For many years now, Scene Point Blank has taken the opportunity as the year ends to formally "pass the mic" to our friends on the other side of the mostly-imaginary divide between listeners and artists. This year is no exception as we ask a bunch of bands, artists and labels to tell us about their 2025. What music did they enjoy, what will they remember 2025 for, and what do they have coming in 2026? Read on for more – and here are a few samples to whet your appetite.
I also recently watched a video of Benson Boone joining Coach Balto’s Bike Bus when he played Portland. He hasn’t really made an impact on my life, but watching him interact with the children was just wholesome. I bet hearing a bunch of kids on bikes singing along to your songs had a huge impact on him as well. Google the video. Trust me.
I will remember 2025 as a really challenging year to move forward with creating work. I am so proud of any of us who were able to push past the perpetual stream of negativity and distractions that threaten to take us far away from our vision and purpose to get some art out into the world.
– Sandra Malak (Elegant Everyone)
I think it's really freeing to be able to record a song and have it out there for people to find in a matter of days or weeks. It's making things more compelling as people relax ideas of waiting until everything's perfectly aligned, and it evens the playing field for artists who will probably never be backed by a "machine" like the old days.
– Annie Sparrows (Panel / Bermuda Squares / Yesterday's Numbers)
Use the dropdown menu or page list to navigate around the artists we've Passed The Mic to, or click here to visit the first interview and go from there.
Bree McKeegan (Allegedly Records)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl
Take my punk pass if you must, but this album is incredible. It’s catchy, it’s intelligent, and it’s a little cheeky. I find myself singing, “Opalite” randomly throughout the day.
City Escape Artist - Modern Day Ghosts
Melodic punk outta Pittsburgh with harmonies that always blow me away. This is their 5th full-length and I swear that they continue to surpass my expectations with each release. The vocals in “Passageway” hit my soul in the right places.
The Last Post - Wayfinder
Have you ever wished that you could listen to The Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About for the first time again? Logan Betz’s (The Super High Tech Jet FIghters) solo album provides the perfect opportunity to achieve this. Check out “Run Away” if you don’t believe me.
TA-80 - Open Late
Straight up pop punk with a strong female lead. These veterans, made up of a husband/wife duo and long time friends, hail from Arizona. ”Roller Rink Days’ is a fun ditty that transports you back to the '90s.
Lily Allen - West End Girl
With the entire album written and recorded in just 10 days, it spills allllll of the tea about her recent split with her husband. It’s the divorce album that my Petty LaBelle heart needed back in 2021. “Madeline” goes as far as reading the text from her ex’s mistress. MEESSSSYYY
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I don’t know if he qualifies as a band, but I’m really excited to see where Benson Boone’s career takes him. I haven’t really listened to him too much, but from the live footage that I have seen -- he’s a hell of a showman. I also recently watched a video of Benson Boone joining Coach Balto’s Bike Bus when he played Portland. He hasn’t really made an impact on my life, but watching him interact with the children was just wholesome. I bet hearing a bunch of kids on bikes singing along to your songs had a huge impact on him as well. Google the video. Trust me.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
It was my reset and restructure year. Since 12 out of our 18 bands released in 2024, we had a relatively chill year at Allegedly Records. The majority of our bands spent the last 12 months writing and recording new music.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We should have quite a few new releases to put out next year. Paperback Tragedy and City Escape Artist are currently recording. So stay tuned!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Idleminds (MD skate punk) have been promising me an album for the last 5 years. Word on the street is that 2026 will be when my waiting ends.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
We just had this conversation with a couple of our bands. We live in a time that has no barriers to entry when it comes to releasing music and we have noticed that streams and listens drop off tremendously after the first month. One of our bands is releasing their next album in single format and another is releasing a few shorter EPs instead of a full-length.
Bree McKeegan – social media links
- Instagram: @allegedlyrecords
C.C. Voltage (Autogramm / No Rules PR)
photo by Ty McLeod
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- American Lips - On Strike
- Vanity Mirror - Super Fluff Forever
- Absolute Losers - In the Crowd
- Acapulco Lips - Now
- Beta Voids - Scrape It Off
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Katy Perry. I have a 3 year old. This is not the kind of music I would usually "discover," but turns out I actually kind of like some modern pop music. I realize it's not exactly incredibly current either, haha.
Also Sex Faces from DC put out a killer debut album on Slovenly.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I was able to tour Spain for the first time. It was a bucket list region to tour for me. The shows were incredible, and the people and food even more so. We met so many music fans, and went to so many music stores it'd be impossible to explain here, but it's really the mecca for music lovers. And wine too! I was also able to put a single out with Dirt Cult which was an honor.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Loads more PR work with No Rules PR. Maybe more from Autogramm. Possibly something from myself and Andrew from The Deadly Snakes. Just finished a slightly inebriated text session with him about starting a new band.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
The new The Darts album, Twenty One Children album on Slovenly, and any stuff from Küken and Slander Tongue in Germany.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Singles make life easier for a band and a PR guy. It's nice to not have to spend so much time on a full album if the desire to create that much material isn't there. Better to wait for the right moment and create your best work when inspired!
Curran Reynolds (Body Stuff)
photo by Natalie Piserchio
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Pixel Grip - Percepticide: The Death of Reality
- Today Is The Day - Never Give In
- Escape-Ism - Charge of the Love Brigade
- Ramleh - Hyper Vigilance
- Dax Riggs - 7 Songs for Spiders
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Eyes Have It. Dark and twisted hardcore punk, recommended for fans of bands like Raspberry Bulbs. Guitarist Andrew Lanza is one of Body Stuff’s live guitarists too.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I recorded my new album, Body Stuff 5.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Body Stuff 5.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I am excited about the new Tempers album, produced by Jorge Elbrecht whose work I’ve admired since the first Lansing-Dreiden album.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I am happy to release singles, one at a time, to give each song its moment to shine. But ultimately the album is the book, the singles are the chapters.
Curran Reynolds – social media links
- Instagram: @bodystuffworldpeace
Greg Raelson (Celebration Summer)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
Tired Radio - Hope in the Haze
Waited years for this. Is there such thing as a perfect album Everything from the songwriting to the production on this is fantastic. Any one of the songs could be a "single" which speaks volumes. Plus, they are some of the best dudes you'll ever know.
ERRTH - s/t
I haven't been this excited about a new band in years. And they formed at a Celebration Summer show (true story), so they were destined for awesomeness from the start.
Signals Midwest - Layovers
What can I say? I'm going to start calling him "Midas" Max Stern because it seems everything he touches is friggin' gold.
Mirrorless - s/t
Saw them on a whim when I showed up early to see Shiner at Quarry House Tavern just outside DC in Maryland (Quarry House is a tiny, TINY venue. Those who know, know). Blew me away. And then to find out they are members of Coliseum, Elliott, and By the Grace of God, I was hooked on this record from the start.
Diaz Brothers - The World is Yours
I love this band. The singer was previously the frontman in his band with Dickie Hammond, HDQ (probably the best band besides Leatherface from that region of the country).
Honorable mention: Technically not music "from" 2025, but Numero Group knocks one out of the park again with the fantastic Boilermaker boxset Not Enough Time to Get Anything Done, released in 2025.
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Well, I discovered Fever Sleep at FEST a few years ago when eating a slice of pizza in front of How Bazaar. I heard a band playing inside whose singer reminded me of Young Livers (spoiler alert: it was him). I popped in to check them out, but sadly, they had no music available at the time so I sort of forgot about them. I "re-discovered" them at FEST this year and immediately bought their record. It would definitely be a frontrunner for 2025 had it not been released in 2023! I'm still kicking myself for the 2 years spent unaware this was out!
