We’re almost at the halfway point.
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 four of ten. If you didn’t read the previous list, click here.
Kaonashi
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Out Now: Why Did You Do It? – EP (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: The Contortionist, Meshuggah, Stray From The Path
Formed in 2012, Kaonashi, named after the secondary antagonist from the Academy Award winning animated film Spirited Away, have been tearing up stages across the country with their unique, aggressive style called emo metalcore. The quintet have dropped three EPs, their latest being 2018’s Why Did You Do It? They’ve shared the stage with acts like The Fall Of Troy, Can’t Swim, FEVER 333, Vein, and I Set My Friends On Fire. In 2019, they made a big move signing with Equal Vision Records (Be Well, Hopesfall, Saves The Day.) Expect new material later this year. Kaonashi are currently on the road with Downswing.
Song to Listen to: “My 5-Year Plan”
Fiore
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Out Now: Winter – Single (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Basement, Pity Sex, Tigers Jaw
Seattle is a breeding ground of great music. The city gifted us such magnificent bands like Nirvana, Tacocat, and The Head And The Heart. And now they’ve given us Fiore, a brand new emo quintet. And yes, the “- pnw” text on their social medias is not part of their name. Little is known about the group, but what we know is that they have a killer video for their song “Winter.” In an interview with New Noise Magazine, the band said, “Winter is about two close friends of Zach’s (guitarist/vocalist). The passing of one friend leaves the other to wonder ‘Where did you go and why?’ The whole song is pretty much written around those questions. We dolled up the music as a reflection of the spirit of our friend who passed and garnished it with lyrics that match the harsh reality. ‘Winter’ is about never letting go of hope. Knowing that life keeps being life even after death has played its role.” Hopefully as the year goes on we learn more about this fresh face to the Seattle music scene.
Song to Listen to: “Winter”
The Seafloor Cinema
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Out Now: A Metaphor For Honesty (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: A Lot Like Birds, Covet, Tiny Moving Parts
“Sacramento was a happier place before we started bumming out everyone.” That’s what it says on the bandcamp page for Sacramento emo/math rock troupe The Seafloor Cinema. All parts music and all parts shitposting page (have you checked out their Facebook?), the recently quintet (bassist Seth Lawrenson just joined TSC in February) have the chops to blow minds while making you laugh so hard you’ll piss your pants. I mean, this is the same band that were called a bunch of “Sexy, sexy boys in their cardigans and shit” by ex-Dance Gavin Dance frontman Kurt Travis.
Song to Listen to: “If You Were A Robot You’d Tell Me, Right?”
Cold Years
Hometown: Aberdeen, Scotland
Out Now: 62 (My Generation’s Falling Apart) – Single (Inside Job/eOne Music)
For Fans Of: Dave Hause, The Gaslight Anthem, Hot Water Music
Cold Years’s upcoming debut album Paradise has a misleading name. Their hometown of Aberdeen, Scotland, is far from one. “Our hometown is a shithole,” vocalist Ross Gordon tells Upset Magazine. “The album is called Paradise because Aberdeen is not a paradise. It’s horrible, it’s grey, and it’s cold all the time. We all live and work here, and it’s not very happy. It’s quite morbid when you stop to think about it. But at the same time, it’s home.” But it’s not just Aberdeen that’s fucked up, it’s the world itself. Politics, the economy, drugs, the shit we’re dealing with, you name it. “You work hard in school, you train for your career and you try to succeed at it, but the reality is that none of it really fucking matters. It’s a record that’s angry because, as a generation, we feel like we’ve been sold short.” Since forming in late 2014, the Scottish rock quartet have been pounding the pavement with heartfelt rock, blues, and Americana songs that would rival Bruce Springsteen. They were even featured in Kerrang! as one of their hottest bands of 2019 alongside SWMRS, Jesus Piece, and I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, who are Prenatt’s Picks veterans. Cold Years’s debut comes out May 8.
Song to Listen to: “Nights Like This”
Marquee Grand
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Out Now: Marquee Grand – EP (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Boys Like Girls, The Dangerous Summer, This Providence
While we might be living in the 2020s now, Buffalo alt-rock quartet Marquee Grand are living in the 2000s. Their retro style breathes life into the genre, showing us what alt-rock has been missing for quite some time. Sounding like a cross between Cute Is What We Aim For and Jimmy Eat World, Marquee Grand are ringing in a new era for the genre. And it seems to be working for them well, since they did sell out the Rec Room, becoming the first local band to do so. They’ve played with Dashboard Confessional, Davey Muise And The Sons Of Zero, and Welles, and soon will take the stage to open for Fernway’s EP release show at Buffalo Iron Works, as well as Alternative Buffalo’s Kerfuffle Announcement Party with New Politics and Michigander on Thursday, March 26, at Babeville. Next month they’ll head into the studio with Paul Levitt (All Time Low, Emarosa, Senses Fail) to work on new music.
