Goldfinger is a Los Angeles-based ska-punk/pop-punk band formed in 1994, known for energetic music and anthemic hooks, fronted by constant member John Feldmann, with breakthrough hits like "Here in Your Bedroom" and "Superman," becoming key figures in the '90s ska-punk scene before evolving their sound, known for intense live shows and a lineup featuring Feldmann, Charlie Paulson, Darrin Pfeiffer, and Simon Williams in their classic era, with Feldmann still leading the band today. The current lineup features John Feldmann (producer/lead vocalist), Charlie Paulson (guitar/Black President), Mike Herrera (bass/MXPX), Nick Gross (drums/girlfriends), and Moon Valjean (guitar/Greek Fire). In their early years, the band was considered a contributor to the movement of third-wave ska, a mid-1990s revitalization in the popularity of ska, evidenced in their first three albums: Goldfinger (1996), Hang-Ups (1997) and Stomping Ground (2000). However, the releases of Open Your Eyes (2002) and Disconnection Notice (2005) saw the band shed most of the ska influence, and they have been more commonly placed in the pop-punk genre in later years. They have since released three more albums: Hello Destiny... (2008), The Knife (2017) and Never Look Back (2020) with their latest album "Nine Lives" coming January 2026.

Bicycle Inn is an emo band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2016. The band consists of Declan Moloney (bass), Noah Aguiar (guitar/vocals), Dylan Ilkowitz (guitar/auxiliary vocals), Gilmar Perez (lead guitar), and Josh Giaquinto (percussion). They are known for blending emotional, often melancholy themes with an alternative and sometimes post-hardcore edge, and have released albums like This Time and Place Is All I'll Ever Know and forthcoming LP "Long in the Tooth" scheduled for November 2025.

RIYL: Good Sleepy, Charmer, Arm's Length, Ben Quad

Banquets is a punk rock band from Jersey City, New Jersey. It was formed by members of local bands including Static Radio NJ and Let Me Run. Known for a melodic, anthemic rock-influenced sound combining elements of indie-punk / emo/ and post-punk, similar to bands like The Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem, Loved Ones, Saves The Day and The Get Up Kids. The band was active from the early 2010s until breaking up in 2016, however the band reformed in 2021 and will release a new LP in fall 2025.

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

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.

Stateside is a melodic emo/punk band from Southern California formed in 2022. The band plays heartfelt, melodic pop punk music with a hardcore edge that feels simultaneously nostalgic for a time when bands wore their hearts on their sleeves and a current moment where sound transcends genre or authenticity is key. The band has signed to Pure Noise records and will release their debut LP in June 2025.

RIYL: Koyo, Stand Still, One Step Closer, Knuckle Puck, No Pressure

New Jersey has produced some of the greatest emo and rock bands of all time, and the state is continuing to build the next generation of soon to be staple acts. Enter Capillary, the four piece crafting emotive and powerful tracks sure to capture the attention of even the most staunch genre purists. Signed to 51st State Records (run by Joey Chiaramonte of Koyo), the band released their debut self-titled EP in early 2024. Gearing up to release a full-length in 2026, today Capillary share a two song promo - "Lost Sleep" and "Time Before The Order.”

Taking influence from bands like Rites of Spring, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Mineral, you’ll hear strong building melodies, compelling riffs, and poignant vocals. “Lost Sleep” captures living in New Jersey - “a melancholy feeling in the air sometimes longing for those really simple and blissful times,” while "Time Before The Order" calls out the feeling of longing for someone. The tracks were recorded, mixed, and mastered with Justin Bartlett at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA (All Under Heaven, Carly Cosgrove).

RIYL: Title Fight, Anxious, One Step Closer, No Pressure

Good Sleepy is an emo band from Worcester, Massachusetts, formed as a DIY project in 2018 with a demo titled "Rest Easy" and eventually signed with No Sleep Records. The band's music, which draws from various eras of emo, has been described as an outlet for their collective experiences and emotions. Their first full-length album, "everysinglelittlebit," was released in 2021, and described as a blend of mathy '90s Midwest emo, anthemic early 2000s emo, and modern revival styles. They released an EP in 2022 and a single in 2024, and just announced they will self-release their sophomore LP "Constant Humming" in February 2026 revealing lead off single "Trap."