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
In terms of music? I'll remember 2025 a lot better than anything else this year brought, that's for sure.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
I think we'll be taking it a bit easier this year to catch up on life stuff. But, we are planning on recording a long-overdue full-length.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I'm really interested to see which of my favorite records are getting re-pressed this year.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I'm a front-to-back LP guy, so I can't really speak to the singles aspect. I don't think that affects us one way or another. We write and play what we like and if something stands out to people, that's great!
Greg Raelson – social media links
- Instagram: @celebrationgregger
Mo Milan (Cocoa Pastel)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Pixel Grip - Percepticide: The Death of Reality
- Men I Trust - Equus Asinus
- Men I Trust - Equus Caballus
- Jerskin Fendrix - Bugonia (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Mo Milan - lover
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Cinderella. They’re a Filipino pop group from the 1970s who played a key role in shaping the Manila Sound movement. As a Filipino American, it felt like discovering lineage. It reframed how I think about pop, cultural memory, and where I locate myself within a broader musical history.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Honestly, 2025 feels like a limbo year for music. Between the rise of AI, Spotify allowing remixes of artists’ work, and musicians actively migrating away from dominant platforms, the function of music feels fundamentally altered. Paul McCartney talked about this years ago -- music becoming less about listening and more about feeding algorithms and short-form content. Right now, everything feels unsettled and unresolved.
To me, the saving grace of this year is the release of my debut EP as a self-contained artist. I do all the composing, songwriting, production, performances, engineering. My girl EP by Cocoa Pastel is my way of keeping the indie pop, synth-pop traditions alive.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
A new Cocoa Pastel album, featuring some truly incredible artists. It’s a project that continues to blur music, sound design, and atmosphere, but with a sharper emotional focus and a stronger sense of world-building than anything I’ve released before.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I’m very much waiting to hear what Boy Harsher releases next.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
It hasn’t. I focus on making music that feels necessary. I believe there are people out there who need something to connect to that makes them feel alive. That always has been, and always will be, more important to me than release strategies or trends.
Mo Milan – social media links
- Instagram: @cocoapastelmusic
Conan Neutron (Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Lung - The Swankeeper
- Plosivs - Yells at Cloud
- Gaytheist - The Mustache Stays
- mclusky - the world is still here and so are we
- B. Hamilton - B. Hamilton
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
We contain multitudes - minako
Jon Fine and Orestes from Bitch Magnet’s new band. It’s become one of my go-to driving records.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
How incredible it was to play with so many mindbendingly awesome bands in Japan. How fantastic it was to share the stage with world class bands like Elephant Rifle, Lung and Cosmic Kitten every night and how much I like discussing and analyzing music in the van with my band mates.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Much more touring. This last record is pretty special and I’m not only not really to move on yet, I’m excited to take it to even more places and play songs from to new audiences. Maybe with vinyl this time! We’ll be benching a few of the Art of Murder songs as that has now gone out of print again.
Will this be the year we get to Europe? Man I hope so. This was the year we played Japan though and that was pretty incredible.
We are in a few talks to do some pretty cool tours. Would be neat if those come through, but I just love doing it and love the music and the live show. Having nothing to do with Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends:
Oh yeah, Caterwaul 2026 is coming.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
New God Bullies coming out. Otherwise none that I’m aware of. I usually start the list knowing none and then have to fight to keep it down to 30!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Singles have ruled the scene for the last ten years. No surprise since everybody’s attention span has been whittled down to nothing as a conscious effort. I make records and will continue to: that has its own audience.
That said, there is a really cool song that doesn’t fit on the new record and we may see as a one-off. When I get around to recording again.
Hell, I still like doing singles though. In 2018/2019 I did a monthly split single series! Vinyl and digital. And that’s before the corporate overlord at Spotify declared that it is what everybody should be doing forever and ever amen. Some of those are some of my favorite songs from this band! But those were written with that in mind.
A good song is a good song. But I think three or so songs released as singles (maybe with a video?) is about all that can float to the surface. Who knows. Maybe we can release one from the record that wasn’t before? Whaddya gonna do… call the single cops?
Conan Neutron – social media links
- Twitter: @conanneutron
- Instagram: @conanneutron
Scott Pasch (DCxPC Live)
photo by @put.over.photo
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
I’m sticking with vinyl releases:
- RBNX / Car Bomb Parade – Split 12”
- Rebelmatic – Black Hole Meets the Tornado 12”
- Oh the Humanity! – Ground to Dust 12”
- Savage Master – Devil Rock 12”
- Alpha Sub – Alpha Sub 12”
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
This was probably the hardest question, because I really tried to land on a band I had no knowledge of before 2025 that also genuinely impacted me.
While I had heard of Girth Control from Albany, I hadn’t really listened to them much and had never seen them live until they played a show for me in January. They were one of those bands that not only put on an amazing, fun-filled ska-punk set, but were equally as great offstage as they were on it. I saw them
again at April’s Rally in the Valley and later that month at Not Croydon Fest, and while their sets were consistently strong, some of my favorite moments at both events were simply hanging out with them.
Over the next few months, I mostly crossed paths with one or two members at shows around Kingston, but they kept releasing dope tracks that reminded me how much pure fun that band brings. So when I booked Mephiskapheles in April, Girth Control was an obvious choice to open the show -- they prefer opening slots, since it gives them more time for drinking.
It ended up being a perfect way to close out 2025. Not only did they play one of their best sets ever but they continued to be half-way decent moderately acceptable people whom I didn’t half mind spending time with.
Overall, the bands that have affected me the most are the ones that reminded me that community is just as important -- if not more important -- than the music itself.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
2025 was a flurry. I put out 20 releases, booked and promoted 36 shows, booked two tours, and vended at about half a dozen festivals. Exhausting is probably the best word, but I’m also incredibly stoked to have been part of so much.
It was also the first year I released a studio album. Two-Man Advantage played their last show in October and asked me to release their final two songs that were never on any album. Even though I usually only do live releases, I couldn’t say no. I love that band and those people too much.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
The band I manage, WORLDSUCKS, will be releasing their first full-length 12”, and it’s going to blow people’s minds. We’ll be shopping the record around and planning monthly three-to-four-day weekends to support it, with hopes of hitting multiple festivals and traveling overseas.
I’m also booking tours for two Hudson Valley bands: Meow Meow in April and Shark Noises in March.
Vinyl-wise, I’ve got several live releases lined up for 2026, including:
- Franky and the Slight Incline 12”
- General Grievance 12”
- M.A.C.E. / Trash Diva split 12”
- Billy Batts and the Made Men 12”
- Double Bubble – Live and Dead 12”
- Hans Gruber and the Die Hards 12”
- Comp Punksylvania Vol. 5 12”
- Locked in the Basement Vol. 3 12”
- Hopeless Otis / Seeing Snakes 12”
- Burning Hag 12”
- Half Dizzy / Chumhuffer split 12”
I’m also diving back into studio albums with Cut-Rate Druggist from California, who will be touring Japan, Australia, and beyond in support of the record.
On top of that, I’m recording live sets by Lake Lanier, Jaelyn, God’s Favorite, Meow Meow, and more, with plans to release those performances on vinyl.
