Pioneers of the late 90’s Pop-Punk and Geek Rock movements, Nerf Herder are perhaps best known for their powerful theme to the iconic Joss Whedon TV show, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Formed in Santa Barbara, California, in 1994, Nerf Herder was signed to major label Arista Records soon after their ironic tribute “Van Halen” stormed the Modern Rock charts in 1996. The video for their follow-up single, “Sorry”, featured Mark Hamill and Miguel Ferrer, and played regularly on MTV. Following years saw the band touring the world multiple times, and releasing a number of albums on various labels, including esteemed indie punk label Fat Wreck Chords and novelty powerhouse Oglio Records. The current band features founding members Parry Gripp and Steve Sherlock, with newer members Linus Dotson (x-Size 14) and Ben Pringle (x-The Rentals). Nerf Herder’s 5th album Rockingham is an explosion of geekiness with songs like “At The Con,” a song written after a performance at DragonCon, “Ghostbusters III,” a lamenting tune about how the sequel will never be released, and “I’m The Droid (You’re Looking For),” which is made entirely of lines from Star Wars and was recorded at Skywalker Ranch. Other instant classics include "The Girl Who Listened To Rush" and "We Opened For Weezer," a completely autobiographical tale of the band's first tour with Weezer during the Pinkerton era.

Direct Hit! is a Midwestern punk band influenced in equal measure by The Ramones, The Thermals, Blink 182, and Andrew WK. Founded in 2007, the group has undergone many lineup shifts in its existence while touring the world and recording music ranging from vein-popping hardcore to fist-pumping electronic-tinged pop punk anthems. Signed to Fat Wreck Chords in 2015, Direct Hit's newest iteration features long-time singers/guitarists Nick Woods and Devon Kay, along with Maura Weaver, Logan Stang on drums, and Joram Zbichorski on bass.

Tightwire formerly named "Drones" started as an acoustic project in 2015 by Paul Kettler. Through playing basement shows and opening for bands at The Triple Rock Social Club and Hexagon Kettler had met Parker Thompson and Tane Graves who joined in late 2016 to complete the three piece idea Kettler had intended all along. From 2016 - early 2018 the three had released two EPs on Bloated Kat Records under the name Drones.  In August of 2018 Toby Jeg (Red Scare Industries) had caught wind of the bands latest demos and offered to put out their first full length later that year. Due to a UK band already having the name "Drones" the band was asked by the label to think of a new name for the band which they did not do. Days before announcing the release of their record and the joining of Red Scare the band decided to start thinking of names most of which were rightfully rejected. Finally deciding on Tightwire after a day of listening to Tiltwheel. In an interview they express their dislike for the name stating "we just needed something that wasn't already taken. Tightwire is a fine name, I guess. Whatever. If bands like Kiss and pull off a shitty band name, we can too." In late 2020, Kettler, decided to leave the band to pursue his masters degree, leaving Thompson and Graves to put off finding a new guitar player for at least a year. Procrastination seems to be a Tightwire tradition.  Finally in July of 2021 the band booked and announced shows with a new line-up. Graves taking over lead vocals and bass, Mullaney and Stolp on guitars, and Thompson still on drums.  In a podcast (They Come To America) Graves announces the band would be releasing their second full length album in early 2023 through Redscare featuring himself and Stolp on lead vocals.

The Putz are a pop punk rock band based out of Indianapolis, IN, debuting in 2010 with the self-release of their first full-length album, "Hole In One," recorded at the historic Sonic Iguana Studios with Philip Hill, mixed and mastered by Mass Giorgini. In 2012, The Putz simultaneously self-released two EPs, "The Party of the Century," recorded at Sonic Iguana Studios, and "Beach Bound," record with and featuring Joe Queer. In 2014, The Putz released their second full-length album "Knock It Off" on Eccentric Pop Records. In 2016, The Putz released the remixed and remastered "Hole In One" on Mom's Basement Records and the "Cut the Shit" EP on Something To Do Records. In 2017, The Putz released their third full-length album, "Clinically Inane," which was produced by Joe Queer, on Eccentric Pop Records. In 2020, The Putz released the "Shut Up!" EP and their fourth full-length album, "Rise and Shine", on Eccentric Pop Records. In 2021, The Putz released a collection of out-of-print material called "A Few Beers Younger..., Volume One" on Mom's Basement Records. Most recently, The Putz headed back to Encapsulated Studios to record their fifth full-length album. The Putz are also the winners of four Punk Rock Night Awards: Best Local Band (2010), Best Release for "Beach Bound" and "The Party of the Century" (2012), Best Pop Punk Band (2019), and best release for "Rise and Shine" (2020). The Putz have played with an array national acts including The Queers, The Mr. T. Experience, Dan Vapid and The Cheats, Richie Ramone, and The Ataris.

