Here are 5 bands to look out for in 2014. (A few of them locals) These are bands who you probably have yet to hear, but who you definitely should keep a close eye on this next year.
Our Last Night – Photo by Mike Dravis
1) Our Last Night.
Formed: 2004, in New Hampshire.
Label: Independent (formerly Epitaph).
Genre: Post-hardcore.
Description: Fronted by brothers Trevor and Matt Wentworth, this five-piece band is quickly climbing up the ranks of the Post-hardcore music scene, just recently getting off the Sleeping with Sirens “Feel This” tour. Their most recent release was “Oak Island”, a 6-track EP from November 2013. They are quickly showing up on more and more shows in 2014, including the Soundwave Festival.
Bonus info: Go to their YouTube channel, and go check out their covers. I HATE “Wrecking Ball”, but I am crazy about their cover of it.
For more information: Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Website/Tumblr || Epitaph Band Page
Daniel Lancaster of Stages & Stereos – Photo by Dylan Dulberg
(Click for more)
2) Stages & Stereos
Formed: 2007, in Tallahassee
Genre: Rock, Alternative/Indie
Label: Independent (as of February 2014)
Description: Another shining example of the incredible amount of talent that is coming out of the Florida Panhandle these days is Stages & Stereos. Formed in 2007 by Daniel Lancaster, (younger brother to Jason Lancaster, formerly of Go Radio and Mayday Parade) the band has slowly but surely grown a national following, most recently touring as the opener on the GlamourKills Tour alongside Mayday Parade, Man Overboard and Cartel (click on the picture for more pictures from the show). Most recently, S&S released a 6-track EP called “Small Town Favorites.” Members of the band have strongly hinted on Twitter and Facebook at new content being released in 2014.
Bonus info: Alex Reed, former guitarist for Go Radio, has been the touring guitarist with S&S and is assumed to be planning to join the band, marking the second time Reed has been in a band with a Lancaster as a vocalist.
BONUS bonus: Check out this exclusive acoustic video that Daniel Lancaster and guitarist Zach Schweizer did for us in Detroit last winter.
For more information: Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Website
Wilson – Courtesy Photo
3) Wilson
Formed: 2009, in Detroit
Genre: (self described as) Full Blast Fuckery
Label: New Damage Records
Description: You can catch Wilson later this month performing at Mega Fest Detroit alongside We Came As Romans, Bring Me the Horizon, Of Mice & Men and more. Perhaps the best way to describe Wilson is to use their own words, lifted from their Facebook page description.
They’re five dudes in a van with beards and big dicks- working harder than your parents. But instead of giving their all as stockbrokers or auto-mechanics or assistant branch managers their job is to destroy your party. Forget debates about the music industry, about download analytics, mp3 singles, and the “charts”. Screw genres. All that has nothing to do with music. But when that Wilson van cruises into your town that shit is REAL. Real MUSIC. Real LIFE. Real LOUD. Real SWEATY. And real fucking FUN.
Bonus info: Check back later this month for an exclusive interview with Wilson by The Pit’s own David McDonald!
For more information: Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Website || New Damage Records Band Page
Tony Sugent of SycAmour at Warped Tour 2013 – Photo by Dylan Dulberg
(Click for more)
4) SycAmour
Founded: 2010, Ann Arbor
Genre: Aggressive/Alternative, Post-hardcore (or, as the band describes it, Sexcore)
Description: All Michigan locals, this five-piece band is quickly rising the ranks of the local scene and making a solid splash nationally. SycAmour was one of the bands chosen to play the local stage at Warped Tour 2013 in Auburn Hills (click on the picture for pictures of their Warped set), and are in the running to open up at Mega Fest Detroit for Bring Me The Horizon, We Came as Romans, and more. The band keeps wide variety in their music, including covers, such as Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” and collaborations, such as “Nooses (On the Looses)” featuring local Detroit rapper Evan Flow. Upcoming shows include a small Canada tour in February alongside Amongst Heroes.
Bonus info: March 30, 2013 – On A Day To Remember’s “Right Back At It Again” tour, Of Mice & Men’s Austin Carlile was arrested the day before the Royal Oak show. As a last minute replacement, the tour reached out to SycAmour, who took the stage that night with A Day To Remember and Chunk! No Captain, Chunk! (Click here to check out more pictures from that show)
For more information: Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Website
Not Without A Fight – Photo by Corbin Alvae
(Click for photos from their recent show with Real Friends)
5) Not Without A Fight
Founded: 2012, South-east Michigan
Genre: Pop-punk
Label: Independent (as of February 2014)
Description: One of the rising stars in the local pop punk community is Not Without A Fight. Just coming off of a show with recent Fearless Records signee Real Friends (click on the picture for more photos from that show) and their first official music video, the band is quickly picking up speed towards the big leagues. Recent releases include a 6-track EP, “Give It All You Got,” as well as a music video for the track, “Karl, That Kills People,” which premiered exclusively at this link on Under the Gun Review.
Bonus info: Check out this video from one of their recent shows at The Pike Room, where we recorded their live cover of My Chemical Romance’s “I’m Not Okay (I Promise.)”
For more information: Facebook || Twitter || YouTube
Did we miss anybody? Let us know in the comments!
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