Show-wise, I’ll continue my monthly Sunday shows at Snapper Magee’s in Kingston, NY, along with The Rally in the Valley, a two-day event featuring bands like Urban Waste, Raging Nathans, Rebelmatic, Blind Adam and the Federal League, and more. I’ll also be recording the secondary stage at Camp Punksylvania 6 again and vending there all weekend.
Beyond that, I’ll be booking shows throughout the Hudson Valley in support of touring bands at venues like the Unicorn Bar (Kingston), Night Swim (Kingston), Snug’s (New Paltz), The Colony (Woodstock) and Reason & Ruckus (Poughkeepsie). I’ve already got killer shows lined up with bands like The Toasters,
Academy Order, Pucker Up!, Jaelyn, Stacked Like Pancakes, Incendiary Device, and more.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
The new WORLDSUCKS record is going to be sick. Whatever label ends up releasing it is getting a hot slab of wax.
I’ve also mostly answered this already through my own releases, but there are studio records in the works from bands I love -- Jaelyn and Meow Meow -- that I’m really hoping to see out in 2026.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I don’t focus much on singles. I usually let the bands decide if they want to release singles, how many, and whether they go on streaming platforms, Bandcamp, or nowhere digital at all. Some bands don’t do singles and don’t put full albums on streaming services either.
If a band does release singles, I try to coordinate them with preorders, release days, and album release shows, but the approach really varies from band to band.
Mr. Cap (DFMK)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Dead Pioneers – PO$T AMERICAN
- Home Front – Watch It Die
- Sex Mex – Repackaged II
- Dead Bars – All Dead Bars Go To Heaven
- Béton Armé – Renaissance
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
The band I discovered this year was Sex Mex from San Antonio, Texas. What impressed me the most is that it’s just one person creating some of the catchiest power-pop anthems around, it was
like love at first listen. I hope to catch them live soon so I can sing along and shake my tail featherto their awesome music.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I’ll remember 2025 as a milestone year for us (DFMK), releasing our second full-length album through Alternative Tentacles and playing some really cool shows. It was also a year of discovering and enjoying tons of independent bands and their new releases.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We hope to play more shows and releasing more new music.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Right now, I honestly don’t know what to expect from the records coming out in 2026, but I’m excited to be surprised. I’d love to have my mind blown by anything emerging from the Tijuana, MX or San Diego, USA scenes in particular.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Singles are great for rolling out a new album, they give people a small taste of a bigger pie but, for us, the end goal is always the full release. I know today’s listeners have a shorter attention spans,
but I still love sitting down and listen to a full album. That should always be the main focus.
Mr. Cap – social media links
- Twitter: @dfmk_punk
- Instagram: @dfmk_punk
Sandra Malak (Elegant Everyone)
photo by Max The Joth
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Cheap Perfume - Don’t Care. Didn’t Ask
- Boyfriend - In the Garden
- Osees - Abomination Revealed At Last
- Lowdown Brass Band - The Reel Sessions: Instrumentals
- Sudan Archives - The BPM
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Delia Derbyshire, who is one of those creators I feel like I should have already known about because of the amount of crossover into several favorite things of mine like Doctor Who and obscure horror movies. As a former student of analog electronic music I wish I had been hip to her work when it would have greatly encouraged me on my path, but I'm grateful to be able to put her name to her work.
Shake Stew. I want to hear them live at some point so I can be wowed even more than I am by this Austrian jazz(?) ensemble and I don’t care if I’m setting the bar too high.
Gora Gora Orkestar. I heard them playing live during an event I was working and left my post to find out more.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I will remember 2025 as a really challenging year to move forward with creating work. I am so proud of any of us who were able to push past the perpetual stream of negativity and distractions that threaten to take us far away from our vision and purpose to get some art out into the world. It’s exhausting. But luckily there are also constant reminders (like this retrospective for example) that art matters, community is important, and that we are way more attractive than the bullies out there who think it’s ok to destroy humanity.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Elegant Everyone is going to focus on getting at least a couple more songs out into the world. We have a whole bunch, it’s just a matter of scraping together some funds to record the rest and finding the right players to fill out some of my more elaborate ideas (aka horn players based in Colorado who like to play brass band style parts over arty punk music -- know anyone?)
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Shake Stew “Ten One Two”
Hoping for more singles by Lowdown Brass Band
I always look forward to any release by The Damned, even if I don’t fall in love with it. It inspires me when bands I have loved forever are still creating and active. I believe as we age we still need just as many role models as we did when we were young. We’ll see what “Not Like Everybody Else” will be like.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I am all for the release of singles. Love it. Recording is expensive. And how tiring is it to force your relevance onto the public in between albums? And consider the perpetual decline of society’s collective attention span. Releasing works here and there, when they’re ready, not only relieves one of the pressure of only feeling complete once 10 or more songs are compiled, but can potentially be more financially viable, as well as socially sustainable since it (hopefully) keeps your audience entertained.
I do also understand why a band might prefer to release everything all at once, as a completed work, a representation of labor and vision. Maybe that model works better for their band logistics, like if band members live far apart and only have a week to get together or they book recording around tours because everyone already took off from work. But I think that each song is (or should be) special and deserves its own moment.
I do not think relying on the release of singles directly affects touring, but I do think it affects the traditional band business model, which is due for a revamp anyway. Bands traditionally “tour the new album” and it’s promoted and sold and new cotton short-sleeve tops are printed and also sold. But after the overhead and venue splits, these sales almost never cover the cost of a group of individuals’ airfare, gas, hotels, food, rent and other expenses. As someone who loves touring and wants to do it all the time, I don’t think waiting until your album out is much fun at all. Live shows are their own art form and using them as only a vehicle to sell something does the live performance a disservice.
Sandra Malak – social media links
- Instagram: @eleganteveryone
Chris Mason (Faulty Cognitions)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
I’ll stick with punk records for this list.
- Home Front – Watch it Die
- Radioactivity – Time Won’t Bring Me Down
- Makin’ Out – Living in a Glass House
- Liquid Mike – Hell is an Airport
- Visual Learner – Greg
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I got minorly obsessed with this band called Floodlights from Australia. Their new album Underneath is moody and theatric and great to listen to while driving down the highway in the middle of the night. There were points this year were I had similar obsessions with other new (to me) bands like Friendship and Fust. I also learned that Motion City Soundtrack is one of my favorite bands from the mid-aughts even though I was way too “punk” to care about them at the time.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Faulty Cognitions released out second LP They Promised Us Heaven on Dead Broke Records. We got to tour Texas with our friends The Dumpies and Night Court, and we did a southwest tour out to San Pedro (for the Recess Romp). I didn’t realize how much I needed to spend some time in DIY spaces in the desert (where I cut my teeth) until we were out there. We also took our music off Spotify because fuck AI and fuck warmongers.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We’re hoping to keep the one record a year thing going. We’ve got the songs written for LPIII already and we’re just working on them in preparation for recording. We’d also hoping to do a few tours -- maybe the east coast and pacific northwest?
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I’m sure there’s a lot of I’m aware of, but currently excited for The Arrivals, Toys That Kill, Adult Magic, and The Dumpies all releasing new records.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
7”s are the only singles I care about and those are dead. Faulty Cognitions has only released full-lengths. So I guess the answer is not at all.
