Stoner Games is an independent studio founded by long-time techie Jeff Brown. The studio's debut title, Mosh Pit Mayhem, is a button-mashing brawler that pays homage to the fast-paced, unfiltered fun of the PlayStation 2 gaming era, while featuring graphics reminiscent of the PS3/PS4. The core concept of the game centers around cross-promotion for bands, with the music being the focal point of the gameplay. The developer has secured over 50 bands from diverse heavy music genres, including thrash, hardcore, death metal, and even hip hop. The goal of the game is for players to enjoy the chaotic fun of fighting in a mosh pit while discovering new music.

Gas Station Boner Pills is a punk band from Atlanta. They are one of the more unusual bands we have interviewed. They’re pretty good. They are a punk band. From Atlanta.

This interview was conducted through the hivemind.

subtitles. is a two man Emo/Alternative Rock band, based out of both Phoenix AZ and South France. Jake is the vocalist, with a history across multiple genres. Alex is the drummer/demo instrumentalist, who’s worked in the industry with multiple bands and sponsors over the past 15 years. We’ve got an 11 track debut album releasing early next year, have played/booked 5 shows the last month, and are excited to take the project to the next level with this album release.

DIYing Breed is a punk band formed by veterans of the New York City punk scene. Their collective vision was to pursue a distinct sound and style, characterized by the lost art of analog recording combined with an authentic, raw punk rock performance. The name itself, DIYing Breed, carries a dual meaning for the band members, referencing the necessity of maintaining control over the final creative product by doing it themselves, and also serving as a commentary on humanity participating in its own demise.

The band members—Victor (guitar), Bat (vocals/lyrics), Ned (bass), and Jimmy (drums)—have known each other for a long time and share a background in the same NYC punk scene. Their creative process usually begins with Victor developing a riff on the spot, which quickly comes together due to the music's straightforward nature. Bat contributes lyrics from his notebook, and Jimmy and Ned craft their rhythm parts to complete the song. Victor's driving and uncompromising guitar playing is considered the central hook of the band's powerful energy, with the rhythm section providing the foundation and Bat injecting his chaotic frontman persona. The core themes of their music revolve around calling out the bullshit in life without being preachy. They believe the societal issues fueling their music are the same as decades ago, just worse and now out in the open

PILLOWBITER began in 2023 out of the remnants of an old bedroom music project called The Beautiful Child; frontwoman Sasha had recorded two short albums as TBC starting in 2019. She relocated to Brooklyn from Atlanta in 2021, and also started her gender transition. Based on her experiences and struggles through that, she started to write new songs. Eventually these would become the PILLOWBITER EP.

Their first show was in August 2024 and their EP was released in May 2025, and now they are looking to record a full length release sometime next year. Sasha describes it as a major catharsis for her to play in this band and make this music. She deeply believe that bands, especially punk bands, need to say something politically meaningful, or else they don’t have legs to stand on. It’s her hope with PILLOWBITER to bring some much needed catharsis to the trans community - in her words, “we need space to be angry and upset”. But she refuses to let it end there - anything the band can do in terms of advocacy or to benefit the trans+ community is part of the mission, and Sasha makes a point to speak on it at all of their shows.

God’s Favorite is a hardcore punk band from Westchester, NY, comprised of Jenna (vocals), El (guitar), Amit (guitar), Billy (bass/backing vocals), and Mark (drums).

The band started writing and practicing as a four-piece in July 2024. By the end of that summer, they had recorded and released a very rough demo. They played their first show in October 2024. After a handful of shows, they added Amit to round out their lineup. In the last year, they have played all over NYC, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley.

The band released “Divine Chaos” in June 2025, eight tracks, three re-recorded from the demo and five new ones.

Fusing the nostalgia of 2000’s post-hardcore with innovative metalcore and pop-punk of the 2020’s, MADiSON ViOLETT is an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with. Based out of Los Angeles, she emerged into the modern metal scene at age 17 in 2025 with her anthemic and climactic debut single ‘Circling’. Emotionally charged, carried by hard hitting vocals, catchy riffs, and intelligent lyrics, it is a quintessential must-listen track for all fond of the genre. 

At only four years old, she had discovered her undeniable love for music and began her life centered around performance and writing, carrying her countless experiences and previous momentum into her solo project. Her music is relevant to the listener, lyrics are heartfelt and real, and her sounds are artistically crafted to convey her message to a point. She has always written her music outside of the proverbial box- rather, she doesn’t allow cultural music genres to restrict her. To her, it is about the story; the narration, and contributions to the world. Her music is indeed like no other.

Having come across a band that shares many of our own ethical stances, we jumped at the chance to interview SL.AP, Pennsylvania's Po-Dunk Post-Punk Pariahs. Together since 2017, with 3 studio albums under their belt and another on the way, SL.AP is made up of "Uncle" Sean Bandy on vocals, Stevie "The Frogman" Neidert on lead guitar, Joe "Super" Favoroso on the drums, and Matt "Matt" Bandy on bass guitar. The self described "GoonWave" quartet's music is loud, raucous, and even sometimes offensive, with an anarchic, paranoid edge. But, since their beginnings as a high school garage band, they've always held the standard that it's about the music and the community, not the money. Whether it's always having their music available digitally for free, or their two time "Goonfest" music festival that raised money for local charities, they believe that art and music is a vital part of life that everyone should be able to partake in.

