All Shows

Feb/26 · BAYNK – ‘Senescence’ USA/Canada Tour 2025
Feb/28 · Rare Americans North American Tour 2025
Mar/1 · The 2025 Portland Mardi Gras Ball
Mar/8 · Jerry Cantrell
Mar/10 · mxmtoon: liminal space tour
Mar/12 · Evan Honer
Mar/15 · Cold Cave
Mar/17 · Bishop Briggs: The Tell My Therapist I’m Fine Tour
Mar/19 · Lime Cordiale – Enough of the Sweet Talk Tour
Mar/21 · Paris Paloma – Cacophony North American Tour
Mar/22 · Daily Bread – Flash Flood Tour
Mar/27 · Kolton Moore & the Clever Few
Mar/28 · Corook: Committed to a Bit Tour
Mar/29 · Daniel Seavey – Second Wind Tour
Mar/30 · Hovvdy – The Hovvdy Tour
Apr/4 · Wax Tailor
Apr/5 · Hulvey – “All For You” Tour
Apr/8 · Bob Mould
Apr/10 · Tophouse
Apr/11 · Deep Sea Diver
Apr/12 · Etran De L’Aïr
Apr/13 · Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band
Apr/14 · Dom Kennedy
Apr/17 · Enjoy x Puzzle
Apr/21 · Leprous: Melodies of Atonement 2025
Apr/26 · Durand Bernarr Presents: You Gon’ Grow, Too! Tour
Apr/27 · Mereba
Apr/29 · Yukimi
May/2 · Raveena Presents: Where the Butterflies Tour in the Rain
May/5 · Circa Waves and Friday Pilots Club Tour
May/6 · Godspeed You! Black Emperor
May/7 · Godspeed You! Black Emperor
May/8 · Marc Scibilia
May/9 · The Moss
May/10 · The Buzzcocks
May/16 · Orla Gartland
May/17 · Allison Russell
May/18 · Steel Pulse
May/20 · Sasami
May/21 · Panda Bear
May/29 · Rachel Chinouriri
May/30 · Alex Warren – Moved to Crystal Ballroom
Jun/2 · Blondshell
Jun/10 · The Blue Stones – Metro North America ‘25
Jun/17 · Twin Tribes
Jul/20 · Cosmo Sheldrake – North America Tour
Jul/23 · of Montreal
Jul/25 · Loving
Aug/10 · Ezra Furman
Oct/25 · Kneecap
Nov/18 · Lucius

All Shows

Upcoming Events

Monqui Presents

with Bad Tuner

Wednesday, February 26
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$24.98 to $33.22

About BAYNK:

Jock Nowell-Usticke once aspired to make sunny electronic music meant for summer festivals and poolside hangs, intimate dance songs that glittered with bright-eyed wonder and smiling charm. As an engineering student in New Zealand, he played saxophone and keys in a band but became increasingly drawn to big-tent dance acts like Skrillex and Flume, whose production wizardry Jock thought transcended his classically trained skillset. Shortly after downloading Ableton, however, he released a few downtempo electronic songs under the alias BAYNK and soon garnered a large, devoted fanbase, as well as a reputation as one of the most promising young talents in electronic music. Now, ten years into his career, BAYNK has netted hundreds of millions of streams, sold-out international tour dates, festival-headlining sets, and a Grammy nomination, establishing himself as a quietly visionary artist who continues to expand his sound and aesthetic palate with each new project

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monqui Presents

with Bad Tuner

Wednesday, February 26
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$24.98 to $33.22

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest Shauna Dean Cokeland

Friday, February 28
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$24.98 to $33.22

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Present
Saturday, March 1
Doors : 7pm, Show : 7pm
ages 21 +
$30

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with special guest Filter

Saturday, March 8
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest Luna Li

Monday, March 10
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$33.22 to $198.75

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with Leon Macjen

Wednesday, March 12
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guests Kontravoid and Buzz Kull

Saturday, March 15
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$23.69 to $36.31

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest Ellise

Monday, March 17
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$46.61

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest Foxtide

Wednesday, March 19
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$31.67

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with special guest Sarah Julia

Friday, March 21
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Showbox Presents
Saturday, March 22
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 18 +

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Thursday, March 27
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$18.03 to $29.10

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with Kel Cripe

Friday, March 28
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$21.12 to $127.46

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guests Sombr and Kyle Kelly

Saturday, March 29
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$46.09 to $133.13

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Sunday, March 30
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$23.69 to $29.10

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with special guest Napoleon Da Legend

Friday, April 4
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$22.40 to $31.67

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest nobigdyl.

