Shutdown, one of NYC’s hardcore legends, just dropped news of their fresh six-song EP By Your Side, out January 17, 2025, through Equal Vision Records.
They’ve also dropped a video for the first single, the title track “By Your Side,” which dives into suicide prevention and the need for support. Filmed by Jerry Farley, the video is streaming now.
It’s been 24 years since Shutdown released anything new, but By Your Side shows the same energy they had in their youth, now with added layers of perspective. They’re not just sticking to hardcore but expanding past the genre with songs that resonate beyond the scene.
The title track, “By Your Side,” is heavy on the message of being there for people going through tough times, especially dealing with mental health. It’s dedicated to Regina Morley, who tragically lost her life to suicide. It’s a track that hits hard, reminding you of the importance of listening and supporting those who need it.
Shutdown started out in Brooklyn back in ’94. It was a bunch of teenagers figuring it out, but they locked in quick—Mark Scondotto on vocals, Steve Della Croce on guitar, Dion DeNardo on bass, and Jimmy McCormack on drums. Their 1998 debut Against All Odds and the following EP Something To Prove made them a known name in the hardcore scene. By 2000, they’d dropped Few And Far Between. They were young, raw, and pushed a positive message with a sound that was all about grit and defiance. Then, life happened, and the band slowed down until everything just came to a halt.
“We never officially broke up,” Della Croce says. “We just stopped touring and got busy with other stuff. We’d still play when we could, write some Shutdown songs here and there, but we realized we needed a plan if we were gonna make a real comeback. We’ve all evolved as musicians and songwriters, and we wanted to show people what that sounds like now.”
And that sound? Still crucial. By Your Side kicks off with “Our Time,” a hardcore anthem about seizing the moment. The title track follows, hitting hard with its call for community, something Shutdown’s always been about. Then you’ve got “Untouchable,” with its righteous anger and self-belief, and the heavier, riff-driven “Is This The End,” which looks for fresh starts from the wreckage. The EP wraps up with “What Are You Thinking?”, a track inspired by DeNardo’s son, who was diagnosed with autism, and the challenges that diagnosis brought to the table.
With everything going on in the world right now, the optimism and sense of unity this EP offers feel like exactly what’s needed. It’s not just a hardcore record—it’s a lifeline, something to grab onto when things get dark. These six tracks remind you that even when it’s tough, there’s always a way forward.
“That positivity is just how we roll,” says Della Croce. “It got us through our teenage years, and we’re still here writing for ourselves, but it’s clear that these songs hit home for a lot of people. That’s why we had to keep that message going with this EP.”
“There’s a lot of hope on this release,” adds Scondotto. “And honestly, that’s what the world needs right now.”
