The ballad of my relationship with pop-punk.
I've thought about writing this blog for a long long time now, but never had the time to give it the thought and attention it deserved. So now I sit here at 4AM and I feel inspired. Inspired to share with you all how much pop-punk meant to me growing up and how hearing those same songs to this day remind me of simpler times.
I have conversations with people about music all the time and it's very common to hear all these stories about how they grew up on hardcore, metal, etc. But I never front and try to act like I was a huge Poison the Well fan, that my first concert was Bane, or that I totally moshed it up for Madball and Hatebreed. No, no it was all about power chords and high pitched voices singing about girls for me and I'll never ever be ashamed of that. And now I hope to share with you an era in my life, the music that moved and motivated me for my entire adolescence, the wonderful music of pop-punk.
Blink 182, the first pop-punk band I ever got into, and I'm sure it's the very same for 85% of all pop-punk fans. They were just the best and they never took themselves too seriously. I remember trying multiple times to buy the "Mark, Tom, and Travis Show," their live album and getting rejected because of those goddamn "Parental Advisory" stickers but finally after the 3rd or 4th try, it was mine and those immature jokes on that live album are still funny to this day. The music they've made is timeless and those that don't even like pop-punk were stoked on Blink.
"Josie" I remember this video being on a DVD named "punkrawkshow" and it's got Alyssa Milano in it, how could you go wrong?!
"Going Away to College" My favorite Blink song. I remember that I made it a point to include it on the first mix CD I ever made for a girl.
The Ataris. The first concert I ever went to was the video shoot for "In This Diary." They played every song I wanted to hear and going to shows was an addiction that I would not soon break. Singer/guitarist Kris Roe really knows how to write songs about girls that can really dig into you.
"San Dimas High School Football Rules" It's sad to say everytime I was bummed about a girl, I'd listen to this and sing all my teen angst out. I swear I'd treat you like a queen, enough said.
"Song 13" This is from the DVD of my aforementioned first concert "The Ataris: Live at Capitol Milling." I actually was in the scramble for Kris' Les Paul for a while, but after 3 minutes of holding on I decided to let go. This song goes out to any friends that have ever fucked you over.
Saves the Day. How can you talk about pop-punk and not mention the great band from New Jersey, Saves the Day? It'd be impossible. Chris Connelly is one of my favorite writers to this day, he writes some of the most amazing lyrics and amazing metaphors.
"Sell My Old Clothes, I'm off to Heaven" My favorite Saves the Day song.
"Shoulder to the Wheel"
Rufio. Yes, Rufio at one point was my favorite band. I actually wrote an article about them in my high school newspaper and had them all sign it. Holy shit, I can't believe I admitted that.
"Above Me" Best intro ever.
Fall Out Boy. I know, I know. Fall Out Boy actually used to be a pop-punk band! Before Pete Wentz became a superstar and knocked up Ashlee Simpson there was "Take This To Your Grave." One of the most flawless pop-punk albums I've ever heard.
"Grand Theft Autumn (Where is Your Boy)" When I wanted a girl with a boyfriend, this was my jam!
Fall Out Boy came out with this acoustic EP named "My Heart Will Always be the B-side to my Tongue" that came with a DVD and my favorite part was this acoustic session at what seems to be a house party, such a rad video. Songs include "Grenade Jumper," my personal favorite "Chicago is so Two Years Ago," and "Saturday."
Fuck, re-watching that makes me miss when I was the only kid that I thought liked Fall Out Boy.
A New Found Glory. That's right I said A New Found Glory. People seem to make a big deal about their roots in hardcore, but when I was young I really didn't give a shit. They were fun and they made catchy music, that's all that really mattered to me. By the way I saw these guys about a year and a half ago for their "ISHC/Tip of the Iceberg" CD release show and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Over 20 songs of crowd requests!
"3rd and Long"
"All Downhill From Here" Off of my least favorite NFG album "Catalyst" but still one of my favorite songs.
The Starting Line. Some of the most memorable songs were songs written by The Starting Line, I don't think I've enjoyed jumping up and down more at a show than when The Starting Line played.
"This Ride"
"Three is a Charm" I still find this video hilarious!
Drive-Thru Records. You didn't really like pop-punk if half of your top 10 pop-punk bands didn't come off DTR as far as I'm concerned. Their DVDs were legendary and I wasted hours and hours watching them over and over again in my teenhood. Both the previously mentioned Starting Line and New Found Glory came from Drive-Thru Records as well.
The Movielife "Walking on Glass"
The Movielife "Hand Grenade" my personal favorite!
