Thundering out of Santa Cruz’s thriving and resurgent music scene, First Day Back have spenttheir final years in college solidifying their place in the emo revival revival. Heralded as therightful torchbearers of second wave emo, First Day Back recalls the vocal exasperation ofCap'n Jazz, the twinkle of American Football, and the youthful exuberance of Braid, all whilereinventing the sound with the organic additions of violin and harmonica. A love letter to the past. Their debut and sole album Forward, self-released in June 2025, was recorded utilizing theacoustics of their Empire Grade house living room, and a muted blue that graces the covermatches the outer panelling of this sentimental domicile key to to the band’s foundations andprocess. "Forward enchants on first listen, Pitchfork wrote in their 8.1 review "First Day Backplay with a transparency usually reserved for private moments: screaming into a pillow in yourbedroom, or putting your hoodie up to stress-cry on the bus." The quintet's DIY perspective continues in their live show, which began in houses and anarchistbookstores before blossoming with sold out tours opening for Algernon Cadwallader, EveryoneAsked About You, and Jejune, where thousands of kids screamed along to every word, wax,and woo