Dead End Path

Dead End Path are a six-piece hardcore band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, that formed in 2009. They're a Triple B Records band, which should already give you a good indication as to their sound and contemporaries. They've got a hefty Discharge influence (not the d-beat part though), some very guttural vocals, and guitar breakdowns that just chug "mosh pit". Are you looking for music to wildly swing your limbs to? Here you go. That sounds sarcastic, but its not (for the most part). Dead End Path are a hardcore band, no bullshit in the mix. And that's got to be respected. Thanks to Jacob Shumaker for the help with this one, and enjoy.

Demo 2009 (2009)

1. Deliver Us...

2. Only Begotten Son

3. Day To Day

4. Turn Cold ft. Alex Russin

Death Walks Beside Us (2010)

1. Stay Up, Stay Alive

2. Ain't Hard To Tell

3. No Paradise

4. Born Into The Grace

5. Devil's Son

Blind Faith (2011)

1. Blind Faith

2. Never Had Heaven Ever

3. Requiem

4. End on End

5. Cathedral Bones

6. Death & Birth Of A Ghost

7. Unease

8. Between I & I

9. Skeleton Key To The Cemetery

10. Faith/Void

America's Hardcore Vol. 2 (2012)

13. Sistine Calling

Off The Board: A Studio 4 Family Compilation (2013)

16. Nowhere Together

Note: Full comp here

Seance & Other Songs (2014)

1. Seance

2. Procession Light

3. Misery Kids

4. Hymns & Psalms

5. Tunnel Dark

6. Aspirate About The Chapel

7. Six Or Seven Stitches

8. Loss

9. Glass Just Raining

10. Adorn

11. Through The Church Yard

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Hit The Lights

Hit The Lights are a five-piece pop punk band that formed in 2003 in Lima, Ohio. Admittedly, I don't listen to this band a ton, or many in their corner of the pop punk universe, but they get requested like crazy, and I haven't fulfilled anyone's pop punk fix on here for a while now, so here's the antidote. This band released their debut album through Triple Crown Records in 2006, which immediately brought them a devoted fan base and plenty of attention, and for good reason. Their debut is solid, and filled with chunky rhythms and catchy melodies plastered with vocal harmonies and gang chants about friends, girls, and girlfriends. All the essentials of a pop punk album. This would be the last album they put out with their original singer, since he left a year after its release. In his place was then-guitarist Nick Thompson, who has been their frontman since then. Their next album, Skip School, Start Fights is a more "mature" (I use that word loosely) effort on their part, and their tightness in both their musicianship and songwriting is apparent. Four years later, they made an even bigger jump in sound with Invicta by dabbling with a more indie/alternative influence. Now in 2015, they're signed to Pure Noise Records and put out a new album called Summer Bones, which is a return to their original form, plus features a song with their first vocalist.

I've really got to thank Jacob Shumaker for the help with this one, because I definitely would not have most of what's below, so you can thank him for that too. I'm glad to finally get this band on here, because the requests for them have been constant, so enjoy!

Leaving Town Tonight (2004)

1. At 6:00 We Go Live

2. Head Over Heels

3. Sorry For

4. Counter-Clockwise

Until We Get Caught (2005)

1. Until We Get Caught

2. At 6:00, We Go Live

3. Save Your Breath

4. These Backs Are Made For Stabbing

5. Loose Lips Sink Ships

This Is A Stickup...Don't Make It A Murder (2006)

1. The Call Out (You Are The Dishes)

2. These Backs Are Made For Stabbing

3. Three Oh Nine

4. Body Bag

5. Talk Us Down

6. Save Your Breath

7. Sincerely Yours

8. One Hundred Times

9. It's All The Rage

10. Speakers Blown

11. Until We Get Caught

12. Make A Run For It

13. Her Eyes Say Yes, But The Restraining Order Says No

14. Stick Up

Skip School, Start Fights (2008)

1. Count It!

2. Breathe In

3. Stay Out

4. Drop The Girl

5. Tell Me Where You Are

6. Hangs Em High

7. Back Breaker

8. Don't Wait

9. Cry Your Eyes Out

10. Statues

11. Say What You Want To Say

12. On And On

13. How Will I Know (Whitney Houston cover)

14. Drop The Girl (The Secret Handshakes remix)

Coast To Coast (2009)

1. Coast To Coast

2. Pulse

3. Drive Onto Me (Elliott cover)

4. Snowbirds and Townies (Further Seems Forever cover)

5. Tell Me Where You Are (Acoustic)

6. Make A Run For It/The Call Out (Acoustic)

Invicta (2012)

1. Invincible

2. Gravity

3. Earthquake

4. So Guilty

5. Get To You

6. Float Through Me

7. Should've Known

8. All The Weight

9. Faster Now

10. Take Control

11. Oh My God

Summer Bones (2015)

1. Fucked Up Kids

2. The Real

3. Life On The Bottom

4. Revolutions And Executions

5. No Filter

6. Blasphemy, Myself And I

7. Summer Bones

8. Keep Your Head

9. Sitter

10. Old Friend

Misc.

