Band: Defy You
From: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Their formation story:
(Joey D., vocals): "The idea for Defy You started back in the end of 2023 where Rupa Z (guitar) and I wanted to start a hardcore band that revolved around the style and influence of the 2000s and early 2010s style. He and I sat together and started writing music together and after getting some scratch demos done, we gathered the lineup of Mikey S (guitar), Chris T (drums) and Jon W (bass) to finish out writing what turned into our demo.
"We then played a 'secret' first set with Rupa’s other band at the time called Without Peace in May of 2024, and at that show Pat, the owner of RTF Records, asked us if we wanted to put out the demo with his label.
"After agreeing to that, we went into the studio with Justin L (Shampoo, Nylon, Phantom) to record the demo and put it out on August 19th. We played our first official show in Jersey City on August 25th and the rest is history."
Their sound in their own words:
"You could describe our style as very Northeast style, fast and danceable hardcore. Some of the bands that we take a lot of influence from are No Warning, Backtrack, Guns Up!, Breakdown, Trapped Under Ice, and Outburst."
Latest release info:
"The two new songs, 'Breaking Tradition' and 'Spewing Hate,' were written back earlier this year and recorded, mixed and mastered by Sean K (Never Again) and came out on RTF Records, September 24th 2025. With the addition of our new drummer, Creasen N, these songs came together perfectly and debuted at our show on June 21st 2025 with Incendiary and Never Ending Game at the Black Box in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
"These songs, as most of the songs are, were written about vulnerable topics in my life. 'Breaking Tradition' was written as almost a letter to my future self about how I need to be a better role model to my future children. I just wanted to write a song about how you don't need to be a product of the environment you grew up in and it is ok to break tradition to be what you believe will be the best version of what you needed growing up.
"'Spewing Hate' also is about being a better version of yourself by letting go of the hate for people and things in your heart and learning that forgiveness is sometimes what’s best for personal growth. "
Future plans:
"Right now, our main focus as a band would be, writing our next release while also trying to get out of New Jersey and tour as much as we can. We have a weekender planned for October 17th-19th where we are playing in Virginia, New Jersey and Baltimore. Also, we have hopefully something cooking in December where we will be hitting the road with some of our RTF Records family."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
"NJHC right now is flourishing with so many new and awesome bands. Some bands from Jersey you should check out are Duel, Heavy Hand, XL Bully, Eric Raven, Quiz, Fade, Negative Force, Heathens, Oxygen Tank, Depressionista, Who Remembers, Bodylock, and Direct Order 82.
"Some bands outside of Jersey but in our region to check out would be Fools Game, Suicide Eyes, No Chain, Ok Buddy, Peace Corps, Heavy Hex, Headless World, Madman, Cheated, and Westmain."
Promo 2k25 is available on CD via RTF Records.
Defy You on social media: Instagram
