Now that we have all experienced the sweet nostalgia high of reliving moments of our favorite bands from the early 2000s via No Echo’s 2000s hardcore week, let’s take a minute to reflect on what’s happening currently (which can be hard to do for people of a certain age–myself included–when you’ve already seen a couple of trend cycles play in and out).
This is a list of current bands that are putting out early 2000s vibes in 2024. This is by no means a conclusive list, just some bands that have caught this writer’s ear in recent times.
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Anklebiter
Anklebiter hail from the Northeastern United States and have been quickly found an audience with the release of a demo in 2022, an EP, To Live and Withstand, in 2023, and their split with Prevention earlier this year.
This band plays a style of hardcore that is similar to bands like Outbreak, early Ceremony, and Stop and Think.
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Bad Beat
Bad Beat is an exciting new band from Detroit, Michigan who recently dropped an LP on Triple B Records this May. Playing a familiar style of hardcore akin to Lockin’ Out faves Mental and Justice.
This is a very fun party hardcore feel that seems to have been absent from the scene for quite some time.
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Berthold City
Berthold City have been carrying the torch for California Straight Edge since their 2017 demo. If you don’t know already (in which case you’ve been living under a rock), the quintet features members from Strife, Internal Affairs, Allegiance, and Death by Stereo.
Taking influence from bands of the day like Carry On and Terror, combined with an affinity for 1980s Youth Crew and NYHC, the band’s back-to-basics (no, not Back Ta Basics Records) approach is welcomed and necessary.
Their new single, “The Cost,” is streaming everywhere now. Check out their LP, Where Did We Go Wrong?, out August 30th on WAR Records.
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Chopping Block
Seattle has always been a stronghold for hardcore on the West Coast. The shadow of grunge looms large on the area with all-things '90s being in full swing in today’s modern era. Chopping Block are keeping things traditional with a sound that will bring a smile to fans of bands like Carry On, Count Me Out, and The First Step.
The band is having a killer year, playing up and down the West Coast of North America (watch out Canada, they’re coming for you in the fall). If you haven’t checked out their promo from earlier this year, you’re in for a treat. Seattle’s Hardcore EP will be out later this fall.
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Dead Last
Dead Last are a fast hardcore band from Long Island. Falling somewhere on between the Streets of Hate, Triple B, and Scheme Records scenes of the Northeast, this band has certainly made an impression by playing fests like FYA in Florida and appearing on America’s Hardcore Volume 5.
Their song, “Land of the Free,” was my absolute favorite of 2022 and really highlights life in the United States for the vast majority of people, which is especially important to reflect on in an election year.
The West Coast is ready for their first appearance (just saying). The band takes influence from early 2000s bands such as Step Forward, Stop and Think, and Rampage.
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Dynamite
Dynamite from London, England released their 7”, Blow the Bloody Doors Off, via Quality Control HQ and Northern Unrest in February. With a snarling vocal style similar to that of Gibby Miller (Panic, The Trouble), Dynamite’s no-bullshit approach to fast, catchy hardcore combined with infectious two-step mosh really brings out your inner teenager, who is stoked to mosh for band’s whole set.
If you dig bands like Mindset, Violent Reaction, and Right Brigade, this one’s for you.
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Fading Signal
Fading Signal are carving out their niche by running the gamut of early 2000s hardcore sounds. With emotive lyrics and heartfelt mosh found on their first two releases, Nothing Feels Good Anymore, and Demo ‘20 (combined in the collection Year Zero released on cassette by Safe Inside Records), the band has made an evolution from sounding like American Nightmare, Panic, and Carry On to embracing a heavier sound found on Long Ago and Far Away EP.
Meanwhile, Fading Signal's most recent release, 2023's Toy Soldier single, brings to mind the spirit of Terror or early Blacklisted. This reminds me of a similar trajectory taken by True Love, who spelled it out in their 2018 interview with No Echo.
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Fine Équipe
Everybody’s new favorite record is Prisons Imaginaires by French Oi! punks, Syndrome 81. Did you know that the members have a melodic, Youth Crew-inspired side project called Fine Équipe?
In case you didn’t, I’m sorry you didn’t know before, but also, you’re welcome. While not a straight edge band or a posicore band, you can hear influences from bands like Get the Most, The First Step, or Teamwork Records-era Carry On.
Fans of the REACT! Records catalog, take note! This release is only available on Bandcamp, but will be available on 10” vinyl through Offside Records this fall.