All Or Nothing

Body Bag (Acoustic)

Head Over Heels

Hey Jealousy (Gin Blossoms cover)

Hey Jealousy (Acoustic)

More Than A Feeling (Boston cover)

One Hundred Times (Acoustic)

The Warrior (Scandal cover)

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Petal

I saw this band mentioned as a request, and for some reason I thought I had already posted them. A quick check and it turns out I haven't, so here we go. Petal is mainly the project of Kiley Lotz, who is based out of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 2013, she recorded an EP titled Scout, which featured members of Tigers Jaw, among others. This self-released EP is what ended up getting Petal signed to Run For Cover, as well as a handful of shows with some incredible bands. This is all for good reason, of course. Lotz has a knack for writing very catchy yet intimate songs, and has a voice that drifts through a room, kind of like the scent of a candle. Take that, and add Tigers Jaw's two main members now (Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins) as a backing band, and you've got one hell of an EP. Hopefully we'll be hearing more from Petal soon, but for now, enjoy.

Scout (2013)

1. Comeback

2. Left A Mark

3. When I See You

4. Troubled Heart

5. I'm Sorry

Shame (2015)

1. Camera Lens

2. Tommy

3. Heaven

4. Chandelier Thief

5. Feel

6. Sooner

7. The Fire

8. Shame

9. Nature

10. Camera Lens II
11. Photobooth

12. Silly Heart

Comfort (2017)

1. Comfort

2. Silver Springs

3. 15

Magic Gone (2018)

1. Better Than You

2. Tightrope

3. I'm Sorry

4. Comfort

5. Shy

6. Magic Gone

7. Shine

8. Carve

9. Something From Me

10. Stardust

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Middle Class

Middle Class were a hardcore punk/post-punk band from Santa Ana, California that formed in 1978 and broke up in 1982. They are perhaps best known for their debut EP Out Of Vogue, which is often cited as being one of, if not the first "hardcore" album ever put out, along with others such as Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown and The Germs' Lexicon Devil. Unfortunately, Middle Class never gained the notoriety of many other bands that came out in that era. This is probably also partially due to their changes in sound that came quite quickly after their first EP. On 1980's Scavenged Luxury, the band shifts to post-punk, by taking influence from the punk-funk of Gang Of Four and the artful melodies of Mission of Burma. By the time their sole full-length came out, Homeland, they've evolved into a slightly more upbeat Joy Division. All their work is definitely solid, regardless of what niche it falls into. If you're looking for late 70's/early 80's punk, here you go. Also, the compilation A Blueprint For Joy features both of their two EP's in addition to demos and unreleased songs. If you want more straight-forward punk from these guys, give the compilation a listen too. Enjoy.

Out Of Vogue (1978)

1. Out Of Vogue

2. You Belong

3. Situations

4. Insurgence

Scavenged Luxury (1980)

1. Home Is Where

2. A Blueprint For Joy

3. Last Touch

4. Introductory Rites

Homeland (1982)

1. The Call

2. A Skeleton At The Feast

3. Out Of My Hands

4. Listen

5. Shaken

6. Mosque

7. Restless Young Men

8. Ritual And Deceit

9. Everything

A Blueprint For Joy (1995)

1. Out Of Vogue

2. You Belong

3. Situations

4. Insurgence

5. Love Is Just A Tool

6. Above Suspicion

7. Archetype

8. Home Is Where

9. A Blueprint For Joy

10. Last Touch

11. Introductory Rites

12. Be Contemporary

13. Language Of Paradise

14. Love Is Just A Tool

15. No Time

16. Blue Movie

17. Red Light Sexes

18. Concession To The Enemy

19. Taken By Force

20. Failure Of All Pop

21. Misery Loves Company

22. TV Photo Life

Knapsack

Knapsack were a four-piece indie/emo band from California that formed in 1993, but broke up in 2000. For their 20th anniversary in 2013, Knapsack reunited to do a few shows, and that reunion hasn't ended since. However, they have no plans to record new music, they're only touring. In some ways it's a good thing, because they released three incredible albums in their original time as a band, and those would be quite hard to top. Knapsack are one of those "essential" 90's emo/indie bands that have influenced all your current favourite bands in some way or another.

