A hotbed for punk bands and culture, Austin continues that tradition today with a new generation wielding their guitars, drumsticks and mics. However, Austin’s music scene can seem intimidating at first. The Daily Texan compiled recommendations of some of the best punk and hardcore music Austin offers.

Sad Cell

@sadcell_

“Daniel Johnston, I thought you had gone” shouts the lead singer of Sad Cell in their song “I Thought You Were Dead” — in case anyone had any doubts the quartet hails from Austin. Sad Cell serves up emotional rock that draws as much from alternative as traditional punk. With two albums, they often play shows locally.

Safehaven

@safehavenrockband

Safehaven’s influences heavily include thrash and metal, creating a sound that epitomizes the genre. They play raucous live shows and released a self-titled debut album that captures their intensity. The sheer rawness of Safehaven’s style might remind listeners of early My Chemical Romance. 

Stab

@stabhorrormovie

Stab takes cues and guitar tones from 2000’s metal, giving them a near nostalgic quality. Their emotional lyrics can be particularly raw, aligning with emo at times. They just released their debut album Quarter Life Crisis and arrived back in Austin after touring the east coast.

Grocery Bag

@grocerybag.tx

Lots of distortion and pedal board effects don’t succeed in masking Grocery Bag’s instrumental virtuosity. A Grocery Bag show will take attendees through an enjoyable barrage of drum chops and guitar riffs designed to energize the audience. The quartet plays locally, and their debut album, Break You, comes out in November.

Rat Church

@ratchurch.atx

Rat Church honors the punk genre’s core with fast-paced songs that outline their stances, political or otherwise. Their song “Kill Your Local Nazi” speaks for itself. However, the trio doesn’t mind embracing some weirdness — they’re from Austin after all — allowing their bassist to go on an angry rant over a blues jam during one of their shows. Rat Church’s EP, Corporate Boar, comes as their latest release.

Die Spitz

@diespitzDie Spitz played ACL this year for the first time and not without good reason. The quartet recorded their first album, Teeth, this year, a “riot grrrl” inspired smack in the face of hardcore head bangers. The band’s ferocious live shows inevitably include moshing and crowd-surfing that really sets them apart. Eager fans might have to wait a little bit to see them live in concert since Die Spitz have been touring nationally as a supporting act for Amyl and the Sniffers. \

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly labeled albums as EPs. The Texan regrets this error.