Gouge Away

Florida’s Gouge Away play a heavy strain of hardcore punk that echoes ’90s forebears like the Jesus Lizard and Babes in Toyland and features socially conscious and often emotionally direct lyrics. They came out of Fort Lauderdale’s underground scene in 2016 with , Dies, then found more widespread recognition with their Deathwish-released follow-up Burnt Sugar in 2018. Over subsequent years, the band toured frequently, demo’ing new songs in their downtime and eventually unveiling the 2023 single “Idealized.” Formed in 2012 by Christina Michelle (vocals), Mick Ford (guitars), Tyler Forsythe (bass), and Tommy Cantwell (drums), Gouge Away debuted on the local live circuit in 2013 around the same time that they recorded and self-released their debut EP, Still Bored. Their initial intent was merely to record an EP and play one show, but they soon become a mainstay of their local scene. A second EP, Focus Your Anger, appeared that Halloween and the band continued to play shows and benefits supporting local charities and activist groups. By mid-2015, Gouge Away had started recording their debut album, signing to Florida indie Eighty-Six Records and embarking on their first national tour. With the release of , Dies at the end of that year, the band spent the early part of 2016 supporting the release with dates across the U.S. and a national support slot with Touché Amoré and Ceremony. The following year saw the release of the single “Swallow” alongside more live dates, including a second tour with Touché Amoré. Returning to the studio, Gouge Away teamed up with Touché Amoré’s Jeremy Bolm and Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Jeff Rosenstock) in the production chairs. Their sophomore album Burnt Sugar was released in 2018 by Deathwish, Inc. More intensely personal than their debut, Burnt Sugar was well received by critics, and they spent much of the following year on tour, writing and demo’ing ideas for their third album during breaks. Released in 2020 and inspired by the political turmoil of the American landscape, Gouge Away released the aggressive “Consider” backed with a cover of Pixies’ “Wave of Mutilation,” donating part of its sales to charity. After some time away, they returned to their previous demos and began recording in earnest with Jack Shirley at his Atomic Garden studio in Oakland, California. Recorded mostly live to analog tape, 2023′s “Idealized” represented the first single from these sessions, before the arrival of the group’s third studio LP, 2024′s Deep Sage. ~ Rich Wilson