One thing in particular I love about Knapsack is the songwriting. The songs are incredibly catchy, they've written some great hooks and very memorable lyrics to back them. In addition to that, they've got some incredible dual guitar work happening. It's very subtle, and never gets too technical, but they balance out chunky rhythms and melodic lead riffs very smoothly, which is a huge attribute of this particular genre. They've got the quiet verse/loud chorus down, and simply have an  amazing dynamic range, which is to be expected from a bands with contemporaries such as Braid and The Promise Ring. To name another thing, singer Blair Shehan has a very, very distinct voice. I won't even try to describe it, just listen, you'll see what I mean. Shehan now plays in The Jealous Sound, who have made a name for themselves by their own right. Regardless, Knapsack are a definite personal favourite, and have had quite the influence on numerous bands, and definitely deserve all the attention they can get. So do yourself a favour and give this a listen, and enjoy.

Silver Sweepstakes (1995)

1. Cellophane

2. Trainwrecker

3. Effortless

4. Fortunate And Holding

5. Casanova

6. Makeshift

7. Centennial

8. Symmetry

9. True To Form

10. Addresse

11. Silver Sweepstakes

(Don't Forget To) Breathe (1997)

9. Less Than

Day Three Of My New Life (1997)

1. Thursday Side Of The Street

2. Courage Was Confused

3. Decorate The Spine

4. Diamond Mine

5. Simple Favor

6. Boxing Gloves

7. Henry Hammers Harder

8. Perfect

9. Heart Carved Tree

10. Steeper Than We Thought

This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now (1998)

1. Katherine The Grateful

2. Change Is All The Rage

3. Shape Of The Fear

4. Skip The Details

5. Cold Enough To Break

6. Arrows To The Action

7. Cinema Stare

8. Hummingbirds

9. Balancing Act

10. Please Shut Off The Lights

Hey Mercedes

Hey Mercedes, aka Braid Lite. Not in a bad way, of course. Hey Mercedes were a four-piece indie/alternative/emo band from both Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois. After Braid broke up, three of its members (Bob Nanna, Todd Bell, and Damon Atkinson) formed Hey Mercedes in 1999, and lasted until 2005. Though this band does have a lot in common with Braid, they took the more melodic and poppy side of Braid and really emphasized it. The songs here are catchy, straight-forward, and upbeat. Nanna's distinct voice still drives the songs, and some bright guitars shimmer along with his voice. They put out two great albums that have influential in their own right, regardless of the member's previous affiliation. Enjoy.

Hey Mercedes EP (2000)

1. Bells

2. St. James Street

3. The House Shook

4. Stay Six

Everynight Fire Works (2001)

1. The Frowning Of A Lifetime

2. Every Turn

3. A-List Actress

4. The Slightest Idea

5. Eleven To Your Seven

6. Que Shiraz

7. Our Weekend Starts On Wednesday

8. Haven't Been This Happy

9. What You're Up Against

10. Quit

11. Let's Go Blue

The Weekend EP (2002)

1. Our Weekend Starts On Wednesday

2. Save A Life

3. Everybody's Working For The Weak

4. Wearing A Wire/The Promise

Loses Control (2003)

1. Quality Revenge At Last

2. It's Been A Blast

3. Playing Your Song

4. Knowing When To Stop

5. The Boy Destroyers

6. Unorchestrated

7. Lashing Out

8. Police Police Me

9. Oh Penny

10. The Switch

11. Absolute Zero Drive

12. Go On Drone

Unorchestrated (2005)

1. Roulette Systems

2. Warm Chords

3. Own Up

4. We Lie Half The Time

5. Unorchestrated (Live)

Braid

Photo credit: Shawn Scallen / www.scallen.com

Braid are a four-piece indie/emo band from Champaign, Illinois, that formed in 1993, disbanded in 1999, reunited briefly in 2004, and have been fully active again since 2011. They are often considered one of essential 90's emo/indie band, whose name is often spoken on par with the other greats, such as Cap'n Jazz, Jawbreaker, and Texas Is The Reason. Just like those bands, what made Braid so good is that they aren't exactly like any of their contemporaries, but still fit within the same realm so seamlessly. However, one thing that especially sets Braid apart now is that they both fit in with the "classic" tag for incredibly influential albums such as Frame And Canvas, but they exist today in the same realm as the bands that have been influenced by them. They are signed to Topshelf Records, they put out a split with Balance & Composure, and have toured with the likes of Into It. Over. It. and A Great Big Pile Of Leaves. Braid's legacy has already been solidified as something of legend, and they continue to prove why they've earned that title. Braid's members have also been active in bands such as Hey Mercedes, The City On Film, and The Firebird Band, which are all also worth giving a listen to.

