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Vs Self

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Vs Self
OriginApple Valley, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2018–present
Members
  • Kyle Schlenker
  • Dante Garcia II
  • Frankie Lopez
Past members
  • Greg Sandoval
Websitevsself.bandcamp.com

Vs Self (VERSE-self) is an American emo band from Apple Valley, California. Formed in 2018, the band consists of Kyle Schlenker (guitar, vocals), Dante Garcia II (tambourine, vocals) and Frankie Lopez (drums, vocals). Their music merges Midwest emo instruments with the vocal style of screamo. They have released one full-length album, three split EPs and one demo.

The band was formed by Kyle Schlenker (guitar, vocals), Dante Garcia II (tambourine, vocals) and Greg Sandoval (drums), they released their first demo in 2019. Their debut album Everything Seems Better Now was released in 2020. During the early 2020s, the band saw viral success through the use of their music on TikTok, leading them to become one of the most prominent bands in the 2020s wave of screamo. In 2022, they released a split EP with Knumear. Around 2023, Sandoval departed from the band, replaced by Frankie Lopez. The next year, they released a split EP with Catalyst, Party Hats and Knumears, following 2026 by another with Soccer.

History

[edit]

Formed in Apple Valley, California in 2018,[1] consisting of Kyle Schlenker (guitar, vocals), Dante Garcia II (tambourine, vocals)[2][3] and Greg Sandoval (drums, vocals).[4] Their name was derived from the "vs self" concept of narrative conflict. Schlenker heard this term in a high school English lesson and began using it as his Instagram handle. Performing the band, they felt it to be an appropriate name.[5] After performing live only twice, they released their demo in 2019.[1]

Released their debut album Everything Seems Better Now on April 4, 2020.[6] On February 22, 2022, they released a split EP with Knumear.[7] By 2023, the band consisted of Schlenker and drummer Frankie Lope.[5] On April 15, 2024, they released a split EP with Catalyst, Party Hats and Knumears.[8] By 2025, its members had dispersed to South Pasadena, California and Upland, California, rehearsing in Pomona, California.[9] On 11 and 18 April, thet performed at Coachella Festival.[9] Between March 29 and May 2, 2026, they headlined a tour of the United States, with support from Knumears, upnow! and Party Hats.[10] In fall 2024, they performed at Best Friends Forever festival.[6] On January 5, 2026, they released a split EP with Japanese band Soccer.[11] They performed at Noise Pop Festival in February 2026.[12] Between February 8 and March 14, 2026, they supported La Dispute on their European headline tour, alongside Pijn.[13]

Musical style

[edit]

Critics have categorized Vs Self's music as screamo,[6][14] Midwest emo[15][5] and Midwest screamo.[16] They incorporate elements of hardcore punk, jazz and mathcore.[17]

The band's music takes from the sound of screamo's first-wave,[6] as well as early emocore such as Indian Summer, Boys Life and Embrace.[7] Out of Rage called their style a fusion of "Midwest emo and new-school screamo".[18] Their music makes use of dual lead vocals,[14] both sung and screamed.[7] Instrumentally, they use twinkly, technical guitar playing contrasted by heavy parts,[17] instricate drum parts[19] and tamborine.[14] Their guitars make use of reverb effects.[15] Their lyrics focus on personal identity.[20]

Schlenker has cited Hop Along vocalist Frances Quinlan as a major lyrical inspiration, and Victor Villareal as a guitar inspiration. Other influences including Explosions in the Sky.[5]

Vs Self are a part of the 2020s wave of screamo alongside Widowdusk and Your Arms Are My Cocoon.[1] Experienced viral success on TikTok, bringing greater attention to the genre and helping to build a scene revival fanbase.[21] BrooklynVegan editor Andrew Sacher said this movement is called "TikTok screamo", noting Vs Self as one of its "best and fastest-rising bands", alongside Catalyst, Knumears and Party Hats.[22] Coachella Valley Independent writer Matt King called vocalist Kyle Schlenker "a prominent figure in modern mathcore and screamo music."[23] KCSC radio called Everything Seems Better Now "An essential album for those looking for an intro to Midwest-Emo and Screamo".[19]