Frank Turner
Photo by AMH
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Katacombs - Fragments Of The Underwater
- Lottery Winners - Koko
- Swans - Birthing
- Todd Snider - High, Lonesome & Then Some
- Stress Positions - Human Zoo
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Stress Positions. Recommended me by the Converge gang. Absolutely brutal band, really great.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
For me, it would be my festival in Edinburgh, Lost Evenings 8, and the set by Arab Strap in particular. Amazing show. Also my 3000th show in London in February.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Much touring.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
The new Converge record. One of my favourite bands of all time.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Changes like this to the music landscape come and go. I do my best to ignore them; that's served me well for 25 years and counting.
McKeever (Heavy Halo)
photo by Michelle Lobianco
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
Deafheaven - Lonely People with Power
Gorgeous, brutal, transcendent. Continues and expands upon the legacy of Sunbather.
Pixel Grip - Percepticide: The Death of Reality
Banger after banger, with the perfect amount of more introspective tracks peppered in, buckle up for the ride…
GODHANDUSA - Godhand Volume 2
The production in this album sounds super fresh. It has a crunchy lofi feeling and punk ethos, but all that is obviously an intentional decision in the sound design. The flows in the raps have a throwback feel which is different from the mumble rap sound that has been around for a while now.
Youth Code - Yours With Malice EP
My favorite modern industrial band delivers once again, combining scream-along hardcore hooks with devastating but fascinatingly melancholic production.
Deftones - Private Music
30 years into their career, Deftones are more alive and influential than ever, crazy they’re still pushing it and dropping music this fiery.
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
This year I dove headfirst into the hallucinatory ocean that is the Boards of Canada discography. I love their mixed-fidelity approach to production where elements that sound extracted from the grimiest cassette can brush up against powerful Moog basses and radiant high-fidelity pads.
Nowadays everyone can slap a lofi plug-in onto a track to make it sound like crappy vinyl or tape but in the '90s BoC had to use the real deal, employing arduous methods to process their sounds, making their music that much deeper and more of an achievement.
Most importantly, the music is highly evocative, pulling you backwards into the recesses of your nostalgia but with an eye towards the glistening future…
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I will remember 2025 as the beginning of industrial’s revenge on the music industry. So many pivotal releases from vital bands dropped this year and it feels like the dark underbelly of the goth/industrial scene is bubbling up and infiltrating bigger stages and platforms.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We are extremely excited to announce that we will be joining My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult on the next leg of the DELICATE TERROR Tour. The lineup is psychotic, also featuring the epic Light Asylum, Die Sexual, and Devora. This is the biggest tour of our musical lives thus far and we can’t wait for the adventure. We’d love to see you out there (tickets here).
We are also hard at work and quite far along on our 3rd album…
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
There was an official announcement that MC Ride and Zach Hill are working on a new Death Grips album. After fearing that they had disbanded, I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing where they pilot their apocalypse warship next.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
We released our album DAMAGED DREAM over the course of 10 months, spacing it out and dropping a single every month. We looked at this as a creative opportunity to make a full music video or lyric video for every song in addition to putting together unique artwork for each track.
We definitely feel like this was the “best of both worlds” approach as it allowed us to zoom in on the themes of each individual song and explore those concepts fully but also weld them together into an album with a cohesive flow.
McKeever – social media links
- Instagram: @heavyhalo.nyc
Jon Snodgrass
photo by Cat Rose / there's something hard in there blogspot
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
I can't rate 5. but i will share one, that answers your first two (kinda three) questions.
CITRIC DUMMIES - split with turnstile
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
CITRIC DUMMIES
Christy Costello (a 2025 fav!) invited them to play this event at PALMER'S BAR in MPLS where we ALL celebrated the tunes of HÜSKER DÜ.
They ripped. this band (& the whole show) set the tone for the start of my year. thx, to Christy, ALL the bands, singers & Palmer's Bar!
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
For me, it was the year i got to celebrate the tunes of HÜSKER DÜ with their bass player Greg Norton, and Rad Owl's David Jarnstrom, IRL buddies.
We invited rad singers in ALL the towns to join us! It was an incredibly fun, dream come true, community experience. We get to do it one more time on New Year's Eve in Minneapolis at Memory Lanes for an UnderCurrentMpls party.
thx, Gravey!
image3.jpeg
📸Cat Rose / there's something hard in there blogspot
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
I'm gonna road test new tunes and play some rock gigs with Bill & Miles Stevenson +BUDDIES!
image0.jpeg
WINTER
I'll do two songwriter house shows.
JAN 2 in La Crosse, Wisconsin
JAN 3 in MLPS/St. Paul, Minnesota
+ sort out the new tunes.
SPRING
thru the south to FLA
+ EU/UK, is the plan.
SUMMER
Something fun in the Dakotas, Las Vegas & more...then thru the midwest to BUDDIES FEST 2 in 🇨🇦.
FALL / WINTER
I have an idea.
+ get an LP ready for the next year.
image1.jpeg
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
The new ULTRABOMB LP! and...
I heard a rumor about IRON CHIC?
That'd be rad.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I put out a 7" single last year called "STAY STOKED" w/ a song about the band GHOST + how everybody should like what they like, do what they do & keep their unsolicited opinions to themselves.
On the flipside it has 3 recycled tunes, reworked for DogFish Head Brewery - an example for positive touring & life etiquette - to kindly remind people to "re-use 1st, -then- recycle, & STAY STOKED!"
+ having the opportunity to share beer with venues (from a company that understands the above) -AND- eliminate hospitality costs.
we're ALL on the same team & helping everybody, helps everybody. It's easy.
Terence Hannum (Locrian / Axebreaker / Anathemata Editions)
photo by Marissa Straw
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Just Mustard - We Were Just Here
- Krallice - Porous Resonous Abyss
- Mogwai - The Bad Fire
- Clipping. - Dead Channel Sky
- Street Sex - Full Color Eclipse
Best Reissues:
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre OST
- loveliescrushing - blowneyelashwish
- Studio - West Coast
- Underworld - dubnobasswithmyheadman
- Neil Young - Oceanside Countryside
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Studio, I pay attention to most of what Ghostly is up to. This is something that somehow slipped past me in 2006, I was definitely into this kind of sound, but I am so glad that Ghostly reissued this. Something great for relaxing and for driving.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
It was the beginning of my hiatus, I decided to not play any live music and focus on what makes me happy, mainly visual art and writing.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
LOCRIAN 5xCD boxset collection everything from 2005 - 2009 that we did on CDRs and cassettes for like 25 people. The last AXEBREAKER album. MOTHER OF SIGHS follow up.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
The new Soft Pink Truth!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
No one told me. It has no effect, nothing wrong with them I suppose. I just don't even think about it, Most singles are the worst track on an album anyway. I am an album type of person.
Xadaa (MEGAFAUNA / Syrup Moose Records / VNRL / Grumm Trencher)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Moor Mother & Sumac - The Film
- Ethel Cain - Perverts
- Backxwash - Only Dust Remains
- Am I In Trouble? - Spectrum
- Emma Goldman - All You Are Is We
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
2025 was kind of the year of discovering/rediscovering more experimental music for me; and of the stuff that I maybe wouldn't have liked as much in my younger years or years when I wasn't also making electronic/experimental music. So I found myself really interested in Death Grips, Bjork, and even more new-age music like Enya. Stuff that I was aware of to varying degrees, but then also discovering bands like Lightning Bolt, Container, Paris Texas, artists that are doing really interesting things in a variety of genres.
