BOSTON DIY PUNK SCENE REPORT
by Liv Longshore, January 2026
Header photo by Jack Mullen, crowd at Dowsing Rod show.
Punk arrived in Boston in the late 1970s, not terribly long after its genesis in New York City. Venues like the Rat, the Underground, and the Channel, though now long defunct, hosted the early DIY punk shows within the movement’s first appearances in Boston. This sound evolved into Boston’s unique hardcore punk scene in the 80s and 90s, a vigorous and hostile reaction to the creep of hateful racist and anti-immigrant sentiment, the impact of substance epidemics (to which the straight edge movement also responded), growing violence, and other distasteful matters that plagued Boston at the time. Since history tends to repeat itself in quite unfortunate ways, it’s obvious now that we still need punk and hardcore, and we still need people who will speak up against the remaining ugliness in the world.
On a 95 degree day two Augusts ago, I attended my first DIY show in a church with excellently moody ambiance and very poor air conditioning infrastructure. There, in the sea of thrashing black boots, sweat, and spilled drinks, I debuted my crude two-step and started to feel like maybe there was a place for me, one that I had somehow not discovered for two long (perhaps misspent) years of college. One vocalist sprayed the contents of a half-swallowed water bottle out into the audience (RIP the Modern Faces - thanks Noel for the support when acid briefly destroyed my vocal cords, it meant a lot to me). Maybe it was all an attempt to cool us off? Though a bit damp, I stuck around for the next set.
Many have found their home in various corners of Boston DIY, making music, enjoying music, capturing music through photography and videography, hosting community events, and making art inspired by their experiences. In this first volume of Boston Scene Report (and all subsequent volumes), I aim to capture the spirit of the scene through individual testimonies, band biographies, and wider explorations of our community and those who uphold it.
INSIDE SCOOP
Left to right (mobile top to bottom): photos by Jack Mullen at performances by Makeout Palace, Jules Dasey, and Muzak.
In this realm built by musicians and showgoers, meaningful connections materialize through music, newcomers are warmly welcomed, and a diverse range of backgrounds, styles, and personalities are represented. Those involved similarly describe Boston DIY as a positive and transformative community.
Isaac, showgoer:
“I attended my first show after going into the city for a club trip to museums, with my 3DS in my bag because my phone camera was broken. I was immediately welcomed into the scene, and for fun I took some photos with my 3DS for the bands, something I quickly realized I loved doing, and now I take an hour train commute into Boston every weekend to see new bands and take more photos. I absolutely love the scene in Boston and can’t wait to go to more shows and hopefully start my own band.”
Nate, photographer and videographer via Found Footage Films:
“Over the past year and a half, I have amassed quite the collection of footage filmed almost entirely in Boston and surrounding New England areas, and I aim to keep documenting what means the most to me: music. You don't need expensive equipment, you don't need all the fancy looks. Just put your emotion into whatever you love that isn't destructive, and you'll find a scene like this. Everyone is different, but nobody has to be alone. Bring others up whenever you can and love one another.”
Iko, showgoer:
“One of my favorite scene memories will always be Impulse Control’s last show in February of last year. I was worried about being at a show alone and having no one to talk to, but I ended up meeting a lot of super cool people and having a really great time. A lot of great energy and some really heartfelt words from the lead singer in between songs. Ever since that show, I never worry about not knowing people, because I always end up making new friends there anyways.”
Chase, guitarist in Ski Club, Muzak, and Foxy Grandpa:
“So many awesome acts have come around in the last few years. My favorites right now are Dinos, Warmachine, KO Queen, Salem June, and Jack O. Lantern. It’s been very cool to see music creation sprout up organically from a desire to simply rock out. Everyone has their goals in mind, but I think all good bands that are a part of this community simply do it to make the best music they can. It’s also surprising how far of a reach this scene has. It’s funny how something that at times seems so small has impacts greater than we ever could have imagined.”
BAND HIGHLIGHTS
It's difficult to distinctly define any boundaries or describe a uniform sonic style within the Boston punk scene, as the bands involved draw from a vibrant range of sounds, influences, and song topics. Despite this variety, the musicians who keep the heart of the scene beating often share similar goals of building community, inspiring others, and bringing attention to significant social and political issues.
FROGS
Left to right (mobile top to bottom): photos by Lily Rose, Donovan Jermyn, Lily Rose.
Frogs formed in the fall of 2023 as a response to "stagnation," whether that be musically, socially, or emotionally. Consisting of Matt Spisak (vocals/guitar), Danny Francis (drums), Harrison Broad (guitar), and Emilio Bowen (bass), and operating in the lineage of post-hardcore and angular punk, the band delivers a sound that is relentlessly fast and aggressive, but never hollow. Beneath the speed and abrasion is a clear sense of purpose: Frogs use intensity as a vehicle for political awareness, emotional honesty, and confrontation of the systems and habits that keep people disconnected from themselves and each other.
