Alright, we are back for yet another one of my Band Of The Month segments. I truly believe that the power of community is what is going to help the current state of the industry. I hope this is my little way to do so. This month I had to go with one of the most hardworking, kind, talented bands I know, Roderik! 

Cheers, music lovers, and happy new year! We’re diving right into season two of Under Exposed with emerging pop punk power players, Turn Two. If you’re into legacy favorites like Fall Out Boy, Blink-182, and Simple Plan (and if you’re not… are you ok?) you’re going to love these guys. Founding members Matt (guitar) and Shane (drums) had all but lost hope in finding their perfect third, vocalist Mike appeared to save the day. Shortly after they found bassist Mason, at a baseball game of all places, and the band came to life. In the year since they came together, Turn Two has released their debut EP, Darkest Days, and they’ve taken it on the road up and down the East Coast.

There’s just something about a good DIY punk band.. the raw edge, honest writing, the artistic passion that explodes out of the speakers and into your soul. Atlanta based up and comers, The Carolyn, have it all in spades.

Elder emos rejoice; Massachusetts foursome, Have Fun! are here to deliver all the nostalgic feels you’ve been missing. Their curious origin story includes early releases produced with Alan Day (Four Years Strong) and an appearance on Judge Jerry Springer. Since 2022, though, the guys have sorted out their lineup and their sound, inspired by classic scene sweethearts including Fall Out Boy and Bayside. Their songs range from playful pop-punk bangers to cozy, shoe gazey chill tracks; they bring a little something for every emo kid in your mom’s minivan. Have Fun! Is coming for every one of your sad little hearts, and they won’t stop until they’ve touched them all.  

Greetings, friends; allow me to introduce you to the most wholesome band in the scene. Meet The Drawn Out. With sparkling vocals and moving melodies, they join an exploding cohort of female-fronted bands taking over the scene.

What happens when four nerdy scene kids grow up but refuse to grow out of their love of emo music? Turns out, they get together to form a pretty rad band. Self-proclaimed ‘sad dad’ rockers, Further North, are everything you remember loving about your local pop-punk garage band, only a little older and with an extensive library of corny puns at the ready. 

“If you don’t like something, change it.” – Maya Angelou

Cliché as it is, this overplayed and tragically underapplied one-liner is the essence of the punk rock philosophy. For the members of emerging east coast emo band, Career Day, it’s a way of life. Born of frustration with the underrepresentation of both minority groups and prominent social issues in the genre, the band is rapidly gaining momentum in the scene and making meaningful impact everywhere they go

Freshman 15 isn’t your average bootstrapped band. They’ve got all the makings of a major force in the emo revival scene. THEY HAVE THE talent, chemistry, and an origin story that’s classic punk rock. One spur-of-the-moment entry into a local talent show and a healthy dose of serendipity served to launch the guys of F-15 into a hard and fast ascent, earning them opening spots for the likes of Bowling for Soup and even a run on the legendary Warped Tour.

UNDEREXPOSED ARTIST