There’s a feedback loop going on in pop-culture where memes are already in their 5th cycle of irony within hours of their initial appearance. It’s some weird life-imitating-art-imitating-life-imitating-art ad infinitum where sometimes I don’t really know at what point in the conversation I’m joining.
Fortunately there are people like Sgt. D to cut through the noise and call things for what they are (and occasionally stir the pot). If you haven’t yet, make sure you check out his site Stuff You Will Hate. Mainly known for his love of all things heavy and brutal with a PHD in satire, he’s also been known to have a soft spot for sugary sweet pop-punk and easycore. Being that the latter is largely uncharted territory for metal bruisers, he’s graced us with a little mix that serves as a “Pop-punk/Easycore 101”. This playlist is a great starting point for the uninitiated to some of the old and new crops of bands blending catchy punk, melodic choruses and a slight dusting of HxC influence (think: The SxE Mosh Warrior and the Popcore Dork having a kid together and you’re close).
Below is the mix, and also his track-by-track review (complete with videos) so you’re brought up to speed on the importance/relevance of each song.
1) Strung Out – Exhumantion Of Virgina Madison 2) Hit The Lights – Coast To Coast 3) RKL – We’re Back We’re Pissed 4) Chunk No Captain Chunk – In Friends We Trust 5) Guttermouth – Do The Hustle 6) A Day To Remember – Downfall Of Us All 7) Vandals – Pizza Train 8) All – Sum 9) City Lights – Hang Out 10) Me Vs. Hero – Can You Count Suckers 11) Fight Fair – Pop Rocks
Strung Out “Exhumation Of Virginia Madison”
These guys have been around since the early 90s and are basically early Ozzy in doubletime – both guitarists are total shredders who play ESPs and listen to Korn. Legit as fuck.
Hit The Lights “Coast To Coast”
Hailing out of the bleak little dump of Troy, Ohio, HTL takes their name from the Metallica song and their guitar sound from Entombed/Dismember. Great mix of huge choruses, fast skank parts, and satisfying breakdowns.
RKL “We’re Back We’re Pissed”
Along with Ill Repute, RKL was part of the 1980s Nardcore scene in Oxnard, California. Once they actually learned how to play their instruments, though, they evolved into something in between hard rock and pop-punk- I like to think of them as the Megadeth of punk! The drumming on this 1993 album is some of the best I have ever heard.
Chunk No Captain Chunk “In Friends We Trust”
Probably the best current “easycore” band (the term kids use for bands who sound like Blink-182, but tuned to C and with brutal breakdowns sprinkled in). Can any French readers tell me if they actually have cookouts like this in France?
Guttermouth “Do The Hustle”
Guttermouth is something like the Anal Cunt of pop-punk: sarcastic, fucked-up assholes who are very smart guys who choose to apply their intelligence into making shitty music with hilarious, offensive lyrics. Huge fan!
A Day To Remember “Downfall Of Us All”
Lars Weiss of Side By Side/Judge/Alone In A Crowd said it best: “How can you hate a band who sounds like Descendents meets Celtic Frost?” One of my favorite bands of the last 10 years, hands down.
Vandals “Pizza Tran”
The Vandals would definitely be filed under “punk,” but the extensive solos and Warren’s pink Ibanez scream “metal” to me. Also, some of the most intelligent, sarcastic lyrics of all time.
All “Sum”
You may already know All, since they are basically The Descendents with a different singer. What you may not have ever considered is how much they sound like Voivod. It’s a fact: play this next to “Nothingface” and tell me you don’t hear it!
City Lights “Hang Out”
These guys are probably the least-known band on the list, but I think they are pretty great. Really strong songwriting, real nice guys, and hopefully will do big things soon.
Me Vs Hero “Can You Count Suckers”
Not sure if you’d call these Brits easycore or just “heavy pop-punk,” but either way one of the best bands at this style. I can pretty much listen to this song a good 10 times in a row without getting sick of it.
Fight Fair “Pop Rocks”
These guys are about as pop as it gets, and even though they’re in their early 90s, are totally into 90s DIY hardcore. Awesome guys and without a doubt one of my favorite bands these days.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Jesus Christ, I hate every band on this page.
Strung Out gets my vote. The rest sounds like my 12 year old niece is playing DJ. However, I do need to do my homework/explore A Day To Remember a bit cause a band that sounds like Descendents meets Celtic Frost sounds pretty cool.
I didn’t know this was going to be billed as “Easycore 101″ or I would have changed a few things (for example, would have put on New Found Glory circa “Catalyst” and maybe a Four Year Strong song from when they were still good)– I thought it was supposed to be “pop punk for metal fans.”
Either way, I’m sure everybody will hate it, so bring on the butthurt!
ALL and Voivod can definitely go hand in hand…they are two of my all-time favorite bands.
You shoulda also thrown in mutiny from syg. Old set your goals is the shit