Their songs grapple with themes ranging from equality to emotional maturity and personal mental struggle, a pushback against apathy, cruelty, and performative politics. Frogs’ music is rooted in the belief that growth, both personal and collective, requires discomfort and accountability. Rather than preaching from a distance, their lyrics speak from within the struggle, aiming to reflect the confusion, anger, and vulnerability that come with trying to live ethically in an unequal world. Musically, Frogs draw heavy influence from bands like Fugazi, Unwound, and The Dismemberment Plan, channeling the tension and dissonance that defined much of the 1990s DC underground.
That influence extends beyond sound and into practice. Frogs are deeply inspired by the DIY ethos of Dischord Records and the idea that music should function as community infrastructure rather than mere entertainment. Their work prioritizes sincerity, access, and independence over musical trends or commercial appeal. This attitude is embodied through Outforarip, the record label/music collective run by band members Matt Spisak and Danny Francis. Outforarip handles recording, mixing, and mastering, organizes and throws shows, and produces physical releases on tape and CD, creating space for music to exist outside traditional industry gatekeeping. For Frogs, DIY is a political choice that enables them to maintain control over their work while supporting others doing the same.
Frogs released their first recording, Demo ’24, in June of 2024, introducing their raw, urgent sound and setting the foundation for what followed. In August of 2025, they released General Discomfort (featured song: Between), an EP that sharpened both their musical precision and thematic weight, leaning further into emotional vulnerability and systemic critique without losing speed or aggression. At its core, Frogs’ music is for anyone and everyone willing to engage honestly with themselves, with others, and with the world around them. Their goal is impact through music that listeners can recognize themselves in, music that challenges complacency, and music that insists that intensity and political consciousness can, and should, exist together.
Written based on communication with Matt Spisak.
TWOTHOUSANDS
Left to right (mobile top to bottom): photos by Colin Grady, Colin Grady, Lillian Provencher.
twothousands are a New England-based band, rooted in delivering "raw, unfiltered rock and roll to any and all." Members Kyle Gervais (guitar/vocals), Connor Adams (bass), and Chance Brown (drums) met in high school before forming the band. Influenced by the Stooges, the Velvet Underground, Ramones, Joy Division, Pixies, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, and countless others, twothousands delivers a clear and direct sound, with lyrical content being minimal and open for interpretation (featured song: x ray). They also take inspiration from talent in the community, citing the Blind, Alchemy, and Doug. Though they primarily play in Massachusetts, their frequent shows throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and other destinations in New England demonstrate the connectivity of scenes across the Northeast. Through these live shows, they intend to encourage creativity in those who witness their act. They released their album by design in September 2025, and are planning to begin working on their third record and continue releasing music and playing together.
Written based on communication with Kyle Gervais.
ANDRO QUEEN
Left to right (mobile top to bottom): photos by Jack Mullen, unknown, Ashlyn Rose.
Andro Queen is a Boston-based femme punk group that draws influence from punk, screamo, indie, and alternative rock. The band is a project started by Fikus Gray (vocals, they/them), with Veronica Casale (guitar, she/her) and Ziyad Ghalayini (drums, he/him). The band’s original songs focus on predominant societal issues surrounding gender roles, growing up queer, and inequality, but also discuss queer joy and love of many forms, philosophical dilemmas, and trivial matters. Andro Queen asserts that being political has only gained importance over time, with the recent rise in fascism, imperialism, the war against trans people, and other emerging social issues. They believe it's important to speak up, raise awareness, help fundraise, demonstrate, and inspire love and community, despite the often disheartening impact of issues that affect them and countless others. While sensitive topics are brought up within their music, Andro Queen strives to engage with these issues in an empowering way and create an invigorating environment by connecting with the crowd and each other on stage. Andro Queen is soon releasing a double single. Check out their music here or watch a live performance filmed by Aidan Gardner.
Written based on communication with Fikus Gray.
LOSER
Photos by Alex Chechkovsky.
Loser (formerly known as Spaz) is a Boston-based punk band composed of Emmett Justice (vocals), Griffin Redmond (drums), Hal Fischer (guitar/vocals), Xavier Scott (guitar), and Milo Justice (bass). Loser focuses on writing and playing energetic, passionate, socially conscious, and emotionally resonant music "wherever, whenever, and to whomever." Lyrical topics range from the National Guard's presence in the expanded Washington D.C. area (Free D.C.) to the band's love for their family members (Milo) and their efforts to subvert indifference in the youth alternative community. They draw influence from early 80s and 90s punk, including the Descendants, Bad Religion, Nirvana, and Minor Threat. Loser wants to "infect the youth of today with a positive influence" and encourage them to think for themselves in the current political climate.
