Bella’s Beatdown Bunker is a beloved venue in Detroit’s hardcore scene. I remember the first time I attended a show with one of my friends who’s a veteran Bella’s attendee. It was my first hardcore show, and I could not have been more nervous. I was expecting something far more hardened and angry, but in retrospect, it was anything but. I vividly remember one of the band’s lead singers talking in between songs during their set. He spoke about his son and the fear that came with being a father, as well as the act of creating while knowing that fame isn’t on the horizon. It was pure and vulnerable, and in that moment, it truly felt like there was an energy pulling the room together. The invisible wall between me and every other person dropped, and it felt like we were a collective experiencing something beautiful. That is what Bella’s is. It’s connection. It’s love.

In late October this year, I attended my second show at Bella’s, which happened to be the first night of Bunkerween 2025. Bunkerween is a week-long celebration of Halloween and Detroit hardcore. It spanned the course of Halloween weekend, starting on the 24th and ending on the 31st. I attended night one–the catalyst of what was to be an amazing weekend. Several incredible bands were featured, all of which had something different to offer their audience. I am only human, though, and I did have three favorites: Trading Vices, Career Funeral and Feign.

TRADING VICES

The evening began with Detroit based band Trading Vices. Their performance was equal parts fun and heartwrenching–the absolute perfect send-off before their hiatus. What made the band feel so special to me was the way they operated as a single unit. Everything flowed together in a way that felt both intentional and poignantly natural. The volume of the drums, the communication between the bass and guitar, and how each phrase was sung; it all flowed and melded together in a way that is so rare. It brought the entire audience together, all and all making it an unforgettable set. You can listen to them on Spotify.

CAREER FUNERAL

Next up was Career Funeral, a fellow Detroit band that blew me away with their sound. Truly some of the best Michigan emo has to offer, Career Funeral has a sound very reminiscent of emo via the early 2000s, but still manages to keep their sound rough and raw. Their music tends to lean more instrumental, and that emphasis is tenfold when they perform live. Especially in contrast with the lead singer’s more melodic, laid-back voice, the drums and guitar really got to prove their power. Seeing them live felt like watching new age rockstars. I can’t wait to look back on them when I’m older and get to say that I knew them when they were performing in someone’s basement. You can listen to them on Spotify.

FEIGN

No, they did not play FE!N (though many jokes were made). Feign is a Lansing/Flint based alt-rock band that aims to make modern music with punk fundamentals. The most memorable part of their set for me was their cover of Deftones’ ‘Change (In The House of Flies),’ a band that they seem to take a lot of inspiration from. Their nu-gaze sound is classic, and their use of distortion is unmatched. Especially in a live setting, their music feels like being in a dream. Recently signed to Setterwind Records, Feign has big things coming in its future. You can listen to them on Spotify.

Bella’s is a home for raw expression and community – something that we need more and more lately. Trading Vices, Career Funeral and Feign, as well as the countless amazing bands that performed at Bunkerween, are a reminder of what makes Detroit’s scene one of the best. They are a testament to passion, creativity and love, and a reminder that this energy only grows when we show up for each other. Stream local artists, go to shows and keep creating. Be a part of what makes the scene so special.