New Band of the Week: Keep This Up

Having started life with a catchy pop-punk vibe, Peterborough band Keep This Up have reinvented themselves with a significantly heavier emo meets post-hardcore approach.

The band originally started out as a four-piece pop-punk band that met through JoinMyBand. But last year saw a major lineup change as vocalist Jared Turner and new guitarist Jon Graye joined original members Chris Hicks (guitar), Dan Turner (bass) and Dan Sharma (drums). And, as a result, the band have embraced their love of heavier music with a brand new sound.

As Chris tells us: “The new sound of the band takes influences from The Used, My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail and emo bands mixed with heavier bands like Beartooth and A Day To Remember.”

Our first taste of this is new single Bury Me, which was released at the end of last month. The track kicks off with a stabbing guitar that builds into heavier guitar chords and driving drums under a cool opening lick. Jared’s edgy vocals jump in with support from palm-muted guitars, which end with whispered vocals and a big scream “‘Cause I can see right through your lies.” That leads into a huge chorus led by heavier vocals, which ends with a return of the opening lick.

The heavy vocals continue through an vicious second chorus, which see Jared’s vocals intensify with big throaty screams. A second chorus gives way to heavier drums and moody string sounds, before wild screams bring the track to an intense ending.

On the track, Chris told us: “We are very excited to release our new track today and for everyone to hear it. It is a brand new era for the band and the first song in the new genre.”

Bury Me follows a series of singles and debut EP Same Old Story, which offer plenty of pop-punk goodness with heavier edges. But we’re excited about where the band is going in the future, with Bury Me offering a promising glimpse of a heavier post-hardcore edge.

The new Keep This Up sound takes influence from the likes of My Chemical Romance, A Day To Remember, The Used and Beartooth. And on what inspires them to write music, Chris says: “Mainly mental health or life experiences help influence how we write lyrically.”

Looking forward, the band will be releasing a brand new single Find Myself on 2 March, as well as promising us “a new EP or two.” And Chris adds: “If you’re wanting a throwback but mixed with high energy and aggressive riffs. Then this is for you!”

You can follow Keep This Up on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music and YouTube.