*Editor’s note: This post was originally about New Found Glory’s “Pop Punk Isn’t Dead” tour. It turned out to be something very different.
Pop Punk will always have a special place in my heart. We’ve been together close to ten years now. It’s been my partner through thick and thin. No matter which direction I stray, whether it be hip hop, techno, or folk, pop punk will always be there for me when I return.
The cover of "Astro Lounge" by Smash Mouth
One of my first CDs was “Astro-Lounge” by Smash Mouth. I know I’m damaging my credibility right from the start by admitting it, but I think it’s a necessary admission. Smash Mouth leans harder on the word Pop than they did Punk, but they played instruments. Give them that credit. “Astro Lounge” came out in 1999; when I was starting 6th grade. It was my stepping stone into the world of music made with real instruments.
The cover of "International Superhits" by Green Day
Over the next few years my musical tastes started to grow and for Christmas in eighth grade I got a copy of “International Superhits” by Green Day. This CD was an eye-opener for me. I listened to it so often on my paper route, with my discman that had 45 sec Electronic Skip Protection, that I had to buy a second copy of the CD.
From Green Day, I went on to discover bands like blink 182, New Found Glory, AFI, All American Rejects, Sum 41, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte and others that I’ve probably forgotten. Some of those bands stuck with me and some of them I eventually became tired of, or realized that they weren’t that great to begin with.
The point to this post has gotten buried in my meandering thoughts but it is this: I’ll always love pop punk music. blink 182 and New Found Glory, who’ve been around since I was a pre-teen both have albums coming out in the next month. I’ll be buying them both.
The cover for "Neighborhoods" by blink 182
blink 182 is playing tonight at the Xcel Energy Center. I’ve always wanted to see them live, but tickets sold out pretty quickly and I couldn’t allow myself to pay the prices they were asking.
The cover for "Radiosurgery" by New Found Glory
New Found Glory is playing at Station 4 in St. Paul on November 5th. I saw them there a couple years ago and it was a really fun show. Tickets to this show aren’t ridiculously overpriced and are still available. I’ll be going, please join me.