kisswithyourteeth: Trio rebrand & new single "Crush"
Devinney Rexrode | August 2026
From Denton, Texas, the three-piece alt-rock band kisswithyourteeth formed in 2020 as a solo artist and backing band formation under the name of the vocalist, Alex Malave. Now, in 2026, they are rebranding as a full band under the name kisswithyourteeth.
Under the Alex Malave name, they have released a discography that spans multiple singles, an EP, and a full LP – blending alt-rock with elements of pop-punk to elevate the band’s sound.
Alex Malave released his first song, “Tampico,” in 2019, before finding members to back him for a more alt-rock vibe. “Forest Fire” came out the next year, with the backing band also now in the picture.
Now, in 2026, they have permanently joined forces to become a band. This transition feels completely natural for the members, so it’s nice to see them move into their next phase as musicians.
And if this great news wasn’t enough for you, they released their new single, “Crush,” on the 8 of August.
“Crush” is a slower-paced song with sad pop-punk vibes and fun riffs that still stay true to the single's core tone. Alex’s vocals are soft and smooth against the guitars and drums that add a little grit. I particularly love the parts where we hear vocal projections as the voices meld most satisfyingly with the instrumentals.
We also hear duelling vocals between the vocalist and the guitarist, adding even more depth to the song. I really love this part, as while both sets of vocals are different and timed to be the next line, they harmonize so well together!
They hit my heartstrings with the lines “With every passing day / I feel the symptoms of decay / Crawling back again / Deep inside my veins”. I really love songs with this kind of verbiage! It makes the song almost take on a body and life of its own by connecting the emotional distress to the toll it can take on one's body.
This band is a mix of alt-rock, emo, and pop punk that feels fresh. While this is not a new mix of genres at all, the way that kisswithyourteeth is able to execute it feels like something all their own!
It may be an old and gold, tried-and-true meshing, but some bands know how to take the formula and excel with it.
While they have been a part of the scene already, kisswithyourteeth is coming back, and I am so excited to see what they do with the rebrand sound, visually, and in general!
I loved the trio as Alex Malave and the backing band, but I really love seeing this move towards being a full band in general. They are some of my favorite locals in the scene, and I hope to see them get the recognition they deserve with the release of “Crush”.
Listen to "Crush" here!
