Remember the 2000s, when the radios were plunged with heavy electric guitars, loud groovy basses, and drums that sound like an earthquake? Even if you can't remember the spectacular music that came out during the decade, think about the music of today. Good Charlotte's comeback album comes out next week, while All Time Low are putting Pop Punk back on the radio! Out of all the genres in the music business, there's one thing no one can't deny: Pop Punk is awesome!
Pop Punk can be described as “a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music to varying degrees. The music typically combines fast punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars with pop-influenced melodies and lyrical themes.” (What would we do without Wikipedia)?
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Music festivals like the Vans Warped Tour are filled with people singing along, crowd surfing, pushing and shoving to get closer to the stage, and even if you still couldn’t see, you were still able to enjoy the music.
OK, so you might be new to the whole “Pop Punk thing”, but it’s pretty easy to get into. First, here are five bands that have really helped form the genre.
1. Blink-182
Check out "Bored To Death!"
“All the small things, true care, truth brings!” Let’s be honest, when you hear this song, you can’t help but sing and dance along. The band first formed in 1992 and made six albums ever since. Their seventh album, "California," is out now! After founding member Tom DeLonge departed from the band in 2015, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker brought on Matt Skiba (from Alkaline Trio), who is now an official member, as DeLonge’s replacement.
2. Green Day
Check out "21 Guns!"
There is just no way you can discuss Pop Punk bands without mentioning Green Day. Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool composed eleven albums, three of them released in 2012. One of their most popular albums, "American Idiot," consists of songs like “American Idiot," “Wake Me Up When September Ends," and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and in 2009, the album was turned into a musical. The band really brought Pop Punk onto the radio.
3. New Found Glory
Check out "Head On Collision!"
Ever since the band's formation in 1997, music critics consider New Found Glory a key pioneer of the genre. Their defining album is still 2002's "Sticks & Stones." However, the band is still kicking with their latest album, "Resurrection" (released in 2014). Songs like "Selfless," "My Friends Over You," and "All Downhill From Here" are arguably their biggest anthems.
4. Yellowcard
Check out "Always Summer!"
This band found international success when their debut album, "Ocean Avenue," was released in 2003. Although these guys were bigger in the mid 2000s, they certainly made their mark in the genre by using traditional Pop Punk instruments, along with a violin, in order to add a more melodic style to their music.
5. Fall Out Boy
Check out "Sugar, We're Goin Down!"
Although Fall Out Boy seem to have taken a more pop/rock route today, they have created so many hits from “Sugar, We’re Going Down" and “Dance, Dance.” After their announcement in 2009 that the band would be taking a break, they soon came back in 2013 with "Save Rock and Roll" and "American Beauty/American Psycho."
Now that you’re fully invested in the genre, here are three bands that are gaining more and more popularity today, just to keep you up to date.
1. State Champs
Check out "All You Are Is History!"
State Champs formed in the spring of 2010 in Albany, New York Shortly after forming, the band released two EPs all by themselves. In April of 2012, the band signed with Pure Noise Records. Then, the band had released two albums, "The Finer Things" (2013) and "Around The World & Back" (2015).
2. Neck Deep
Check out "Serpents!"
A Pop Punk band from England? Yes, please! Neck Deep was formed in 2012 and since then have released two full-length albums and two EPs. They seem to be constantly touring nowadays, but it’s paying off, especially since their release of their sophomore album, "Life's Not Out To Get You."
3. Real Friends
Check out "Scared To Be Alone!"
Real Friends are one of those bands that really define the genre. The band released 5 EPs and had a large following before they signed to Fearless Records in 2013. Their 2014 debut album, "Maybe This Place Is the Same & We're Just Changing," was seated at No. 3 on the Billboard Independent Album chart and No. 5 on the Alternative Albums chart. Their latest album, "The Home Inside My Head," was released a month ago.
