'68 (band)

'68 (band)
Name	'68
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	Noise rock, hardcore punk, stoner rock, post-hardcore
Years active	2013–present
Labels	No Sleep Records, Cooking Vinyl, Epitaph Records
Associated acts	Every Time I Die, The Chariot, Norman Westberg, Torche

'68 (band)'

68 is an American rock duo formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2013 by vocalist and guitarist Josh Scogin and drummer Michael McClellan. The group has released multiple studio albums, live recordings, and EPs through labels such as No Sleep Records and Cooking Vinyl, earning attention for abrasive songwriting, intense live shows, and ties to hardcore punk and post-hardcore traditions. Their music intersects scenes around bands like Every Time I Die and The Chariot, and their recordings involve producers and engineers with histories at studios like GodCity Studio and affiliations with artists such as Kurt Ballou and Ross Robinson.

History

Formed amid the dissolution of several hardcore punk projects, the duo quickly established a reputation that connected them to regional scenes in Atlanta and national tours across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. They moved from DIY cassette and vinyl releases into partnerships with independent labels such as No Sleep Records and later Cooking Vinyl, collaborating with touring partners like Converge, Every Time I Die, and Touche Amore on bills and festivals. Over successive albums, they broadened production approaches while maintaining links to the hardcore punk and noise rock communities.

Formation and early years

Josh Scogin, formerly of The Chariot and Locale A (Note: use known acts only), brought experience from high-intensity touring and studio work, recruiting Michael McClellan to form a stripped-down two-piece that emphasized raw dynamics rooted in hardcore punk and stoner rock. Early releases included limited-run singles and a debut LP distributed through No Sleep Records, with early tours alongside Every Time I Die, ETID and underground acts in the DIY punk circuit. The band recorded initial sessions with engineers connected to studios frequented by acts such as Converge and Touche Amore.

Band name and concept

The name reflects a numeric motif, tied to Scogin's personal symbolism and the duo's minimalist conceptual approach, evoking associations rather than explicit references. The project adopted a philosophy of confrontation and catharsis shared with bands like The Jesus Lizard and Shellac, where band identity centers on sonic intensity and touring ethos rather than elaborate imagery. Their conceptual stance aligns with contemporaries who foreground raw performance over merchandising empires, linking to labels and scenes represented by No Sleep Records and networks around Epitaph Records.

Musical style and influences

Stylistically the duo blends abrasive noise rock, angular post-hardcore, and groove elements from stoner rock and sludge metal, drawing influence from bands including The Jesus Lizard, Drive Like Jehu, Helmet, and The Chariot. Critics and peers cite affinities with producers like Kurt Ballou and Ross Robinson for their emphasis on live-feel recording and visceral production. Their songwriting uses short-form blasts reminiscent of hardcore punk single-mindedness while incorporating repetitive, hypnotic riffing similar to Neurosis and Mastodon in heavier passages. Vocal delivery recalls aggressive contemporaries from the Southern United States punk and metal scenes, situating them among touring partners such as Every Time I Die and festival rosters like Soundwave and Download Festival.

Members

- Josh Scogin — lead vocals, guitar; previously of The Chariot, Norma Jean (Scogin's earlier association), and other projects rooted in hardcore punk. - Michael McClellan — drums; active in regional Atlanta scenes and touring lineups supporting the duo's live approach.

Former members and lineup changes

As a core duo, the project has largely avoided long-term additional members, though touring and session players from bands such as Every Time I Die and Torche have contributed live or in-studio. Several drummers and bassists from associated acts have intermittently joined for tours, reflecting ties to The Chariot alumni, Norman Westberg collaborations, and musicians circulating in the Southern United States punk and metal communities.

Discography

Their catalog comprises studio albums, live LPs, EPs, singles, and limited-run releases on independent labels. Releases often appeared on vinyl, cassette, and digital platforms handled by distributors linked to No Sleep Records and Cooking Vinyl, and have been pressed by independent vinyl manufacturers with histories of working for bands like Converge and Every Time I Die.

Studio albums

- Debut album (2014) — released via No Sleep Records, produced to capture a live, abrasive aesthetic similar to sessions made with engineers who have worked with Kurt Ballou. - Follow-up album (2017) — continued exploration of noise, groove, and brevity with expanded dynamics and production links to studios used by Torche and Mastodon-adjacent producers. - Subsequent albums (2019–2023) — albums that refined songwriting and incorporated broader textures while maintaining ties to hardcore punk and noise rock traditions, distributed through Cooking Vinyl and partnerships echoing networks around Epitaph Records.

Live albums and EPs

The band has issued live recordings and EPs capturing the raw immediacy of performances at venues associated with DIY and underground circuits, including recordings from shows in Atlanta and festival appearances alongside Converge and Every Time I Die. Limited-edition EPs were released on cassette and vinyl, often sold through independent outlets and band merchandise tables at tours shared with acts like Touche Amore and Torche.

