We’re at the halfway point now.
Here at Punk Goes Prenatt, for the next 10 weeks, I’ll give you 100 artists that you need to tune your attention to throughout 2020. This list will feature numerous acts from numerous genres.
This is part five of ten. If you didn’t read the previous list, click here.
UnityTX
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Out Now: MADBOY (Pure Noise)
For Fans Of: Body Count, Limp Bizkit, Stray From The Path
Hailing from the great state of Texas, UnityTX go heavy as fuck. The hardcore/hip-hop quartet have been around since 2014, but they started making bigger waves in 2019 when they signed with Pure Noise Records (Belmont, Graduating Life, Meg & Dia.) The quartet have had their ups and downs, numerous lineup changes, and just recently had to cancel a tour with Deez Nuts in Europe. Yet with all these roadblocks, it hasn’t stopped the quartet from doing what they do best. They’ve done shows with Emmure, Poppy, Spite, I AM, and will embark on a tour with The Amity Affliction and Sleeping With Sirens next month, that is if it isn’t postponed due to the coronavirus.
Song to Listen to: “RUCKUS”
FITNESS
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Out Now: Make It Good – Single (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: AWOLNATION, Miike Snow, Robert DeLong
Good luck googling this band. If you want to find the electro pop rock duo FITNESS, all you need to type is FitnessWasTaken and you’ll find them everywhere (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) Made up of Eve 6’s vocalist Max Collins and former AWOLNATION guitarist Kenny Carkeet, FITNESS has the two weaving through familiar and foreign territories. They’re making happy music for a troubled world, and they are the light we need in these dark times. FITNESS have done shows with Matt & Kim, Kongos, and Big Data. The duo dropped a new song called “Make It Good” yesterday and will release another single “Anvil” next Friday.
Song to Listen to: “High”
Sub Urban
Hometown: New Jersey
Out Now: Thrill Seeker (Warner)
For Fans Of: Billie Eilish, Joji, Lorde
TikTok has made celebrities out of many musicians. For example, Y2K, iLOVEFRiDAY, and former Prenatt’s Picks band Beach Bunny. Another artist on that list is Sub Urban, the dark pop project of 20-year-old Danny Maisonneuve. The New Jersey artist broke it big with his track “Cradles,” which TikTok took and made it enormous than it already was. The video has reached over 99.5 million views, and his YouTube account just hit one million subscribers. He’s since released his debut EP Thrill Seeker, which dropped in mid-March on Warner Records (Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance, PVRIS.) And while he does sound like Billie Eilish, he does not like the comparison.
Song to Listen to: “Freak”
Y!KES
Hometown: Birmingham, UK
Out Now: Everything Pointless Is Correct (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Don Broco, Lower Than Atlantis, Mallory Knox
“Always take risks, wear whatever the fuck you want, be the person you want to be.” This statement from the Birmingham-based anti-pop quartet Y!KES perfectly sums up what they’re all about. With bold statements and bright colors, they aim to catch your eyes, whether it be with their flashy fashion sense or their catchy music. Their new vocalist Oli Long has already “filled the boots” and now they’re ready to concentrate on catching everyones’ attention. Be on the look out for Y!KES.
Song to Listen to: “Hold On To Your Grudge”
100 Fables
Hometown: Glasgow/Troon, Scotland
Out Now: History – Single (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Blondie, The Killers, Panic! At The Disco
While the members of new wave pop group 100 Fables haven’t toured in the U.S., their music however has been on the airwaves. “Extremely cool that [our single “History” has] been played over in the US!” vocalist Lindsey Liora said. The Glasgow quartet have their style buried deep into the 80’s, reminiscing of acts like Blondie and Roxy Music. 100 Fables got their name from an unreleased Prince track “99 Fables.” “The main goal is to do this full time and be able to sustain ourselves,” drummer Logan Whyte said. “Probably what every band at our stage would say. We’re all passionate and driven people, this is something that we won’t stop trying till we get there. Ideally, selling out stadium tours, that’s the pinnacle I guess. Or maybe a gig on Mars? Both are a long way off at the moment. However, the touring life is fun, it’s definitely something that we all want to do.”