One new one that made it on to my AOTY list was Hexed! by Aya, a really strong and strange record. Also Dream Tower by Wite Rino, just a really satisfying electronic album from here in Canada. I'd also be remiss not to mention Kneecap, who I was only tangentially aware of prior to 2025 but they had a hell of a year (for better or worse).
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
An embarrassment of riches, quite frankly. There was such a huge amount of really tremendous music this year, and right from the start in January.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Personally, I have albums coming out from all of my projects in 2026 -- a Grumm Trencher record (The Bat and the Hellebore) in April, a new VNRL (Power That, When Wielded, Corrupts) in July, and a self-titled MEGAFAUNA record in September.
Add to that the return of Syrup Moose Records and its going to be a busy year for me. The first Syrup Moose Records release for 2026 comes right in January with Phases by Twilight Phenomenon and I think we're coming out of the gate swinging.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I think there is some really strong stuff coming out pretty early next year: Love is Not Enough by Converge and We Mean It, Man! by Gogol Bordello are pretty exciting. Plus there's 12 whole releases coming from Syrup Moose Records soooo....(haha).
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Honestly, I hate that singles "rule the scene". Its always such a bummer to find a cool band and go to their page on Apple Music only to find that their entire presence is made up of singles. Part of that comes down to my dislike for how visually cluttered it is.
Obviously it's working for folks, but I'm just really not a fan. It's not done a huge amount to change how I do things: releasing singles in lead up to an album is pretty normal and standard, and I'll keep doing that, it's just when that's 100% of your output that I find it disappointing.
Shaun Osburn (Middle-Aged Queers)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
Shaun Osburn! He/Him. Vocalist, keyboardist, and sometimes bassist in Middle-Aged Queers. I also put out records occasionally under the imprint "Outpunx Records." I also hold the title of "longest running booker" at 924 Gilman Street, with 2025 marking my 30th anniversary of the first show I booked there in 1995.
- Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children McNuggits - Solar Cantata
- Dollar Store - Gentleman Nation
- Jukebox Romantics - This One Looks Cool
- Scene Killers - Bare Hands And Bayonets
- Deaf Club - We Demand A Permanent State Of Happiness
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
The Dumpies! Middle-Aged Queers played with them at a peculiar spot in Ashland, Oregon. I couldn't tell if it was a bar, a social hall, a community center, a restaurant, or an antique store. Ashland is simultaneously beautiful, weird, and somewhat scary. But the Dumpies tore into a 20-minute sweat, screaming through a shitty PA held together with duct tape and the best intentions of all the other bands trying to dial in the erratic feedback. They ended their set nearly naked, covered in sweat, leaving us all in a blissful state of merriment and confusion.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I sometimes loathe the nostalgia and sentimentality of the punk scene. How much longer are we going to let Circle Jerks, Descendents, and Negative Approach do a package tour that doesn't make space for locals to open? But then I remember that so much of this is based on friendships that span decades and hundreds, or even thousands, of miles. Finding that balance that keeps that connection long-lasting, and allowing space for newer and/or younger bands, is what I'm now aiming for. 2025 is when I finally felt like I was striking that balance in the bands Middle-Aged Queers plays with and the shows I book at 924 Gilman.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Middle-Aged Queers will be releasing a covers album in the new year titled Greatest Hits. Get it? Because we don't have any of our own! All the songs we cover add our own flavor. We updated the lyrics to Faith No More's "We Care A Lot," we turned a Mazzy Star song into what basically sounds like an early Jawbreaker tune, to give a few examples. We haven't told anyone about this yet. It's a Scene Point Blank exclusive story now!
Every February, we do "Valentine's Gay" showcases at 924 Gilman in Berkeley and Cafe Colonial in Sacramento. This year, we're bringing Hit Like A Girl from Philadelphia, P.O.S from San Francisco (featuring the son of Death Angel's Denis Pepa!), and Black Gold Sun. It's a really cute, diverse, and multigenerational showcase of queercore bands that we're stoked to have been doing since 2020.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Tsunami Bomb and Hammerbombs have a split coming out in the new year on Rad Girlfriend Records. I've already heard the songs; they're good! Now I want the vinyl record.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Bands used to tour to support a new album. I don't really see that happening with the same intensity anymore.
After we released our third album, Theatre of Shame, I saw firsthand how the landscape had changed over the last three years. We get the same media attention for releasing a full album as we do for releasing a single. At the same time, vinyl sales have decreased, while the profit margin for physical releases continues to decline.
It's doubtful we'll do a fifth album at this point. Now, I'd like to see us record when inspiration hits, and we have something to share. Releasing to services like Bandcamp also keeps things fresh for me, unlike the 1-2 years it takes to record and release an album.
Mike Huguenor (Mike Huguenor / Jeff Rosenstock band/ Shinobu / Hard Girls)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Danny Brown – Stardust
- Youth Lagoon – Rarely Do I Dream
- Flippeur – Elastique
- Star 99 – Gaman
- Who Will Look After the Dogs?
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Ekko Astral. Had a great time touring with them and looking forward to seeing what they have coming up!
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
An interesting and varied year for music! For me, it was a year of a few repeat tracks, Danny Brown’s “Book of Daniel,” Youth Lagoon’s “Parking Lot,” Star 99’s “Esta.” These are songs that dug deep into me and that I came back to often. A great year for touring, with some of the best shows of my life on the Jeff Rosenstock, Pup, Ekko Astral Cataclysmic Rapture of Friendshipness tour. 2025 was also the year I launched a whole new genre, 🎸 new guitar pop 🎸 with my album Surfing the Web With the Alien. Heads up, future music historians.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
I have my first book out in May, Elvis is Dead, I’m Still Alive: the Story of Asian Man Records from Clash Books. I’m playing solo shows on the West Coast in January and have a totally different creative project in the works I’ll be able to announce in a few months that I think will blow some minds. Keep an eye out.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Hoping for new Ging Nang Boyz, new Malkmus, new Martha, new Violence Gratuite. Looking forward to that new Gladie and I hear there’s some kind of Danny Brown Nnamdi collab coming??
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I released two music videos this year directed by Jonathan Kramer, editor on many Abso Lutely projects. They’re both funny and look great and you should watch them here and here!
Mike Huguenor – social media links
- Instagram: @mikehuguenor
Emilor (Night Court / Rong / Pet Blessings)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Lambrini Girls - Who Let the Dogs Out
- Radioactivity - Time Won't Bring Me Down
- Computer - Station on the Hill
- Bug Club - Very Human Features
- Viagra Boys - Viagra Boys
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
PISS -- who I had been hearing about for a few months before I saw them open for Lambrini Girls -- and they are one of the most important and powerful groups going. As someone who has been screaming for years about the themes of patriarchy, abuse and power dynamics as I process and exorcise my own past experiences, these groups are refreshing and laser focused on their message which warms my cold little heart.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
For Night Court, like a technicolour fever dream. Recording in Astoria Oregon, touring in Texas with Faulty Cognitions & The Dumpies & opening for Pegboy were some highlights.
Rong played some really fun shows (when my bandmates weren't on tour with the incredible Dead Bob!) including a hot sauce festival where a small tornado materialized at the end of our set!
Pet Blessings finally released our long-awaited EP and played some great shows like opening for Mudhoney!