Midtown "Just Rock 'N Roll"
Midtown "Like a Movie"
Home Grown "Surfer Girl"
Home Grown "You Are Not Alone"
Fenix Tx "All My Fault" seriously the best singalongs in my life have involved this song.
Fenix Tx "Threesome"
Allister "Somewhere Down in Fullerton"
And there's so much more. Here are a couple more memorable bands/songs/albums:
Spitalfield "I Loved the Way She Said L.A."
MxPx "Punk Rawk Show"
Audio Karate "Nintendo 89"
Yellowcard "October Nights"
Slick Shoes "Angel"
....and I'm sure there's a whole lot that I'm missing. If you've stuck with me and listened to/ watched a majority of the videos, you're absolutely insane but thank you so much. It's been a real surreal experience taking it back and listening to a lot of this music. I just wanted to showcase how simple and fun music could be and still be able to define an era in your life because pop-punk will forever and always remind me of simpler times and the growing pains I encountered as an adolescent. And I hope that some of you reading this blog reminisced a whole lot on the music that you listened to growing up, pop-punk or not.
Well it's 6AM and I'm exhausted. Forgive any spelling or grammatical errors.
Until we meet again,
-Juicy Justin.
I have conversations with people about music all the time and it's very common to hear all these stories about how they grew up on hardcore, metal, etc. But I never front and try to act like I was a huge Poison the Well fan, that my first concert was Bane, or that I totally moshed it up for Madball and Hatebreed. No, no it was all about power chords and high pitched voices singing about girls for me and I'll never ever be ashamed of that. And now I hope to share with you an era in my life, the music that moved and motivated me for my entire adolescence, the wonderful music of pop-punk.
Blink 182, the first pop-punk band I ever got into, and I'm sure it's the very same for 85% of all pop-punk fans. They were just the best and they never took themselves too seriously. I remember trying multiple times to buy the "Mark, Tom, and Travis Show," their live album and getting rejected because of those goddamn "Parental Advisory" stickers but finally after the 3rd or 4th try, it was mine and those immature jokes on that live album are still funny to this day. The music they've made is timeless and those that don't even like pop-punk were stoked on Blink.
The Ataris. The first concert I ever went to was the video shoot for "In This Diary." They played every song I wanted to hear and going to shows was an addiction that I would not soon break. Singer/guitarist Kris Roe really knows how to write songs about girls that can really dig into you.
Saves the Day. How can you talk about pop-punk and not mention the great band from New Jersey, Saves the Day? It'd be impossible. Chris Connelly is one of my favorite writers to this day, he writes some of the most amazing lyrics and amazing metaphors.
Rufio. Yes, Rufio at one point was my favorite band. I actually wrote an article about them in my high school newspaper and had them all sign it. Holy shit, I can't believe I admitted that.
Fall Out Boy. I know, I know. Fall Out Boy actually used to be a pop-punk band! Before Pete Wentz became a superstar and knocked up Ashlee Simpson there was "Take This To Your Grave." One of the most flawless pop-punk albums I've ever heard.
Fuck, re-watching that makes me miss when I was the only kid that I thought liked Fall Out Boy.
A New Found Glory. That's right I said A New Found Glory. People seem to make a big deal about their roots in hardcore, but when I was young I really didn't give a shit. They were fun and they made catchy music, that's all that really mattered to me. By the way I saw these guys about a year and a half ago for their "ISHC/Tip of the Iceberg" CD release show and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. Over 20 songs of crowd requests!
The Starting Line. Some of the most memorable songs were songs written by The Starting Line, I don't think I've enjoyed jumping up and down more at a show than when The Starting Line played.
Drive-Thru Records. You didn't really like pop-punk if half of your top 10 pop-punk bands didn't come off DTR as far as I'm concerned. Their DVDs were legendary and I wasted hours and hours watching them over and over again in my teenhood. Both the previously mentioned Starting Line and New Found Glory came from Drive-Thru Records as well.
And there's so much more. Here are a couple more memorable bands/songs/albums:
....and I'm sure there's a whole lot that I'm missing. If you've stuck with me and listened to/ watched a majority of the videos, you're absolutely insane but thank you so much. It's been a real surreal experience taking it back and listening to a lot of this music. I just wanted to showcase how simple and fun music could be and still be able to define an era in your life because pop-punk will forever and always remind me of simpler times and the growing pains I encountered as an adolescent. And I hope that some of you reading this blog reminisced a whole lot on the music that you listened to growing up, pop-punk or not.
Well it's 6AM and I'm exhausted. Forgive any spelling or grammatical errors.
Until we meet again,
-Juicy Justin.
posted by justin xavier enriquez at
3:52 AM
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