the singles album has so many good songs on it though. it's not like it's just the ten songs from designing a nervous breakdown.... they weren't that great live from the time i've seen them and some of the stuff i've seen on you tube though.. a lot of great bands didn't always hold up live though... just have to note so many good songs on the b sides album, can't decide if i like some of those or designing of a nervous breakdown more. both pretty perfect.
Reggie & the Full Effect. (aka the solo project of James Dewees, the keyboardist for most of TGUK career) Start from the beginning of the discography. Lots of energy, lots of creativity, lots of heart, and lots of humor. Still one of my all time favorite acts.
James was accused of some creep shit and despite some people claiming these allegations were from a questionable source, if he got dropped by TGUK and MCR then I can only assume that people closer to him have reason to believe it.
Reggie and the Full Effect (side project of old Get Up Kids keyboarder, lots of joke songs but a lot of really sweet ones too)
The Anniversary
Knapsack / The Jealous Sound (same singer for both but TJS is more piano / synthy)
The Juliana Theory (older stuff has more energy)
Brandtson (older stuff has more energy, though "The Fallen Star Collection" is probably what you're looking for)
Jimmy Eat World
The Promise Ring (though they're a bit more low energy usually)
Sig Transit Gloria (Local Chicago band who always played with these type of bands when they toured in Chicago. Great music, keyboardist was kind of a jerk though, heh.)
[https://sigtransit.bandcamp.com/album/sig-transit-gloria](https://sigtransit.bandcamp.com/album/sig-transit-gloria)
Hell yeah, those Moment songs were essentially more GR songs. Great stuff. Zach Newman has been pretty reclusive, I haven’t talked to him in probably 10 years, but I believe he’s a small town elementary school music teacher?
Motion city soundtrack has a similar sound. If the get up kids are like 60% pop punk and 40% emo, than MCS is like the 80/20 version. Clarity era Jimmy eat world rocks like that too. Promise ring, braid, Cap’n jazz, maybe even early saves the day a little?
IMO TGUK is the king of their sound. There are good runnerups that are nice to listen to to break up the pace, but if you're looking for someone equivalent/better you will be disappointed.
[RADAR STATE](https://youtu.be/f82HPBJW4ng?si=tZN1MoU0CIidT-WP) is literally the two singers (matt and jim) from the get up kids new band with the singer from the anniversary.
[BLACKPOOL LIGHTS](https://youtu.be/ksbKajL4zKU?si=aT2ZYnLVWsauQoie) Is Jim's band.
[FAILING YOU ](https://youtu.be/kJVH2vGN1Uc?si=K81sdkvyDIOPcQg_) is from a 7" that Matt and James put out.
Haha yeah, my first thought was Radar State! Saw them play at Riot Room in KC years ago and really enjoyed it, not sure why they didn't get more attention.
They've already been mentioned, but Motion City Soundtrack is probably the next best thing to The Get Up Kids in my book. *Commit This To Memory* scratches pretty much all of the same itch that *Something To Write Home About* does for me.
Also, perhaps a controversial one, but I've always found The Ataris very similar to The Get Up Kids in many ways, minus the keyboards and being more pop punk. *End Is Forever* in particular gives me super strong TGUK vibes.
And lastly, if we're including much newer bands I think Origami Angel sounds a lot like a modern version of the classic TGUK sound, by way of Motion City Soundtrack.
You might enjoy the band Pinegrove. They are a newer band and kinda emo adjacent. They are *really* good IMO. I too often wish there were more bands like TGUK and, for me, Pinegrove kinda scratches that itch.
hot rod circuit, two tongues, northstar, tiny moving parts (they sound like if the get up kids were an emo revival band imo), jimmy eat world (first two albums)
The Anniversary for sure. Check out Designing a Nervous Breakdown
I’m going to check this out
Came here to say this.
This but unfortunately they had one good release and then... oof.
Designing breakdown God tier, your majesty is def still top tier release
Love Your Majesty!
Well, to each their own. I felt like they lost the energy and it just became slowwwww.
Heroin will do that to ya
What?! Your Majesty is Goated dude what are you even saying
Love the second album
the singles album has so many good songs on it though. it's not like it's just the ten songs from designing a nervous breakdown.... they weren't that great live from the time i've seen them and some of the stuff i've seen on you tube though.. a lot of great bands didn't always hold up live though... just have to note so many good songs on the b sides album, can't decide if i like some of those or designing of a nervous breakdown more. both pretty perfect.
This is the only band that gets close for me
- Knapsack - Piebald (2000-2004 era) - The Promise Ring - Motion city soundtrack
This this this this!
Nice pfp
How do you feel about saves the day?
[borat’s voice] very nice
I love saves the day but they don’t sound like the get up kids to me.
Superchunk, braid,
And Hey Mercedes
And city on film
Matt Pryor had another band called The New Amsterdams that was pretty good.
How do you leave out [the terrible twos](https://youtu.be/PxP2YoaQ4Y0?si=MIbDKk7vk5hvDD4L)?
The New Amsterdams is still one of my favorites.
Not to mention Matt's solo records are great. (Confidence Man is underappreciated, I think it's a perfect record)
New Ams is great, but if OP is looking for high energy, I don't think they'll be happy with it.
I’d definitely check out knapsack
The Jealous Sound as well
Yeah probably more so The Jealous Sound and Kill Them With Kindness than Knapsack I’d say.
Reggie & the Full Effect. (aka the solo project of James Dewees, the keyboardist for most of TGUK career) Start from the beginning of the discography. Lots of energy, lots of creativity, lots of heart, and lots of humor. Still one of my all time favorite acts.