Vegas Music Scene serves as a vital champion for the diverse and often overlooked local arts and music community in Las Vegas, directly challenging the mainstream perception dominated by the Strip's tourist-centric glamour. Founded and run by lifelong music nerd Lara Laatikainen, and later joined by fellow nerd Melissa M. Gill, the mission of VMS is to provide much-needed promotion for indie musicians and artists who struggle to gain visibility against the prevalence of Vegas tourist nonsense. VMS actively supports these local creators by consistently publishing a weekly calendar of shows, monthly playlists, new music announcements, and "artist of the week" spotlights, operating on the belief that all local talent is incredibly talented and deserves to have their voices heard. Their personal conviction and focus on community support—fueled by intense feelings about social issues, including support for the transgender community and immigration —drives the publication's commitment to showcasing raw, real, and authentic expression, exemplified by its celebration of the visceral energy of pure punk rock.

The Saints of Lorain is a band deeply rooted in the past of their previous incarnation, Al & the Coholics, but they operate with a refined and forward-looking determination. The current group is largely composed of four-fifths of the original Coholics lineup, but they bring a quarter-century of life and musical development to the material. Their latest EP, "Before We Were Saints," is a collection of previously unreleased Coholics songs, now properly recorded and executed to finally give them the audience and quality they deserve. The title itself signifies the tumultuous period before a pivotal promise made by Rob to his late brother Jonny Blood—a commitment to ensure the music would endure. This new phase of the band is not a retreat into the past, but a dedicated act of continuance, transforming the reckless energy of the Coholics into an intentional, focused effort to tell their story of survival and honor those they lost.

The band's current sound is a gritty blend of Cleveland street punk mixed with a diverse range of genres including hip hop, rock and roll, blues, hardcore, and metal, and their identity is shaped by the collective perseverance of its members. The Saints are committed to authentic expression, refusing to pretend to be anything other than what they are—raw and honest survivors. With the release of their EP, their immediate objective is to aggressively pursue more music releases, complete their catalog of songs written with former guitarist Styles, and expand their touring beyond local Cleveland haunts.

The Milwaukee-based band gNatiform is a progressive punk force that is all about pushing their musical ability within a high-energy setting, embodying the genre's ideals rather than its traditional sound. The band’s complex music is a cohesive blend of the members' diverse backgrounds: Aaron’s intricate bass lines, guitarist Ashleigh’s technical metal riffs, and Marc’s contribution on drums and electric wizardry. The band incorporates unique sounds and samples, contributing to a massive soundscape that defies the regimented sound often found in modern progressive music, opting instead for a more authentic feel.

gNatiform deliberately balances their musical complexity with a notably less-than-serious aesthetic rooted in non-musical inspirations. A central inspiration is the LitRPG genre, which informs their creative output and led them to bond with the community. Their commitment to irreverence is perfectly captured by their name, gNatiform (read on), which they use as a counterbalance to their progressive sound. Following their renewed vigor in 2024, the band is focused on planning their first tour to support their latest EP, Soundtrack to a System Apocalypse, with an emphasis on high-energy live shows that prioritize the exchange of energy between the band and the audience.

iLL RAiSED, from Queens, NY, delivers a sonic punch that does not let up. The band is proud of its Latino heritage and still uses its original name, MALCRiADOS, interchangeably with iLL RAiSED. This dual identity reflects their musical approach, which is difficult to pin down to one genre. The band’s sound is a deliberate and intense blend, pulling from diverse styles including Hardcore, Crossover, Punk, Hip-Hop, Death, and even Salsa, which has led them to humorously coin the genre "Ghetto Punk."

iLL RAiSED credits the New York Hardcore (NYHC) scene for its welcoming nature, which allows the band to create hard-hitting music without being confined to a single subgenre box. Ultimately, the band believes that diversity is essential to the hardcore scene, enabling continuous growth and reflecting the vibrant cultural mix from which they emerged.

Violent By Nature (VBN) is a thrash metal band from the underbelly of Los Angeles. VBN blends elements of old school speed thrash metal and hardcore aggressive punk styles; making them known for their blistering tempos, aggressive vocals, and high speed technical guitar riffs and solos. 

VBN consists of founding member and frontman Thor Thatcher on lead vocals and lead guitar, Dylan Segatore on bass and backing vocals, Jose Garcia on drums, and newest member David Salcedo on guitar and backing vocals.

Music written by lead guitarist and vocalist Thor Thatcher, VBN is hitting the road supporting their debut album “Live and Die in LA,” captivating audiences with their energetic stage presence and powerful high speed musicianship, they are a true representation of LA metal. 

