An Interview With Shufelt's Adam Rebillard

Let us introduce you to a band that's bringing the energy and noise to the extreme: Shufelt.

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Based out of NY, Shufelt is here to bring all the sonic vibes you crave in one place. Whether you’re into pop-punk or the heavier tunes, Shufelt is hitting all of the areas. We chatted with their vocalist, Adam, about the band. Check it out.

“What’s up, I’m Adam. I handle vocals and started Shufelt as a way to bridge the gap between all the different genres I love. Glad to have you guys listening! “

As we said, Shufelt truly has something for everyone. The band describes themselves as genre-blurring, and it’s easy to hear why. 

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“We’re a bridge between the nostalgic emo-pop we grew up on and something much heavier. Our sound hits the spectrum. From polished pop-rock hooks to the raw energy of hardcore. We want the person who loves The Wonder Years and the person who loves Turnstile to both feel at home at our shows.”

So how did it all begin? Like a lot of the best things do. By chance. According to Adam, Shufelt started off as a fluke.

“Fresh out of a long-term relationship in 2022, with my band taking a break from shows, I suddenly had all this time I didn’t have before. My now great friend and producer, Tony Pietrafesa, reached out about working together, and I ended up in the studio writing songs without knowing exactly where they’d land. As time went on, opportunities just started unfolding, and now we’re a full-fledged band with an LP and a live set. I couldn’t be happier about it.”
 

Taking on this project has pushed Adam in ways he didn’t expect, both creatively and personally. “I can do so much more than I ever thought possible. I’m not classically trained; I was more or less 'Pete Wentzing' it with lyrics until I finally started singing them myself. I’ve learned everything on the job—definitely the hard way! But now, every time I record a song, I come out having discovered something new about my range or my perspective. My ability to adapt is something I overlooked for a long time, but it’s become my biggest strength.”

On December 5th, Shufelt released their album Radical Acceptance, featuring standout tracks like “Babe Ruth,” “Adam Finally Joins a Hardcore Band,” and “Charismatic Loser.” Of course, we had to dig deeper into the meaning behind the record and what led to it. “We didn't have a timetable (for the album), so we took our time. Tony and I spent three years chipping away at these songs while I was essentially rediscovering myself. Between a breakup and turning thirty, I was auditing my entire life. All that soul-searching led to the title Radical Acceptance. It’s the practice of acknowledging that your reality is your own responsibility. It’s about the peace that comes with saying, 'I am the source of my problems, and I am the source of the solution.' It’s okay to fluctuate between self-love and self-loathing, but you have to acknowledge the truth of where you are before you can move forward. That is what these songs are and what this album is: my acknowledgement.” 
 

We shared our own favorite picks from the album, but we also wanted to know where Adam thinks new listeners should start. He pointed us toward “Locals Only” and “Laugh and Cry” as the perfect entry points into the world of Shufelt.

"'Locals Only' channels a Menzingers-meets-The Wonder Years vibe. It started with a writing challenge from Tony; he dared me to write about where I came from and how it shaped me. I grew up—and still live—in a small town just outside of Poughkeepsie, NY, and I’ve never understood the narrative that you have to leave to become "something." Anyone from a small town knows that pressure to pack up and get out the second you have the chance. I don't buy into that. You don't have to leave to do something great; you just need the drive. You define the place—the place doesn’t define you. 'Laugh and Cry' is a track I never actually thought I’d record, which is wild to think about now. Tony and I originally wrote it to pitch to another band. From day one, I was obsessed with it, but I tried to play it cool because I didn’t think it "fit" my voice or style yet. I wanted the challenge, but I kept my distance. It sat in the back of my mind for months, and I’d occasionally check in to see if the other band had used it. When it became clear they weren’t going to, I hit up Tony and George and said, "Let’s do it. Let’s make it a Shufelt song." It was the best decision we could’ve made.”
 

Looking ahead, Shufelt has a lot more in store. With Radical Acceptance out in the world, the band is focused on getting these songs heard far and wide. They’re just getting started. 

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“We’re hitting the ground running to promote Radical Acceptance. Shows, new content, socials—we’re putting it all out there. We are incredibly proud of this record and these songs, and our main goal now is to get them into the ears of anyone and everyone who needs to hear them. Get ready, because you’re going to be 

seeing and hearing a lot more from Shufelt in 2026!"

TOP8’S TAKE

We really enjoy all of the energy and punch Shufelt brings to the scene and the way they blend the genres they love into their own sound. All of their hard work and skills are evident in their sound, and you can tell Shufelt is in it for the long run.

We’re excited to see what 2026 has in store for the band. TOP8 approved.

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Follow Shufelt on all socials: @Shufeltny