Footballhead

Footballhead is a Chicago-based group active since 2023. The project begins as the solo work of Ryan Nolen and focuses on a poppier strain of 1990s radio rock, drawing on the sound of alternative pop and pop punk.

The music is built around prominent guitars and hook-led writing, with songs that recall early Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind and blink-182. Nolen works with Adam Siska, known for his work in The Academy Is... and Say Anything, as the project develops a fresh version of 1990s and 2000s alternative pop.

The group is associated with emo, alternative rock, pop punk, grunge and midwest emo.