Doll Fest is a mission-led music and arts gathering that champions feminine energy and community solidarity while actively dismantling patriarchal norms. By reclaiming the "Doll" moniker, the festival pays tribute to the resilience and social triumphs of femme individuals across various historical movements, including the Black trans scene in New York. The event functions as a curated sanctuary where diversity is central rather than symbolic; it fosters a secure environment for BIPOC and Queer communities by setting clear boundaries against bigotry and supporting causes like the Transgender Law Center. Beyond its musical lineup of femme-fronted bands, the festival incorporates community-building efforts such as boxing classes and comedy shows to encourage active engagement. While the current political and economic climate has made securing financial sponsors more difficult, the festival continues to expand its reach, with plans to grow from its Oakland roots into an international presence in Mexico City and beyond by 2027.

Purple Lung is a high-energy doom metal outfit hailing from the Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) scene, consisting of vocalist and guitarist Toni, bassist Max, guitarist Simon, and drummer James. Transitioning from their early short-form releases to their 2026 debut full-length record, Mystic Vision, the group has evolved their collaborative songwriting process by embracing studio experimentation and spontaneous layering. Their signature sound blends the foundational weight of traditional doom and Sabbath-style bluesy riffs with the high-speed urgency and aggressive delivery of hardcore punk. Deeply influenced by the atmospheric, wooded landscapes of their home region, the band weaves fantasy-driven narratives—featuring wizards, dragons, and ancient lore—into their music. Despite the dark intensity of their riffs, the members prioritize a sense of whimsy and authenticity, aiming to share their high-energy performances with audiences across the East Coast and Midwest throughout the coming year.

Established in 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Punks Giving is an organization rooted in the belief that the punk mindset is a catalyst for shattering the status quo and creating tangible social change. Originally founded to unite the resources of the punk and hardcore communities, the organization merged with Punk Rock Saves Lives in 2023 to further its mission of "Positively Positive" living. While its partner organization focuses on mental health and bone marrow registries, Punks Giving handles direct community impact, coordinating distributions of food, clothing, hygiene products, and toys to those in need. By championing core values of compassion, community, and respect, they empower individuals to give their time and talents to build a future where the punk scene is synonymous with radical, grassroots generosity.

Panic Sets In is a Philadelphia-based band that blends infectious pop-punk hooks with metal-influenced percussion and intricate bass lines to create a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Deeply rooted in the Philly scene, the band’s identity and lyrics are heavily influenced by the city, often exploring mature themes like modern American struggles and mental survival rather than typical tropes of young love. After a transformative hiatus and a lineup change that significantly boosted their creative productivity and morale, the group transitioned from recording in local basements to working at professional studios like Thornwall Studios. Recognized as 93.3 WMMR’s Local Shots Artist of the Month, the band is currently building momentum toward a sophomore album expected in 2026, characterized by organic collaboration and a focus on relatable bangers.

Hailing from the Hudson Valley, The Veggies are a self-proclaimed "nutritious" duo featuring Stefano (guitar/vocals) and Connor (bass/vocals). Their creative process, known as "Veggification," involves transforming acoustic sketches into catchy, high-energy tunes through the use of pedals and amplifiers. On stage, they are joined by Lucio, a Roland SP404 drum machine that serves as a permanent, business-focused third member of the group. Deeply rooted in the local DIY scene, the band prioritizes building community and supporting physical spaces like breweries and art-friendly venues. Beyond the band, Connor operates Mearns AV, a tape label that utilizes a "bedroom production" style to produce physical media for various local acts. After gaining recognition as a "NY Slice" on WFMU in 2025, the group is currently preparing to release a live acoustic album on Groundhog Day 2026 while beginning work on their first full-length LP.

If you're familiar with RepubliKan Sexblanket, you should take no surprise in the band's theatrical nonsense. With its trash punk howls and 80s themed references, the blood and beer were always flowing at a moment's notice. Something abrasive and entertaining was bound to occur if you spent your evening with RSB. It spawned straight from a Ronald Reagan-possessed VCR, playing neon D.A.R.E. programs in backward Latin. RepubliKan Sexblanket wasn't a band you asked for, it was a band you were going to get regardless. Chances are you deserved it anyway.

Angelo Moore, the legendary frontman of Fishbone, has reimagined his artistic identity through his collaborative project, Angelo Moore and the Brand New Step. Working alongside San Francisco Bay Area musicians Jim Greer and Kris Jensen, the iconic musician forges an innovative path that moves beyond his ska and punk roots. This ensemble intertwines diverse musical traditions — ranging from neo-soul and funk to electronic dance and hip hop — to create a soundscape that is both sophisticated and experimental. By incorporating unconventional instruments like the theremin and blending live beats with insightful lyricism, the group provides Moore with a fresh platform to display his unmistakable charisma. Since its inception, the band has produced several albums and delivered high-energy performances worldwide, proving that Moore continues to be a boundary-pushing force in contemporary music. We got a chance to catch up with Kris, Jim and Angelo.

