We've all heard of pop rock music. We have even heard of punk rock. But... pop punk? What is pop punk? Well, my friends, I am here are a few reasons why the pop punk music genre is one of the most underrated genres in the music industry.

1. Many of the bands in the industry started out doing basement shows and having to work their butts off to get to the top.

Now, this is not to say that other bands/singers have not had to climb the ladder to success. However, many bands such as The Wonder Years had to start out doing shows in Philly basements and be denied countless times by so many different labels. These bands know what hard work is, and that makes them that much more relatable to their fanbase.

2. Many band members try very hard to connect with their fans.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure if Justin Bieber didn't have 5 million plus fans, that he would be interacting on social media/doing meet and greets a lot more often. However, since bands in the pop punk genre aren't necessarily the most popular, they have a lot more time to interact with their fans. Last summer during Vans Warped Tour, the band State Champs's bus had broken down a few hours before their set. The lead singer Derek Discanio posted on social media that if their band made it to the set on time, that he would throw dollar bills into the crowd. Well, a few hours later Discanio posted a video on Instagram, showing him throwing dollar bills into the crowd, the caption reading "I'm a man of my word." Pretty awesome, right?

3. Listen closely to the lyrics: they actually have meaning.

If you listen to the songs that play on the radio, most likely these songs will have little to no substance to them. The lyrics mostly consist of drinking, smoking, yolo-ing, and what have you. However, that isn't really a thing in the pop punk community. I will again bring up The Wonder Years, who's most recent album is actually all about the bands' close friend that died, and their regret for not being able to help him. Basically, pop punk music will put you "into your feels" much like Drake would, but just bumped up a whole lotta notches.

4. It's not uncommon for bands to start a charity organization for something they believe in or that has affected them personally.

Bands such as Simple Plan have started foundations to raise money for mental illness awareness/support, the Red Cross, cancer research, etc. In 2005, Simple Plan announced the Simple Plan Foundation, which is a foundation that sets out to help struggling young teens rise into adulthood and also help those with serious illnesses. The band has raised over 100,000 dollars in 2008 and the amount has risen since then. Many bands also help promote suicide awareness.

5. These songs and bands provide a safe haven for listeners who need to feel like someone understands what their going through.

No matter what type of mood you're in, the pop punk community has a song to relate to you. However, the overarching theme of all the bands in the community is this: it gets better. You will be understood. The fanbase for these bands is not looked at as simply a group of people, but rather a family of those going through similar experiences. That's the type of vibe and energy you feel at the shows these bands put on. No matter who you are, you are accepted in this community.