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We are premiering Houston melodic post-hardcore four-piece As We Shiver's new single “Stay Behind,” a track taken from the band’s upcoming Down the Middle split EP with Austin’s COMPILATIONS, due out via local DIY imprint Diverse Chorus Records. Fans of Make Do And Mend should find plenty to appreciate in the band’s melodic, emotionally charged approach to post-hardcore.

As We Shiver’s members have deep roots in Houston’s punk and independent music communities, with their influence stretching across multiple generations. Singer/guitarist Steve Duarte and guitarist Rudy Duarte were previously members of The Tie That Binds, an early ’90s post-hardcore band whose strong songwriting has continued to inform their work through each subsequent musical iteration.

As We Shiver began in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially as a way for the members to stay busy. What started casually soon developed into something more substantial.

“It was initially just something to do to kill time,” Steve recalls. “We started writing songs that we felt good about and it progressed from there.”

The band originally featured Gilbert Alfaro of Spain Colored Orange on guitar, before Steve’s son Dylan took over the role. At the time, Dylan was just 17 years old. The family connection only deepened as the band continued to develop, with Steve’s other son Devin already active in Houston’s local scene and eventually contributing his own musical ideas to the group.

“As we continued writing, Devin started coming up with a lot of his own ideas, and then Rudy & I would tweak arrangements,” Steve explains. “This has been the formula ever since.”

That collaborative, multigenerational approach has become a defining part of As We Shiver. After self-releasing a handful of singles, the band are now stepping into their next chapter with Down the Middle, their split with COMPILATIONS.

“We are a family band of brothers, sons, nephews, dads and uncles,” Steve says. “We love being able to share this music thing together. It’s a fun and positive way to spend quality time together and we have fun doing it.”

“Stay Behind” offers a first taste of what the upcoming split has in store, pairing the band’s longstanding post-hardcore sensibilities with the melodic edge that has become central to their sound.