Even though I had a great year, generally speaking I think 2025 will be remembered for some darker themes like the proliferation of AI (ewwww) and how it's getting harder to tour in the US for Canadian bands, but having said that I am really pleased with the growing resistance to corporate monopolies and fascist regimes.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Night Court are doing our first Euro tour in January which is also my first time ever touring Europe so I'm REALLY excited about that and we're opening for the Mummies in February which will be a wonderful homecoming! We have a new album recorded so hopefully that will come out and I just hope I get to play lots of great shows with my favourite people! Would love to do more touring!!!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
If Dead Bob, Yard Act, Dochii and/or PISS released albums in 2026, I would be very happy. I'm excited for the new bands and music that I'll discover next year that I don't even know about yet!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Not really. The financial viability of 7" records as singles is tough but there is a lot of fun to be had in the video / visual aspect of releasing & promoting music. For instance, in the leadup to the vinyl release of Night Court's first two albums Nervous Birds in October, Jiffy put together an entire series of "Behind the Music" videos which was hilarious and entirely factual. ;)
Annie Sparrows (Panel / Bermuda Squares / Yesterday's Numbers)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Electric Prawns 2 - Perspex
- Pin-Up Sisters - Terrors EP
- The Slow Death - No Light to See
- Sick Thoughts - another piece of plastic
- Makin' Out - living in a glass house
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Being Dead - They reminded me how enjoyable pleasant music can be, and to keep it in rotation for a better balance between my connection to aggressive bands who have a hard time with life and the delight of a good pop hook.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I'll mostly remember the warmth and encouragement I got from people as I got this new project (Panel) going.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Hopefully new recordings from Panel, and a record from our rock and roll band Yesterday's Numbers! I'm also working on a new small bookkeeping and advisory business to help bands and other small business owners deal with the pains of tracking money.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I don't think I'll know until they're out there!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I think it's really freeing to be able to record a song and have it out there for people to find in a matter of days or weeks. It's making things more compelling as people relax ideas of waiting until everything's perfectly aligned, and it evens the playing field for artists who will probably never be backed by a "machine" like the old days. Does it make it harder to sift through so much music to find what you like? Yes. But does it keep everyone on their toes in a good way? Also yes. Have I taken advantage of this relatively new freedom? No. But I might.
Annie Sparrows – social media links
- Instagram: @panelpanelbobanel
Trevor Shelley de Brauw (Pelican)
photo by Matt Darcy
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Radioactivity - Time Won’t Bring Me Down
- Home Front - Watch It Die
- Ethel Cain - Perverts
- Pissgrave - Malignant Worthlessness
- Young Widows - Power Sucker
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Though I first head Sour Widows last year, I finally got to see them this year and got so obsessed with their album. It’s incredible to hear a pair of guitarists in such perfect lockstep while veering off from each other in such complex, but melodically satisfying ways. And the songwriting is pristine. They’re operating on a crazy level.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Because Pelican release albums so infrequently and we had a new one this year that’ll always serve as my landmark for 2025. And because we played so much I got to see and share the road with so many bands that I love and respect: Porcelain, Uniform, Couch Slut, Coalesce, Cloakroom, Young Widows, Russian Circles, the list goes on and on.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We’ve just announced a new four song EP that’s coming in January: a couple songs held over from the sessions to our last album Flickering Resonance along side a pair of songs that we originally recorded and self-released last year. In the wake of that we are playing Run For Cover’s Something in the Way Fest, making our first trip to Mexico for Doom City Festival, then headed to Europe with Russian Circles. We’re also actively writing, so ideally won’t be a six year gap between albums next time.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Dillinger Four semi-recently post studio photos, which I’m hoping means new stuff is coming from them. Robert Smith teased that the follow-up to Songs of a Lost World was practically done, so I’m hoping that is sooner than later. Also really psyched for the new Nothing record.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
It really hasn’t affected our approach much. Pelican still really thinks in terms of albums as a defining statement and we write and release with the in mind. Fortunately for us our fanbase seem album-oriented as well, so it hasn’t proved to be a hinderance… yet.
Trevor Shelley de Brauw – social media links
- Twitter: @pelicansong
- Instagram: @pelicansong
Juls Garat and Claudio Marcio (PILGRIMS)
photo by Rachael Shorr
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
We have not paid much attention to this year releases, but we recommend Ritual Howl’s Ruin album and House of Harm’s latest singles, like "Carousel."
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
We discovered an old band we had never paid attention to before, called And Also The Trees. Big fan now! Fully recommended. Produced by Lol Tolhurst from The Cure.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Great memories for us! This year we focused a lot on finishing the new album and recording new videos that will be released in the coming weeks, progressively. And we also played great shows! Like sharing stage with She Past Away and Actors.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
The official release of our new album Gemini is planned for February. Also, we’re looking forward to play both in the US and potentially in Europe later this year. We’re also creating new songs already!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
In full honesty, I have nothing on my radar so far!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
As of now, we have only released a couple singles in the past. We have focused more on releasing EPs. Also, we have explored remixes, thanks to, for example, Bari Bari from Mephisto Walz who remixed a couple of our early songs.
Eli Hansen (Real Numbers)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Sharp Pins - Balloon Balloon Balloon (K/Perennial)
- Lightheaded - Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming! (Slumberland / Skepwax)
- Cindy Lee - Cat-o-Nine Tails (W.25th) [vinyl reissue of 2020 lathe cut]
- Living Dream - Absolute Devotion (Inscrutable)
- The Cords - The Cords (Slumberland/Skepwax)
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I'm going to cheat here and reference multiple bands and their songs that I've discovered. So this year I read the wonderful book Everybody's Heard About the Bird - The True Story of 1960s Rock-n-Roll in Minnesota (thank you Steve for lending me a copy). In it I discovered the later '60s output of Minnesota bands that I had completely stopped caring/thinking about. Such welcome revelations include The Trashmen's deranged 1966 attempt at folk rock with "Hanging On Me," The Underbeats sweet slice of soul from '67: "It's Gonna Rain Today." The 1968 Castaways doing trippy hard rock: "Just On High." Amazing output from a bunch of bands whose time-of-hits had sadly passed.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Been listening to a lot of strange music as of late. Some soft, some hard, some xtian, but mostly still pop. Still unsure if this is a new high or a new low.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
The long-awaited new Real Numbers album has been mixed! We started recording it in 2024, with an additional batch of songs recorded in 2025. It does in fact sound amazing so stay tuned for more news!
I've also decided to DJ more. I loved doing Beloved Radio, which ended early 2024, as a way to share music with a bigger audience. Live and off the cuff would be even more satisfying, either in 'the club' (for sure happening) or on the FM dial (probably not happening).
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Somebody please reissue the Moscovite Five cassette!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I love all the fun music videos that are being made. Real Numbers shall try to deliver some good ones in 2026. And, indie labels: please keep making 7" singles so I can DJ them.
Eli Hansen – social media links
- Instagram: @real.numbers
Tobias Jeg (Red Scare Industries)
Best street food of 2025: Hamdi’s cart at 42nd and 8th
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
Like most people, I prefer Red Scare releases to all other music, but each year I offer an unbiased response to Pass The Mic and list 5 non-Red Scare punk songs that are worth checking out.
Here they are:
- Kong Kong - Paul The Guru
- Alkaline Trio - Oblivion
- Nobro - Doomtown
- Sweet Gloom - Loudmouths
- Béton Armé - Coup de Foudre
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I saw Nobro at Pouzza Fest and it was probably the best set I have ever seen at any festival. They were the last band to play on Saturday and we were pretty dusted, but we wanted to see a couple songs. We ended up staying for the whole thing and loved every bit of it. Hell, I think they played two encores?! They sound like 10 different bands all at once. Super fun.