Song to Listen to: “History”
Early Eyes
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Out Now: I’m Enough – Single (Epitaph)
For Fans Of: Bad Bad Hats, COIN, Hippo Campus
You might not know about indie-pop quintet Early Eyes, but you soon will. Freshly signed to Epitaph Records (The All-American Rejects, Hot Water Music, Nascar Aloe,) Early Eyes are a band that was made for alternative/indie radio stations. Their quirky funky vibes can put a smile on anyones’ face. Just look at the comments on their music video for their Epitaph debut single “I’m Enough.” Everyone loves it, and you will soon too. They’ve done shows with Judah & The Lion, The Happy Fits, and Denzel Curry. Currently they’re on the road with nothing,nowhere.
Song to Listen to: “I’m Enough”
LURK
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Out Now: Electro-Shock (Pure Noise)
For Fans Of: Angel Du$t, Ceremony, Dead Kennedys
Mixing hardcore with rock ‘n’ roll, Chicago punk rockers LURK are quite an interesting bunch. Formed in 2017, LURK — vocalist Kevin Kiley, guitarists Alex Rackow and Kevin Maida, bassist Dan Durley, and drummer Pedro Unzueta — are a solid bunch of guys making loud and hard punk-rock music that’ll get the kids moving. Their newest EP Electro-Shock is a heavy hitter. LURK have done shows with Grayscale, Knuckle Puck, Seaway, Candy, and Modern Color. Expect a full-length later in the year.
Song to Listen to: “Electro-Shock”
Best Ex
Hometown: Ramsey, NJ
Out Now: Gap Tooth (On My Mind) – Single (No Sleep)
For Fans Of: Carly Rae Jepsen, Halsey, Taylor Swift
Best Ex used to go by a different name and a different style. Known for the longest time as the pop-punk band Candy Hearts, that name and style all changed when lead vocalist/guitarist Mariel Loveland announced in 2017 that the project would now be called Best Ex to better suit with her mental issues. And while the sound might be different, Best Ex is not ex-Candy Hearts. Loveland summed it up as being a “breakup makeover.” Now with No Sleep Records (Charmer, Hot Mulligan, Worst Party Ever,) Best Ex are ready to shine. Their sophomore EP Good At Being Bad comes out May 22.
Song to Listen to: “Gap Tooth (On My Mind)”
Out Of Love
Hometown: London, UK
Out Now: S.L.U.M.P – Single (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Culture Abuse, Drug Church, Heart Attack Man
London punk’s Out Of Love only have one song out, and yet this song “S.L.U.M.P” is so good apparently that it has one publication calling it the single of the year. Little is known about the quartet, but what we know is that they do have the energy and chops to hang out with cool kids like PUP and Drug Church. For a brand new band, they got the skill to go hard. Out Of Love will be playing their first ever show on Saturday, April 11, at Bassments Speakeasy Bar in Dunstable, UK. Not bad for a band who’s roughly two years old.
Song to Listen to: “S.L.U.M.P”
Defining Lines
Hometown: Bradford/Leeds, UK
Out Now: Our Volition – Single (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Architects, The Devil Wears Prada, Memphis May Fire
Imagine getting to open up for your idols. That’s what West Yorkshire based metalcore act Defining Lines were able to accomplish in 2019 when they played with Memphis May Fire. “I think it’s one of those things we’ve always joked about when we’ve seen posters at shows, ‘Imagine if we could get on a show with them,’” guitarist Micky T told Discovered Magazine before Defining Lines did their biggest gig to date. “This time it actually happened and as soon as we saw it drop in our inbox I think we all kinda lost it, I love MMF!” Defining Lines so far have one EP (2018’s As Our Souls Depart) and two singles, the latest being “Our Volition,” dropping back in February. The EP alone has amassed over 80,000 plays on multiple streaming services. Once again, not bad for a brand new band. Their next show is Saturday, March 28, with DEADLAST at the Arden Road Social Club in Halifax.
Song to Listen to: “Our Volition”
Come back next week for more artists!
Punk Goes Prenatt 