Long before they were opening for artists like Electric Callboy and Catch Your Breath, playing at major festivals like Louder Than Life, and even being featured on the iDobi Radio Summer School Tour, the metalcore band If Not For Me was already playing every set as if it was a packed house. I was lucky enough to catch the band before they blew up, when I photographed one of their shows in 2023. It was a tiny, now-defunct record shop with barely two feet to stand in, but they performed to that small crowd with the same intensity that they play at today. I had been blown away then by their stage presence and how, even so early in their career, they seemed larger than life. I remember hanging out with the band that day and a specific comment by one of them really stood out to me: “Thank you for caring about our little band.” And I laughed because I already knew they were going places. I had thought it was obvious somehow, but these kind and humble gentlemen really seemed to have no idea that they were destined for greatness. But still, they played their hearts out with an energy and drive clearly fueled by an undeniable passion to do what they love. This fire is very much present in them to this day, and I love them for it.
The four-piece, made up of Patrick Glover (vocals), Hayden Calhoun (guitar), Zac Allen (bass), and Cody Frain (drums), formed out of Harrisburg, PA, and released their debut EP in 2018. I spoke with them recently about this, and while the “bones” of the band were definitely present prior, it wasn’t as serious and professional of a project as it became at that point, so they count 2018 as the year that INFM truly began. However, their breakout year was (arguably) 2024. Following the release of their album Everything You Wanted, the band began opening for many sizable names in the industry, including August Burns Red, Set It Off, From Ashes to New, and The Ghost Inside.
These days, they have just released a masterpiece — "Retrograde." If this song is any indication of what's to come for INFM, the next era is going to be massive for the guys.
They are on tour currently, opening for Memphis May Fire on their 'Shapeshifter Tour Part II,' alongside Rain City Drive and Nevertel. Be sure to check out the dates below to experience one of their incredible performances!
If Not For Me are far from being just another metalcore band — they're shaping it's next chapter.
