From First to Last

From First to Last, while often lumped in with the emo and screamo crowds, possess a hard-edged hardcore sound distinctly their own. Blending the angular, insistent indie rock of '90s bands such as Jawbox with the fiery melodic metal of the likes of Korn, the five-piece emerged from Florida in the aughts with the playful Heathers-referencing Dear Diary, My Teenage Angst Has a Bodycount. On subsequent records, the outfit established a darker demeanor and more serious tone, attracting a more mature fan base. Weathering a number of lineup shuffles and a three-year hiatus that ended in 2013, the band has remained a success. ~ Jason Thurston