15 incredible bands celebrating their 10th birthdays this year
Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday that we were rocking out to these emerging bands back in 2007. A decade later, these timeless acts are still kicking some major ass, both on stage and in the studio. So here’s our happy birthday shout out to some of our favorites from over the years!
ANIMALS AS LEADERS
After the disbandment of his previous technical metalcore band Reflux and a year of studying music at college, guitarist Tosin Abasi formed Animals As Leaders as a solo project with Prosthetic Records. Now, with the addition of guitarist Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka, the group just released their fourth studio album The Madness Of Many last November and will be touring in Japan, China and Australia starting next month.
CHELSEA GRIN
Originally under the name Ahaziah, the band was formed by vocalist Alex Koehler and friends and has since endured several lineup changes. Today, the band have four studio albums under their belt after the release of Self Inflicted last July, and will be embarking on a European tour next month with support acts Betraying The Martyrs, Make Them Suffer and Void Of Vision.
THE CONTORTIONIST
The Contortionist have seen a number of vocalists come and go since their formation 10 years ago. Their current singer, Michael Lessard, keeps it real on the band’s latest releases Language and the Language: Rediscovered EP, and you can catch them on Periphery’s Sonic Unrest Tour II this March with fellow support acts Norma Jean and Infinity Shred.
COUNTERPARTS
These rockers from up north have withstood the test of time, proving that the Canadian hardcore punk scene isn’t dead! The band’s career skyrocketed when Shane Told of Silverstein signed them to his label Verona Records in 2010, and their last two albums have both landed places on the Billboard charts. They will be opening for Senses Fail on tour this March alongside Movements and Like Pacific.
FIT FOR A KING
Combining their founding members with members of Fort Worth-based Bodies Awake, Fit For A King threw themselves into full-time touring only two years after their initial formation. It ended up paying off tremendously, and the band released their fourth album Deathgrip last October. They join After The Burial on their Carry The Flame Tour next month, also sharing a stage with Emmure, Fit For An Autopsy and Invent, Animate.
ICON FOR HIRE
Starting out playing in small clubs, it was only a matter of time before an established label picked up these bright-haired rockers… and who would’ve thought through Myspace? Nowadays, their talents are still getting noticed: Their long-awaited third album You Can’t Kill Us peaked on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at No. 180!
IWRESTLEDABEARONCE
With their name inspired by a joke by Gary Busey on Comedy Central, these Southern rockers quickly gained a cult following thanks to their experimental musical style. We haven’t heard much from the band since the release of their fourth album Hail Mary back in 2015, but here’s hoping awesome things are coming in 2017!
LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
Who ever said staying in school ruined your chances at fame? The members of this English act met while attending college, where future frontman Mike Duce was just learning to sing and play guitar. Now, the group are gearing up for the release of their fifth studio album Safe In Sound on February 3, with a seven-date U.K. tour to follow.
THE MAINE
While their lineup has made minor changes this past decade, these desert jammers have taken time to experiment with their sound. After auditions to join the band were held by bassist Garrett Nickelsen and drummer Pat Kirch, the act were signed to Fearless Records. They have just completed recording their sixth album, and are set to headline their own 8123 Fest later this month, with performances by 12 other bands, including This Century and Brighten.
SIXX:A.M.
The side project of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, Sixx:A.M. originally had no intention of touring after their live debut at Crash Mansion. However, their status has only blown up after touring as part of Crüe Fest in the summer of 2008, and their latest album Prayer For The Blessed, Vol. 2 was released last November.
THE STORY SO FAR
Although the band didn’t release a full-length album until 2011, the Cali pop-punk act was actually formed four years prior! Two albums later, the band have become a well-known face in the alternative scene.
THE SUMMER SET
The Phoenix act you once recognized from the days of “Chelsea, Chelsea, tell me you love me” have grown up a bit since their debut. The pop-rock group finished their Made For You Tour last fall after the release of their fourth album Stories For Monday, and have played a variety of shows in between… including a Bernie Sanders rally last April!
TAME IMPALA
The most psychedelic act to ever emerge from Down Under, Tame Impala began when frontman Kevin Parker posted the band’s tracks to their Myspace, gaining attention from numerous labels. Their latest album, Currents, won them a Brit, WAMI and four ARIA Awards, and they will be headlining this summer’s Panorama Festival.
TOUCHÉ AMORÉ
With their debut album already a winner with critics everywhere, this SoCal post-hardcore act was destined for success from the get-go. After the release of their fourth album Stage Four last year, the band played a number of tours and festivals, and will continue touring with Angel Du$t into February.
WE ARE THE OCEAN
Originally called Dead But Still Dreaming, U.K.-based WATO’s career sailed when they were nominated for Kerrang! Best British Newcomer and voted second best unsigned U.K. band in the K! Readers Poll. Now, under new management, the band released their latest album ARK in 2015. We’re ready to rock out on the road again with them soon!