Loser is playing an album release show on February 3rd at the Middle East in Cambridge (tickets) to celebrate the release of their LP, which contains similar themes of political protests, dissection of social ideas, and melodic emotional songs. Presave the album on DistroKid here.
Written based on communication with Emmett Justice.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHT: 91.5FM WMFO - MELLOW MAX RADIO
Left to right (mobile top to bottom): Amyl and the Sniffers, Ohm Foam, KO Queen.
Max “Mellow Max” Kratzok is an on-air host for two radio shows at 91.5FM WMFO Tufts Freeform Radio. Max's first show, “Highly Recommended,” was established in 2016 during his freshman year at Tufts. From 7-9pm on Wednesday nights, Max shares his personal song recommendations, conducts interviews, and hosts performances by local musicians. In 2024, Max also joined the team for “On the Town with Mikey Dee," a show originally hosted and founded in 1989 by its namesake, Mikey Dee, who was a fixture in the local scene before his passing in the early 2000s. In this show, Max is part of a rotating crew of DJs that feature entirely (:D) local music on Wednesday nights from 9pm-12am, with live band performances every week at 10:30pm.
INTERVIEW WITH MAX
LL: How did you first get into radio?
MK: I’ve always loved sharing music with other people, so joining the radio station just made sense! My first show was Monday night/Tuesday morning at 3AM, but I joined the executive board that spring, and worked my way up to a better time slot. Having a place to hang out with friends, talk about music, and share what we’ve been listening to is what keeps me coming back. And now, I’ve expanded “friends” to include everyone who is part of our wonderful scene.
LL: Do you have any favorite memories?
MK: The most memorable radio moments are never ones that I planned. My three biggest interviews, Amyl and the Sniffers, Levitation Room, and Gotye, were all sheer luck! Since this piece is about punk, I’ll focus on Aussie punk rockers Amyl and the Sniffers. I had the pleasure of seeing them play at the Middle East on their first US headliner tour. I was going to miss my radio show because of the show, so I swapped with a DJ whose show was two hours after mine. After the show, I went up to Amy and asked her if she’d want to come on my show for an interview. She referred me to their tour manager, Spyke, who asked me, “is the band keen?” “Oh yeah, the band’s keen,” I reassured him. A couple of hours later, they were in the studio with me hanging out and talking music. It was awesome!
LL: What do you hope for your impact and legacy to be?
MK: This is a tough question. I guess we’ll have to wait and see the big picture. But on a week to week basis, I like to think that sharing music by bands that people might not hear otherwise helps to connect people. Also, there are so many fantastic bands whose music belongs on the radio, and I want them all to know that!
LL: What do punk and DIY mean to you?
MK: Freedom and family, respectively. Punk music is all about releasing anything you want into the world. Expressing yourself using a minimalist sound means there’s less space between the heart of the music and the listener. If punk is the raw expression of a musician, then DIY is the framework. Punk isn’t about polish, it’s about getting your message and your sound across. DIY is the mouthpiece for raw authenticity and punk is its voice.
Listen in on Max's radio programs here.
Written based on communication and interview with Max Kratzok.
WHAT NEXT?
Left to right (mobile top to bottom): Prints by A.D. Gaul, Mazzy el Chaar, A.D. Gaul.
Mazzy: thanks for dancing at my first show.
Much like Boston in the 1970s, we face similar challenges today that call for the same ferocious resistance: abuses of political power, pervasive socioeconomic disparities, abhorrent displays of violence nationwide. Musicians in Boston are keeping the spirit of punk and underground counterculture alive through their commentary and condemnation of these issues in our modern world.
What does "punk" mean to you?Noel, vocalist and guitarist in the Modern Faces:
“An attitude, not an outfit.”
Jasmine, vocalist in inplainsight:
“Saying and doing what I want. Expressing myself without anxiety of what others think.”
Just, photographer and event organizer:
“To endure life, with passion and risk at the helm.”
Julian, venue manager:
“Living for yourself and your community, and if social norms try to stop you then screw 'em.”
Thank you to the bands, organizations, photographers, and individuals who contributed to this issue of Boston Scene Report.
Written, edited, and compiled by Liv Longshore.
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Interested in being featured in a future volume of Boston Scene Report? Submit your band, community organization, or individual testimony here. Upcoming issues will include hardcore, alternative rock, student-run spaces, EDM, and more (or feel free to suggest a theme!).
Want to be part of an upcoming zine series featuring female-made music, visual art, poetry/short-form prose, photography, and interviews within the DIY space? Submit your work for "Girls in the Scene." The zine and leadership team are Boston-based, but submissions from anyone across the Northeast are welcome.