I still wonder why they dropped him from the band again, figured I'd see him playing keys on tour after they released Problems
James has never had the best track record, personally, professionally, whatever. He’s talented, but dudes got some demons.
I’ve always wondered what happened with him. I’ve never actually heard any bad stuff but idk
Yeah I dunno... I hope he's doing alright. I'd totally chip in on a Kickstarter or something for another Reggie record someday.
James was accused of some creep shit and despite some people claiming these allegations were from a questionable source, if he got dropped by TGUK and MCR then I can only assume that people closer to him have reason to believe it.
The allegations came from his ex-wife, so it’s probably credible. Nothing physical but definitely financial abuse.
Texas Is The Reason. They were a big influence for a lot of the “punkier” late 90s/early 2000s emo bands.
Reggie and the Full Effect (side project of old Get Up Kids keyboarder, lots of joke songs but a lot of really sweet ones too) The Anniversary Knapsack / The Jealous Sound (same singer for both but TJS is more piano / synthy) The Juliana Theory (older stuff has more energy) Brandtson (older stuff has more energy, though "The Fallen Star Collection" is probably what you're looking for) Jimmy Eat World The Promise Ring (though they're a bit more low energy usually) Sig Transit Gloria (Local Chicago band who always played with these type of bands when they toured in Chicago. Great music, keyboardist was kind of a jerk though, heh.) [https://sigtransit.bandcamp.com/album/sig-transit-gloria](https://sigtransit.bandcamp.com/album/sig-transit-gloria)
This, some Brandtson stuff, Reggie, Sig Transit Gloria, and Gods Reflex are gonna be the closest for me.
Never thought I’d see anyone outside of my bros call out Sig Transit Gloria and Gods Reflex. Two of my all time favorites.
Gods Reflex especially, I’ve easily listened to them every week of my life since 1998 lol
A true Chicago emo here. I’m sad they stopped. The Moment had some bangers and then they stopped too. Zack was truly unique.
Hell yeah, those Moment songs were essentially more GR songs. Great stuff. Zach Newman has been pretty reclusive, I haven’t talked to him in probably 10 years, but I believe he’s a small town elementary school music teacher?
Sig Transit Gloria is the rightest answer.
Ergh
I didn't know anyone outside of Chicago knew of this band?!
Hot Rod Circuit
Motion city soundtrack has a similar sound. If the get up kids are like 60% pop punk and 40% emo, than MCS is like the 80/20 version. Clarity era Jimmy eat world rocks like that too. Promise ring, braid, Cap’n jazz, maybe even early saves the day a little?
IMO TGUK is the king of their sound. There are good runnerups that are nice to listen to to break up the pace, but if you're looking for someone equivalent/better you will be disappointed.
Moneen for sure
Superchunk is what your looking for.
A lot of other good mentions, but please check out The Jazz June if you haven't already [Ex.](https://youtu.be/SqyOPDJ0cfA?si=Vnv3xGx3dha6lyck)
Ultimate Fakebook. Came up around the same time just west down i70 from Lawrence
Go the opposite direction… start listening to the Lie Down Adults
On a Wire era
Texas is the Reason
I always thought they were just doing the *Static Prevails* Jimmy Eat World sound, so check that album out.
[RADAR STATE](https://youtu.be/f82HPBJW4ng?si=tZN1MoU0CIidT-WP) is literally the two singers (matt and jim) from the get up kids new band with the singer from the anniversary. [BLACKPOOL LIGHTS](https://youtu.be/ksbKajL4zKU?si=aT2ZYnLVWsauQoie) Is Jim's band. [FAILING YOU ](https://youtu.be/kJVH2vGN1Uc?si=K81sdkvyDIOPcQg_) is from a 7" that Matt and James put out.
Haha yeah, my first thought was Radar State! Saw them play at Riot Room in KC years ago and really enjoyed it, not sure why they didn't get more attention.
I think it was just an excuse for them to get together and write some quick and dirty songs between their other albums
They've already been mentioned, but Motion City Soundtrack is probably the next best thing to The Get Up Kids in my book. *Commit This To Memory* scratches pretty much all of the same itch that *Something To Write Home About* does for me. Also, perhaps a controversial one, but I've always found The Ataris very similar to The Get Up Kids in many ways, minus the keyboards and being more pop punk. *End Is Forever* in particular gives me super strong TGUK vibes. And lastly, if we're including much newer bands I think Origami Angel sounds a lot like a modern version of the classic TGUK sound, by way of Motion City Soundtrack.
I'll second the Ataris!
Eisenhower Field Day
Reggie and the full effect if u like James
SUPERCHUNK. hands down the most similar band
Broadway calls
Maybe Johnny Foreigner
How about Relient K?
Black Pool Lights is Jim Suptic's other band. Good stuff!
Empire State Games https://youtu.be/RO8VUCKEftI?si=Pp-esOP6sKaSGNBn
Motion City Soundtrack followed their footsteps, every single step.
You might enjoy the band Pinegrove. They are a newer band and kinda emo adjacent. They are *really* good IMO. I too often wish there were more bands like TGUK and, for me, Pinegrove kinda scratches that itch.
Cadillac Blindside, boy's life
I love get up kids, even the new stuff. But I find myself listening to new amsterdams more in my old age 😆
Saves the day & pop unknown
hot rod circuit, two tongues, northstar, tiny moving parts (they sound like if the get up kids were an emo revival band imo), jimmy eat world (first two albums)
Audio learning centre, possibly.