Zoanoids are a Punk band from Kalamazoo Michigan that formed in Spring of 2019. They released their debut album on vinyl in December 2020 through Hey Pizza! Records to critical acclaim. They won the "Best New Band" award in 2020 from the popular Dummy Room Punk Rock podcast.

Shehehe’s music has always been rooted in heartfelt, autobiographical songs about a band and its life: the things that drive them crazy, the things they love, their awes, triumphs, and humor. Whether you see Shehehe live or hear them on a record, from that first note to the last you’ll be bouncing and singing along to the infectious, anthemic chants of youth and subsequent struggles with adulthood. Snarly call and response male/female punk vocals, occasional soft, sweet harmonies, and a scream or two paired with thumpy, pounding, aggressive, hypnotic rhythms inspire and cultivate a genuinely honest, nostalgic, yet unique rock & roll scene. A scene not just in their hometown of Athens, GA, but all over the plethora of cities these road tested, road worn, and at times road beaten band members have been during their tenure that started in 2011. Uncompromised, unabashed, uninhibited, a must-see for fans of any kind of music, Shehehe is always a great time! 

A good band name always gives the potential listener some idea what sort of music to expect. (Bad band names are ones that mess with those expectations: a certain artsy-jangly guitar pop band of the early '90s would have been much more successful had they not been called , which sounds like the name of a scabrous hardcore act.) Chicago-based pop-punk band the Methadones is an excellent case in point: methadone -- not to be confused with methamphetamine, aka crystal meth -- being the drug prescribed to recovering heroin addicts who are attempting to get clean through a rehab-type regimen, the listener immediately expects world-weary, sadder but wiser punk rock, perhaps with a rootsy edge, not unlike the best of  or . The Methadones deliver in full on that promise, but also add a bubblegummy power pop side to their music that makes them equally attractive to fans of the post- cadres of mall punk bands.

Musician/Songwriter. Lead singer of Smoking Popes. Worship Leader at Village Church of Barrington IL. The Hideout Sessions stands as a powerful and highly listenable document of Smoking Popes frontman Josh Caterer stretching out with a new band of accomplished players for a one-night-only, live-to-tape recording. The album is being released by Pravda Records on 12” vinyl LP in gatefold sleeve, CD, as digital download and via streaming platforms on March 26. On October 28th, 2020, Caterer joined forces with John San Juan (Hushdrops) and John Perrin (NRBQ) to rock out 21st century versions of songs your grandparents used to dance to “back in the day.” They covered a few Popes songs, too. It was an inspired evening of music. The recording took place on stage at the Hideout, one of Chicago’s most beloved intimate music venues. Due to the pandemic, the Hideout’s doors had been closed to the public for several months, and the room had to be empty for this performance, save for the skeleton crew of sound engineers who captured the event. As Josh and his band recorded the album, the entire thing was live-streamed as a ticketed virtual concert. The result was a high-quality rock show – raw, sweet, honest and cathartic. Harnessing the unique blend of punk energy and Sinatra-style sophistication that has made Caterer’s work with the Smoking Popes so enduring, The Hideout Sessions throws a surprising mix of musical ingredients into the power-pop blender, and what comes out is a truly satisfying and savory sonic experience.

A punk rock band from Chicago, IL led by singer/songwriter Dan "Vapid" Schafer formerly of Screeching Weasel.

Chicago-based punk band, Capgun Heroes play fast, hooky pop-punk in the vein of the Ramones, Screeching Weasel, and Riverdales. Capgun Heroes are Joe  (vocals), Matt  (guitar), Andy (guitar), Nick (guitar), Jimmy C (bass), and Scotty (drums). They have opened up for The Methadones, Chixdiggit,  Smoking Popes, The Lillingtons, Nerf Herder, The Copyrights, The Queers, Dan Vapid and The Cheats, and more.

While punk rock often wears black, Hayley and the Crushers paint the scene in hot pink – and make no apologies for it. The Detroit band is a turbo-charged, glitter-bombed tsunami of bold, bad girl power. Born in the sunny surf town of San Luis Obispo, California, their sound exists in a retro-futuristic sweet spot where 80s daydreams collide with underground ferocity, always delivered with a wink and a nod to the classics. Led by guitarist Hayley Cain and bassist Dr. Cain Esq., they caught the ear of New Wave icon Josie Cotton in 2021, who signed the group to LA's Kitten Robot Records, and proclaimed the band "the naked embodiment of power pop punk." The Crushers' subsequent album Modern Adult Kicks (2022) was produced by Paul Roessler of The Screamers, whose producer credits include Richie Ramone and labelmates TSOL. Kicks solidified the band's ability to dance between grit and glitz, matching raw power with radio-ready hooks. A 2022 move to Detroit energized new audiences and has infused the band's poolside antics with Motor City muscle. Unsubscribe from the Underground (2024) doubles down on sticky, shimmering melodies and ever-present quirkiness: Bright blasts of sugary punk collide with 60s girl group romance and fist-pumping adrenaline—all par for the course in the Crusherverse.