The Bouncing Souls are something of a punk rock institution. The band have been consistently churning out their beloved brand of anthemic punk since 1989, and have earned an intensely loyal fanbase with tireless touring and an unrelenting love of making music. As the band approached the creation of their tenth full length, they sought to make a record that captured the spirit of their earlier work, while incorporating who they are today. That record is Simplicity and its 13 tracks of undeniably infectious punk rock prove that The Bouncing Souls have a lot more to say. In making Simplicity, The Bouncing Souls set out to write songs that, first and foremost, would translate into the live environment. With over 20 years worth of anthems under their collective belt, it's a challenge to write a setlist that incorporates newer material, but Simplicity's many standouts are more than up to the task. Next, the band enlisted the help of producer John Seymour, who manned the mixing boards for their fan favorite LPs How ISpent My Summer Vacation and Anchors Aweigh, to record the album with all of the raw energy of the live performance. The production of Simplicity perfectly embodies the band's bite and power, the driving guitars, prominent bass, rock-solid drums, and soaring vocals all cutting through with no unneeded studio shine. From speedy hardcore-influenced ragers, to comparatively tender punk ballads, Simplicity's dynamics show every side of The Bouncing Souls. On Simplicity, The Bouncing Souls do what so few long-running bands are able to accomplish: they utilize all of the skills and lessons that come from over 20 years of making music, while still capturing the reckless spontaneity of their past work. That delicate balance can only be found if there's a sincerity in the songs that comes from genuine love of playing music together, and The Bouncing Souls have that in spades.

H2O is a band that had beginnings like any other band. No one could have guessed that a few guys from New York, who started as a one-song side project with former Sick of It All roadie Toby Morse and a few friends, would turn into a world-touring powerhouse. They took humble roots and worked their way to add their chapter to the long history of New York hardcore and they would define the term “melodic hardcore” that would become so common years later. H2O from 1996 to 2003 was unavoidable - four albums on Blackout!, Epitaph, and MCA records with over 300,000 copies sold, constant world touring with the likes of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Rancid, AFI, Pennywise, the Used, Sick of It All, the Misfits, 7 Seconds, and Madball, as well as runs on the Warped Tour. They established themselves as a household name and inspired countless others in their wake. In the pre-internet world of hardcore and punk, H2O was the band that bridged the heavily tattooed, unbridled rage of New York bands like the Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front with the punk melodies of bands like the Descendents and Token Entry that would change the face of independent music forever.  The band's Bridge Nine debut, 2008's Nothing to Prove was not a comeback. That’s way too simple. Nothing to Prove was a statement of everything the band is and a taste of what the band might be in the future. After touring the globe, they returned for 2011's Don't Forget Your Roots, a 15-song covers album (prefaced by three geographical-based teaser 7"s) tackling their influences like Bad Brains, the Clash, Ramones, Rancid and more. - from Bridge Nine Records

“Ever wonder what a traditional lounge singer would sound like backed up by a punk band? The Smoking Popes take that concept one step further: They've created a unique kind of music that some listeners are describing as ‘hyperkinetic tear-jerkers’." Los Angeles Times Bursting onto the Chicago punk scene in 1991, Smoking Popes built a relationship with their legion of fans by melding raw songs about bittersweet heartache with soaring melodies, power chords and infectious energy. From their early indie releases to their critically acclaimed major label albums, Smoking Popes developed a unique blend of buzzsaw guitars, caffeinated rhythms and heartfelt crooning vocals, combining the angst of punk with the smooth sophistication of Frank Sinatra, creating music both urgent and timeless, and influencing a generation of musicians in their wake. These days, the Popes are tighter and more inspired than ever, having reunited with drummer Mike Felumlee, from the band’s seminal recordings of the ‘90s. Lead singer Josh Caterer describes the reunion, “We’ve been fortunate to have some really great drummers over the years, they’ve all brought something unique to the band, but as soon as we started playing with Mike again, we felt like ‘This is how it’s supposed to be!’ Mike is the one who helped create our sound in the first place. Having him back in the band brings a lot of energy and excitement to what we’re doing.” That excitement is palpable on “Into The Agony”, the first full-length Smoking Popes album featuring their original lineup since 1998’s “The Party’s Over.” Brilliantly mixed by the legendary Jamie Woolford, “Into The Agony” is a poignant collection of sublimely crafted songs, passionately delivered by a band clearly at the top of their game. If this new album is any indication, Smoking Popes are far from done making waves.

JER is a multi-instrumentalist based out of Gainesville, Florida. Refusing to be bound by the limits of genre, JER continuously innovates their sound with every release. While their music isrooted in ska and punk, they also pull influence from hip-hop, hardcore, jazz, indie and emo to shape a unique, genre-defying experience. Jer Hunter initially rose to prominence through their YouTube Channel Skatune Network where they individually produce cover songs in their bedroom. Once 2020 hit, their focus shifted to prioritizing their solo music under the project JER. With the production help of We are the Union’s Reade Wolcott, JER came out of the gate strong with a handful of singles followed by their billboard-charting debut record “Bothered / Unbothered”, showing how their musical sound has expanded and evolved. Now, JER’s artistry is supported by a full band of seasoned musicians both live and in the studio. Their music is fiercely political and progressive, providing an exhilarating experience shaped by their perspective as a black, queer, non-binary person. JER illustrates strong conviction with lyricism decrying systematic injustice while having joyous liberation being felt at its root. The music is a reminder that resistance of the unjust IS liberation and liberation IS celebration.