It didn’t take long for the title of Basement’s debut record, I Wish I Could Stay Here, to seem like something of a misnomer. Just a year after the album’s release, it was already becoming clear that the group had no intention of staying there–whether that just meant their historic port town home of Ipswich in Suffolk, England; or the relative confines of the turn-of-the-century emo sound they’d already deftly mastered. The promising young band was setting their sights somewhere else as they prepared to make their landmark sophomore album, Colourmeinkindness. The record started to carry Basement to the brink of wider success, only to find the band announcing a hiatus months before it even came out–but a decade later the album’s clear influence, and Basement’s triumphant return, are proof of Colourmeinkindness’ era-defining impact
with you in spirit, the fourth Balance and Composure LP, is an arresting, atmospheric collection of melodic post-punk and towering rock. It’s an intensely self-reflective record for vocalist and guitarist Jon Simmons, an uprooting and examination of the supports on which a life is built. Pre-emptive grief, wrestling with god and faith, familial responsibility, familial mortality—these are the things Simmons was carrying while writing this material. They’re also things he was trying, for better and worse, to avoid— hence the record’s title. with you in spirit feels like the work of songwriters reaching new heights, exploring new depths. Sometimes, the record itself feels like a band grappling with its own avoidance, its own mortality, and deciding to face these things the only way they know how. Balance and Composure are with us in spirit, yes, but in the flesh, too, for now.
“Straight up, no one is having more fun than me when we’re up there!” beams DRAIN frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro, whose face is perpetually glued in a grin. For anyone that’s seen the Santa Cruz hardcore firebrands live, there’s no mistaking that fact. Drain isn’t just a good time as Sammy presides over the chaos of stagediving bodies and mic- grabbing frontline; it’s a party—and everyone is invited. (Dolphin shorts and boogie boards are optional but encouraged.) “The vibe of it is, enthusiastic, hectic,” says the vocalist. “Five people deep singing and stagediving, then kids going berserk behind that. It’s a great vibe and I think people pick up on that.” That, in a nutshell is DRAIN. The quartet inject a serious dose of relatability—not to mention catchiness—into hardcore’s penchant for toughness and brutality on their Epitaph debut Living Proof. Ciaramitaro’s desperate, snotty howl rides roughshod over thrash-leaning riffage as rhythms bounce in a big way. If you’re picturing the Pacific Ocean waves that rise and fall along the coastal town, occasionally violently so, you’re not far off.
One Step Closer has always believed that hardcore is limitless. On All You Embrace, the band puts that theory into practice. Every release from the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania band has seen them exploring the sonic overlaps of hardcore, emo, and '90s alternative rock without an iota of self-consciousness, or pretension, creeping into themix. "We know what we want to do with the band," says vocalist Ryan Savitski. "We're just naturally writing what feels right to us." What feels right isAll You Embrace, a collection of 11 songs that show One Step Closer reaching for something deeply honest and, as always, authentic.
Sweet Pill has a style earmarked by an earnest ingenuity that many young artists are quick to romanticize and aspire to but slow to cultivate and execute. It takes time. For singer Zayna Youssef, guitarists Jayce Williams and Sean McCall, bassist Ryan Cullen, and drummer Chris Kearney, however, their 5 years together have seen their hard work rewarded tenfold in half as long as it would take almost anyone else.
Glitterer is a band from Washington, D.C. Initially, and for some time, it was a solo project: a man and his laptop, with occasional in-studio and onstage assistance from other human beings. Four records, including two full-length albums on Anti-, were released in that one-guy period. But now Glitterer is a band: four charter members writing and recording songs and performing them at shows together, driving around the country, getting on each other’s nerves. Road cases piled in the van. Soundcheck at 5 p.m. Merch in the back. A band. You’re familiar with bands? Glitterer is one of those. They play loud melodic post-hardcore rock music that can sometimes seem simple but is always subtly weird and complex. Their new 12-song LP, Rationale, is out on Anti- .
Primitive Blast are a hardcore band from Sydney, Australia. Formed in late 2014, they have been a mainstay in Sydney and Australian hardcore over the last decade. Their la test record "Animalistic" was released in 2020 through Last Ride Records (AUS) and Triple B Records (USA). Primitive Blast have solidified themselves as a must see live band, touring both nationally, and internationally since the bands inception. 2025 sees the band releasing newly recorded music, and touring to new parts of the world, flying the flag for Australian Hardcore/Punk.