Saturday, April 5
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$24.98 to $75.45

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with Craig Finn

Tuesday, April 8
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$39.91

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with special guest The Wildwoods

Thursday, April 10
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Friday, April 11
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$29.10

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Saturday, April 12
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$32.96

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with special guest Mannie Fresh

Sunday, April 13
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$74.68

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

ENT Legends Presents
Monday, April 14
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$48.67 to $203.68

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Thursday, April 17
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$40.94

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Monday, April 21
Doors : 6:30pm, Show : 7:30pm
ages 21 +
$38.37

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

ENT Legends Presents
Saturday, April 26
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Sunday, April 27
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Tuesday, April 29
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$43.52

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Friday, May 2
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Monday, May 5
Doors : 6:30pm, Show : 7:30pm
all ages
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Tuesday, May 6
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$52.02

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Wednesday, May 7
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$52.02

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Thursday, May 8
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$24.98 to $133.13

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Friday, May 9
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$36.31

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Saturday, May 10
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$40.94

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest FIGHTMASTER

Friday, May 16
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$38.88

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest: Kara Jackson

Saturday, May 17
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$133.13

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Sunday, May 18
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$34.76 to $44.55

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest Mood Killer

Tuesday, May 20
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$29.10

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Wednesday, May 21
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
ages 21 +
$41.97

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guests Alemeda and Bizzy

Thursday, May 29
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$32.19 to $118.60

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Friday, May 30
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Monday, June 2
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$29.10

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

with special guest Meltt

Tuesday, June 10
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Mammoth NW Presents
Tuesday, June 17
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$41.97

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Holocene Presents
Sunday, July 20
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$38.37

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents

With special guest Bijoux Cone and B|_ank

Wednesday, July 23
Doors : 6:30pm, Show : 7:30pm
ages 21 +
$35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Friday, July 25
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$32.19

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Sunday, August 10
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$10.04 to $35.28

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Saturday, October 25
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”

Monqui Presents
Tuesday, November 18
Doors : 7pm, Show : 8pm
all ages
$52.53 to $150.12

About Better Lovers:

By challenging each other to progress, Better Lovers challenge heavy music to move forward along with them.

Driven by the same restless spirit and clear intention, this cohort of longtime musicians have rallied around a shared vision of creative fearlessness and relentless energy. Playing with a chemistry bordering on magic, the musicians—Greg Puciato [vocals], Jordan Buckley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar, producer], Steve Micciche [bass], and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak [drums]—naturally evolve on their 2024 full-length debut album, Highly Irresponsible [Sharptone Records].

Puciato keeps it simple, “New album. First full-length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this thing out there. Everyone really brought their best to this and brought out the best in each other.”

It’s been that way since the winter of 2022 when longtime friends Jordan, Steve, and Goose congregated in a cold Buffalo, NY basement to jam, sowing the seeds for early song ideas. They initially tapped Will to produce (he also jumped at the chance to play guitar), while Greg officially joined the fold upon hearing demos. Without warning in 2023, the group made their presence known with “30 Under 13” followed by the God Made Me An Animal EP. Metal Hammer christened the latter “one of the finest examples of savage modern hardcore you’ll hear in 2023.” Inciting further critical applause, Revolver raved, “they attack like a fresh, hungry band out for blood. Which is what they are,” and KERRANG! profiled them with a cover story. Not to mention, they sold out the bulk of dates on their very first tour.

They capitalized upon and catalyzed this momentum into Highly Irresponsible. Putney resumed his role as producer, and the bandmates ignited ten tracks with calculated intensity.

Putney notes, “Being a member of the band and the producer is actually a real advantage for Better Lovers. We’re so dialed in to exactly what we want to do, and our creative process is so in sync and natural that we rarely hit a wall when we work on music.”

“Writing and recording our first full length was slightly more surgical than the EP, but had a similar lack of restraint. I feel more pressure writing this press release than I felt all winter in Will’s studio. I got to wake up everyday and watch the masters perfect their craft. I was a student. It was a playground. Everything was funny. We were reading each other’s minds. Even creating our own language at some points. I didn’t know if I was watching my closest friends write music, or if I was watching music use us to exist. The voice in my head warning me how highly irresponsible it was to hop on this bull again was gone. Replaced by bad ideas, inside jokes, and a rejuvenated love for helping to write songs that don’t sound like anything else.

That brings us to the first single “A White Horse Covered In Blood.” Gritty guitar rolls in tandem with a punchy drumbeat, and Puciato teasingly warns, “Oh, there’s nowhere to run to buddy.” He delivers manic taunts with insidious charisma matched only by the wild dueling riffing across the bridge.

“I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song,” the frontman grins.

Elsewhere, high-pitched squeals drain into a rollicking riff on “Future Myopia.” The melodic chant on the chorus belies menace in the lyrics as Puciato proclaims, “Hard to look up when you’re down. No perspective from the ground.” Eerie guitar echoes over a loose bass groove on the spacey “At All Times.” Simultaneously, an arresting vocal performance takes hold, “We corrected the lines we drew. Didn’t we?” Opener “Lie Between The Lines” leans into a sinister melodic lead before culminating on a realization, “I can’t believe I’m just like you.”

The finale “Love As An Act of Rebellion” might just be the perfect clarion call for the quintet. The breakneck beatdown and tense ticking clock give way to Puciato’s last word, “In a world where we’re the only. I’d still take life without you. I’d still be lost without you.”

Better Lovers found each other, and they’re going to keep pushing each other and heavy music forward.

“This is a band firing on all cylinders that is both dynamic and destructive,” Putney leaves off. “That translates through the speakers on this LP, and I can’t wait for people to experience the whole record.”

Buckley smiles, “Humans and animals alike are programmed to do wild things for what they love—Highly Irresponsible things. And we love what we’ve created. We know you will too.”