Honorable mention to Sweet Gloom, who I saw at The Fest in Florida. Never heard any of their music before, but I’m hooked now. I love that dude’s vocal stylings and melodies.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Red Scare put out so many releases! The Methadones, Arms Aloft, Elway, The Brokedowns, Sam Russo, Tired Radio, Won’t Stay Dead, a tour EP with new songs from Brendan Kelly and Guerilla Poubelle… yeah, it was busy. But good! I’m very grateful that people are enjoying this music and getting out to shows. Hats off to the punks.
I went to Canada three times this year. It was my tiny act of solidarity with our friendly neighbors to the North who somehow got wrapped up in the political chaos and stupidity of the USA. Sorry about that, guys. We’re workin’ on it. I strongly recommend a visit up there, as everyone was warm and welcoming.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Red Scare has releases from American Steel, a split EP with Tightwire and Canadian Rifle, a new Sludgeworth LP is in the can… I’m probably forgetting some stuff. Last year I wrote about how NOFX said they would give us a song for a split with F.U.s, but those guys have been avoiding my calls. Hmmm. What’s the point of these lists if they can’t be weaponized?!
I would love to work with some new bands, but they gotta tour 8 days a week. So if you are 1) Beautiful, 2) Independently wealthy or have already won the lottery, 3) A generational songwriter (see all other Red Scare artists, for example), and 4) Willing to fritter away your only days here on god’s green Earth playing shows in places like Tulsa and Nashua, NH… then get at me and let’s do some business.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
See above! I know Red Scare alum like The Menzingers and Sincere Engineer have new records coming, and I always look forward to their new music. I think Social Distortion and The Flatliners have new albums too, and I like those bands. I’m into Broadway, and I believe there’s a Dolly Parton show and a Lost Boys(?!) musical coming in 2026, so I would try and catch those if/when I’m in NYC.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
It’s the way of the future, so it should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me: I hate it, haha. We can debate the merits of the formats (single vs. EP vs. full-length) all day, but the reason artists are doing more singles is because the streaming services demand that bands/labels are constantly creating content for them. “YOU MUST HAVE A NEW SINGLE EVERY 60 DAYS AND YOU MUST PUSH YOUR AUDIENCE TOWARDS OUR APP OR ELSE THE ALGORITHM WILL COME FOR YOUR CHILDREN.” And I get it, fuck labels too, because they have historically exploited bands, but this feels different to me because it’s coming from tech bro culture. Say what you will about the scumbags associated with the music biz, but at least they were human beings! I’ll take Phil Spector over a goddamn robot, ya know?
As a consumer, I don’t like a litany of singles because it’s a mess. If we’re gonna have a discography in digital form, let’s at least do it right and make it organized and reflect that music is a SPECIAL thing, not just a string of files with afterthought artwork. Or maybe I’m just an outta touch Grognard pissin’ in the wind. Wouldn’t be the first time...
Tobias Jeg – social media links
- Twitter: @RedScareToby
Sam Russo
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Jason Isbell - Foxes In The Snow
- Propagandhi - At Peace
- Elway - Nobody’s Going To Heaven
- The Delines - Mr Luck & Mrs Doom
- And None of them Knew They Were Robots – Almanac
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Blackbraid. Kody Templeman (Teenage Bottlerocket) introduced me to this band. He was blasting them while we loaded the trailer on the western US tour we did together and I was instantly IN.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Releasing Hold You Hard was the highlight for sure, but recording it and playing the release shows with the boys -- all great moments. All forever.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
More tours, more full band, more acoustic, more more!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Courtney Marie Andrews - Valentine
Her songwriting is phenomenal.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I did not know singles ruled. Guess I’m dumb. I released 3 this year -- all with videos. Check ‘em out!
Sam Russo – social media links
- Twitter: @samrussomusic
- Instagram: @samrussomusic
Sexfaces
photo via bandcamp
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
[note: at the time of this recording, Jacky Cougar is still at large in Kenya]
Hana: Optic sink!
[silence as everyone tries to think of more]
Hana: ...I just can't do it off the top of my head.
Sal: All right, let's skip that one.
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Sal: [To Hana] I think I know what yours is...
Neil: [interrupting] It's a band from the '70s called the Fania All-Stars. They're a Latin band, and I always thought, oh, they played salsa, so you know, I was never really interested in checking them out, but it turns out they played like Latin jazz or whatever, and it blew my mind that I never paid attention.
Sal: For me it was These Immortal Souls, which is one of Roland S Howard's bands. After Birthday Party, he split with Nick Cave because they had disagreements on songwriting. Roland wanted to write a lot of, like, pining songs about girls and stuff. Anyway, I got that album, and was really listening to the way he played guitar and his lyrics are really good. And that was, like, my top album from 2025 is I'm Never Gonna Die Again even though it was released in '92. And I listened to it so much that I had a nightmare. One of those, um, what do you call it, the one where you can't move?
Hana: Sleep paralysis!
Sal: Yeah! I listened to it so much I had the most scary sleep paralysis dream ever, where Rowland S Howard was standing there, and he shook the bed -- like my whole bed was shaking, and I couldn't move, and he was screaming in my face “I died 26 times!” And I woke up at like 6 am scared out of my mind, heart racing, I couldn't go back to sleep. I had to take like three Valiums, and I texted Jacky since he’s the one that got me onto him...
Vero: I saw that! He posted a screenshot!
Hana: I have to come back to it. Wait... what do you think mine was?
Sal: It was --
Neil: [interrupting] Wait wait! I want to add something! We played in Kenya with a Spanish band Commando 9mm, and I've been listening to the first album, so that was a discovery and it's really good. And Jack is probably gonna say one of his favorite banks right now is Genre is Death. We played with them at Rhizome, and he's been obsessed with that band.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Sal: Mostly for the things we’ve done together as a band... we had to go through some lineup changes but kind of gelled and did an incredible tour in Kenya. That was pretty fucking magical. Putting out our album with Slovenly and doing a lot of cool shit with them. Our record release show --
Neil: I didn’t go because of my vasectomy.
Hana: But he sent a postcard [Vero delivered]. And I was like ew, why are Neil’s balls sore?!
Sal: Swole and sweated! Then we found out they almost burst. He almost died from burst, sweating balls.
Hana: Then I found out he’s based!
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Hana: New album. More tours. Going to Europe. We're going to the West Coast. We're going to Spain, baby! Yeah! We're going to South Africa! And Brazil! We’re going to Vietnam!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Hana: Ours. Periot.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Hana: No! Periot!
Sal: We aren’t a TikTok band.
Hana: We barely had a single.
Neil: Singles, what single, the movie from the '90s? What are you talking about?
Matt Hutchison (Shattered Platter PR)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Home Front - Watch It Die (La Vida Es En Mus)
- Bart &The Brats/Tenement Rats - Sick Trick split (No Front Teeth)
- Ta2reeban - Nancy (self-released)
- Destination Lonely - Eat LSD, Pray To Satan, Love No One (Voodoo Rhythm)
- Twenty-One Children - s/t 7" (Slovenly Recordings)
- Ecem Dilan Köse - I.D EXE://the_human_patch (Caz Plak)
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Ta2reeban, a furious hardcore trio from Lebanon. It’s cool as hell to see how far the influence of a band like The Dicks has on folks from other parts of the world, especially when reaching The Levant.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Very politically driven, more so than I can remember.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
More press releases, and I’m publishing my second novel, Exposed, in the Summertime.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
P.I.G. (People Infected With Greed) is releasing some new stuff in the new year, hopefully their debut LP. They’re one of the more visceral crust punk bands roaming the Earth. The Crotches out of Vegas have a new record coming out as well; they’re a great band and some of the nicest/smartest dudes around. I’m sure some unreleased Muslimgauze recordings will be unearthed as well; he’s always solid, and I also heard the Butthole Surfers have a new album on the way!
