One of the most important aspects of alternative culture is supporting your local scene, and community is always key when it comes to the relevance of any subculture.
With the rise of social media, Columbia’s alternative culture has rapidly gained attention through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and even Facebook.
Because of social media, these spaces have extended to even more youth who might not even be aware of the deeper themes and community, even if they do listen to the music. Columbia’s hardcore scene has an abundance of musical acts with both emotionally and politically charged lyrics. Here is a list of five local bands to check out:
Kittiwake.
Kittiwake. is a screamo band — a genre derivative of hardcore punk and emotive hardcore — made up of five members. They started releasing music in September 2025 and have consistently played shows in the area since then. You can find them on Instagram and TikTok to learn more about upcoming shows and releases.
Additionally, you can find their music on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. They’re even starting to sell their own CDs, both online and at shows.
They currently have a four-track demo out, as well as a split EP with fellow screamo band ofalltheirbrokenparts. If you like bands with intense energy and emotion, it’s definitely worth giving them a listen and maybe even seeing them at a show.
Lab Disaster
Lab Disaster is made up of three members and makes loud, fast, punk rock music. They started playing at different Columbia venues and releasing music in December 2025. The band currently have a single titled “Little Thing,” which you can find on Spotify and Apple Music.
However, you can hear more unreleased music from them by going to their shows. They even have their own website, where fans can view both past performances and upcoming events, as well as brief introductions to the band members and how to get in contact with them.
Hell's Maid
Forming in 2023, Hell’s Maid is a progressive stoner-metal band made up of four members.
They started as a Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss cover band with its founding members Dom Bruzzesi and Malachi "Khamani" Smalls. However, once two more members joined, the band was inspired to start writing their own music.
Hell's Maid released their first single, “One Too Many”, in April 2025 and have since released an EP titled “Driven.” You can find their music on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.
The band said they take major inspiration from bands like Green Day, Nirvana, Tool and Muse.
They also have their own website, where you can find contact information and stay updated on up-and-coming shows of theirs.
theyslashthem is a screamo band made up of four members. They’ve performed at several venues around the Columbia area, such as The Spaze, La Isla Bonita, New Brookland Tavern, Radiator Springs and more.
They released their first single titled “you can take a horse to water but you can’t make it drink” in October 2025. You can find their single on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
The band will be performing on March 6 at the Radiator Springs venue. For more performance updates, you can find them on Instagram.
Rectoplasm
Rectoplasm makes slam/brutal death metal music and is comprised of four members. They started releasing music in August 2023 with their self-titled debut album and have since released two other EPs, "Soda City Slam" and" Liquifying Brutality," featuring some bands of the same genre.
Rectoplasm is also heavily involved in alternative culture outside of making music. One of the members even created a space for bands to play shows right in their living room, known as Commie House, which opened in 2023 and closed in 2025.
Commie House served as a great way to foster in Columbia’s DIY music scene by giving a platform to young people to freely express themselves, whether they were in a band or just a regular showgoer.
You can find all of Rectoplasm's music on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook to find out about upcoming shows.