Hailing from Boorloo /Perth, Western Australia, The Others are a hardcore punk band known for their infectious energy and a sound that blends groove and bounce with hook - driven melodies. Since their formation, they have made an impact on the Australian hardcore scene with enga ging live shows. Following their latest release ‘ Dive Into My World ’ EP on Last Ride Records, The Others have embarked on tours across the country and overseas, sharing the stage with their friends, peers and bands looked up to. Inclusivity is essential to create a space where everyone feels “ the others ” energy, and to not only listen but also to be a part of it.
Formed in 2017, Colourblind channelled their shared love for bands like Title Fight, Basement, and Balance and Composure into music that mirrored their own coming - of - age experiences at the time. Since then, they have proven themselves to be a mainstay in t he Adelaide alternative scene, with their reputation as a high - energy live band ensuring you’ll always be back for more and seeing them share the stage with Touché Amoré, Mom Jeans, Microwave, Bad Dreems, and These New South Whales. With 2 EPs under their belt, the band’s debut album, “Colourblind”, was released through Adelaide label Clarity Records in mid - 2024, and will be touring with TOWNS in the summer.
Born in the heart of the Central Coast, Deadshowws are even blends of self betterment and self deprecation, smoothed over with an anthemic energy that brings gig goers back time and time again. Overdriven power chords mixed with delicate ambient lead lines prove to create a unique experience for everyone. Bringing together a solid blend of influences including Basement, Narrow Head and Superheaven, they want to continue to bring their music to new audiences and have a profound effect on people’s lives. Wit h a plethora of shows under their belt, including supports alongside Pennywise, Ocean Grove, British India, Deez Nuts and These New South Wales, Deadshowws tore straight into 2024 with their biggest release to date, a two track; ‘Two Toned // She Said’; f ollowed up by shows with The Rubens, a 16 - date national tour alongside Dear Seattle, and further supports alongside Fleshwater, Narrow Head and Semantics.
WIFECULT are a sonic tsunami from Brisbane (Meanjin) Queensland. The dynamic alt rock outfit are gracing stages across Australia, putting structural integrity and decibel limits to the absolute test. With the release of their EP 'Kindness In Clarity', WIFECULT have stepped out of the emo rock corner and into the great wide open with their "Supersonic Angry Pop" songs 'Rose' and 'Hold It Down' claiming real estate on high rotation playlists and seeing them tour across Australia with longtime heavyweight bands Thrice (USA) and La Dispute (USA).
Masochist is a hardcore punk band from Bundjalung Country (Lismore, NSW). They place an emphasis on playing diverse and safe shows, promoting inclusion and empowerment for people who often feel unwelcome in these settings. Their songs are filled with feminist fury and unrestrained rage, with a constant reminder that we can all do better and have the potential to change and grow.
Secret World is a group of friends from Sydney, Australia. With members who've played in bands like Speed, Trophy Eyes, and Downside, Secret World formed to scratch the itch for more melodic punk music. Their initial demo, released in 2023 on Last Ride Records, offered a taste of their heavy melodies and abrasive riffs and vocals. In 2024, Secret World is releasing their debut EP "Guilt Is Good" on Last Ride Records, with Sunday Drive Records in America.
Hailing from Boorloo (Perth, WA), Gloam is a four - piece post - shoegaze band that formed in early 2022. Drawing inspiration from acts like Deftones, Diiv, and Deafheaven, Gloam blends ethereal soundscapes with powerful walls of sound, taking listeners on an immersive, genre - defying journey. Their music resonates with fans of alternative, hardcore, and metal, and they’ve shared the stage with international acts such as Deafheaven, Movements, Boston Manor, Touché Amoré and Citizen.
Formed during the COVID - 19 pandemic in Melbourne, Horsepower has quickly carved out a niche for themselves with their unique blend of hardcore, drawing inspiration from heavyweights like Cold As Life and hardcore punk legends like Gluch. Their electrifying performance at Kingpin Fest 2024 marked a pivotal moment, capturing the attention of audiences nationwide.
Wayside are still riding the high from the release of their Will Yip produced sophomore record “What Does Your Soul Look Like” & numerous tours around the country. Inspired by elements of indie, 90’s rock & alternative genres, they are a band not to be mis sed. New Bloom 2025 will also be the official welcoming of their new member Izzy De Leon to the band
CRAWLING are a Melbourne-based band formed in 2022 drawing influences from alt rock, grunge, shoegaze, hardcore and metal. Fully realising the band in early 2023 by recording and releasing their debut EP "MAKE BELIEVE" at Black Lodge studios by Lewis Noke-Edwards and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege in Portland USA. CRAWLING entered the scene carrying combined experience within heavy/hardcore bands such as Iron Mind, Threshold, Algor Mortis, Watchtower and Crush the Demoniac as well as more alternative acts like Shiny Coin, Yubbarrii and Splinterhead.