Today, the Not Just A Phase spotlight targets the German emo scene and the emo revival that’s popping off there. We’re discussing a new band called Pennwood Rd. The international quartet consisting of members from Chile, Sweden, Latvia, and Germany all came together in Leipzig, Germany in the Spring of 2024 to create music inspired by the “Golden Era Emo” sound of the ’90s. The four members combined their diverse musical backgrounds and bring the genre’s DIY ethos outta of a bygone era and into the present.

Rainer Maria, Braid and Mineral are veritable legends and just some of the more noticeable influences on this bands sound. Pennwood Rd. also cites contemporary influences from some more recent big names in the game such as Free Throw , Tigers Jaw, and Mom Jeans.

Pennwood Rd. isn’t just another band with jangly guitars and excessive emotion, but when asked what theme they’re trying to convey with their music we got the response of “Jangly guitars with emotion, haha. But seriously: we’re trying to express emotions in a raw and honest way, no unnecessary frills, but with lots of attention to detail. Our music is meant to carry a certain vibe — sometimes melancholic, sometimes dreamy, but also energetic.”

“Lyrically, it’s all about personal stuff: inner conflict, feeling overwhelmed, figuring yourself out — all the things you deal with while trying to survive life somehow. Music, for me, is a way to channel that inner struggle — both sonically and lyrically.”

“ABOVE ALL IT’S MEANT TO BE REAL AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN SHARING A PASSION FOR MUSIC AND FEELING IT ON A DEEP LEVEL. SUPPORING EACH OTHER AND HAVING A SENSE OF COMMUNTY WHERE YOU MAY EVEN FIND SOME KIND OF STABILITY.

I THINK THAT’S THE CORE SPIRIT OF THE SCENE WE’RE A PART OF AND HONESTLY, THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN THE EMO / SCREAMO SCENE.”

- ???, @PENNWOOD RD

ANY SHOWS OR TOURS COMING UP FOR THE EP?

“On June 21st, just one day after our EP release, we’re playing the very first Farewell Youth Fest in Dresden, which is pretty close to our hometown Leipzig. The fest runs for three days and features amazing acts like Gouge Away, Birds in Row, Defeater, and more. We’re super stoked and happy that it lines up perfectly with our release! In July, we’ll also be playing two support shows for Weatherday here in Germany!”

SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BAND AFTER THAT?

“We really want to take a leap across the border and finally play some international shows. Anyone who’s ever done booking for a band knows how stressful that can be — it’s definitely our next big challenge. We’re hoping to find support from people who might know someone outside of Germany that we could reach out to, or maybe even link up with a band that’s into our stuff and would be down to tour together.“

“Looking at lineups in the US, with bands like Febuary and others — that would honestly be a total dream. Maybe one day we’ll make it over there... but for now, we’re aiming for Europe first, haha.”

ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR THE READERS?

“Never give up. I keep saying it, over and over. Don’t let anyone tell you what’s supposedly not possible. There’s so much more within reach than what we’re taught every day—whether it’s through grades at school or by people who seem to enjoy tearing others down more than lifting them up.”

“Not giving up isn’t easy. It’s a tough, often painful confrontation with yourself, your environment, and the people around you. But in that process, it’s so important to stay true to your values. Keep questioning things. Talk to people. Get professional help if you need it.”

“Reflect.”

“But to put it simply: never give up.”

Produced and Mixed by Tobias Schiedt (Sifter Collective in Leipzig Germany), Mastered by Flo Siller (based in Germany) and being released on June 20th through Gizzmoix Records.

These five tracks on I Won’t A Friend hit every dynamic. They scratch every itch an emo fan can ask for in 2025. The EP captures it all, from bright to moody, happy and sad, simple yet intricate, and every second full of relentless energy and infectious melody.

It’s a flawless debut and if this is just phase one, then I cannot wait to see how this band grows and blossoms over their career, we expect big things, we know they will deliver. Just listen to their EP opening track “June Bugs” we’ve linked below then go give them a follow to play the rest of this powerful debut.