Punk Rock has always been about looking through a situation and seeing what’s really going on and not the smokescreen that’s put up around everything. It’s easy to forget this, especially when the scene rigidly builds barriers around its so-called “Elite” and is tainted by corporate/mainstream conformity.

Warhellride is a Chicago based rock quartet fusing the influences of classic punk rock, alternative, hardcore, folk, and shimmers of indie rock to the fold. They combine earnestness with pop sensibilities, rounding it off with walls of rambunctious instrument volume, acoustic rhythms, angsty yet emotional vocals and crafty drumbeats while maintaining a sense of honesty, awareness and storytelling aspect in their lyrics. What comes out of their instruments sonically may not always exude the public’s stereotypical ear and definition of a punk rock band, but their spirit and attitude strongly suggest otherwise.

Bear Hive is a band from St. Louis. It consists of three people: Chris Phillips, Joel Burton, and Nate Heininger.

Because each member of Bear Hive handles an impressive number of duties onstage, those who have heard but not seen the band may be surprised to learn it is merely a trio. Bassist Joel Burton and drummer Nate Heininger supplement their setups with secondary synthesizers, either hopscotching between instruments mid-song or tending to both simultaneously. Chris Phillips’ vocals are remarkably expressive, especially since he belts them out while tap-dancing on pedals to loop layers of prickly guitar riffs and managing a hands-on drum machine. The variety-show spectacle is far from effortless, but this demanding, sweaty routine is the process necessary to execute Bear Hive’s eclectic electro-indie party rock, which ranges from Battles-meets-Modest Mouse roof burners to lounging smoke breaks akin to Yo La Tengo. – The Riverfront Times.