20. From Autumn to Ashes “The After Dinner Payback” (2004)
The mid-2000s metalcore scene thrived on the island. FATA songs seem to have equal amounts of sing-along parts and scream-along parts. So if you’re someone who doesn’t like all the screaming, just wait 15 seconds.
19. Straylight Run “Existentialism on Prom Night” (2004)
A couple of guys from Taking Back Sunday said “fuck this shit” and formed Straylight Run as an even sadder version of TBS before later rejoining the band. In the 2000s, everyone was trying to out-depression each other. Therapy hadn’t been invented yet.
18. Blue Öyster Cult “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (1976)
Turns out, there were bands on Long Island before the ‘80s. Everyone knows this one and you probably hear it 12 times a day on the classic rock radio station WBAB. It also played at your Uncle Ron’s funeral after his boating accident.
17. JVC Force “Strong Island” (1988)
“Strong Island” should be LI’s national anthem that they play before every Long Island Ducks minor league baseball game. But unfortunately, they probably use a Billy Joel song. Wasted opportunity.
16. Kill Your Idols “Stuck In A Rut” (2005)
KYI is often tied to both the NYHC and LIHC scenes. As you may know already, Long Islanders refer to Manhattan as “the city” so Kill Your Idols is more accurately part of “The City Hardcore” scene.
15. Crime in Stereo “Small Skeletal” (2007)
My main problem with Crime in Stereo is that I never see “Small Skeletal” as an option in any karaoke songbook I browse. This is Crime in Stereo erasure and must be reconciled.
14. Stand Still “Loose Ends” (2022)
Up-and-comers Stand Still released “Loose Ends” in 2022 and on an unrelated note, I will be playing it any chance I get until further notice or until I lose aux cord privileges. Whichever comes first.
13. The Sleeping “Don’t Hold Back” (2006)
If you live on Long Island and shop local with music, chances are you’re familiar with the Sleeping. They’ve even made an appearance on “Guitar Hero III.” Only 2,500 other bands can say they’ve done that.
12. Iron Chic “Cutesy Monster Man” (2010)
Iron Chic is one of those bands best listened to in a basement in Patchogue or VFW hall with a close group of 50 friends who all know the words and can sing along together in sync. This will maximize your listening experience.
11. Bayside “Devotion and Desire” (2005)
Bayside is technically from Queens, but the Long Island-y part of it, so they’re included here. And they’re always playing with Long Island bands. Plus musically, Bayside has that unique LI sound. If you know, you know.
10. On the Might of Princes “For Meg” (2001)
Every Long Islander seems to have known at least one guy named Jesse who was really into this song. While it isn’t the greatest track ever written, Jesse loved all seven minutes of it and we love Jesse. So by osmosis, this is an incredible song.
9. The Arrogant Sons of Bitches “So Let’s Go Nowhere” (2006)
Jeff Rosenstock music is one of Long Island’s top exports. It slightly edges out wine and everything bagels. Just something we’re proud of.
8. Vision of Disorder “Element” (1996)
VOD’s impact simply cannot be understated in the hardcore scene. And no vocal track has ever sounded as spine-tingling as when the singer Tim Williams screams “rise” early on in this one. It’s like ASMR, but hardcore.
7. The Movielife “Hand Grenade” (2001)
Ask any Long Island band who their influences are and many of them will probably have the Movielife among them. The Movielife is essentially your favorite Long Island band’s favorite Long Island band.
6. Glassjaw “Cosmopolitan Blood Loss” (2002)
Glassjaw has had dozens of band members and touring musicians. This means, if you live on Long Island, you could one day find yourself as a member of the band inadvertently, if you haven’t done a stint with them already. They’re quite possibly the most interactive band on this list.
5. Incendiary “Front Toward Enemy” (2017)
Whenever I’m in the mood for incredible music with luscious breakdowns that make me want to drive 80 miles an hour on the Long Island Expressway while pounding coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts, I put on some Incendiary. One simply cannot experience depression during an Incendiary song.
4. Silent Majority “Arthur Trevor” (1997)
Silent Majority pretty much invented Long Island music and their album “Life of a Spectator” is secretly the most important LI album of all time. Members of Silent Majority went on to be in other iconic acts like Glassjaw and Bayside, so they were essentially a reverse supergroup.
3. Koyo “Moriches” (2021)
Koyo formed in 2020 and quickly became a band to watch. Not to mention a band to listen to. The “Drives Out East” EP is a no-skip release and perfect for when you’re on Sunrise Highway headed toward Montauk for no reason other than it was a nice day out in May.
2. Public Enemy “Fight the Power” (1990)
Years before Long Island became the breeding ground for emo and hardcore, the island was producing legendary hip-hop music. Besides Billy Joel, Public Enemy is probably the most well-known musical entity from here. “Fight the Power” is “Piano Man” for people who like good Long Island music.
1. Taking Back Sunday “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut From the Team)” (2002)
You’re born on Long Island knowing every word to this song. Doesn’t even matter if you haven’t heard it before or if you were born well before this song came out. The line “your lipstick, his collar” is already inside you. (Buy the album in our store)
Go listen to the playlist while you complain about the bands we forgot: