Fall Out Boy
Let’s review FOB’s career, shall we: hit it big with their debut LP, hit it massive with their sophomore effort, churned out two other solid albums, went on a four year hiatus and are now back with two more albums and slots playing the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and football commercials. (What have you done during the last ten years?) What’s most impressive is FOB never forgetting their roots: They commit to producing and mentoring up-and-coming artists and still close every show with one of their first singles, “Saturday.”
Sum 41
When we talked to your current favorite pop-punk artists for our Pop Punk Special back in March, we were overwhelmed with how many of them cited Sum 41 as a heavy influence. Everyone from Trash Boat to Waterparks talked about listening to the first full-length, All Killer, No Filler, and knowing this was the sort of music they needed to make. The most effusive praise came from British upstarts ROAM, who just so happened to land a full UK tour with Sum this spring. How’s that for influence?
Yellowcard
While they are definitely best known for the perfect summer song “Ocean Avenue,” Yellowcard not only brought pop punk to the mainstream, but they also made it unique by adding a violin. With both ballads and bangers to their name, they’re continuing their legacy by still releasing full-lengths—we can’t wait for their latest, out Sept. 30!
New Found Glory
Sometimes a band’s influence is simply sticking around to continue to make awesome music. New Found have been touring and releasing LPs for almost twenty years, with all four current members having been around since the band’s inception in ’97. They paved the way for so many pop punk bands (some of whom are also on this list!) by taking them out on tour in their early days. And, of course, that’s all on top of creating songs meant for screaming every word at the top of your lungs.
Simple Plan
These Canadian natives hit the scene hard with their debut, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls. While the album titles have gotten a tad more mature, their music still sounds made for every summer vacation. And now, 14 years into their career, they’re collabing with...Nelly? Yeah, you read that right. Just goes to show Simple Plan aren’t afraid to take risks and still keep coming out with awesome pop-influence albums.
Blink-182
It’s hard to mention pop punk in any way without saying Blink-182’s name in the same breath. Blink were one of the first bands to bring pop punk to the mainstream with incredible hooks, questionable lyrics and cheerful “f*ck you and everyone you know” personalities.
Green Day
As much as we love Blink, even the most diehard fans have to admit that they learned some of their tricks from the other awesome Cali pop-punk band. GD are champions of bringing punk to America, and then the mainstream. In both looks and sound, most of the biggest pop-punk bands today are (lovingly) ripping off Green Day.
Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte made waves by releasing The Young And The Hopeless back in 2002 and have been playing to crowds of stoked fans since. In fact, they’ll even be receiving the first-ever Classic Album Award at the APMAs. In addition to their music inspiring countless musicians to pick up instruments, the Madden bros & co. have also started their own management company and have brought up-and-coming bands like Waterparks out on tour with them.
Jimmy Eat World
Besides being known for “The Middle,” Jimmy Eat World brought a more technical edge to the world of pop punk. They added deeper lyrical content and precise musicianship to a genre that somehow became notorious for less-than-stellar live shows and songs about “getting the girl.” They’re currently writing their ninth (yes, ninth) studio album.
MxPx
Basically every band you like now were influenced by a band who was influenced by MxPx, if not directly. They brought together the best parts of hardcore, punk and pop hooks to make music that will either make you belt out the lyrics or smash someone’s headlight in...or maybe both at the same time. They have a plentiful discography full of pop-punk classics that have spanned generations. Not convinced? Check out frontman Mike Herrera performing with Simple Plan at last year’s APMAs.