RIYL: Carly Cosgrove, Ben Quad, Marietta, Hot Mulligan, Arm's Length, The Wonder Years

Ben Quad is a four-piece "post-emo" band from Oklahoma City, formed in 2018, consisting of Sam Wegrzynski (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Edgar Viveros (lead guitar), Henry Shields (backing vocals/bass), and Isaac Young (drums). They are known for their unique blend of midwest emo, punk, and screamo sounds, seen in releases like their debut album I'm Scared That's All There Is (2022) and the heavier EP Ephemera (2024). The band is now signed to Pure Noise Records and will release their sophomore LP in November of 2025. The band is named after the failed podracer Ben Quadinaros from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

RIYL: Hot Mulligan, Charmer, Arm's Length, Free Throw

Nihilistic Easyrider is the brainchild of Narrow Head frontman Jacob Duarte. His debut LP "DELUXE EDITION" is a mixtape of sorts, a collection of songs written at various intervals throughout Duarte’s career. These songs traverse a wide-range of stylistic references, from saccharine Y2K emo and young-dumb-and-full-of pop punk to Soviet fuzz fueled alt and pure Evan Dando-core verse-chorus-verse-chorus-done pop rock. Brought to life by a cast of characters including Narrow Head drummer Carson Wilcox, producer (and former tour-mate) Graham Hunt and features from Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Ella Friedman, this debut album still provides with masterfully crafted and hook-drenched renditions of Duarte’s signature songwriting aesthetics.

Hot Mulligan, an American emo/punk band, emerged as part of the 5th wave emo revival. Their music blends midwestern emo guitars, mathy rhythms, and pop-punk melodies with anthemic sing-along choruses. They have released several well-received albums and EPs, drawing comparisons to artists like modern baseball and The Wonder Years.

Slow Joy is a Dallas-based Chicano artist, leading a solo project that delves into loud, fuzzy alternative rock. With a series of singles and EPs, Slow Joy's music resonates well within the Texas nugaze music scene.

PUP (abbreviation for Pathetic Use of Potential) is a Canadian punk rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario in 2010, originally under the name Topanga. PUP's debut album PUP was released on October 8, 2013, on Royal Mountain Records. In December 2013, PUP signed with SideOneDummy Records and re-released their debut album in the United States on April 8, 2014. The group was in the studio in late 2015 recording their second album The Dream Is Over which was released on May 27, 2016, through SideOneDummy. The band's third album, titled Morbid Stuff, was released on April 5, 2019. This Place Sucks Ass, a six-track EP, was released on October 27, 2020, while their fourth album, The Unraveling of PUPTheBand, was released on April 1, 2022. The band is now gearing up to release their fifth LP titled "Who Will Look After the Dogs?" via Little Dipper/Rise Records in May 2025.

Initially the solo project of Ryan Nolen, FOOTBALLHEAD showcases the poppier side of 90s radio rock. With big guitars and bubblegum hooks, these nostalgia soaked songs evoke the energy of early Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and blink-182 while also incorporating elements of grunge and post-hardcore with bands like Story of the Year, The Used, Basement, and One Step Closer. Nolen has teamed up with Adam Siska (The Academy Is... & Say Anything) to keep the ethos of 90s/2000s alternative pop music fresh and dynamic. The band is currently signed to Tiny Engines and released an LP and EP through them already, and a new LP is set for March 2026.

With a foundation of San Diego’s punk influences from Drive Like Jehu, Blink-182, Heroin and others, a band like Glean naturally have a sense of melody. Formed in 2019 by four kids (now young adults), the band blends that melodic instinct with their love of punk and hardcore, crafting energetic, emotional, and catchy songs in the vein of Seaweed, Samiam, Jawbreaker, Lifetime, and Title Fight.

House & Home is an alternative rock band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 2017, consisting of Pat Williams (vocals, guitar), Joey Grammer (guitar, vocals), Cole Bennett (bass), and Matt Stumpf (drums) and signed to Open Your Ears Records. The band is known for high-energy hooks, big melodies, poignant lyrics, and a powerful sound with intricate vocal work reminiscent of bands like Citizen, Balance & Composure, Sunday Morning and the like. They have released multiple albums and EPs, including their debut full-length Find Sense. Feel Love. Make Light (2020) and an upcoming sophomore LP titled "I Won't Look For You" coming November 2025.

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.

The Starting Line is an American pop-punk band formed in 1999 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band's original lineup consisted of Ken Vasoli (lead vocals/bass), Matt Watts (guitar), Mike Golla (guitar/backing vocals), and Tom Gryskiewitz (drums). They signed with Drive-Thru Records and released their debut album, Say It Like You Mean It, in 2002. The Starting Line released three studio albums: Say It Like You Mean It (2002), Based on a True Story (2005), and Direction (2007). They went on hiatus in 2008 but have reunited for shows and tours over the years, and are now back with their fourth LP and first album in 18 years, expected to be released in fall of 2025.