The Fighting Jamesons are an American Irish/Celtic–influenced group that blends Rock & Roll, punk rock, world, and folk music into a high-energy sound that connects with listeners across genres. They have been active for over 16 years, touring primarily along the East Coast, with additional runs in California and and the Midwest. Their current lineup has been solid for the past seven years, during which they’ve seen significant growth in their fanbase—particularly in the years coming out of COVID. Along the way, they have had the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as Dropkick Murphys, Young Dubliners, The Saw Doctors, Andrew W.K. Street Dogs and even Vanilla Ice. They are currently writing their next full-length album and plan to begin recording in late winter or early spring of 2026.

The Trees – three cute nerds who write strange-yet-catchy rock songs about decolonization and late-stage capitalism – strive to convey the urgency of their message while also supporting their human siblings in not just surviving but thriving. Inspired by nature and other creative weirdos, The Trees enjoy playing with the line between uncomfortable and too much while still also entertaining our fans. Despite our inclination to push boundaries, experiment with sounds and song structure, and sing brazen lyrics, the heart of our message is to spread joy and foster intentional connection based around celebrating the planet, queerness, and creativity.

Founded in 2001, Half Price is a Cape Town-based ska-punk band that originally focused its songwriting on international politics and pressing domestic concerns like the South African HIV pandemic before shifting toward the infamous, high-energy party sound they are known for today. This evolution into light-hearted, sing-along anthems paired with unpredictable stage antics quickly solidified their reputation as a premier South African punk act, leading to high-profile opening slots for international legends such as Frenzal Rhomb, Mad Caddies, The Exploited, Alien Ant Farm, Leftöver Crack, and even the 90s Euro-pop group Culture Beat. The band eventually exported their distinct brand of "party punk" to the global stage, beginning with a tour of Namibia in 2004 and continuing through four separate European tours spanning from 2005 to 2013.

Hailing from Santa Rosa, the seminal California punk quartet Diesel Boy emerged in the early 1990’s as a cornerstone of the melodic underground scene. Renowned for their high-speed rhythms and a penchant for clever wordplay, the group became a flagship act for Honest Don’s, a subsidiary of the legendary Fat Wreck Chords label. The band toured extensively across North America and beyond during their initial decade-long run, sharing the stage with bands such as NOFX, The Vandals and No Use For A Name, Following a twenty-year hiatus, the band - fronted by the distinctive vocals of Diesel Dave - experienced a creative resurgence, reuniting to deliver fresh material for a new generation of skate-rock enthusiasts. We caught up with the band to see what they had to say.

Dan "Bopper" O'Day is a veteran musician who launched his career in Vermont with the brass punk group River City Rebels, a band that has maintained its longevity through numerous lineup changes and several distinct creative eras. After a period on a major independent label where he learned difficult lessons about the importance of retaining music publishing rights, O'Day transitioned from raw vocal delivery to a more melodic and confident singing style. Currently, he is focused on a new project called Steppin’ Razor Blades—a high-energy blend of traditional ska, reggae, and punk attitude—while continuing to develop future material for the Rebels. Now older and wiser, O'Day maintains his stage energy through a dedicated vegan lifestyle and daily exercise, focusing his lyrical themes on social messages and his musical legacy.

Hailing from Olympia, Washington, Storm Boy is a post-hardcore collective that fuses the raw angst of the pandemic era with a fierce, joyful energy designed for both the picket line and the dance floor. Originally formed as a solo outlet for songwriter Chas Roberts, the group solidified into a powerhouse quartet featuring drummer Jeremy Anderson, bassist Kuba Bednarek, and guitarist Charli Beaumont, known for their high-energy performances in unconventional venues. After their 2024 EP, SUPERPOSITION!, earned critical acclaim and comparisons to legends like Fugazi and IDLES for its "brilliantly different" approach, the band is set to release their debut LP, Beast Machine Theory, this week. This new album encapsulates the band’s evolution from garage-born roots to a polished, multi-dimensional force, a milestone they will celebrate with an upcoming tour across the Northeast.

BANG BANG is a veteran fixture of the Polish music scene, having maintained a continuous presence as a punk rock outfit for nearly four decades. Emerging from Legionowo, a town near Warsaw, shortly after the 1977 British punk explosion, the group established a signature sound rooted in the genre's original wave while navigating the challenges of martial law and the eventual transition from communism. The members describe themselves as mental punks whose longevity is fueled by an addiction to using music as a tool for social critique and rebellion.