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If It Rains
If It Rains is the brainchild of Evan Stein (Anklebiter, Broken Vow) and features other notable Boston-area musicians like Chang-hwan Kim (Pummel, No Model, Kind!) and Nick Birtles (Anklebiter).
Self-described as “melodic hardcore for the moshers," this one is for those who like their hardcore on the more emo side, like Killing the Dream, Verse, and Life Long Tragedy. Their demo from Delayed Gratification Records is SOLD THE FUCK OUT!
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Meantime
Meantime’s December 2023 LP, Living in the Meantime, was released on Indecision Records and was far and away a contender for Album of the Year, although it was a late entry.
While many bands cite Go It Alone as an influence, very few of them actually have the chops to live up to the comparison. Meantime holds their own in that respect and continues the time honored tradition in an understated fashion.
The Candians made an appearance at Tacoma, Washington’s Just Another Gig Volume 5 this year, but we are looking to more Stateside appearances from the group.
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No Peace
Australian hardcore typically flies under the radar of most Americans, even if it's exceptional, which is the case with Adelaide’s own No Peace. This band is quite possibly the next Miles Away–bringing speed, melody, and moshy grit in a way that hits a sweet spot between nostalgic, traditional, and modern.
No Peace's latest release is a three-way split with Japan’s True Fight and Indonesia’s Final Attack, released on Set the Fire Records. Be sure to check out their Allegiance cover, too!
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Pain Strikes
Pain Strikes have been puttering around the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania for the better part of a decade. As is the case with many bands, COVID hampered a promising trajectory for the band, having released their excellent 7” in 2018 titled As Days Pass on Safe Inside Records.
Rising from the ashes of hibernation, Pain Strikes have been making their rounds in the area again, building momentum for their upcoming LP. Keep your eyes peeled for more of this band. Another one for the likes of those who dig Carry On, American Nightmare, and Count Me Out.
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Rejection Pact
You know them, you love them. If you don’t know them, you should love them. The boys from Boise really made their mark with their 2022 album, Can We Wait?
This LP is a landmark for this style of music and really stands out for being complete, concise, and correct hardcore. Here’s hoping that they spend some time on the road in the near future.
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Roll Call
Out of all of the bands on this list, all of them are influenced by the Bridge 9 roster, but the only one who can actually claim to be a part of that legacy is New York City’s Roll Call.
Featuring members of Perfect World, Final Fight, Outbreak, and Gravemaker, they've opened shows for Judge, DYS, and 108, done a tour of Southeast Asia with One Step Closer, taken a trip to California, and have continued to hold it down in the stronghold of NYC hardcore.
Bridge 9 released their 2022 EP Perpetuate on vinyl. Check out their latest EP, Wish You Would.
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Stateside
While not an outright hardcore punk band, Stateside’s brand of emo-influenced pop-punk absolutely holds space in the world of hardcore, taking influences from bands like Saves the Day, early Fall Out Boy, and The Starting Line.
If you’ve seen the band live, you know that they’re an absolute powerhouse, complete with posi jumps, singalongs, and plenty of two-step opportunities. It’s What We Do was released last summer on New Morality Zine and Extinction Burst Records.
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Step by Step
A multigenerational hardcore band from Tehachapi, California, Step by Step takes the best of early 2000s Boston and 1980s New York City. Not much is known about the band, who formed earlier this year, aside from the fact that we can expect three more songs from them by the end of the summer.
This is a very specific style of Youth Crew-inspired hardcore that bands like Keep It Clear were doing when REACT! Records was in their heyday. We’ll continue to wait with baited breath to see what the future holds for this band.
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Time Void
Time Void comes from a weird place for hardcore: Portland, Oregon. Not necessarily known for its hardcore scene historically, the city is building up its reputation as a fledgling hotspot for bands to come through. At the core of that are bands like Time Void, who are putting on for their hometown on a regular basis.
Featuring a wide breadth of sounds similar to No Warning and Modern Life Is War, Time Void’s sound is unique as is their city. Keep Time Void weird!
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Without Love
Northern England melodic hardcore collective Without Love have been busy making a name for themselves as a DIY project from the United Kingdom. Having traveled both near and far in their region, the band have released an EP, a single, and a split with Colorado’s Time X Heist, since forming in 2022.
The urgency of Without Love's message, melody, and tempos come across as genuine and heartfelt. The band’s soul can truly be felt in the music. The technicality and craftsmanship behind their music is unmatched. Have you ever seen any hardcore guitarists play a song with capo?!
Go It Alone, Dead Swans, and Killing the Dream are easily identifiable influences in the group’s sound.
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Tagged: 2000s hardcore week