A few notes on their discography: Their three full-lengths from the 90's are all below here, which were released while they existed. Posthumously, they released their compilations Movie Music, Vol. 1 and Movie Music, Vol. 2, which collect most of the songs on their splits and singles, as well as the live album Lucky To Be Alive. They wouldn't release anything else until their 2011 reunion, which spawned the EP Closer To Closed, and 2014's long-awaited follow-up to Frame and Canvas, which is No Coast. The band also released a handful of splits, but so far I've only managed to find the ones with The Get Up Kids and Balance & Composure. Most of their split material is included on the aforementioned compilations, but if anyone happens to have them, I'd appreciate you sending them to me. Enjoy.

Frankie Welfare Boy Age Five (1995)

1. Angel Falls

2. Capricorn

3. Minuet

4. New Dollar Building

5. Lining Lake Michigan

6. Wax Wings

7. Garner Hall Music Room

8. Hugs From Boys

9. Three Point Turn

10. Eeyore And Easel

11. Red Dye Company

12. Summer Salt

13. X Marks The Hope Box

14. Brass Knuckle Sandwich

15. Dolores

16. Under The Influence Of Tricycle Mechanics

17. Featherweight

18. Ornamental

19. Kissy Windmill Point

20. Jane Describes John

21. Quarters

22. Interstate 57

23. Yawn London

24. Vest of Interest

25. Pipsqueak

26. Zero Frisco

The Age Of Octeen (1996)

1. My Baby Smokes

2. Nineteen Seventy Five

3. Divers

4. Jimmy Go Swimmer

5. Movie Clock Star

6. Eulalia Eulalia

7. Grace Car Part One

8. Harrison Ford

9. American Typewriter

10. The Chandelier Swing

11. Autobiography

The Get Up Kids/Braid (1997)

1. The Get Up Kids - I'm A Loner Dottie, A Rebel

2. Braid - Forever Got Shorter

Burning Airlines/Braid (1998)

1. Burning Airlines - Back of Love (Echo & The Bunnymen)

2. Braid - Always Something To Remind Me (Naked Eyes cover)

Frame & Canvas (1998)

1. The New Nathan Detroits

2. Killing A Camera

3. Never Will Come For Us

4. First Day Back

5. Collect From Clark Kent

6. Milwaukee Sky Rocket

7. A Dozen Roses

8. Urbana's Too Dark

9. Consolation Prize Fighter

10. Ariel

11. Breathe In

12. I Keep A Diary

Lucky To Be Alive (2000)

1. Autobiography

2. The New Nathan Detroits

3. Killing A Camera

4. Please Drive Faster

5. Forever Got Shorter

6. What A Wonderful Puddle

7. Never Will Come For Us

8. You're Lucky To Be Alive

9. Grace Car

10. A Dozen Roses

11. Breathe In

12. Milwaukee Sky Rocket

13. Divers

14. First Day Back

15. I'm Afraid Of Everything

16. The Chandelier Swing

17. Capricorn

Movie Music Vol. 1 (2000)

1. Sounds Like Violence

2. Motion Light

3. Perfect Pitch

4. I'm Afraid Of Everything

5. Radish White Icicle

6. Now I'm Exhausted

7. Fire Makes The House Grow

8. Niagara

9. That Car Came Out Of Nowhere

10. (Strawberry Ann) Switzerland

11. What A Wonderful Puddle

12. First Day Back

13. Hugs From Boys

14. Forever Got Shorter

15. Please Drive Faster

16. Circus Of The Stars

17. You're Lucky To Be Alive

Movie Music Vol. 2 (2000)

1. Elephant

2. Jimmy Go Swimmer

3. Eulalia, Eulalia

4. Katycat

5. Grand Theft Autumn

6. To Kiss A Trumpet Player

7. I'm Glowing And You're The Reason

8. Do You Love Coffee?

9. The Consolation Prizefighter

10. Bridge To Canada

11. Painting Nebraska

12. Collect From Clark Kent

13. Roses In The Car

14. My Life (Billy Joel cover)

15. Baby, Now That I've Found You (The Foundations cover)

16. This Charming Man (The Smiths cover)

17. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths cover)

18. Always Something There To Remind Me (Lou Johnson cover)

19. Trompe le Monde (The Pixies cover)

Closer To Closed (2011)

1. The Right Time

2. Do Over

3. You Are The Reason

4. Universe Or Worse

Braid/Balance And Composure (2013)

1. Braid - Lux

2. Braid - Many Enemies

3. Balance And Composure - You Can't Fix Me

4. Balance And Composure - Say

No Coast (2014)

1. Bang

2. East End Hollows

3. No Coast

4. Damages!

5. Many Enemies

6. Pre Evergreen

7. Put Some Wings On That Kid

8. Lux

9. Doing Yourself In

10. Climber New Entry

11. Light Crisis

12. This Is Not A Revolution

Kids Get Grids (2015)

1. Kids Get Grids

2. Because I Am

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