“The scene just isn’t what it used to be.” Hashed out chit chat of the 40-something men holding court in the back of a local punk show. They traded in the Xs on their hands for beer bellies years ago. Now, clutching an IPA and barely squeezed into their 15-year-old Social Distortion T-shirt, they gaze with mock distaste, an ugly mask not hiding their jealousy toward five teenagers who can’t play their instruments, putting on the best show in the tri-state area.
If you’ve ever been to a local rock show you know these guys, they regale you ad nauseam with their mosh pit war stories claiming they were elbowed by the former bassist of Rancid, interactions more akin to hostage situations than conversation. A few months ago I was caught up in one of these inescapable dialogues that set my blood to boil. I was locked in conflict with a friend’s dad who was complaining that there are no rock bands anymore – not like there were when he was in college. Looking back, this outlook is laughable, but for a while I am ashamed to admit that I believed it. It’s easy to get caught up in second hand nostalgia, mourning shows that you weren’t alive to see and a scene that no longer exists. In the words of Tony Soprano,
“It’s good to be in something from the ground floor. I came too late for that, I know. But lately, I’m getting the feeling that I came in at the end. The best is over.”
This feeling, though originally pertaining to fictional New Jersey organized crime, is a common fear in the hearts of many young music fans. We’re constantly told by sardonic elder millennials, aging Gen Xers, and cynical boomers that rock ‘n’ roll is over. We might as well spend $50 on Taylor Swift’s newest record because great rock music died when Ramones songs started showing up in car commercials.
I’m here to tell you this isn’t true. Scenes across the world are flourishing, and 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for rock ’n’ roll. Starting the year off strong, Australian power-punk band Amyl and The Sniffers continue their world tour, fronted by the incredible Amy Taylor, a performer whose energy rivals the punk legends of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Amyl and The Sniffers are one of the most exciting bands performing right now. Also from Australia, pub rock band The Chats just announced a North American tour, playing clubs around the eastern seaboard this spring. The Chats haven’t released an album since 2022 but their biggest hit “Smoko” is hands-down the most fun song of the 21st century.
This year has also seen some monumental albums. In April, Viagra Boys, Swedish post-punk giants released their semi-self-titled LP “Viagr Aboys.” With funny, introspective lyrics and heavy, diverse, and creative instrumentation “Viagr Aboys” is their strongest album yet. I saw the band in September on their Infinite Anxiety tour, I left drenched in sweat and blood, only some of it mine – all signs of a great punk show. Frontman Sebastion Murphy, shirtless and covered in tattoos and beer, put on a fantastic performance. With his dance moves landing somewhere between Ian Curtis and Henry Rollins, he shows no signs of ever slowing down. Here in America, we’ve seen a banner year for arty rock bands named after waterfowl. Despite lineup changes, we received two full length albums from self proclaimed “indie groove” band Goose, not to be confused with Geese, whose new album, “Getting Killed” is receiving rave reviews. New York City band Swans’ dark, noisy new album “Birthing” is innovative and surreal. The list is never ending, I could go on forever about the infinite new and exciting genre-bending bands that continue to release mind-blowing music. We are in an age where it is easier than ever to find new music and go to shows, with free streaming platforms and apps dedicated to finding live music in your area the future looks brighter than ever.
To my peers I say: you will never see a show at CBGBs or watch MGMT play to fifteen people on their college campus but we are on the cusp of something great. This year has seen generation-defining albums and peak performance from bands that will go down in rock ‘n’ roll history, don’t miss it by getting caught up in the past.
Featured Image by Ellery Kaye