For the five members of Homebase, the morning never begins with coffee or a morning scroll, it starts with the singular, nagging question: “When is the next show?” 

Since bursting onto the scene in 2025, the New Jersey-based band Homebase has begun to grow an impressive and dedicated fanbase. Following two smashing singles and the March 2026 release of their debut EP, Close to Something, the band is rapidly ascending while taking over Jersey venues one stage at a time. What started in 2023 as a stylistic pivot for founding members Chris Ochoa, Tony Valentio, and Matt Valentin, who originally bonded over playing Blink-182 and Green Day covers at School of Rock, has evolved into an explosive, adrenaline-fueled five-piece completed perfectly by Chris Caruso and Churro Cordova. With four of the members having played together in a prior band, that long-standing chemistry is the key to their polished yet aggressive blend of pop-punk and hardcore. 

That compatibility shines on Close to Something, showcasing the band’s incredible songwriting and extraordinary talent. It’s a project Valentino describes as “very loud, very sharp, and very to the point,” striking a balance between being technically advanced and emotionally raw. "‘Bold’ was the start of a collaborative journey to numerous other songs on the EP that allow us to hold ourselves to a higher standard lyrically and instrumentally," Valentino explains. Their creative mission is two-fold: honoring their pop-punk influences including The Story So Far and A Day To Remember, while providing a cathartic voice for their audience. As Cordova puts it, they are "making music for people who don’t know how to express themselves." 

However, for Homebase, the digital metrics for songs such as "Bold" and "Nuff Said" which have exploded online are secondary to the physical experience of a show. "I say this with love and respect: you will never understand the music unless you go to that show," Valentino says. The band views the audience as the ultimate test for their work. "The whole thing about making music is seeing that reaction and seeing the engagement," Ochoa adds. "You won’t see Matt’s finger bust open and start bleeding on the guitar when you’re listening at home. You won’t see people crowdsurfing in a seven-foot basement. It’s a different experience entirely."

The band responsibilities are tackled using a "20% rule," where each member manages a specific pillar of the band, whether it’s art, socials, finances, booking, or recording, keeping the pressure light and the focus on their friendship and the music. "We’re like each other’s therapists in a way," Valentin notes, emphasizing that their bond as friends is the foundation for their success. Ochoa agrees: "If we can’t be friends, it’s impossible for us to be bandmates."

While they bridge the gap between digital growth and real-world connection, Homebase remains focused on the "right shows in the right places” and continuing to represent the enduring power of the DIY spirit. The band remains anchored in the belief that music is a shared physical language, best understood in the heat of a mosh pit. That commitment to the band, and to each other, is what fuels their captivating identity. It’s a relentless obsession with the craft that Cordova sums up best: “When I get up in the morning, the very first thing I think about is, ‘When is the next Homebase show?’”

Photos and interview by Bek Allegretti