Turnstile is a hardcore punk band from Baltimore, Maryland that formed in 2010. The lineup features Brendan Yates on lead vocals, Franz Lyons on bass and vocals, Brady Ebert and Pat McCrory on guitar, and Daniel Fang on drums. Since their early days, the band has built a reputation for their energetic live shows and a fresh hardcore sound that incorporates elements of punk, alternative rock, and melodic hardcore.
The Early Years of Turnstile
Turnstile emerged from Baltimore’s vibrant hardcore scene in 2010. They released their debut EP Pressure to Succeed in 2011 followed by Step 2 Rhythm in 2013, both on Baltimore’s Reaper Records label. These early records showcased the band’s talent for blending old-school hardcore intensity with catchy riffs and a touch of punk rock attitude.
In 2015, the band released their first full-length album, Nonstop Feeling, to positive reviews. Alternative Press praised the album, noting that “Turnstile’s insane debut album melds hardcore and punk in all the right ways.” The band promoted Nonstop Feeling with tours supporting New Found Glory and Superheaven.
Turnstile Gains Momentum With Time & Space
The band continued to build momentum with their second album Time & Space, released in 2018 on Roadrunner Records. Produced by Will Yip, Time & Space found the group further expanding their sound, adding more melodic vocals and experimental touches while still staying true to their hardcore roots. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.
Reviewing Time & Space for Pitchfork, writer Sasha Geffen noted: “Turnstile are a hardcore band only in the most elastic sense of the genre. On their Roadrunner debut, they stride past their boundaries, searching for something more transcendent.” The band supported the album with extensive touring across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Turnstile’s Glow On Breaks Through
In August 2021, the group released their third album Glow On to widespread acclaim from fans and critics. The album, which features guest appearances from Blood Orange and Julien Baker, sees Turnstile incorporating more alternative rock, R&B and electronic influences into their hardcore punk foundation. Glow On showcases some of their catchiest and most adventurous songs to date.
Glow On was a commercial and critical success, debuting at #30 on the Billboard 200 chart. In a glowing review, NME declared “Turnstile are expanding the boundaries of hardcore with this eclectic third album” and awarded it a perfect 5-star rating. Rolling Stone named Glow On the #8 Best Album of 2021. Three songs from the album – “Mystery”, “Blackout” and “Holiday” – reached the top 40 of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.
The Turnstile Love Connection Tour in 2022 saw the band headline their biggest shows to date across the US and Europe with support from Citizen, Ceremony and other rising punk and hardcore acts. They also supported Blink-182 (including their Pittsburgh date) and My Chemical Romance on select dates.
The Future is Bright for Turnstile
Turnstile vocalist Brendan Yates sees the band’s success as a product of always pushing hardcore forward and taking risks. “I think experimentation is just trying to explore your creativity with reckless abandon—and not being afraid to do that,” Yates told Kerrang in a 2021 interview. With their genre-blurring sound, explosive live energy, and knack for infectious songwriting, the future looks very bright for Turnstile as they lead the vanguard of modern punk and hardcore.
