punk-rock
These are the best punk-rock 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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Squint
Squint is a melodic hardcore/alt rock/punk band from St. Louis, Missouri. The band started in fall of 2021, featuring various members from Missouri bands Time and Pressure, New Lives, Soul Craft and Choir Vandals. The band has a nice palette of sounds ranging from hardcore to alternative/indie rock. Largely influenced by a shared liking of Rites of Spring and Turning Point, Squint take the sound of melodic-leaning hardcore, but areable to put their own spin on it with fuzzed-out guitars and big riffs—recalling tones heard from bands like Seaweed and Sugar while fitting right in with newer bands like Drug Church and Militarie Gun as well.
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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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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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The Arrival Note
The Arrival Note is a newly formed emo band from Tampa Bay, Florida by members Joshua Howell (Stedfast, Point of Contact, Contention) and Kyle Weidner. On their debut, self-titled EP, the band combines both the post-hardcore and indie rock that largely influenced the sound of the ’90s emo. Their 2nd EP Vol 2. continued this blend of 90s influenced post-hardcore and emo similar to bands like Mineral, Jawbreaker, Texas is the Reason and the like. Now the band is gearing up to release their debut LP in November of 2024 via Sunday Drive Records.
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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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Drug Church
Drug Church is #1, so why try harder? Truer words have never been spoken (or emblazoned upon merch that may or may not reference a novelty shirt seen on a 1998 Fatboy Slim album cover). For over a decade, Drug Church have been building a very strong case that they’re the best loud guitar band in the game. Releasing 4 amazing LPs, including the highly acclaimed Cheer and Hygine, their fifth full-length PRUDE due out in October 2024 is a 28-minute blast of aggression, melody, irreverence, and genuine heart, proving that Drug Church is the best in the game. The album is so downright satisfying it tricks you into thinking there’s nothing all that surprising about a difficult-to-pigeonhole punk band from Albany, NY, with a name like Drug Church somehow having a career at all, much less one that would last over 10 years and qualify them as the best band going. But before you start trying to think of who might have them beat (good luck), consider what just might be the key to Drug Church’s unexpected staying power: Don’t take it too seriously. Drug Church are known for their intense vocal delivery helmed by Patrick Kindlon, crunchy hardcore groove, catchy melodies and 90s alternative hooks, that have fans stage diving and shouting along to like no other. Fans of Fiddlehead, Militarie Gun, Seaweed, The Pixies, Fugazi, Touche Amore, Hot Water Music, Anxious and so many others will all find something to love about Drug Church's unique high energy sound.