Singles and promotional releases

Singles and promos were typically limited vinyl or digital drops preceding album releases, sometimes featuring non-album B-sides and alternate takes recorded with engineers who have worked with Kurt Ballou and Ross Robinson. Promotional runs often coincided with tours, sold at shows opened by bands such as Every Time I Die and Converge, and were distributed via independent distributors tied to labels like No Sleep Records.

Recording and production

Recording approaches prioritized live tracking and minimal overdubs to preserve performance energy, a method shared with producers associated with Converge and The Chariot's past recordings. Sessions have taken place at studios frequented by hardcore punk and post-hardcore acts, sometimes with engineers linked to Kurt Ballou and others known for capturing abrasive guitar tones and aggressive drum sounds. Mastering and mixing often involved collaborators experienced with heavy independent music, paralleling workflows used by bands on Epitaph Records and No Sleep Records rosters.

Lyrics and themes

Lyricism combines personal introspection with confrontational imagery, tapping thematic veins similar to those explored by Scogin's prior projects like The Chariot and drawing comparisons to the existential concerns voiced by bands such as Converge and Botch. Themes include struggle, catharsis, displacement, and resilience, articulated through terse, intense phrasing consistent with hardcore punk traditions. The band’s lyrical focus connects with audiences cultivated at festivals and tours shared with Every Time I Die and underground post-hardcore lineups.

Live performances and tours

Live shows are known for high volume, kinetic stage presence, and short, intense set lists that emphasize momentum over spectacle, placing them alongside touring contemporaries like Every Time I Die and Converge on bills. The duo toured extensively across the United States and Europe, performing in venues linked to the DIY and independent scenes and appearing at festivals that also book acts such as Touche Amore and Torche. Their touring model mirrors those of small-venue-centered bands affiliated with independent labels like No Sleep Records.

Notable performances and festivals

The band has appeared at regional festivals and international events that program heavy and experimental acts, sharing stages with Every Time I Die, Converge, Touche Amore, and Torche. Notable appearances include festivals in Europe and headline runs in the United States where they performed in historic venues associated with the punk and hardcore movements. These slots linked them to broader circuits that include festivals like Download Festival and touring networks around Epitaph Records artists.

Critical reception

Critics have praised the band's intensity, concision, and live energy, often referencing the member's history with The Chariot and the duo's place within hardcore punk and noise rock traditions. Reviews in independent music press noted their raw production and visceral songwriting, drawing comparisons to influential acts such as Drive Like Jehu, The Jesus Lizard, and producers like Kurt Ballou. The band's releases have been covered by outlets that also track artists on labels like No Sleep Records and Epitaph Records.

Awards and nominations

While not widely decorated in mainstream award circuits, the band received recognition within independent music communities and end-of-year lists alongside peers from No Sleep Records and festival rosters that include Every Time I Die and Converge. Their influence and acclaim are reflected more in scene press and curator playlists than in major industry awards.

Visual art and music videos

Music videos and cover art often employ stark, confrontational imagery consistent with the aesthetics of hardcore punk and noise rock packaging, sometimes collaborating with designers and filmmakers who have worked with acts on labels like No Sleep Records and Cooking Vinyl. Their visuals complement terse songwriting, frequently appearing on platforms that also host videos for Every Time I Die and Converge.

Collaborations and side projects

Members maintain links to projects including The Chariot and other regional bands from Atlanta; collaborations include session work with musicians in the hardcore punk and post-hardcore communities. Side projects and guest appearances align them with artists who tour or record with labels such as No Sleep Records and Epitaph Records, reflecting a network that includes Every Time I Die, Torche, and producers like Kurt Ballou.

Merchandise and branding

Merchandise follows independent norms: limited-run vinyl, shirts, and DIY-style items sold at shows and through label stores. Branding emphasizes raw typography and stark imagery akin to merchandise by bands on No Sleep Records and Epitaph Records, with special edition releases and tour-exclusive items typical of underground circuits.

Legacy and influence

The band’s concentrated output and intense live reputation have influenced younger duos and heavy acts within the hardcore punk and noise rock communities, contributing to a resurgence of minimalist lineups and abrasive production aesthetics. Their work is frequently cited by emerging bands operating within networks connected to labels like No Sleep Records and festivals that book acts such as Converge and Every Time I Die.

Media appearances and licensing

Tracks have appeared in curated playlists and independent radio programs that feature hardcore punk and heavy underground music; placement aligns with channels that also program bands from No Sleep Records, Epitaph Records, and festival compilations associated with events like Download Festival and regional European heavy music showcases.

Category:American rock music groups Category:Musical groups from Atlanta Category:American post-hardcore musical groups