pop-punk
These are the best pop-punk artists featured on Release Wave.
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PUP
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.
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Arm's Length
Arm's Length is an emo-rock band from Quinte, Ontario, drawing influence from early 2000s anthemic emo-punk. They have gained recognition in the underground emo scene with their debut EP "Everything Nice" and debut LP "Never Before Seen, Never Again Found", and are now gearing up for their sophomore LP "There's a Whole World Out There" under Pure Noise Records. Fans of Armor For Sleep, Taking Back Sunday, Hot Mulligan, Knuckle Puck, and Real Friends will definitely be interested in this band.
Troubled Minds
Phoenix emo punk band Troubled Minds, founded by songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Matt Aldawood, commonly writes emotionally charged angst driven songs with memorable hooks. The songs are melodic and guitar driven similar to bands like The Wonder Years, Arm's Length, Hot Mulligan, and the like.
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Heart to Gold
Formed in 2017, Minneapolis, Minnesota indie/punk band Heart to Gold strike a chord with their swaggering, scrappy Midwest punk that prioritizes the strength of the collective over the individual. There are obvious influences from bands like The Weakerthans, American Football, Weezer, Husker Du, and more, but Heart to Gold is really doing their own thing with it and that's in part due to Grant Whiteoak, lead singer and guitarist. Both on a songwriting and a vocal delivery level, his voice and his lyrics can often times feel like two distinct instruments––and part of the band's magic is in how they're able to masterfully weave it all together. The band is singed to Will Yip's Memory Music and will release their a new LP in November 2024.
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The Dangerous Summer
The Dangerous Summer, an American rock band, draws influences from artists like Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World. Originally signed to Hopeless Records, they are now with Rude Records and will release a new LP in summer 2024.
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Looseleaf
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Heart Attack Man
From Cleveland, OH, Heart Attack Man originally started as a solo recording project for singer/guitarist Eric Egan in 2013. Driven by an ingrained appreciation for addictive melodies and hard hitting alternative rock, the project quickly evolved into a full band. Shortly after the EP Acid Rain was released, the band gained an overwhelmingly positive response and hit the road to tour throughout the US and Canada. In 2015 the band headed to Philadelphia to record their debut full length, The Manson Family, at Headroom Studios with Ian Farmer of Modern Baseball for you You Did This/Triple Crown Records. Subsequently, the band has released 2 additional LPs and an EP, and are gearing up to release their 4th LP in April 2025 via Many Hats Distribution.
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Bed
Based out of Antelope Valley CA, BED started out as a self titled solo project making indie rock. Over the years, the project has evolved into a 4 piece band. With influences ranging from indie rock to hardcore, The band today together outputs a high energy sound that could be described within the genres and moods of Dreampunk, Alternative, Shoegaze, or just Rock... The bands high energy sound is matched by high energy performances in concert, with emphasis on creating memorable experiences for their audience. Fans of Basement, Title Fight, Narrow Head, Superheaven and 90s influenced guitar fueled alternative rock.
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New Age Thief
New Age Thief is a Chicago based two-piece band, channeling the sounds of earlier eras of emo/alternative music through impassioned, drivey, and anthemic songs that draw heavy influence from bands like Jimmy Eat World, Basement, Armor for Sleep and the like. Their anthemic emo punk sound is all at once classic sounding while being updated for modern times. The band is gearing up to release their debut LP on Wax Bodega in October 2025.
Bad Neighbour
Brisbane's Bad Neighbour, an emo/indie rock band formed in 2018, draws inspiration from bands such as PUP, Modern Baseball, Blis., and The Menzingers. Their upcoming debut LP "Millions" is set to release on September 20, 2024, showcasing their catchy self proclaimed "sad rock" combining catchy nostalgic emo, post-hardcore and alt rock with anthemic hooks, heavily influenced by bands from the early and mid 2000's/2010s and with a rejuvenating take on the sound.
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The Story So Far
American pop-punk band The Story So Far, formed in Walnut Creek, California in 2007. With 4 studio albums, they showcase a sound reminiscent of bands like Neck Deep and State Champs.
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Four Year Strong
New England band Four Year Strong, known for mixing pop-punk and easycore genres, originated in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2001. Comprising Dan O'Connor, Alan Day, Joe Weiss, and Jake Massucco, the band has released seven studio albums are are signed to Pure Noise Records. Their most recent album, "Brain Pain," dropped on February 28, 2020 via Pure Noise Records, and they are preparing to launch their 8th LP, "Analysis Paralysis," in August 2024.
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Dead Bars
Dead Bars began in Seattle when punk drummer John Maiello ditched the sticks, picked up a guitar and started writing short blasts of no-bs-power-punk-rock in 2013. Soon after, NJ punk drummer C.J. Frederick joined to play drums and guitar. They quickly recorded and released five 7-inches, toured all over & made festival appearances, and eventually recorded their debut album, Dream Gig in C.J. 's home kitchen which saw a release in 2017. At the time, DIY punk zine Razorcake wrote of the album, "Dead Bars make something impossible to duplicate look so simple and attainable." The next phase of the band introduced Jon Oddo from Kansas City on bass guitar. The three started making their next album Regulars which was released in 2019. Shortly after, Elliot Thordarson and Paul Davis came in to fill out the lineup on guitar and drums respectively. 2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of the group and starts the next phase of the Dead Bars story. The future is unwritten. The family is growing, and the universe is vast. The band is now gearing up to release their third LP "All Dead Bars Go To Heaven" via Iodine Recordings in March 2025. Dead Bars offers a raw, melodic and energetic sound drawing inspiration from anthemic punk and power-pop influences with singalong hooks. RIYL: Joyce Manor, The Mengzingers, The Replacements,The Lawrence Arms, Japandroids
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Michael Cera Palin
Michael Cera Palin are an emotive indie-punk trio with a cathartically catchy sound and an impassioned live show, forged through a near-decade of teeth-cutting in Atlanta's DIY scene. MCP currently features Elliott Brabant, Jon Williams, and Chad Miller and are gearing up to release their long awaited debut LP for Counter Intuitive Records in March 2025.
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Tiny Moving Parts
Tiny Moving Parts is an American emo / math rock / pop punk band from Benson, Minnesota. Formed by brothers William and Matthew Chevalier, and their cousin Dylan Mattheisen, the band has released 6 studio albums across labels such as Hopeless Records, Triple Crown Records, Big Scary Monsters etc since their 2008 formation in junior high. The are gearing up to release their 7th LP in November of 2024.
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Combat
Combat is a Baltimore-based emo/punk band signed to Counter Intuitive Records. Their upcoming LP, set for release in August 2024, draws inspiration from bands like Prince Daddy & The Hyena and Pup.
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Footballhead
FOOTBALLHEAD, led by Ryan Nolen and Adam Siska, is a project capturing the poppier essence of 90s radio rock similar to Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and blink-182. Their debut LP, set for spring 2024, promises a fresh take on the nostalgia-soaked energy of alternative pop music from the 90s and early 2000s.