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.

A Place to Bury Strangers is a Brooklyn, New York based noise rock and shoegaze band that formed in 2002. The trio is currently composed of Oliver Ackermann (guitar/vocals, bass), John Fedowitz (bass guitar) and Sandra Fedowitz (drums). Commonly known by the initials APTBS, the band plays a heavy, atmospheric Wall of Sound–influenced blend of noise rock, shoegaze and space rock.The band is also known for the loudness of their intense live shows. A Place to Bury Strangers are commonly referred to by music writers as the "loudest band in New York", a reputation the band developed even before the release of their first album. They currently have six studio albums and are gearing up to release their seventh album in October of 2024.