Band: Turn the Tide
From: Memphis, Tennessee / Denver, Colorado
Their formation story:
"We’ve been part of the Memphis punk and hardcore scene since we first started playing in bands and touring together in the early 2000s. As time went on, touring slowed down, bands broke up, and we started families.
"Turn the Tide was formed in 2025 out of a desire to keep making music together. We had the idea that we could just hang out at the studio, hit record in the control room, and play whatever music inspired us while we were together. So that’s exactly what we did."
Their sound in their own words:
"In some ways, Turn the Tide is a reflection of the bands we’ve played in over the years. The variety of genres and styles influences these songs: catchy hooks, melodic choruses, fun breakdowns, and sing-alongs.
"One thing we decided early on was that we wanted the songs to be fast and loud. There’s this cliché that the older a band gets, the slower and softer their songs become, and we wanted to buck that trend. We’re all in our 40s, but we still have the same passion and conviction we had decades ago, and we wanted these songs to showcase that.
"We take a lot of inspiration from mid-2000s hardcore bands like: Have Heart, Battery, Ambitions, No Warning, Go It Alone, and Shipwreck A.D."
Latest release info:
"The self-titled EP is a collection of the first songs we wrote once we got into the studio in 2025. In some ways, the four tracks showcase a band experimenting with different styles, rhythms, and layers as it figures out what Turn the Tide’s sound will eventually become.
"We worked with Matt Qualls at Easley Studios in Memphis. Matt is an old friend and former bandmate, and he made the sessions feel more like hanging out than making a serious record. What Matt is able to do in the studio is really impressive, and he helped us sound exactly how we wanted.
"Lyrically, it was important for us to talk about more than just reminiscing about the old days. There are decades of life reflected in these songs—hardcore and politics, love and friendship, unjust wars and conflict, and mental health. In some ways, these are the same songs we’ve been writing and performing for years."
Future plans:
"We’ve been talking about getting back into the studio soon to refine and sharpen the band’s sound even more. More than anything, we’re just excited to keep making music again. The response to the self-titled EP has been really encouraging, and we’re excited to see where this goes.
"Scheduling can be tricky since we all live in different parts of the country, but we’ve been finding ways to streamline songwriting so our time together in the studio stays productive."
What other bands from their region should we check out?
If you’re in Memphis, check out Pezz and El Chavos. Out in Denver, check out Time X Heist and Direct Threat."
Turn the Tide on social media: Instagram
Tagged: turn the tide
