Hot Water Music

Seminal punk/hardcore band Hot Water Music may hail from Gainesville, Florida, but its sound is firmly rooted in the mid-’90s Midwest scene. Back before “emo” was a dirty word (then briefly accepted, and then rejected again), the group traded in the muscular-yet-melodic formula that would go on to define acts like Chicago’s Alkaline Trio. Though never a breakout success, HWM gained a rabid cult following based on its blistering live shows and terrific studio albums, most notably 1997’s Forever And Counting. Following a series of breakups, hiatuses, and general inactivity, Hot Water Music has definitely become an on-again, off-again concern, thoughfans should jump at the chance to catch the group live, especially with the release of the first album since 2004, the brand-new Exister.

Updated 05/07/2012