Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT

Taken Alive

As the world lurched back to life after Covid, Ruston’s old band had called it quits. Done with drumming and ready for a new start, he spotted an Instagram post from an acquaintance, Joe.

What began as a no-pressure songwriting session quickly became something more. Recording as the duo NRVS, they crafted the ‘Falling Knife’ EP with producer Gary Cioni, a raw document of two artists finding their voice.

As they graduated to playing live with a rotating cast of fill-ins, the songs for the ‘Matches’ EP solidified not just their sound—a potent blend of early Drive-Thru Records melody and modern Pure Noise heft—but their permanent lineup. Aaron (drums) and James (bass) became full-time members, and in recognition of this new, stronger unit, they renamed themselves Taken Alive.

The band immediately began work on their debut full-length, but in a quiet moment after recording, Ruston and Joe returned to their DIY roots.

With Ruston tracking vocals in his basement and Joe tracking guitars from his dorm room, they produced a B-side with zero expectations.

That song, however, resonated deeply, becoming their best-performing single to date—a testament to the powerful connection their music fosters.

On stage, Taken Alive is a study in contrasts: the songs grapple with heavy themes, but the energy is infectious and inclusive, punctuated by jokes at each other’s expense.

They are, in their own words, “a bunch of sad dudes who love music and making fun of themselves.” Ultimately, Taken Alive is built on the belief that music is a lifeline, and they’re determined to throw theirs out as far as it can go.

Always Grounded

LISTED AS ONE OF ALTERNATIVE PRESS’S 50 UP AND COMING POP PUNK BANDS, NEW ENGLAND’S OWN ALWAYS GROUNDED IS A BAND THAT IS REMINISCENT OF THE LATE 2000’S POP PUNK AND EASYCORE HEYDAY, GATHERING INFLUENCES FROM BANDS SUCH AS FOUR YEAR STRONG AND NECK DEEP. MERGING UNFORGETTABLE HOOKS WITH LOUD, AND HARD HITTING INSTRUMENTALS, THIS CONNECTICUT BASED 5 PIECE IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.

SINGER/AMATEUR WRESTLER RJ DIONNE STARTED ALWAYS GROUNDED WITH HIS BROTHER, ELI THE BLIND GUY, AS AN ACOUSTIC PROJECT. AFTER RELEASING THEIR FIRST EP, “FAR FROM PERFECT”, THE DUO DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND TRANSFORM INTO A FULL BAND. RJ CALLED OUT TO AN OLD FRIEND, JUDE ANGELO ALEXANDER, WHO TOOK ON THE ROLE OF LEAD GUITARIST. AFTER FINDING IAN DE CHANTAL TO FILL OUT THE LOW-END, THEY SOLIDIFIED THE LINEUP WITH MASON COHEN ON DRUMS.

JUDE’S PASSING LEFT THE BAND HEARTBROKEN, BUT THE ONLY CHOICE WAS TO KEEP ALWAYS GROUNDED GOINGIN HIS HONOR. IAN TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE OF LEARNING THE LEADS, AND WE RECRUITED JOE TO TAKE OVER ON BASS.

THE OUTFIT SHARES ONE COMMON BELIEF: THROUGH ALL DIFFERENCES, MUSIC CAN BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER. THIS MINDSET IS A THEME THAT CARRIES OUT THROUGH THE BANDS LYRICAL STYLE, CREATING A SENSE OF SOLITUDE THE LISTENER CAN FIND WITHIN ALL OF THEIR SONGS.

IN 2021, THE BAND RELEASED THEIR DEBUT EP AS A FULL BAND TITLED “LETTERS TO MY YOUTH.” THE GROUP IS AMBITIOUS AND SET OUT ON TOURING RELENTLESSLY AND MAKING AN IMPACT ON FANS, CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND HOME FOR THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL.

Timelines

Post Hardcore/Emo band from Worcester, MA. New single, "No Regret", out now on all streaming services. Est. 2024 

 

Band Members: 

Eiyan- Vocals Brian- Guitar Tony- Guitar/Vocals Nate- Bass Bobby- Drums/Vocals

Make It Count

Philly emo/metalcore

$10 ADVANCED / $12 AT THE DOOR

21+

DOORS AT 3 PM