Jeffrey Ernest Rosenstock (born September 7, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter from Long Island, New York. A central figure in the contemporary punk, indie rock, and DIY music scenes, he is best known as the frontman of the ska-punk band The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, the anti-capitalist punk collective Bomb the Music Industry!, the pop punk duo Antarctigo Vespucci, the punk rock band Kudrow, and for a prolific solo career marked by emotionally candid lyrics
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Jeffrey Ernest Rosenstock (born September 7, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter from Long Island, New York. A central figure in the contemporary punk, indie rock, and DIY music scenes, he is best known as the frontman of the ska-punk band The Arrogant Sons of Bitches, the anti-capitalist punk collective Bomb the Music Industry!, the pop punk duo Antarctigo Vespucci, the punk rock band Kudrow, and for a prolific solo career marked by emotionally candid lyrics, energetic live shows, and a steadfast commitment to accessibility and independence in music.
Raised in Baldwin, New York, Rosenstock co-founded The Arrogant Sons of Bitches in the mid-1990s, blending irreverent ska with punk’s aggressive immediacy. After ASOB disbanded, he founded Bomb the Music Industry! in 2004, a band known for its unconventional ethos—eschewing traditional merchandise in favor of stencils and spray paint, performing primarily in all-ages spaces, and releasing all music for free or via donation. Their approach earned them a reputation as “the Fugazi for the internet age.”
In tandem with BTMI!’s launch, Rosenstock founded Quote Unquote Records, widely recognized as the first donation-based digital record label—predating more high-profile "pay-what-you-want" models by mainstream artists like Radiohead and platforms like Bandcamp.
After BTMI! disbanded in 2012, Rosenstock transitioned into solo work with the self-released I Look Like Shit. Subsequent albums such as We Cool? (2015), WORRY. (2016), POST- (2018), No Dream (2020), and HELLMODE (2023) solidified his reputation as a leading voice in modern punk—balancing political discontent, existential anxiety, and personal vulnerability with melody-driven, high-energy instrumentation. A full ska reinterpretation of No Dream, aptly titled SKA DREAM, was released in 2021.
In addition to his solo work, Rosenstock is a producer and collaborator, contributing to projects by artists such as AJJ, PUP, Laura Stevenson, Shinobu, Mikey Erg, and The Smith Street Band, and co-founding the indie-punk duo Antarctigo Vespucci with Chris Farren. Since 2018, he has composed music for Cartoon Network’s Craig of the Creek, including full musical episodes and the 2024 animated film Craig Before the Creek.
Rosenstock’s influence in the DIY scene is considerable. His approach—rooted in transparency, affordability, and all-ages accessibility—has inspired a new generation of independent musicians. His vocal style, often described as raspy and impassioned, underscores a songwriting voice that is equally capable of cathartic rage and quiet introspection.
On November 8, 2024, Rosenstock publicly came out as non-binary, stating that he had privately identified as such for eight years. He affirmed that his pronouns remain he/him.
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…shrink me down again
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