 2025.
Worlds Worst
Worlds Worst are a Salt Lake City alternative/indie/slacker rock band who play guitar heavy 90s inspired fuzzed out noise pop. The band is gearing up to release their sophomore LP, American Muscle, which showcases the band continuing to perfect their unique approach to the indie, noisy, slacker rock sound with loud punchy guitars and big hooks.

The Casket Lottery
The Casket Lottery is an emo/post-hardcore band from Kansas City, MO formed in 1997. The band released its first three LPs on Second Nature Recordings, a fourth LP on No Sleep Records, and reunited for a 5th LP in 2020 on Wiretap Records. The band are now signed to Iodine Records and will release it's 6th LP titled "Feel The Teeth" in August of 2025.

Dead History
Dead History is a Minneapolis-based emo/post-hardcore quintet, whose members include stalwarts of the formative emo/hardcore years in various scenes across the Upper Midwest. Their sound unapologetically pays homage to the likes of Quicksand, Texas is the Reason, Hum, Far, Jawbox, Swervedriver and Sparkmarker among others. They released their self titled LP in 2020 and will release their sophomore LP "Departures" in June 2025.