Criteria

Criteria is an indie rock outfit from Omaha, Nebraska, formed by guitarist/vocalist Stephen Pedersen (formerly of Cursive) in the late ’90s. Known for their punchy, guitar-driven sound and introspective lyrics, they gained traction in the early 2000s as part of Omaha’s buzzing music scene, releasing their debut *En Garde* in 2003 and follow-up *When We Break* in 2005. After a long hiatus, they roared back with the 2020 album *Years*, which featured tracks like “Agitate Resuscitate” and “Prevent the World,” blending their signature urgency with fresh, polished hooks. Balancing raw energy and melodic precision, Criteria remains a cult favorite for fans of earnest, riff-forward rock.