This week on Emo Social Club, we caught up with Pete and Luke from Anamanaguchi. They share all about their exciting new album "Anyway," dropping August 8th, and the big leap into integrating vocals after 20 years as an instrumental band. Get ready for some wild stories, including their deep dive into what they're calling "Batman Rock" and their iconic work with the world of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

This week, the Emo Social Club charts the complete journey of Fil Thorpe. From his departure from pop-punk giants Neck Deep to forging a new cinematic sound with World's First Cinema, Fil discusses his past, present, and future in music. He shares insights on starting over, the creative process behind the new album "Something of Wonder," and his vision for what's to come.

Topics Discussed:

• The decision to leave Neck Deep at the end of their third album cycle to move into production.
• The evolution of World's First Cinema from a film/TV sync project to a full-fledged band.
• The creative philosophy behind the debut album "Something of Wonder" and the goal of encapsulating the band's diverse, genre-blending sound.
• Reflections on the Warped Tour legacy and the "emo nostalgia" trend in the current music scene.
• The challenges and benefits of shifting from a large band to a two-person creative team.
• The story behind the single "Broken" and the decision to feature rapper JD Cliffe.
• Fil's vision for the future: creating authentic music that excites him personally rather than chasing viral trends.

Thumbnail image from 1883 Magazine. Credit: @AnnaLeeMedia

Mattstagraham reveals the stories behind his "Yellow Paint" album, from the Sonic the Hedgehog speed reference cleverly hidden in "Caffeine" to how the album title came from a lyric about "eating yellow paint." We examine his approach to balancing humor with serious songwriting, his thoughts on music marketing, and why he shares controversial takes on beloved bands.

Topics Covered:

• The hidden Sonic reference in "Caffeine" and algorithm workarounds
• How "Yellow Paint" got its title from a single lyric
• Balancing authentic music with social media presence
• His favorite deep cuts and writing about men's mental health
• Controversial opinions on Paramore, Sleep Token, and the internet's binary thinking
• Upcoming tours with Descendants, Teen Mortgage, and Buzzcocks
• Why he approaches serious topics with humor and directness

Perfect for anyone curious about how modern musicians navigate the intersection of artistry and online culture, or fans seeking honest conversations about the current alternative music scene.

Derek Sanders from Mayday Parade joins us to celebrate the band's incredible 20-year journey during their biggest headline tour to date. We dive deep into their nostalgic new three-part EP "Sweet," the collaborative spirit behind their current tour lineup, and what makes Mayday Parade the poster child for emotional authenticity in the emo scene.

Welcome to the very first episode of "I Wanna Eat Your Brains and Gain Your Knowledge"! Brian sits down with the insightful Matt Bunting, a music content creator who has carved out a significant space on TikTok (@RealMattBunting) with his deep dives and scene commentary. They explore Matt's journey from starting out unsure of his niche to becoming a go-to voice for music fans, all while literally living on an island. This conversation is packed with insights on creator collaboration, the balance between passion and a paycheck, and engaging with the ever-evolving music scene.

Topics Discussed:

• Matt Bunting's origin story as a TikTok content creator.
• The importance of collaboration over separation for creators.
• Finding your unique voice and niche in content creation.
• The strategy of engaging in broader community conversations versus just broadcasting.
• Navigating the "is it metal?" debate and covering diverse music genres.
• The balance between creating passion projects (e.g., for small bands) and content that pays the bills.
• The challenges and unique aspects of being a music fan and creator in Hawaii.
• The evolution of music reviews and the role of reaction content.
• Discussion on why emo/scene albums rarely make "greatest of all time" lists and which ones should be considered.
• The influence of creators like Jesea Lee and Finn McKenty.

Get ready for a super fun chat with the one and only Pet Symmetry! Lizzie sits down with Evan, Marcus, and Eric to talk all about their latest album "Big Symmetry," the surprisingly deep world of "wife guy" culture, sticking to their DIY roots, and how their sound has evolved into a big rock machine. Plus, they dive into balancing multiple bands and share details on their upcoming tour dates.

Content creator Matt Bunting joins Brian for an in-depth discussion of The Amity Affliction's seminal album "Let the Ocean Take Me." They explore how this 2014 record transformed conversations about mental health in metalcore, examining the personal struggles that shaped its creation, the band's distinctive approach to emotional heavy music, and what lies ahead for Amity after significant lineup changes.

Key Discussion Points:

• Mental health themes and Joel Birch's addiction journey
• Success of standout single "Pittsburgh"
• Ocean metaphors throughout the 42-minute runtime
• Front-loading albums with singles vs balanced sequencing
• Amity's signature clean/unclean vocal dynamics
• Impact of sobriety and lineup changes on band dynamics
• The band's Australian roots and US breakthrough
• Comparisons to contemporaries like Architects and Bring Me The Horizon

This episode provides fresh perspectives on this metalcore classic for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.

This week, Brian sits down with Chicago radio personality, comedian, and Riot Fest veteran Kevin Kellam! They dive into the history of Riot Fest, speculate wildly about potential 2025 headliners (and some definite long shots), and rank bands based on likelihood and pure hope. Plus, get all the details on Kevin's upcoming comedy special taping in Chicago this August!

Topics Discussed:

Kevin Kellam's history with Riot Fest and Chicago radio (Q101, etc.)
Speculating and ranking potential Riot Fest 2025 bands (Deftones, TBS, Gwar, MCR, System, Jimmy Eat World, Weird Al, and many more!)
The rise of full album plays at festivals
Details on Kevin's comedy special "Kevin and Hell" taping August 9th at Lincoln Hall
Comparing Riot Fest and Lollapalooza bookings and vibes
The impact of radius clauses and other festival conflicts (Louder Than Life, When We Were Young)
Dream festival bookings and reunions (Iron Maiden, The Donnas)