Not to be mistaken for the old time television show, The Wonder Years is a band that originated in Philadelphia. The genre that these fellas fall into is the pop punk scene, a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music to varying degrees. Loud, honest, fast punk tempos, chord changes and guitars with pop-influenced melodies and lyrical themes. These descriptions are just the beginning of what the pop punk culture is all about.
This pop punk band has a way of saying all the things that their fans feel but couldn't previously put into words. Their lyrics are more than just words: they are life experiences mixed with an immense amount of passion. After attending my first show, I can say without doubt that the energy produced by lead singer Dan "Soupy" Campbell and the rest of The Wonder Years is matched only by its fan base, who all seemed just as invested in every syllable as Soupy.
I was first introduced to The Wonder Years by my best friend who is the definition of a human jukebox. I fell immediately in love with the lyrics of the song "I Won't Say the Lord's Prayer" in the passenger seat of my best friends car. From then on, my love and interest in not only the band but also what they stand for and what they believe continued to grow.
In preparation for my first show, my best friend and I decided to invest a little time into some of the other bands performing at the venue. A terrific decision. Modern Baseball is the cherry on top of my pop punk sundae. This band is similar to The Wonder Years in the way their music speaks to you even if you aren't trying to listen. Their sound and their lyrics are undeniable. Reaching out and touching those of us who can relate to being in a rather terrible time of our lives and the fight to come out swinging, these two bands are, in my opinion, unparalleled to any other pop punk bands I have been exposed to.
Nothing is better than the feeling of belonging and being understood. Hearing someone else so closely relate to your life is a powerful thing. The only thing that made this whole adventure more appealing is being able to share my love and passion for the music with my best friend. Music is so much more than noise coming through the car stereo system. It's a culture, a passion, a way of coping and a way of bonding. There is a strange bond when you walk into a show venue full of strangers. You've never met these people but you are all brought together-- all ages, races, sex-- by one cause: the music. That is powerful. A group of guys trying to express themselves and connect with people who are like them bring thousands of people together and change lives. If nothing else, be inspired by their courage and success.
