Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (they address it) were a five-piece emo/post-hardcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that were active from 1999 to 2008, with reunion shows occurring in 2013 and 2016. They released two full-lengths and a handful of EP's during their initial run. Sonically, they really were all over the place, so any description isn't going to do them any justice. It's a mesh of the angular, syncopated, mathy sound of Faraquet, the noodly arpeggios of Cap'n Jazz, and the melancholic indie anthems of Death Cab For Cutie. They pack a ton of variety into these relatively short songs, making both full-lengths incredibly engaging. Their final LP, the aptly titled Worst Band Name Ever is a little more subdued, so I do slightly prefer And Nothing Is #1, which is the suggested starting point. Even though they predate these bands, if you're into TWIABP, Cstvt, Everyone, Everywhere, Joie De Vivre, or Into It. Over It. (with Evan Weiss even being a member for a short period), I think this will appeal to you. Enjoy.

Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (1999)

1. Song Competition

2. Working Title

3. I'm Holding Hands With Me

4. Action

5. Walked Out This Season

6. Real Philosophers vs. The Lovers Of Sights And Sounds

5 Songs (2001)

1. Here I Am Away

2. I've Just Seen The Best I'll Ever Be

3. Hopelessly In Like With Me

4. As Usual To Me

5. It Will Be The Month That I Have

And Nothing Is #1 (2003)

1. You Landed So Gracefully

2. I Know You'll Find Out That I'm A Geek

3. My Argument Precedes Me

4. As Usual

5. Help Me Fix My Bike

6. Is That A Terrible Thing To Say?

7. See You In A Month

8. Time Wastes No Time

9. Muscle, When Will I See It?

10. By Surprise

Perris, CA (2004)

1. Down To The Day

2. Come Away

3. Please Come To Me

4. Strike 2

5. Them All

The Internet EP (2005)

1. Are We Seeing This?

2. Dear Erica

3. I'm Growing Out

4. Out To Get Me

5. Track 5

Girls Names (2006)

1. Janet Bateman

2. Melanie Flury

3. Rachel Strayer

4. Robyn Fleshman

Worst Band Name Ever (2007)

1. Shawnee

2. Gas Station Hair

3. I'll Thank You Later

4. Am I A Cricket

5. I Am The Island

6. The Red Loop

7. Christmas Eve 1993

8. 128 Cayuga St

9. Maureen Kehoe

10. Boise

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Kerosene Heights

Kerosene Heights are a four-piece emo/punk band from Asheville, North Carolina that formed in 2021. Their debut full-length dropped last year, which I didn't get around to checking out until now, which is unfortunate because this is right up my alley. They take influence from the punchier bands that came out of the emo revival thing such as Glocca Morra, Snowing, CSTVT, Joyce Manor, Title Fight, etc. They craft these raw, vulnerable songs that are meant to be shouted along to, brimming with energy and catchy melodies. A solid four-track EP was dropped last month, but if you're looking to check out one project, I recommend it be Southeast Of Somewhere, because that is a straight-up collection of bangers. Enjoy.

No More Bad Dreams (2022)

1. In Ur Blud

2. Something Abt U

3. Tired Of Me

4. Built To Chill

5. Pillcrusher

Flint Spark Fire & Ashes (2022)

1. Drunk Uncle - Achilles

2. Drunk Uncle - Stave

3. Kerosene Heights - Van Of Leaves

4. Kerosene Heights - Manatee Shirt

5. Rose Ceremony - Final Rose

6. Rose Ceremony - Take A Moment

7. Thorn Tire - Expel

8. Thorn Tire - Poser

Southeast Of Somewhere (2023)

1. Salty Eyes

2. Same Shade Of Red

3. Last Time

4. Otis

5. Growing Up

6. Kathryn

7. Mission Valley Shopping Center

8. Perfect Timing

9. Going Away

10. In Suspension

11. Next To Nothing

Leaving (2024)

1. Michigan Again

2. Dennis #3

3. Such Great

4. Night Walk Ultra

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The February Stars Union

The February Stars Union were an emo band from Chicago, Illinois that were active sometime in the late 90's. Naturally, there's very little info out there about them, aside from their sole EP and split which are luckily still in rotation online. Sonically, they utilize a fantastic dual vocal approach, also intermingling cleaner, arpeggiated guitars with abrasive, octave-chord climaxes. Basically, if you're into Christie Front Drive, Jejune, Ribbon Fix, Everyone Asked About You, or Eldritch Anisette, this will more than likely appeal to you. Enjoy.

Kicked Out Spokes (1998)

1. Too Intellectual For My Own Good

2. Self-Splitting Used To Be

3. Sunny Morning

4. My Name Is Failure-His Name Is Life

Adults Are Threatening Creatures (1999)

1. The Evergreen Trio - Always In The Afternoon

2. The Evergreen Trio - Incidentally

3. The Evergreen Trio - Only In Good Weather

4. The February Stars Union - And On The Seventh Month You Rested

5. The February Stars Union - Seconds From Something Else

6. The February Stars Union - Our Karass: God's Team (Amerida)