14 £bs is a Staunton-born four-piece band blending punk grit, blues soul, midwest emo vulnerability, and flashes of metal into a raw yet polished sound. Since forming in 2018, they’ve released two full-length albums—Eat Your Mistakes (2022) and Get Even, Stay Even—and continued to build momentum with an East Coast tour in 2024 and a milestone performance opening for Everclear in February 2025. Their music has been described as “a captivating collision of raw emotion and refined energy” by local press, cementing their reputation as one of Virginia’s most exciting independent acts.
The band’s journey began inside the now-defunct Fretwell Bass music store, where rehearsals and early writing sessions laid the foundation for their sound. When the store closed, 14 £bs carried their passion and gear into a dusty basement, turning late-night jams into songs that would continue to define their identity. Their very first gig took place at the Pompei Lounge, a local dive that has since closed its doors, but remains etched in the band’s memory as the place where they first connected with a live audience.
From those humble beginnings, 14 £bs grew into a unit that thrives on blending genres and pushing boundaries. Here is how CJ Oswald of North Street Press Company captured the essence of their debut album Eat Your Mistakes:
“What I like the most about the album is that it's everything I like in a blender. I hear so many cool influences, and the mix of it all takes you everywhere. This album is like a trip down memory lane using songs you've never heard. It's all here, but you just can't exactly place it. Hit makers 101. Reinvents the familiar in a way that is comfortable but still comes across as original.”
Get Even, Stay Even; their latest full length record showcases emotional and musical growth in regards to writing, marked by personal struggles with mental health. As well as new exploration in instrumentation that gives this record something fresh and experimental for their new and longtime audience members.
In 2024, they toured the East Coast, bringing their high-energy performances to new folks, and in February 2025, they opened for Everclear to a packed and enthusiastic crowd. These milestones highlight not only their musical evolution but also their relentless drive to carve out a lasting place in the modern rock landscape.
With momentum on their side, 14 £bs is focused on building on their recent successes, writing new material, and planning future tours to bring their sound to even wider audiences.