Members

[edit]
Current
  • Kyle Schlenker – guitar, vocals (2018–present)
  • Dante Garcia II – tambourine, vocals (2018–present)
  • Frankie Lopez – drums, vocals (2023–present)
Former
  • Greg Sandoval – drums, vocals (2018–2023)

Discography

[edit]
Studio albums
  • Everything Seems Better Now (2020)
EPs
  • Split (2022, split EP with Knumear)
  • 4-Way Split (2024; split EP with Catalyst, Party Hats and Knumears)
  • vs self / Soccer. (2026; split EP with Soccer)
Demos
  • Demo (2019)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Garza, Alex De La. "Everything Seems Better Now, Vs Self". Explosion. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  2. ^ Diaz, Daniel. "Club Dada Vs Self". Radio UTD. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  3. ^ Hocutt, Matthew (2 May 2024). "4-Way Split". My Site. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  4. ^ "Vs Self on Identity, Recovery, and Writing Beyond Despair". MYTH DEALER. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d Coe, Madi. "MEET VS SELF: CRYBABY JAZZ". ✪ amplifiedsd ✪. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d Breihan, Tom (5 January 2026). "vs self & soccer. Share Feverish New Trans-Pacific Screamo Split". Stereogum. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Vs Self / Knumears". NOT JUST A PHASE. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  8. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Stream Catalyst's very good new screamo album 'Come In and Thank God'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  9. ^ a b King, Matt (6 April 2025). "Primo Screamo: Coachella Performer Vs Self Talks About D.I.Y. Sensibilities—and Being Called 'Sell-Outs'". Coachella Valley Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  10. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "SoCal screamo band Vs Self touring with Knumears, Party Hats, upnow!". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  11. ^ "15 New Songs Out Now". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  12. ^ Flynn, Dana (24 October 2025). "San Francisco Music Festival Noise Pop Released The First Phase Of The 2026 Lineup". Secret San Francisco. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  13. ^ Garner, Emily (18 August 2025). "La Dispute reveal 2026 UK tour dates, with a portion of low income…". Kerrang!. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  14. ^ a b c "Bilder: La Dispute am 25.02.2026 im Backstage München". AWAY FROM LIFE (in German). 1 March 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  15. ^ a b Lawless, Cece. "Live Review: La Dispute, Vs Self and Pijn Electric Ballroom, London 21/02/2026". Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  16. ^ Robinson, Sophie (1 March 2026). "LIVE GALLERY: La Dispute, Vs Self & Pijn at Club Academy, Manchester". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  17. ^ a b S, Steve (24 February 2026). "Konzertbericht: La Dispute, Vs Self und Pijn am 23.02.2026 in der Rockhal in Esch-Alzette". AWAY FROM LIFE (in German). Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  18. ^ Longhurst, Jasmine (25 February 2026). "LIVE FROM THE PIT: La Dispute, Vs Self and PIJN". Out Of Rage. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  19. ^ a b Burgess, Simon. "Everything Seems Better Now". KCSC Radio. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  20. ^ "Vs Self on Identity, Recovery, and Writing Beyond Despair". MYTH DEALER. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  21. ^ Russo, Dan Gentile, Timothy Karoff, Silas Valentino, Charles (4 March 2026). "Noise Pop headliner cries twice after selling out SF show". SFGATE. Retrieved 24 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Sacher, Andrew. "15 Great Screamo Releases from 2024". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  23. ^ King, Matt (3 September 2025). "The Lucky 13: Kyle Schlenker, Guitarist/Vocalist of Gayt, Performing at the Coachella Valley Collective on Saturday, Sept. 12". Coachella Valley Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
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