New Jersey Pop-punk/Emo Stalwarts Tokyo Rose Return with First Single In 20 Years “Something Sweeter” (Manic Kat Records)

Tokyo Rose’s 2025-26 line-up, L-R: Ryan Dominguez, Chris Poulsen, Matt Fleischman, and Shawn Fichtner Credit: Isaiah Eldridge, @isaiah.eldridge.photo)

I honestly couldn’t tell you any exact dates, times, and/or places, but I can vividly recall seeing Tokyo Rose and Days Like These live at “venues” all over New Jersey, Philly, and the greater Tri-state Area with my best friend, Ryan, when we first started driving at the ages of 16 or 17. We’re roughly talking about a timeframe spanning from, maybe, the years 2003-04 up until about 2006-08. Some of said “venues” would include Brenner’s Brew, the Bridgewater Pub, the Franklinville V.F.W., Pike Lanes, Hangar 84, the FuelHouse/Bain’s Deli, Loyle Lanes, Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, and an assortment of house parties and makeshift local concert spaces. Now, this was all in the earliest aughts of MySpace and there was little to no online promotion; most of the time, you would go to a show and either hear about of get a paper flyer for the next upcoming show. I’ve realized now that this was my own earliest experience with the tried and true “ask a Punk” mentality. I may be a bit biased, but in my eyes, both Days Like These and Tokyo Rose were the de facto “kings” of our local little Vineland Pop-punk/Emo “scene” and then, just like that, everyone seemed to grow up, get girlfriends or boyfriends, go away to college, get real jobs, families, etc. and just as fast as the Vineland scene had propelled to awesomeness, it was gone and all of the local bands had broken up and/or parted ways. Now, it’s nearly 17-20 years (give or take) later and both Tokyo Rose and Days Like These have effectively reunited! I didn’t get a chance to get to all of their recent shows because… you know, life… wife, kids… but I have been fortunate enough over the last couple years to see both Days Like These and Tokyo Rose live (once, together, too) and re-connect with Ryan Dominguez, Chris Poulsen, Angel Santiago, Brad Harrison, and also Tom “Tommy” Parker from Don’t Look Down and Cheezy & The Crackers, as well as Don Fransko AKA Steven Lemon.

Tokyo Rose triumphantly dropped their first single in almost a staggering 20 years, “Something Sweeter,” on Friday, January 16. 2025. It follows the semi-recent 20th anniversary deluxe edition digital and vinyl re-issue of Tokyo Rose’s 2005 album, New American Saint, on their new label home, Manic Kat Records and precedes an upcoming EP that’s been dubbed Phoenician Fire. Long-time vocalist/guitarist Ryan Dominguez shares, “18 months ago, Tokyo Rose was a distant memory and a chapter of life that seemed sealed in wax. Yet after a call from an old school scene stalwart, the boys agreed to lace up their Chucks and play a sold-out reunion show at a legendary NJ establishment. One show turned into three or four. That weekend turned into over 20 shows across the country with old friends and tourmates from a lifetime ago.” Tokyo Rose has now partnered with Manic Kat Records, Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday, Terrible Things, The Lemonheads, Say Anything,) and Steve Angello (The Color Fred, AMORA, Mighty Tortuga, Oceans In The Sky) at Diver Down Studios to bring you a new chapter that seems to be writing itself. ‘“Something Sweeter”—the new single from our upcoming EP, Phoenician Fire, on Manic Kat Records, is our first new music in almost 20 years; seasoned, weathered, distilled to its simplest and most powerful state sonically, lyrically, and artistically,” Dominguez continues. Presently showcasing Dominguez along with guitarist Matt Fleischman, bassist Chris Poulsen, and drummer Shawn Fichtner, Tokyo Rose was initially formed in 1999 by ex-Senses Fail bassist Mike Glita and Matt Reilly (formerly of The Finals.) They emerged from what would become the iconic New Jersey Alternative Rock/Emo scene of the early 2000’s and functioned right out of their shared hometown of New Brunswick, NJ.

Tokyo Rose’s Chasing Fireflies EP, Re-inventing A Lost Art, New American Saint, and The Promise In Compromise cover images (SOURCE: Discogs/Google)

Their sound, accordingly, was a deeply relatable, eternally heart-on-sleeve brand of Punk-aided Modern Rock. Emotive guitars and the rousing vocals captured fans across the US, with bold, sweeping melodies capturing a mainstream following. After going through personnel changes that would see Reilly depart, the East Coast outfit emerged with Ryan Dominguez taking duties as lead vocalist and guitarist. 2002 saw the release of the band's debut EP, Chasing Fireflies, on All About Records, followed by debut full-length, Re-inventing A Lost Art, the following year, but it would be 2005’s New American Saint that would truly put Tokyo Rose “on the map.” Tours with Taking Back Sunday and a spot on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour soon followed, with Tokyo Rose's innately personal and emotionally resonant live show impressing newfound fans nation-wide. Though Tokyo Rose continue to eventually tour through the present day, their 2007 album, The Promise in Compromise, would go on to be the band's last studio album during their initial run. Last year's re-mastered deluxe version of now-classic New American Saint would mark their re-emergence and “the boys” have wasted no time in making a mark on 2026 with new single, “Something Sweeter,” which leaves you wanting more and something even sweeter and longer! Featuring a re-assembled and updated line-up, but a sound firmly echoing Tokyo Rose at their peak, fans are treated to a slice of throwback Emo excellence. Blossoming nostalgia for those who adore Tokyo Rose’s once-contemporaries like Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, and Senses Fail, but with a sonic allure equally as enticing for modern fans of the genre, as well as Emo elders in the market for some 21st Century nostalgia. Tokyo Rose’s “Something Sweeter” is now available on your preferred streaming service of choice. I’d also recommend Following both Tokyo Rose and Manic Kat Records’ pages on Instagram for updates and alerts on their upcoming new EP, Phoenician Fire, which is due to be released later this very year.