Melbourne pop-punk quintet Between You and Me were part of a scene of bands who convincingly resurrected, some 20 years later, the late-’90s/early-2000s sound of bands like New Found Glory and Sum 41 . Signed by popular U.S. punk label Hopeless — then home to those two very acts — they released their debut album, Everything Is Temporary, in 2018.

The band formed in 2015 when guitarist Chris Bowerman and his drummer brother Jamey discovered vocalist Jake Wilson’s web channel and were impressed with the cover versions he had recorded. Guitarist Jai Gibson and bassist James Karagiozis, formerly of the band Sidelines, completed the lineup. Between You and Me launched in April 2016 with their debut single, “Cavalier,” and built up a sterling live reputation through incessant touring with the likes of With Confidence , As It Is , and Trash Boat . Their follow-up release, later that year, was the Paper Thin EP; it caught the attention of Hopeless Records , who signed the band in 2017. The debut album Everything Is Temporary arrived on the label the following year, preceded by the singles “Overthinking” and “Dakota.”

A melodic and introspective pop-punk combo from Albany, New York, Young Culture revolves around the creative team of singer Alex Magnan and guitarist Gabe Pietrafesa. A series of well-received independent releases including an exploratory 2017 mixtape — billed simply as YC — showed a band interested cross-pollinating various genres and soon led to a label deal with Equal Vision , which issued their 2019 EP, (This Is) Heaven.

Friends and occasional bandmates since their middle school days, Magnan and Pietrafesa began releasing music as Young Culture in 2016 starting with the eight-song mini-album You. Working loosely under the pop-punk umbrella, but also demonstrating an acumen for a more varied pop sound, the duo tested their boundaries later that year by releasing a smooth, beat-driven R&B and hip-hop-influenced mixtape under the banner YC. After testing the waters of what Young Culture could incorporate, they returned to their guitar-based pop-punk style with a new perspective for 2017’s Blue EP and over the next year began touring as a four-piece with the addition of new members Troy Burchett and Nick Cavin. The band signed with Equal Vision Records in 2018 and released their label debut, the (This Is) Heaven EP, early the following year.

Known for their emotive, sonically layered punk sound, Chicago’s Homesafe features Knuckle Puck bassist Ryan Rumchaks. They first grabbed audience attention with their 2016 EP Evermore.

A singer and guitarist, Rumchaks initially launched his career as a bassist touring with fellow Chicago punk outfit Knuckle Puck before forming Homesafe around 2014. Joining him were Tyler Albertson on shared lead vocals and bass, Joe Colesby on guitar, and Emanuel Duran on drums. They debuted their muscular emo-punk sound with two initial EPs including 2016’s Evermore. In 2018, they issued their full-length debut, One, which included the single “Run.”

Cherie Amour, Baltimore, Maryland’s nu-punk pioneers, are utilizing an exciting opportunity for a fresh start. Previously known as One Life to Lead, Trey Miller (vocals), Casey Reid (guitar), Brendan Willis (guitar) and Ronnie Sherman (drums), felt that their group’s evolving style and sound deserved a name that matched their overall style. This evolved sound, one that steps away from classic pop punk and the idea of being a “Warped Tour Band”, helps clarify the band’s intended direction of carving their own path in the scene.
The band’s long-term bond is easily detectable through the intricacy of their music. After ten years of friendship, Trey and Ronnie decided to officially form the band in 2015. A couple of lineup changes later, Brendan joined in early 2019 after meeting Ronnie through local shows, and Casey rounded out the group by joining in late 2019.
Taking influence from a plethora of artists such as Linkin Park, Bring Me the Horizon, Don Broco and Dance Gavin Dance, the band expertly concocts new genre-blending recipes per track. The band tossed aside their worries of being pigeon-holed into one particular genre and embraced the self-proclaimed title of nu-punk. The group creates a blend of hip hop, R&B, nu-metal, and punk which is truly unique to the ear and will appeal to a wide range of listeners.
Keep an eye on Cherie Amour – an extremely versatile band who is paving the way in nu-punk.