Here’s to us fools that have no meaning…
by mikeflanagan1
Sometimes I wonder if every generation just thinks the music they grew up with is the best, or if what’s popular with young teens today really does absolutely suck. It amazes me how much has changed since I first fell in love with music. I’m not even 20, but the difference between what was getting kids into music when I was 13 and the shitstorm of synth/dance/crunkcore bullshit that kids are getting into now is just baffling.
The very end of the 90’s and first few years of the new millennium saw a wave of goofy, energetic, and often heartbroken suburban kids who didn’t know how to play their instruments (and didn’t try to pretend they did) break into popular music. Kids of all ages (I was about 10 when I discovered Blink182) could relate to the fist-pumping, heart-on-your-tiny-sleeve lyrical content, or at the very least the catchy melodies and twangy guitar lines. Baggy shorts, baby-sized tees, and striped tube socks became badges that connoted membership to a movement that was always seeking new members. No elitism, no self-destructive stigmas, no bullshit. Just catchy music, positive energy, and community.
That’s all dead and nothing can ever bring it back.
Pop-punk posterboys New Found Glory, a band that I will praise until the day I die, is now the most tell-tale example of why the genre they helped thrust into the mainstream will never influence impressionable and desperate young teenagers ever again.
New Found Glory
Ten years ago yesterday (10/20), NFG released their debut full-length Nothing Gold Can Stay on Drive-Thru records, a label that played a huge role in shaping my early music taste but has since gone to shit trying to adhere to the ever-changing (in the worst possible way) “underground” rock scene. NGCS is raw, unpolished, and downright immature, but in a way that foreshadowed an immense amount of maturity-via-immaturity to come from this promising group of five dudes from Coral Springs, FL. Alternative Press named it one of 1999’s influential albums. AP writer Brendan Manley writes foreshowingly, “Like it’s title implies, Nothing Gold Can Stay is the sonic transcript of a glorious, fleeting time for NFG – and for pop-punk. But just as gold never loses its luster, it’s only fitting that 10 years later, Nothing Gold Can Stay still shines.” NFG released their self-titled album in 2000 and Sticks and Stones in 2002. Both became landmark albums in the pop-punk scene. To this day, I can put on Sticks and Stones in my car at any given time and be able to belt out the words to “My Friends Over You” with absolutely anyone who happens to be sitting shotgun at the time.
In 2004, NFG released Catalyst, an angrier, more explorational follow-up to Sticks and Stones. The album saw the band fidgeting and veering slightly off the pop-punk path. It seemed as though, if only for a brief moment, they were tired of wearing the pop-punk tag and shed their old skin. This was the same year that Blink182 released their dramatically polarizing, relatively experimental untitled album. The fact that the album was fantastic and just what maturing Blink fans needed (whether they let themselves know it or not) is beside the point; 2004 watched two of pop-punk’s most monumental figureheads slide away from their signature sounds that propelled a movement. This wouldn’t have been a bad thing had the music scene remembered to take its ADD meds. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
The band rediscovered and even embellished its sunny energy on the tragically underrated Coming Home in 2006. The album was decidedly happy and carried nothing but uplifting messages throughout. NFG’s guitarist and de-facto leader Chad Gilbert said the songs came out that way because he and lead singer Jordan Pundik were both engaged and everyone in the band was comfortable and happy, for the most part. The album didn’t sell as well as expected. By 2006, kids were just not interested.
Pete Wentz on the cover of Cosmo
The bands that were influenced by bands like NFG were marketing a new kind of “underground” pop music (oxymoron) that twisted and mutated any aspect of pop-punk that could be sold as a gimmick. Personally (anyone who knows me knows this might stem from a personal vendetta), I blame Fall Out Boy bassist/frontman (not lead singer) Pete Wentz for getting that ball of dung rolling. In all fairness, Fall Out Boy started as a pop-punk band with decent intentions. Singer Patrick Stumps melodies are solid and catchy and Wentz’s lyrics, though they may be empty, are occasionally clever in a way that one might be able to squeeze out a few drops of meaning. But once Fall Out Boy landed heavy rotation on MTV (or at least MTV’s distant cousin who lives up in the high-200 channels and still plays music videos), Wentz began to market his face and sell his image. The music isn’t as terrible as I sometimes like to let on, but I have an awfully hard time extracting any sense of honesty from it. Wentz has a knack for knowing what’s going to be popular with early highschoolers a second or two before it happens, and he uses it to his full advantage. Pop-punk bands in the late 90’s/early 2000’s lacked this foresight, and didn’t give a fuck. They just made energetic, therapeutic music for themselves in which others happened to find similar meaning. I have trouble taking a band seriously whose least talented member is placed smack-dab in the middle of t-shirts and promo shots simply because he is the best looking.