The Queens band MANiK is on the rise, and nobody embodies the spirit of pure rock and roll more than MANiK frontman, lead singer and guitarist Danny Sanchez. As the newest member of the band, he has integrated fully into the band’s dynamic and provided the missing piece to put this band over the top. When not tearing up the stage with MANiK, Sanchez is studying audio engineering, showing his dedication to music.

We are big fans and were glad to have the opportunity to sit down for an interview.

Meghan Taylor isn’t just a vocalist, she is a force of nature. And if you’ve ever seen GIFTSHOP live, you’ll know what we mean.

While the band calls Astoria, Queens home, Meghan herself is a transplant from Upstate New York, where she honed her chops in several Rochester bands. With GIFTSHOP, she is playing has the unique challenge of playing with bandmates - Damian Eckstein, Matt Santoro and Jordan Kramer - with some serious technical skills, and in both recordings and shows she is able to match them with the powerful intensity that she brings.

We had a chance to catch up with her to discuss performing, her background, and how to turn a torrential rainstorm into a blast for everyone.

The NYC band Crazy Eddie is a hardcore punk group known for its raw, fast, and loud "to the point" sound, aiming to evoke the simple, fun spirit of old-school hardcore. The band is a notable part of the New York Hardcore (NYHC) scene, featuring members who have played in other established NYHC groups, including Fahrenheit 451, District 9, Abject, and Downlow. Their formation brought together seasoned veterans of the scene, contributing to their no-frills, aggressive style. Their track titles often reflect the genre's typical themes with a tongue-in-cheek sensibility, such as "The Prices Are Insane" and "Go Home You're Drunk."

For the Nashville-based band Mourning Joy, it's been a long road. Initially conceived of as a name in high school by singer/guitarist Trent Tidwell, fifteen years later it has finally become a reality. Mourning Joy is heavily influenced by Alkaline Trio, Rancid, Lawrence Arms, Banner Pilot and The Misfits, as well as by Tidwell's own admiration for the native Nashville music scene. The band is currently working on an EP with plans of touring in 2026.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Trent to discuss a wide variety of topics, including where he gets his inspiration, the prospect of getting older, and how he channels some of the despair that we all feel in everyday life into his music.

Still Deciding is an energetic punk trio rooted in the Los Angeles scene, formed by longtime friends Stellan (guitar/vocals) and David (bass), and later joined by drummer Jude. Stellan and David first connected in kindergarten, and the seeds of the band were sown after they met a third musician at summer camp in 2023. Their connection to the LA music community runs deep; their early jamming took place in a studio owned by a friend, Glenn, where they would eventually record their debut EP, We Survived for This. The members have a clear dedication to their craft, with Stellan, in particular, having been playing guitar since he was eighteen months old.

The band's music is influenced by their Los Angeles environment, with recent songs like "Smoke" directly addressing local issues such as the raging wildfires and another track focused on the ICE raids. Frontman Stellan noted that the city's significant wealth inequality also shapes his perspective and lyrics. While they cite classic punk bands and LA favorites like Strawberry Fuzz and The Frights as inspiration, the trio defines "punk" less as a specific sound and more as an attitude of freedom of expression and love.

RBNX, a hard-hitting three-piece from Poughkeepsie, is a ska-punk band known for its high-energy, sweat-drenched live shows featuring circle pits, skanking, and screaming. The band's unique sound fuses unabashed hardcore, simple guitar riffs, and "faster-than-light drumming" with ska elements, a balance they achieve simply by playing what they enjoy, blending heavy and fun musical ideas. Their sonic roots are influenced by a wide array of 90s acts, including Bad Brains, Agnostic Front, Catch 22, and Sublime.

The band recently released a new album, Nothing Here Is Yours, a title inspired by a saying from one member's stepfather, which RBNX has expanded into a wider commentary on human existence, society, and personal belongings. Though they have previously partnered with Patient Zero Records, the band currently puts out its releases independently and is committed to offering physical copies—CD, cassette, and vinyl—alongside streaming, as the members themselves are enthusiasts of tangible music formats. Their recent output includes a song like "Jah Is Dead," a pre-band track written about the struggles of addiction and serving as a bystander or helping hand to an addict. While their most recent release is a live split with Negative Raxxx, which they’re particularly excited to press on vinyl, they continue to look forward, with touring plans set for the winter, promising high-energy performances that reinforce their core message: a call for unity, community, and taking care of one another.

The band 2-Dayz started as high school sophomores in a class in Las Vegas’ Liberty High School called Electric Mayhem. They continued to play together after they graduated, creating music and starting to play live shows in local scene in Las Vegas. In February of 2025 they recorded and released their debut EP called “The Mongoose”, recorded and produced at GoodGirlfriend Records in Vegas. Their single "Tidal Wave” has been played several times on local X Pauly Kover show on 107.5 and recently another track called "Brainworm" was played as well on a radio show. They were featured on September 26th on The Morning Blend on ABC-13 and played at The Whiskey in LA on September 5 while in Los Angeles filming a music video. The band has a fall tour scheduled now in Las Vegas and in January will return to The Whiskey and then tour San Diego.