Lineup

The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah, formed in 2000. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. Former members include Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Justin Shekoski.

The band rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third album, Lies for the Liars, in May 2007. Shallow Believer, an EP that featured most of the band’s B-sides, was released in February 2008. Their fourth studio album, Artwork, was released in August 2009. A fifth album, Vulnerable, was released in March 2012. In July 2013 they released another EP, titled The Ocean of the Sky. Their sixth album, Imaginary Enemy, was released in April 2014. Their seventh studio album, The Canyon, was released in October 2017. Their eighth studio album, Heartwork, was released in April 2020 and a deluxe version with the B-sides from the recording sessions was released in September 2021. Their ninth studio album, Toxic Positivity was released in May 2023.

What’s the sound of Story Of The Year? Loud guitars, massive singalong choruses, and uplifting perseverance. Few records helped build the post-hardcore scene as swiftly as the band’s debut, Page Avenue, one of the first of its kind to sell a million copies. “Until the Day I Die” endures as both an anthem and a mission statement. Tours with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Deftones, and The Used cemented Story Of The Year’s reputation as a stunning and engaging live act. The connection between the band and the audience transformed Story Of The Year from teenagers working in a St. Louis pizza chain franchise into hard rock headliners. Fans grew together with Dan Marsala, Ryan Philips, Josh Wills, and Adam Russell, from Page Avenue (2003), In the Wake of Determination (2005), The Black Swan (2008), The Constant (2010), Wolves (2017), to Tear Me to Pieces (2022). They specialize in intense, passionate, confessional compositions that inspire and empower. Songs like “The Antidote,” “Real Life,” “Miracle,” “The Ghost of You and I,” “Anthem of Our Dying Day,” and “Take Me Back” resonate with anyone determined to triumph over adversity. Until the day I die, indeed.

James “Buddy” Nielsen, the founder and lifeblood of Senses Fail, epitomizes the triumph of art over aesthetic in the evolving landscape of the post-hardcore/emo scene. With a career that has witnessed the genre’s journey from underground beginnings to mainstream acclaim, Nielsen’s musical odyssey began in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where his early influences ranged from Green Day and Nirvana to the lyrical dexterity of Wu Tang and Biggie. His formative years were marked by a diverse musical exploration, laying the groundwork for his eventual dive into the emo scene, influenced heavily by the local New Jersey music scene. This exploration culminated in the formation of Senses Fail in 2001, alongside original lead guitarist Garret Zablocki, where they forged a unique sound that blended intense emotionality with punk energy, deeply resonating with fans.

Senses Fail, named after a Hindu aesthetic tradition, has always prioritized authenticity and emotional resonance over commercial success, creating music that serves as a cathartic expression both for the band and its audience. Their journey, marked by a consistent evolution of lineup with Nielsen as the constant, reflects the band’s adaptability and commitment to growth. With their seventh full-length album, “If There Is Light, It Will Find You,” set to release in February 2018, Senses Fail continues to tackle personal and political themes with raw honesty. This album showcases the band’s readiness to engage with the world’s complexities, demonstrating that their music remains as relevant and impactful as ever, inviting new generations to find solace and understanding in their art.

3OH!3 stands for 303, the telephone code for Boulder, Colorado, which happens to be the number-one question Nathaniel Motte and Sean Foreman get asked in interviews… well, that and, “how tall are you?!” (they’re 6’8″ and 6’1″, incidentally). So now that that’s out of the way we can get to the juicer details of this mountain-raised, finely-aging boy band. 3OH!3 continue to tour all over the world, and HELL YES, they will still play all your favorite hits off of their first album WANT so your “middle school self” can truly live. They’ve played shows on every continent except for Antarctica (too cold). 3OH!3 are still hard at work writing and producing music. Their recent releases include the singles “Lonely Machines feat 100 Gecs” and “I’m So Sad” off their album NEED. Nat and Sean also write and produce songs for other artists including Maroon 5, BTS, Kesha, Illenium, Ariana Grande, Lil Jon, Black Bear, and MAX, to name a few. These pioneers of the early aughts party scene can teach you how to party – just come see your favorite Boulder Boyz in a city near you sometime soon. Or just stream “Don’t Trust Me” “My First Kiss” and “Starstrukk” on endless repeat – either way, they’ve got nothing but love for you and yours.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus began their expedition into the hearts and minds of a generation 20 years ago. Their blazing 2006 single “Face Down” delivered both anthemic choruses and a strident message about domestic abuse, achieving both sales accolades and adoration from crowds all over the planet. They’ve accomplished a massive amount, from 5x platinum record sales to enormous streaming numbers and remarkable touring history, but the band’s real success begins and ends with the dedication and passion frontman Ronnie Winter has for his fans. From the poignancy of “Face Down” to the blistering fan favorite “Brace Yourself” (from 2020’s The Emergency EP), the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus continues to put sweat equity and sincerity into a world that desperately needs it in no uncertain terms. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has proven how far you can go by opening your heart and diming your guitar amps. This isn’t nostalgia—this is right now.

“DJ Joey Donut” coined his name from the iconic rebranding of Dunkin’ Donuts, dropping ‘Donuts’ from its name. A Staten Island, New York native, Joey Ianelli, frequently visited Dunkin’ for coffee. It was this habit that led him to pick up the “Donuts” and embark on his mixing career as DJ Joey Donut.

Accompanied by his 16-year-old Chihuahua, Milo, DJ Joey Donut is the driving force behind the celebrated Emo vs. Pop Punk nights at miniBar in Kansas City. Notably, he was the resident DJ at the first-ever Phase Fest in Kansas City.

With 5 years of experience DJing in the emo scene and over 15 years of traveling with tours like Warped Tour, DJ Joey Donut is eagerly gearing up to bring his elder emo energy to the inaugural Phase Fest in Franklin.