Summerbruise was founded in 2015 by vocalist Mike Newman as a solo project but has grown to a full band to date, featuring Stanli Fryman (drums), John Parkison (bassist), Mitch Gulish (guitarist), and Cora Kunda (guitarist). In honor of this latest album release, they nicknamed themselves Summerbruise 2.0 since this is their first full collaborative work they’ve made. This album is also their first project since signing with legendary punk label SideOneDummy Records. Congrats on the signing, guys!

Learning how this band came to be is a fun fact, as I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this band perform two times, so I missed the solo era!

Summerbruise is known for writing autobiographical songs that tell stories of their own experiences in hopes that someone in the audience might find relation. Vocalist Mike Newman mentions how sometimes he’s hesitant to do this because you think no one will understand what you’re thinking. Sorry, Mike, but you’re wrong. Yes, we are all individuals and experience life differently, but together, we all have similar thoughts in our heads during these experiences. While not the same, we are the same. Does that make sense? I’m typing this out, and I hope I don’t sound like a crazy person. Mike, you are not alone in that thought process, though. I know at one or several points in life, I’ve thought no one would understand how I was feeling or why. But there is someone, or multiple people, who will know what you mean. There is a different level of “understanding” that I think we sometimes forget. I’m going to stop there.

My favorite track, and apparently a stand out one for the band, is named, “Cookie Monster Snapback.” This song features none other than icon Tades Sanville from Hot Mulligan. Unlike most songs the band produces, this is not an autobiographical one. This song was born from a joke that stemmed from goofing around and playing “Ants Marching” by Dave Matthews Band — Midwest emo version. Guitarist Mitch Gulish joked that it sounded like Hot Mulligan, and Mike Newman attempted a Tades impression, so “Cookie Monster Snapback” was born. 

Honestly, sometimes the best songs come unexpectedly and without expectation. Too often, we pressure ourselves to be perfect in this completely broken world, and we just need to take a moment and be silly. Similar, I guess, to how Mike Newman feels about writing music that is too personal for the world to understand. People understand and don’t understand everything. But music connects us all.

I really enjoy Infinity Guise, and I’m going to leave you all with the comprehension of how Summerbruise puts themselves forward and let you all understand this album on your own. Now on all streaming platforms, give it a listen!

You can also catch this group on tour later this year on the “Fake Emo Fight Night Tour” alongside Dear Maryanne, Moosecreek Park, and Oolong. Tickets are already on sale, so go get one!