Song to Listen to: “Maybe”
Stage Moms
Hometown: Moundsville, WV
Out Now: Long Drives & Late Nights – EP (Self-Released)
For Fans Of: Crucial Dudes, Handguns, Polar Bear Club
On last year’s Prenatt’s Picks list I talked about a duo called Hightail Home. Well, one of their members, Grayson Prince, has another band called Stage Moms. The West Virginian group, featuring vocalist Gage Vota, guitarists Prince and Drew Freeman, bassist Adham Bobes, and drummer Deion Schultz, are putting an aggressive twist to pop punk, nearly teetering on the side of hardcore. Fun and heavy, Stage Moms are a band to be on your radar, especially if you love Four Year Strong and Comeback Kid. If you’re not hooked yet, they shot a music video inside of a Taco Bell. Do what you must with that information.
Song to Listen to: “How I Spent The Summer”
Telltale
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Out Now: Breathe – Single (SharpTone)
For Fans Of: The Blackout, The Story So Far, Trash Boat
On their newest single “Breathe,” Richmond pop-punkers Telltale add a splash of post-hardcore and post-grunge to their sound, and it’s a welcoming change. But if this new single is showing us the direction they’re going, then it’s a step in the right direction. In the three years since forming, Telltale have released two killer EPs, their newest one Timeless Youth came out on SharpTone Records (Bleeding Through, Heart Of Gold, Polaris) last year. They’ve hit the road with Settle Your Scores, Forever Came Calling, Afterlife, Point North, and Broadside. Their game plan for 2020 is to release new music and tour more.
Song to listen to: “Breathe”
Florida Man
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Out Now: Tropical Depression (Spartan)
For Fans Of: Hot Snakes, Queens Of The Stone Age, These Arms Are Snakes
They’re not even from Florida! Post-hardcore act Florida Man are as crazy as their name’s based on. Gritty, loud, and in your face, the South Carolina noise punk quartet are ready to attack. Made up of vocalist Jim O’Connor, guitarist Andrew Barnes, bassist CJ DeLuca, and drummer Jonathan Peace, the four friends have been active in their local scenes before combining to make Florida Man. They’ve performed with Caravela, ’68, and Cruel Hand. Look out for Florida Man, or else you might get hurt. P.S.: I’ve been dying to put these guys on this list ever since I wrapped up last year’s.
Song to Listen to: “Holy Roller”
My Kid Brother
Hometown: Leesburg, VA
Out Now: Native Tongue – Single (Fearless)
For Fans Of: Cage The Elephant, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, The Mowgli’s
Originally known as Kid Brother, My Kid Brother have become a beloved band in their hometown of Leesburg, VA. Now signed with Fearless Records (The Almost, Kill The Lights, The Plot In You,) they’re eager to show the world what they’re made of. Focused on originality and genuine lyricism, MKB blend in the best elements of rock ‘n’ roll, folk, blues, and indie together to create something brand new. So far, they have one album under their belt: 2017’s Baltimore Street Rat. Let’s see what 2020 brings to MKB.
Song to Listen to: “Native Tongue”
Queen Of Jeans
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Out Now: if you’re not afraid, i’m not afraid (Topshelf)
For Fans Of: Angel Olsen, Field Mouse, Ratboys
Made up of “2 gay vegans + 1 beautiful boy omnivore,” Queen Of Jeans are the face of the genre known as crockpot pop. Using retro guitars and dreamy melodies, the Philly trio will easily hypnotize you with their sound and will get you hooked in mere seconds. Billboard said about the trio, “Queen Of Jeans are the band you didn’t know you were missing, shimmying around your ears with vibrant three-part harmonies and ‘60s girl group and doo-wop hooks you don’t hear on your typical punk rock bill.” They’ve performed with The Menzingers, Circa Survive, Balance And Composure, Pianos Become The Teeth, and Citizen. QOJ will be on the road next month with Movements and Teenage Wrist.
Song to Listen to: “Get Lost”
Come back next week for more artists!
Punk Goes Prenatt 