Trashed: Emo Punk’s Unrelenting Force
There’s a certain kind of nostalgia that kicks in the moment Trashed strike their first chord. The Bristol trio channel the raw, unfiltered energy of the early 2000s emo pop-punk heyday—when festival fields were packed with angst-ridden teens, and every hook felt like an antidote to overthinking. Yet, despite their deep roots in the genre, Trashed are anything but a throwback act. Instead, they’re leading a new wave of emo-infused punk rock, proving that youthful defiance and cathartic melodies still have a place in the 2020s.
It’s been a tumultuous journey for the band. Their 2019 debut EP, Yours Not Mine, established them as ones to watch, but just as momentum built, COVID disrupted everything, delaying the release of their follow-up EP, Faceplant. They bounced back with their 2022 full-length, Happy in Hindsight, only to face another blow in 2023 when two-thirds of the lineup departed. Many bands wouldn’t have survived such upheaval, but Trashed have always thrived on resilience. Frontman Jimmy E-Smith (guitar/vocals) refused to let the project fade, enlisting Oscar Manners (bass/backing vocals) and Mike Boken (drums) to form a revitalized lineup. With Trashed 2.0 now in full swing, their resurgence has been nothing short of electrifying.
The proof is in the performance. Last year, they sold out The Exchange in Bristol for their single release show—their biggest headline gig to date. And tonight, as they take to the stage at The Lanes, the atmosphere is electric. The crowd, packed tight and adorned in Trashed merch, erupts from the opening note, singing along with the kind of unshakable devotion usually reserved for bands with a decade-long legacy.
What follows is an expertly curated set that encapsulates the band’s evolution. Kicking off with their latest single, Insecurities, and closing with their 2019 debut track, Waste Away, Trashed take their audience on a whirlwind ride through their past, present, and future. The setlist is stacked with fan favorites from Happy in Hindsight—Memories and Decay ignite huge reactions, while Careless and Disgusting provide cathartic singalongs for the day-one fans. But the most intriguing moments come with the unreleased material, particularly Drip Fed, which hints at an even more dynamic and intense sonic direction for the band.
What truly sets Trashed apart, however, is their unpredictability. At their core, they are an emo pop-punk band, but they possess a rare ability to shift gears on a dime. Just as the crowd settles into the comfort of a melodic hook, the band slams the accelerator, launching into full-throttle, high-velocity chaos. The result? A pit that goes from swaying arms to a full-blown hurricane of limbs in seconds.
Trashed are more than a band in revival mode—they are a band in ascent. Their ability to turn personal upheaval into fuel for reinvention is what makes them stand out in a saturated scene. And if tonight is any indication, Bristol has already claimed them as hometown heroes. The only question now is: how much bigger can they go?
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
