For our generation, the early to mid 2000’s were a time when we first starting growing up. But the most popular music of the time tended to have a subject matter that glamorized the exact opposite, and how great it was to be young and how none of us wanted to grow up. Naturally, as someone who deeply misses that time, I also miss that music. I’m talking about the long lost genre of Pop Punk.
Today, music tends to be more dominated by solo acts, not that there’s anything wrong with that. But it seems like there really aren’t any great bands anymore, or at least that have burst onto the scene recently.
Starting with Green Day in the late 90's, bands that made the Vans Warped Tour their home such as Sum 41, Yellowcard, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, and of course the undisputed kings of Pop Punk, Blink-182 became the “pop” music of the time when the genre of punk originally was created to be just the opposite and be the anti-pop. During a simpler time before Apple began its world domination, so many people carried around portable CD players in order to look like a boss (shout out to FYE). These bands, and the art they created, became the soundtrack to my elementary and middle school experience. While some of the bands listed above were among the more popular of the genre, everyone had their favorite of the lesser-known bands. These bands could include the likes of SR-71, Cartel and The Aquabats.
These bands came from, and promoted the skateboard culture, and naturally their songs would be heavily featured in things like the Tony Hawk video games and the soundtracks for the " American Pie" movies. Funny thing is, it seemed like all these bands had at least one music video where they were performing in an empty pool. But as Otto Rocket once said, “empty pool equals skateboard paradise,” and as I look back on it, they also equaled music paradise.
All of the songs followed a simple formula. They would range from about two and half to three and a half minute songs of simple chords and heavy drums with no gratuitous solos save for maybe an isolated guitar at the bridge and that was it. No B.S. and no over the top theatrics, just good music. The bands would perfectly blend undeniable talent with their own blend of humor. Some would call the humor juvenile, or crass, but I look at it as a product of their reality. People were sick of the boy bands and started to realize how ridiculous they had become, wanting something different. These bands essentially wiped them off the face of the earth, with the lone survivor of this apocalypse being Justin Timberlake. Well played, J.T.
But the ironic thing is, while Justin Timberlake managed to stick around in the public consciousness, these bands that helped mold a generation have not. Or have they? A lot of them are still making music, like Simple Plan, Paramore, Fall Out Boy and even Blink, albeit the latter isn’t a full unit anymore. The thing is, they're not as heavily focused anymore because some may complain that they’ve “sold out” and become more pop than punk. But the simpler explanation is that times have changed.
Today, the popular music consists of Rap, House and R&B. Even though R&B has drastically changed in its own right, and that’s completely fine. Music evolves with the culture around it. Pop Punk came from Alternative, which came from Grunge, which had its roots in Punk, which is a form of Rock and Roll, which itself was originally a blend of western Country, and urban Jazz, Boogie-Woogie, and Rhythm & Blues (R&B), which is a product of the Blues.
Music represents the times. For me, I loved being a kid in the early 2000’s where the only care I had in the world was who had first controller, or getting home in time to catch the newest episode of Pokemon. So after graduating college, I’ve had time to look back and reflect.
Every decade is instantly recognizable. You can look at pictures or movies and instantly go “Oh that’s the '80s,” or “This is a '70s movie,” or “God, this is so '90s.” But I never could identify the 2000’s until I went back and listened to the songs that helped shape who I am and after watching the music videos, it’s abundantly clear that the 2000’s had a very distinct look and feel. Seriously, go back and watch the music video for "In Too Deep" by Sum 41 and tell me it isn’t the most quintessentially 2000’s thing you’ve ever seen in your life.
So, if you’re ever looking for something to listen to, and are looking to switch it up, I highly suggest going back to your roots and putting on some Pop Punk, especially if you’re getting ready to go out. It will be the best pregame you’ve had in a long time. Hell, even if you’re hosting a party. You put on Stacy’s Mom and see if there are any hindquarters in seats. There won’t be. Music never fades away. You can listen to your favorite songs whenever you want, regardless of how old. That’s the beauty of it. But if you put on some Pop Punk of the early to mid 2000’s, it will be the most nostalgic fun you’ve ever had, because it will take you back to a time of innocence, freedom, and youth, which is a tune we can all dance to. This I swear by the drumsticks of Travis Barker.