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
No way, singles are the most efficient way to invest in cultivating a fanbase early on; hell, I like the “single” versions of tracks more than the album versions most of the time!
Misha & Liza (She/Her Records)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
We must lead with She/Her Record's 3 solo releases this year (in chronological order because how can a mother choose a favorite?) followed by two releases from artists we love.
- SARCOMA - KAAMOS
- hi maya i epmaya
- Liza Plants - That Wasn’t Love
- Serena Jara - DNA EP
- олень - Fire and the Ovin
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
This is a difficult question for us to answer as a label, because Misha and I have very different musical tastes. So speaking only for myself (Liza), and at the risk of sounding tragically mainstream, I would say I (re)discovered FKA twigs. When Eusexua first came out, it was the first album in nearly a decade that impacted me so immediately I ran out and bought the vinyl. It brought back that adolescent feeling of wanting to be physically closer to the music and its message, of being inspired in the way you are when you truly believe music can change the world.
I bought tickets to her Prague show, which was unfortunately rescheduled, but I still went to the afterparty and was completely blindsided by the DJ Divinity Statue. I’d seen her perform once over a year earlier but never knew her name. She’s part of a Prague-based DJ collective Estrogun, which I strongly recommend checking out.
At six in the morning, on the dance floor, surrounded by trans people and listening to her play, I was overcome by a cosmic feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, a special feeling I think many sentimental party-goers like myself will recognize. And it all happened because I fell in love with this very popular record.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
2025 was our first year releasing music as a label, which has been very exciting and a lot of hard work. The most rewarding part, however, has been meeting and connecting with so many other trans musicians. In 2025 the music was about finding and creating connection. Turning lights on in a world that seemed very dark.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
She/Her TDoV Compilation 2!!!!!!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
SARCOMA LP 2
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Pretty much not at all. We aim to help trans feminine musicians release their work and tell their stories, in formats and durations that make sense to them. As a label, we are very much not interested in getting a tiktok viral hit. So, so far, we have never released a single and don’t plan to. In 2026 we will be pulling our catalog from Spotify, if that says anything about how the greater popular music industry has influenced our approach.
Misha & Liza – social media links
- Instagram: @she_her_records
Teddy Spaghetty (Spaghetty Town Records)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Flesh Panthers - A Nice Chunk
- Sex Mex - Repackaged II
- The Hives - The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives
- Viagra Boys - viagra boys
- Wyldlife - Bystander
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Flesh Panthers from Chicago. I was aware of them, but never really listened to them before. I went and bought all of their vinyl, stocked their latest in my store and booked them for my 10 year anniversary show/party in Atlanta! And they delivered live! A great, underappreciated band.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
I think any scene or genre has its ups and downs. In my opinion, guitar rock music is going to continue to grow in a positive direction. It's always been around, but it has ebbs and flows like any style. But I suspect we will continue to see a positive resurgence of guitar rock artists.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We are gonna keep flying our Spaghetty Town flag. Really excited about releasing Australia's The Stripp - Life Imitates Art album in January. We're already getting really positive feedback.Then more power pop from Brad Marino, Germany's The Melmacs both have new albums coming. Oh, and Micah from Fast Eddy, he has his first solo release, Micah And The Mirrors, planned. We have a few other things in the works that we're not ready to announce yet, but very exciting stuff.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Aside from my own, haha? I'm really excited about the next album from Sweden's The Dahmers. There is a great rock band from Indiana called Wet Denim that i'm into, they should have their album out next year too.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
We love releasing singles! Singles are a great tool to get some new music out there without having to release an entire album, or to start promotion for an album. But it's best used when you pair it with a tour or a video, or both. It gives the listener something to talk about and share, other than "here is our new song, please give it a listen". Also it's much easier nowadays to add a video element to your single as well, whether that be a teaser for social media or a full on video on youtube. I have a band now, Criminal Kids. They haven't had a full-length release for a while, but they've been writing, had some line up changes. But they were doing a small tour and released a new song along with the tour announcement. A great use of releasing a single.
Kris Megyery (The Brokedowns)
LARPing with a jigsaw
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Science Man - Monarch Joy
- TimeThieves - If You Survive
- Evening Standards - Prairie Vida
- Plosivs - Yell At Cloud
- Heritage - Blood And Tears
Also, that last Pile record... Also, the new Stress Positions record… Also…
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Twisted Teens from New Orleans. Totally obsessed with their self-titled album from '24.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
We put out a new record and played a bunch of fun shows. Those were bright spots on an otherwise pretty bleak year.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We are playing some shows and hopefully working on new music. Solidifying our eternal celestial bond through a series of blood rituals and demo making for songs that will never be properly recorded.
Going to Montreal in May for Pouzza.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I know The Arrivals have a new one coming... I feel like Rad Payoff owes The United States a new record.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
We are not bound by Earthly rules. We follow the code of our spiritual guru, Dominic Toretto, by living life a quarter mile at a time.
Thula (Twenty One Children)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Twenty One Children - After The Storm
- Turnstile - Never Enough
- End It - Wrong Side Of Heaven
- Fucked Up - Year Of The Goat
- Clipse - Let God Sort Them Out
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I found, met, and toured with a pioneering Detroit protopunk band called Death. We toured Kenya with them for 10 days. That was a good learning and life-changing experience.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
Musically, 2025 introduced us to many bands on the road. We toured both Kenya and the UK and played with a bunch of bands from around the world. It's been really beautiful. We were also featured in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 & 4 video games. There's been a lot of adventures, for sure.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
Well, we just released a mini album so we will shoot a couple more music videos. Get our butts on the road and play as many shows as we possibly can. We can also get on a few tours outside South Africa. Definitely working on some new music too. Guaranteed.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
In 2026, I am looking forward to watching the season finale of The Boys, hopefully a new season of Captain Fall, and One Piece.
Musically... I will see as I go.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
Honestly, the only things that determine our releases are rehearsal and studio time. You'll never run out of stories living in Soweto. The work begins when you have to turn those experiences into art. That takes time and resources, but yeah, there's a lot we have in store for our listeners.
Violet Staley (Won't Stay Dead)
photo by Vinny Malave
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Hayley Williams - Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
- Ghost - Skeletá
- Lady Gaga - MAYHEM
- Sweetie - La Vie en Rouge
- Wetleg - Moisturizer
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I discovered Pool Kids this year at Fest. It’s always inspiring to see other women on stage. I also appreciated their coordinated leopard outfits, it reminded me of how Saffron and I coordinate our stage outfits.
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
2025 is the year Won’t Stay Dead released our second full-length album. We’ll always remember the journey of releasing this album and everything that went into it.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
We’re already cooking up some new music and we will be leaving the country for the first time to play Pouzza Fest in Montreal!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
I’d love to see some more Menzingers and that new My Chemical Romance album they have been teasing for over a decade.
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
We don’t really pay attention to trends. Although it took us 3+ years to release this album, so maybe we should release singles instead, haha.
Violet Staley – social media links
- Instagram: @wontstaydead
