3 Doors Down
Genre: hard rock, post-grunge
Label: Republic Records
Location: Escatawpa, Mississippi
Meet the artist: 3 Doors Down originally formed in 1996 around the peak of the grunge era, when Nirvana and Soundgarden were still filling the airwaves. Brad Arnold, now the only member from the original lineup, formed the group at 16, with Matt Roberts and Todd Harrell. The band reached mainstream success in 2000 after the release of their first studio album, The Better Life, which still holds some of their hit songs like “Kryptonite” and “Duck and Run.” Since then the group has continuous success having two consecutive number 1 albums and playing along bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Nickelback.
Jimmy Eat World
Genre: alternative rock, pop punk
Label: RCA
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Meet the artist: Growing up in the early-mid 2000’s, Jimmy Eat World was a band that defined my childhood, my mom would frequently hook up our iPod to the stereo and “The Middle” would ring through our small apartment. The Mesa band not only was defining the childhood of many, but defined what would become emo culture. In an interview with the Arizona Republic Jim Adkins talked about his reasoning for forming the group, “You have a lot of things happening when you’re 14, 15, 16 that you need an outlet for, and punk rock seemed to be the natural fit for that.” Twenty five years the group is still moving forward and making music in 2016 Jimmy Eat World released their 9th album, Integrity Blues, in May they announced that their 10th album has been completed and is planned to be released sometime in the fall. The group still also appeals to younger and older audiences, when looking around at the crowd at Summerfest you could see everyone young college age students to older couples dancing along to Jimmy Eat World. he group still also appeals to younger and older audiences, when looking around at the crowd at Summerfest you could see everyone young college age students to older couples dancing along to Jimmy Eat World.
Young The Giant
Genre: alternative rock, indie pop
Label: Elektra
Location: Irvine, California
Meet the artist: In 2004, Young The Giant, originally formed in Irvine, California, under the name The Jakes. In 2010, the band made the decision to change their name to Young The Giant, after their debut album. Since the start, the group has been very particularly about transparency in their work, they do not want to create what they can not reproduce live on stage. In 2018, Young The Giant released their fourth album, Mirror Master, which is about Sameer Gadhia’s internal affliction and vulnerability. Gadhia has explained the title comes from the idea that You look at yourself in the mirror every day and you see a different version of yourself.” Gadhia goes on to explain: “You look at yourself in the mirror every day and you see a different version of yourself. You’re not just this static thing. You encompass everything. In order to make any change in the world, you need to be okay with yourself first and all those different characters of who you are. You see everyone putting their best foot forward on their socials and look like a different version of themselves, [but] that’s just one dimension of who they are. In reality, all of us harbor anxiety, sadness [and] depression. We want to embrace all sides of who every person is and be vulnerable in that. You are a master of your own image.”
Silverstein
Genre: post-hardcore,
Label: Rise Records
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Meet the artist: Since forming almost twenty years ago, Canadian hard rock group, SIlverstien have been on a non-stop hustle. Whether it be working in the studio or on tour the group has rarely taken breaks in between. Despite their sound, the meaning behind their name carries a wholesome connotation, which is an ode to the poet Shel Silverstien, who they grew admiring. Earlier this year the group put out an album, Redux: The First Ten Years, which contains re-recorded versions of songs from their first four albums. Silverstein plans recording their tenth album later this year for release in 2020.
New Years Day
Genre: glam rock, gothic metal, post-hardcore
Label: Another Century
Location: Ananheim, California
Meet the artist: New Years Day’s Ash Costello has always had a love for the gothic lifestyle from her teenage years, some musicians she looked up to include Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and Iron Maiden. From 2005-2006 the band had built a strong online presence off of MySpace and released their first EP, Razor. In 2019 New Years Day released their 4th album, Unbreakable, which Costello has described that unlike their other albums, which are about self-pity and negativity, has taken a turn to focus on empowerment.
The Beths
Genre: indie rock, indie pop
Label: Carpark Records
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Meet the artist: From down under, we have The Beths, the quartet have been longtime best friends and channel their energy into making guitar driven music. The group met at the University of Auckland, where the four studied jazz together, frontwoman Elizabeth Stokes and guitarist Jonathan Pierce had known each other since high school. After playing around with rock and pop configurations from their childhood, The Beths were born. Hence came along their style of 60’s surf rock with lively instrumentals and eloquent vocals.
Distant Cuzins
Genre: punk rock, pop-punk, surf punk
Label: Unsigned
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Meet the artist: Distant Cuzins, though just a stone’s throw away from Milwaukee have seemingly travelled a long way since forming in 2015. From the moment I started watching their set at Summerfest, my mind automatically jumped to The Clash, noting the influences the group has taken on from the classic punk rock band. As a whole the band carries an energetic and interesting performance. If you watched close enough you could notice that their guitarist, Sam Meiss, had cut himself on his guitar, but despite actively bleeding throughout their set, the show went on with the same energy. Distant Cuzins will be releasing their sophomore album, Songs About Girls, on July 30th.
