This week’s featured band for the elder emos. Philadelphia based foursome, Panic Sets In, manage to seamlessly blend all of the most iconic sounds of the early 2000s scene. Their recipe includes a healthy measure of Blink-182’s signature playfulness, balanced with just enough Alkaline Trio-inspired edge, and stunning vocals reminiscent of Hayley Williams with just a pinch of Avril for good measure. Their sound is punchy and bright, lending delightful contrast to the heavy, emotionally fraught content in their lyrics. Jess, Greg, Justin, and Devon fit the bill for a top tier pop-punk band in every way; they are deeply tied to and engaged within their community, dedicated to creating music that resonates with their audience, and they bring their most authentic selves into everything they touch. Not too shabby for a band that began with a Craigslist ad. If you can’t resist the millennial urge to sing sad songs aloud with a smile on your face, Panic Sets in has just what you need to indulge your inner emo kid.
Keep scrolling to check out my lightning round interview with Panic Sets in; and be sure to follow along on socials [@panicsetsin on Insta and Tiktok], and tune in to Spotify and Apple Music. Don’t forget to save the Under Exposed playlist on Spotify to listen to my favorites from Panic Sets in and the rest of the Under Exposed lineup!
Interview
Cameron Conrad sits down with Jess, Greg, Justin, and Devon
If you had to credit one band or artist with being your biggest influence, who would it be?
Alkaline Trio hands down the biggest influence for me. Once I heard their music it changed my whole life and the type of music I listened to. I Grew up a metal head in my early days and by 8th grade I heard Trio and immediately kinda went on to finding bands such as the misfits, New found glory, blink 182, sum 41 and such.
What’s your dream venue, the place that will feel like you’ve “made it” once you've played there?
The Electric factory in Philly and/or The TLA
924 Gilman Street (That would mean we made it on a cross-country tour, plus it was where Green Day was discovered!)
A skate park. Playing on the ledge of a half-pipe or in a bowl feels like a punk-rock rite of passage.
The Fillmore or Union Transfer in Philly
If you could pick any band or artist, past or present, to tour with, who would it be?
ALKALINE TRIO duh...
My answer will always be Green Day, lol!
Present: Hayley Williams
Past: Blink-182 and Green Day, specifically during the Pop Disaster tour
Present: AFI
Past: NOFX
If each of you was a Disney character, who would you be?
Im pretty quiet so if I had to say then one of those toy army men from toy Story.
I would be Dory, because I have no attention span!
I’d be the Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians whose nose, ears, and tail are froze because I’m always cold and complaining about it.
[Note from your friendly neighborhood Disney adult, that would be Lucky]
Baloo from the jungle book.
Any new music or upcoming tours we should know about? Anything brewing behind the scenes you can give a hint about?
New music, few new songs recorded [in] February 2026. Looking to plan some shows in spring/summer. Some shirts/hats in the works.