Dead Uncles have been quietly churning along since 2007, doing a tour or record when circumstances align, but mostly simply honing their brand of slightly-anthemic slop-pop-punk. This lackadaisical approach has fostered moderate amounts of secular rockledge that multiple critics have termed "not bad". If you had told the members when they were in little league that they would eventually be spending their weekends together in a dying van, waiting interminably to struggle through songs that middle schoolers could play for the benefit of eight people, they likely would have said "who are you, and what's 'interminably' mean?" Which is essentially a less refined phrasing of bassist Matt's now-immortal words "either way we're fucked"; a signifying phrase of the Unx ethos, fitting impeccably between their po-faced martyr-on for DIY ethics and their insulating, borderline goofy self-deprecation. Since a given listener lacks the context to extract the totality of this unique Dunkin' Leadass perspective from their two-minute national treasures, most people just think they "kinda sound like a less good [Aaron Cometbus band]". However, for some reason they've generated sufficient interest to be allowed to pen their biographies on websites not their own, so you can no longer consider yourself among the unwashed masses ignorant of the Slam Dunkles Agenda. It's time to close your mouth, open your eyes, and SAY "UNCLES". Photo By Dave Zukauskas

Decade-long stalwarts of the Long Island punk and hardcore scene, Fellow Project - in their latest incarnation with Lou from On the Might of Princes on guitar - continue to be better and better on each new release. The band plays both Long Island and New York City DIY shows regularly and has been setting up their own tours of the US and Canada since 2003. Tia used to play in Bridge and Tunnel and now plays in Rations. Ryan used to play in Yes Sensei. Photo by Lily.

Crosby, Stills, and Hash. Acoustic guitars and three-part harmonies from Lubrano (Iron Chic, Wax Phantom, Small Arms Dealer, etc.), Lou (Fellow Project, Small Arms Dealer, On The Might of Princes), and Pipes (Love Panther.)

Pulling together some of Long Islands most talented and prolific punkers, Iron Chic is an anthemic and melodic juggernaut, somehow greater than the sum of its parts. Starting with the release of their demo in 2008, the band has been churning out evermore thoughtful and layered punk gems. Consistently delivering them live with a slew of regional, US and European tours and on record with a series of beautifully packaged physical releases. Photo by Mike Pipes.

Jerk Store #8 says: "Took a few listens through for this album to fully open up to me, but then everything just clicked, and now I can't stop playing it. First-off, it looks brilliant, the layout reminds me of a Born Against/(Young Pioneers) insert. Musically, the songs kinda hold that early nineties Jawbreaker, Crimpshrine style while still sounding current... loads of bass fills and gang vocals. The songs really vary within that overall boundary, which keeps the album fresh, interesting and very replayable. It's an exciting communal effort that has something to say, and there's at least a dozen people listed as contributors." Photo by Joann Donnelly.

Maximum RockNRoll proclaims: "a lot of compelling punk music is about striking a balance between earnest directness and self-critical reflexivity. Few bands today typify the more clearly than Boston's The Credentials. They embody the resurrection and reclamation of classic pop-punk sensibilities."