Imagine starting a new creative endeavor and then being mentored by your heroes right off the bat. This was pretty much the case for Rocket, the Los Angeles quartet of 20-somethings who began making amped-up guitar music together in 2021. In the two years between their formation and their debut EP Versions Of You, Rocket started regularly playing local gigs, sharing bills with their friends in bands like Milly and the now-defunct Regrettes. Before long, Rocket were opening for some of the very same bands they’d grown up worshipping: Sunny Day Real Estate, Ride, Smashing Pumpkins. They hadn’t even put out a full-length album yet.

Rocket have been streaking across my computer screen (and the touring circuit) for a few years now, but somehow we’re just now getting R Is For Rocket, the LA rock band’s full-length debut. They’ve shared a good chunk of the album already — “One Million,” “Crossing Fingers,” “Wide Awake,” “Act Like Your Title” — and today, with about two weeks left until the release, we’re getting one more preview.

The youngsters in the LA-based band Rocket have a lovely take on the kind of fuzzy, hooky alternative rock that must’ve been coming out before anyone in the band was born. This fall, they’ll release their debut album R Is For Rocket, and it’s shaping up to be really, really good. We have already posted early singles “One Million,” “Crossing Fingers,” and “Wide Awake,” and now they’ve got a new one called “Act Like Your Title.”

The ’90s alt-rock revivalism of Rocket’s 2023 EP Versions Of You earned them a spot on our list of the Best New Artists Of 2024. The LA quartet kicked off 2025 with a few singles including “One Million” and “Crossing Fingers,” and today they’ve announced a whole album: R Is For Rocket arrives in October, and another new single called “Wide Awake” is out now.

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded playlist of our new music picks is available to members on Spotify and Apple Music, updated throughout the week.)

This year, Rocket have generously released the catchy grunge rippers “Take Your Aim” and “One Million,” and now they’re back with another one called “Crossing Fingers.”

There are plenty of bands right now that sound plucked out of the ’90s, but Rocket are one of the best doing it. The Los Angeles band is even getting ready to open for Smashing Pumpkins in the UK this summer. Earlier this year they signed to Transgressive Records/Canvasback and unveiled “Take Your Aim,” and today they’re sharing the great new song “One Million.”

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded playlist of our new music picks is available to members on Spotify and Apple Music, updated throughout the week.)

This weekend, Rocket are playing an LA wildfire relief benefit co-presented by Stereogum, along with fellow great bands Draag and RAM. The indie rock crew is back today with the gnarly “Take Your Aim” from the expanded reissue of their 2023 Versions Of You EP.

The excellent Los Angeles indie bands Rocket, Draag, and RAM are teaming up for a hometown benefit show supporting wildfire relief efforts in the area, co-presented by Stereogum and Crap Eyewear. It’s going down Saturday, Feb. 8 at Zebulon, where Silversun Pickups will be on hand to DJ between bands. All proceeds will be donated to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Job Center. Get tickets here.

We finally did it. After 14 years of telling you the definitive “Best New Bands” of the preceding 12 months, Stereogum has evolved. Today, it is my unique honor to present the first edition of our Best New Artists list. It is exactly the same thing as the Best New Bands lists you know and love, just with a more accurate title.

The Stereogum staff spent last weekend in Las Vegas at the inaugural Best Friends Forever festival, taking in performances from a range of gritty and emotive ’90s underground rock heroes and their spiritual descendants. Yesterday we ran down some of our favorite performances from the fest, and today we’ve returned with backstage band portraits by photographer Jim Larson. Take a peek at the gallery below.

Last month, Stereogum threw a marathon party in Austin at Cheer Up Charlie’s with help from our friends at AdHoc. During the day, we partnered with Partisan Records and we already shared performance videos and interviews from those artists. At night, we teamed up with Topshelf Records, and we captured more live performances and interviews with the bands that were there.

The dust has settled from Stereogum’s marathon Austin party at Cheer Up Charlies, where we had 23 bands play over the course of 14 very fun hours. Thanks to everyone at AdHoc, Cheer Ups, Partisan Records, and Topshelf Records for helping out and coming on this wild journey with us. Photographer Laura Harvey was on the scene for us, running around taking sick live pics and wonderful portraits of the artists that performed. Check those out below. Thanks again to everyone for coming out! And we’re not done yet — video still to come…

Twenty-three bands, 14 hours — we did it! Stereogum took over Cheer Up Charlie’s in Austin all day and night on Friday, starting at noon and going all the way until 2AM. Along with our buds at AdHoc, Partisan Records, and Topshelf Records, we brought some of the best of what’s next to two stages for a non-stop day of music and fun. It was a beautiful day in Texas, despite some wind and the threat of rain, which thankfully held off.

This Friday March 15 Stereogum returns to Austin’s Cheer Up Charlies (900 Red River St.) for day and night parties with some of our favorite bands. Today we are announcing some lineup additions and the set times for both events.

UPDATE: Check out the latest lineup additions, and set times, here.
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Earlier today we announced an afternoon concert showcase at Austin’s Cheer Up Charlies on Friday, 3/15. But surprise — we’ll continue the fun late into the evening at the same venue. Stereogum is also teaming up with Topshelf Records for a Night Party to kick off the weekend.

Between last year and now, LA-based quartet Rocket have released a handful of infectious indie rock songs. They’re sharing their debut EP Versions Of You tomorrow, and today they’re offering a final taste with the cathartic single “Future Memory.”