grungegaze
These are the best grungegaze artists featured on Release Wave.
Leaving Time
Formed in Jacksonville, FL in 2020 while members Joel Cedeno, Nick Dilts, Jarod Whalen, and Reed Cothren previously & simultaneously played in bands True Form, Method of Doubt, and more—Leaving Time sonically stands out from the aforementioned. Taking inspiration from the notable '90s alternative-rock and shoegaze sound, Leaving Time adds much of their own to the sound. Subtle nuances like the whirling guitar leads and hardcore-inspired drums give each song a driving punch, taking the singular "shoegaze" descriptor out of the picture. On EP II, the band again connected with Gainesville producer, John Howard to write some of their best songs to date. Pushing the sound heard on their S/T, EP II finds the band coming to form. The band is signed to Sunday Drive Records and is gearing up to release their debut LP in November of 2024.
Photocopy
Oklahoma City’s Photocopy play the kind of buzzing feedback-laden alternative rock sound that fit right in with the whole 90s shoegaze /emo / alt-rock genre blending revival. Their debut LP is coming out in October 2024.
Chastity
Chastity is the musical project of Canada native Brandon Williams who makes resonant songs that capture isolation and resilience. As the songwriter behind Chastity, the Whitby Ontario musician has made three unrelentingly perceptive albums culminating in the cathartic Suffer Summer, which was released January 13 via Deathwish and Dine Alone Records. The LP caps off an album trilogy that showcases both Williams’ emotional range as a lyricist but also his boundless love of outsider music. His 2018 debut Death Lust pulled from Unwound and The Smashing Pumpkins as he grappled with mortality while 2019’s Home Made Satan dealt in world-weary anxiety and Hum-like atmospherics. But Suffer Summer is a meditation on happiness, channeled through powerhouse riffs and undeniably potent choruses, sung with Mineral and Jimmy Eat World worn on his sleeve. It’s an album that shows how healing and staying content is hard but necessary work. Now, Chastity returns with a brand new full length LP releasing fall of 2024, which will take his sound to new levels of intensity and emotion. Fans of Jimmy Eat World, Teenage Wrist, Basement, Narrow Head and Title Fight will enjoy Chastity.
Cold Gawd
Cold Gawd is a post-hardcore/shoegaze outfit from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Inspired by early aughts nu-gaze and R&B melodies, Cold Gawd presents a refined, modernized take on the genre.
Trauma Ray
The band Trauma Ray from Fort Worth has made waves in the shoegaze scene with their intense and expressive music. The band will be releasing their debut full length album, "Chameleon," showcasing their three-guitar attack and stormy fusion of influences, appealing to fans of Nothing, DIIV, Glare, and the shoegaze revival genre.
High
Around the tucked-away town of Boonton, NJ in 2021, Christian Castan (vocals/ guitar), Bridget Bakie (bass/vocals), Jack Miller (drums), and Danny Zavala (guitar) formed High, a band that combines elements of shoegaze, grunge, emo and dream pop. Creative nucleus Christian Castan and Bridget Bakie met while playing the DIY and college circuit around New Jersey building Bakie’s reputation as “The Queen of The Quarter Note,” and Castan’s profile as an unforgettable guitarist. After playing in a band together, the two longed for a project that would be their sole creative focus and could tour as far and wide as possible. A few weeks and two practices after their formation, the band began playing shows around the tristate DIY circuit after their proper NYC debut at Saint Vitus. The band is gearing up to release their sophomore EP "Come Back Down" in January of 2025 which will include their debut EP Bomber on the B-side.
Poppy Wizard
Poppy Wizard, a new alt-rock band emerging from Germany, blends 90s grunge and 2010s alternative rock influences in their upcoming debut EP "Holy Spirit Gang," set for release on August 23, 2024. Their music is described as massive, melodic, and danceable, capturing the intricacies of life with addictive tunes. Fans of Title Fight, Superheaven, and Narrow Head may appreciate their electrifying, guitar heavy, and melodic sound.
Looseleaf
Fake Eyes
The alternative rock band Fake Eyes, from North Carolina, combines shoegaze, grunge, brit pop, and emo influences in their music. Fans of Trauma Ray, Narrow Head, and Broken Head will enjoy their sound, as the band pulls from similar 90s influences like Hum, Sunny Day Real Estate and The Smashing Pumpkins. They have an EP out on New Morality Zine and plan to release their debut LP on Sunday Drive Records in fall 2024.
Julie
Julie is a band from Los Angeles signed to Atlantic Records. Their sound is reminiscent of artists in shoegaze, grunge, and 90's rock.
Modern Color
Modern Color is a melodic rock band from Southern California blending influences from the hardcore and indie scenes into a unique sound. Their music features heavy shoegaze elements and draws comparisons to bands like Title Fight and Superheaven with loud guitars and emotionally charged melodies.