Heaviside Expands the Cville Soundscape.
With Punk/Emo Bands like Pinkish rounding into prominence, the plethora of Grind, Gore and Core on display at Ace BBQ, and even The Southern Cafe and Music Hall booking bands like the insanely interesting Southern sludge metal outfit Uga Buga (comprised of elements of Lord Nelson), it’s not a stretch to say our live music options in Cville are getting weightier and more metallic.
Want more evidence the rock revival is in full swing in Charlottesville? Add Heaviside and Post Hardcore to our expanding musical palate of heavier shit.
Thursday night at Superfly Brewing Co., Heaviside, a rising four-piece proudly wearing their 2000s post-hardcore influences on their sleeves stepped out of the shadows and on stage. The band feels like they were ripped straight out of a 2006 Warped Tour lineup, but with a sincerity and energy that’s entirely 2025. For those of us who cut our teeth on bands like Thrice, Brand New, Thursday, and Saosin, Heaviside feels like a long-overdue jolt to the system.
And it’s not just nostalgia…it’s new, it's real, and it rips.
Heaviside is Post-Hardcore, revisited. For the uninitiated, post-hardcore emerged in the late '90s and took off in the early 2000s as a more melodic, experimental evolution of hardcore punk. It fused emotional lyricism, intricate guitar work, off-kilter rhythms, and that signature scream-sing dynamic that defined an entire generation of alternative music. While some bands leaned into atmosphere and poetry (mewithoutyou, Circa Survive), others blended heaviness with radio-ready hooks (Story of the Year, The Used). It was raw, honest, and unfiltered, and it still hits deep for those of us who came of age with it.
Formed through friendships made in a local church band, Heaviside is comprised of John Powell (bass/vocals), Caleb Taylor (guitar/vocals), Andrew Galuppo (guitar), and Christian Goldsmith (drums). Their chemistry is undeniable, forged not just through shared musical influences but also a genuine love for playing live.
Their set at Superfly was tight, urgent, and full of heart. They played every track from their brand-new debut EP, which dropped just two weeks ago: Someone Else, Drawing Circle, All Behind You, A War to Lead, and Rise Again. They closed with a brand-new, unreleased song called “Lilies”, which hinted at even more depth and range in their songwriting. Lyrically rich and sonically layered, it’s the kind of track that leaves you wanting more.
Charlottesville’s music scene is best known for its roots in folk, Americana, and bluegrass, and rightly so. But Heaviside brings something different to the table. Their sound expands the city’s musical identity, creating space for heavier, emotionally volatile performances that still retain a deeply melodic core. It’s not often you hear a breakdown in a local set, and it’s even rarer when it’s followed by deft guitar interplay and a chorus that sticks with you.
I had the chance to connect with the band after the show and learn more about what makes them tick. Beyond their own music, they’re deeply engaged in the broader scene, showing up for shows across genres and soaking in inspiration wherever they can find it. Over the past year, they’ve caught Underoath’s 20th anniversary tour for They’re Only Chasing Safety, as well as performances by Thrice, Architects, Currents, and Of Mice & Men. Up next: Mipso at The Jefferson, and a road trip to Atlanta for Gregory Alan Isakov and Mumford & Sons. These guys aren’t just making noise, they’re students of the sound.
The guys in Heaviside are Charlottesville through and through. John, Caleb, and Andrew all call the 434 home, and while drummer Christian is based just down I-64 in Richmond, we’ll gladly grant him honorary 434 status…area code and all. When they’re not writing or rehearsing, you might find them at some of their favorite hometown spots like Tavola, The Local, Broadcloth, or Riverside Lunch (because some classics never miss).
But their vision reaches well beyond neighborhood hangouts. The band has shows lined up in Richmond this summer, and they’ve set their sights on The Southern, a venue that’s practically a rite of passage for rising Charlottesville acts. Looking ahead, they’ve got even bigger stages in their sites, like The Jefferson and The Ting Pavilion. We’ll see if Cville responds with the bodies to fill those venues as they book heavier stuff.
Their debut EP, Never Said It Was Easy, is out now on all streaming platforms—check it out. It’s a punchy, emotional ride through post-hardcore nostalgia with a modern edge. And it’s clear Heaviside is more than a local band, they’re a hot spark in a shifting scene.
To draw on the Thrice lyrical canon, we are drawn to it like moths to a flame.
Keep the Beat,
Bazz
