Thirty years after the release of their 1996 Epitaph debut, Esteem Driven Engine, Southern California melodic skate-punk mainstays Pulley are marking the milestone with new music. The band will release Rise of the Underdog, a two-song 7”, on Friday, November 13, 2026, via Negative Progression Records, featuring “Best Kept Secret” and “Fade.”
The release connects three decades of records and worldwide touring with two new songs that carry Pulley’s signature melody, velocity and personal songwriting forward. Vocalist Scott Radinsky turns his attention to self-worth, uncertainty and the courage to keep moving, themes that resonate with a band still forging its own path 30 years after its first release.
On “Best Kept Secret,” Pulley address the feeling of being overlooked while finding satisfaction beyond recognition or status.
“It’s about being unappreciated and undervalued. We have no need for lights on the marquee or status. Just be comfortable in your own skin, it’s better to remain the secret.”
“Fade” turns toward an uncertain future, exploring the resolve it takes to step into unfamiliar territory.
“Fading into an unknown certainty of what the future holds. Not knowing what to expect or what we’ll find, but still having the courage to move forward.”
Rise of the Underdog follows Pulley’s 2025 singles “Torn Apart By Time” and “Write A Note If You Leave,” both of which were added to rotation on Green Day’s Idiot Nation on SiriusXM in 2026.
Beginning with Esteem Driven Engine, Pulley built an international following through five full-length albums on Epitaph Records, followed by releases through Cyber Tracks and SBAM. Their combination of fast, melodic punk and Radinsky’s direct songwriting has made them an enduring presence in the Southern California scene and on stages around the world.
Radinsky’s own path adds another chapter to that history. The former Ten Foot Pole vocalist balanced punk rock with an 11-season Major League Baseball career, including stints with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, before moving into coaching and player development.
Pulley’s commitment to touring continued in 2026 with a European run and U.S. appearances at Camp Punksylvania and The Fest, following trips to Canada and Japan in 2024 and Australia and Europe in 2023. U.S. headline shows, festival appearances and another Australian tour are planned for 2027, with details to be announced.