The band's evolution has been marked by a strong DIY ethic, shifting from early unofficial cassette releases to more polished studio albums like their 2024 project, The Last Punker, which offers a mature, nostalgic reflection on global tragedies and the transience of life. Over the years, their lineup and sound have been influenced by diverse experiences, including a stint playing covers in pubs and the melodic contributions of female vocalist Monika ("Lidka"). Beyond their music, the group remains committed to social activism through the "Music Against Racism" movement, aiming to use their platform to unite listeners and reach a new generation of fans globally.

As they prepare to unveil their third studio album in early 2026, the Manila-based nu metal powerhouse Saydie is entering a new era of artistic maturity and global reach. Fronted by Kat, the band has spent the last several years touring internationally, bridging the gap between the raw energy of the Philippine metal scene and diverse audiences worldwide. Their recent creative output, epitomized by the single "Yawa," leans into a heavier and more visceral sound that uses cultural lore and horror as metaphors for the complexities of identity and survival. By prioritizing emotional honesty and trusting in the universal language of passion, Saydie is solidifying their place in the genre's worldwide resurgence while remaining fiercely authentic to their roots

When last we caught up with The Colourflies, alt-rock titans from the Pacific Northwest, we asked them a bunch of serious questions, and they gave us back the most hilarious answers ever. So, we figured we would give them somewhat more ridiculous questions, just to see if they’d give us serious answers. It didn’t seem to work out.

The Colourflies are a prolific Pacific Northwest indie-rock fixture known for their signature "psychedelic-shoegaze" sound and an unwavering DIY ethos. Originally established in the Inland Northwest and deeply tied to the Washington state music scene, the band is led by the creative force of Matt Legard, whose four-octave vocal range and experimental guitar layering define their expansive "wall of sound." Their music balances raw, 90s-inflected grunge riffs with ethereal, melodic textures—a stylistic blend they have famously described as "the human soul being pushed through a razor wire fence." Over more than a decade, the group has evolved from local underground favorites to an international touring act.

Young and Doomed is a New Jersey-based alt-rock group that has been active since 2022, building a reputation for high-energy live performances and an authentic, no-nonsense attitude rooted in the local scene. Their sound is heavily influenced by early 2000s rock and the work of Frank Iero, evolving from these origins into a style characterized by heavy bass lines, energetic drumming, and a recent shift toward a darker, more expansive sound on their latest EP, Horror At Its Very Finest. While vocalist Thalia serves as the primary songwriter, channeling personal frustrations and negative experiences into emotionally charged lyrics, the entire band collaborates to ensure the music reflects their shared values and political stances. Ultimately, the band aims to leave listeners feeling alive or inspired by the raw intensity of their music, viewing their performances as a cathartic outlet for both themselves and their audience.

Born out of the vibrant Berkeley, California ska-punk scene in the late 1980s, Dance Hall Crashers distinguished themselves through their unique vocal arrangements and infectious energy. While many of their contemporaries relied on aggressive vocals or heavy brass sections, DHC centered their sound on the seamless, pop-sensible harmonies of co-lead singers Elyse Rogers and Karina Deniké. Rounding out the lineup - Jason Hammon on guitar, Mikey Weiss on bass and Gavin Hammon on drums - the band refined a style that blended upbeat two tone rhythms with the melodic sensibilities of 1960s girl groups and the driving power of 90s punk.

The band reached their commercial peak in the mid-to-late 1990s following the release of their definitive album, Lock, Stock and Barrels (1995). Tracks like Lost Again and Enough showcased their ability to craft radio-friendly hooks that resonated during the height of the third-wave ska revival. Despite a few hiatuses and lineup shifts over the decades, Dance Hall Crashers earned a reputation as a powerhouse live act, beloved for their charismatic stage presence and tight musicianship. Despite not having released a studio album since 2001's Purge, they remain an influential cornerstone of the West Coast ska scene, celebrated for bringing a sophisticated, melodic edge to a high-octane genre.

The punk band VOIKOT was born from a unique fusion of international experience and local resistance in 1988. Following their arrival in Concepción from Romania and Germany, brothers Romilio and Rene Bascur brought firsthand insights from the Eastern European and GDR punk scenes, where they had witnessed both Stasi repression and the fall of the Berlin Wall. This background found a natural home in the industrial spirit of Talcahuano, where they connected with local stalwarts like Arka Epiléptica and Machuca. Alongside musicians Luis González and Ariel Alegría, VOIKOT became a cornerstone of the underground movement, performing high-energy, skillful sets at legendary venues like Bilbao 101—the "CBGB of Chile"—and the Ecuador Park folk fair.

Despite their influence as pioneers of the Concepción scene, the band faced severe censorship and physical violence from the military regime, which forced them into a world of clandestine, anti-dictatorship performances. These harsh conditions and limited resources prevented the band from professionally recording their music during their original 1988–1992 run. However, on November 30, 2024, VOIKOT finally released their debut album, capturing the raw, socio-political fury of their youth. This release serves as a vital historical document, preserving the defiant, old-school punk spirit that helped navigate Chile's dark transition from dictatorship to democracy.