When the words "pop punk" are strung together in a phrase and uttered in conversation, what comes to mind? Angst, screaming, the emo culture, their deep love for everything pizza, that specific sort of whiney voice that the majority of lead singers seem to possess. You might even think back to the late 1990s or early 2000s, to classic pop punk bands like Blink 182 and Yellowcard. It's a very different type of music, a sister to rock and roll if you may, with it's own style. With that style of course comes with it's own distinct following.
So why are people saying that pop punk music is dead?
It's alive and thriving. It never died, but it's definitely upward bound currently.
Exhibit A: There are tons of thriving, successful bands in the pop punk genre who are making huge names for themselves in the industry. Each with their own unique sound and spin on the classic pop punk form. These bands have perfected the art of creating emotion-packed lyrics that will give you all of the feels.
You have bands who have been killing the game for years, such as All Time Low and Mayday Parade, who haven't taken a hiatus from the pop punk scene. They continue to produce quality music on a regular basis, keeping their large and growing fan base more than satisfied for the most part. You can also include bands like Good Charlotte and Reilent K, who haven't released a hit record in many years, but continue to produce quality tunes and hold a decent amount of fans.
Then you have the newer bands who haven't been around quite as long, but have still managed to make quite an impact on the scene. Popular ones include The Story So Far, Four Years Strong, Moose Blood, Brand New, Neck Deep, State Champs, The Wonder Years, Of Mice and Men, and Pierce the Veil, just to name a few.
The genre is rapidly growing with new bands entering the scene on a regular basis, forming fan groups and putting out fantastically-hardcore content. Of course some take the hardcore concept more seriously and to a more extreme level than others, so you'll have to wade through the options to find the intensity that works best for your soul and ears.
Exhibit B: Remember those classic pop punk bands that we loved throughout the late '90s and early '00s? They're back! Yeah, you heard me right! Blink 182, Yellowcard, A Day to Remember, New Found Glory, and Sum 41 are all back with brand new music! And of course brand new music means tours for each and every one of those bands. Your dreams of hearing 'All The Small Things' live can finally be a reality.
These bands, both old and new, continue to pour their hearts and souls into their music day after day, album after album, hit after hit. The culture of pop punk music makes the genre thrive, with their unique concert scenes and ability to make you simultaneously cry from emotional lyrics and head bang your way through a rocking song.
To those who are spreading the words that pop punk is dead, you're wrong. It's alive and kicking ass, as it does best. This genre isn't disappearing off of the map anytime soon. So grab a slice of pizza and a killer pop punk album, and maybe you'll learn just why this genre is here to stay.