FALUTEN 
I agree with most of this dude, its a solid view on the new “scene.” I feel like you left out some new good pop punk though. Bands like, Four Year Strong and The Wonder Years. I think The Wonder Years go back to pop punk roots with writing songs about pirates going to prom and other senseless stuff.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there are zero bands with original pop-punk values. I guess I can see why you might have picked that up though. But my point is that the way these “scene” has turned against everything it once stood for doesn’t allow for real pop-punk, or real rock music in general, to be prevalent. My focus was supposed to be more on the kids and less on the bands. I’ll try to convey that more clearly next time. Thanks for the feedback.
“Pop-punk bands used to crack the eggshell of innocence from the inside just enough to interest young teens who were starting to develop a sense of independence and identity. The bands today are outside trying to smash it with a hammer.”
I think you said it perfectly
Thank you. I wasn’t sure if that one was a stretch, because the more I read it the less it makes sense to me. But I’m glad you got what I meant.
No problem dude. I completely get what you meant now. And the minute I saw Pete Wentz I was like, oh God.
Admittedly, I’ve never been up on the “popular” music of the day, not in NFG’s heyday and certainly not now. I’ve always been a classic rock guy myself, which may say even more about that fact that I do own the “Sticks and Stones” album. I’ll also admit that, on occasion, I will go back and throw “Sticks and Stones” on in the car and sing along to multiple songs on the album. Ten years from now I may still even be going back to that album for a listen, or at least to just reminisce. I have absolutely no business analyzing music, and in no way am I trying to, but I’m just wondering if these kids nowadays will be going back to whatever in sam hell it is they’re listening to. That is for more than just a laugh.
Greg, you just said in a few sentences exactly what it took me almost 1800 words to say. That’s absolutely perfect.
I think we really can blame fall out boy for this mess.
I really enjoyed this blog so here I am commenting on it again. I apologize for its length but I have another insight to add even though it is extremely close with what you are saying. The 90’s were spent trying to be different when it came to music. Bands like NFG and Blink went out of their way to create music that was different then every other band. It was more than writing about teenage tragedy. These bands were trying to something new because they wanted to be different and we all wanted to be different too so we obsessed over it. Chad said they were all sick of being compared to bands like simple plan and good charlotte, so they tried to make a cd that would set them apart. That’s where catalyst came from. One might think that they’d be happy to be compared to a band that was doing so well during their era, but they felt the opposite. Blink’s immature antics set them apart from the others. We found it hilarious and almost mesmerizing. Some bands caught onto that trend (blink-182 still was the craziest) like sum 41 for example, with song like fat lip. So there blink found themselves changing it up in their self titled cd with “Down” and “I miss you”. The fans as you say “needed it.”
Then fall out boy ruined it.
I admit I absolutely loved Take this to you grave. But you’re right. Pete Wentz decided to sell himself instead of his music. But with that came an overwhelming amount of radio time. I think Sugar Where Going Down played every hour. This newer generation loved it. For them it was easy to love it with it being available at the click of a mouse, and every time the TV or radio was turned on. We didn’t have it so easy in the 90’s. I know personally I was disgusted when I heard Fall Out Boy all over the radio and seeing everyone’s profile read “Im just a notch in your bedpost but your just a line in a song.” And that is because I grew up striving to be different; that is what my music taught me. I think a lot of people felt that way too. However the younger generation felt another way. They were close minded and liked the same sound. Since FOB was extremely successful (money wise of course) other bands produced the same sound and similar image and I guess it worked. Every band now reminds me of mainstream FOB. Personally I go great lengths to find bands that aren’t well known that have something different about them. I can’t even tell you the last time I turned on the radio. People are doing the opposite now: trying to find bands that sound exactly like the ones all over the media.
I went to the Blink-182 reunion concert. I watched some fans quince when Tom licked Mark. People laughed but it seemed a more nervous laughter. People don’t find it cool now because every one isn’t doing it. I mean Pete Wentz didn’t lick Patrick stump’s face right? And Metro Station would be too afraid to write a song “for stupid girls that they haven’t met just yet” because everyone else sings about how cute they are. Some people in our generation have chosen to abandon their old ways and follow the new trends. That is where NFG and other bands are loosing its fans. At the Blink-182 show it was pretty divided. I don’t think no one was there to see both blink and FOB. And if they were it’s because they love both “I miss you” and “Dance, Dance.” I was excited to see a full venue dressed in their Blink-182 shirts, but sadly noticed that maybe there isn’t as many real fans as I thought when the girl next to me decked out in her blink smiley face shirt turned to her friends during “Man Overboard” and asked if it was one of their new songs to which they replied with “I think so.”
Atleast we can be happy that since all these new bands are just copies of each other, they won’t leave behind a legacy that our favorites did. They will be forgotten as soon as the next one comes along. I don’t see people accepting individuality again anytime soon. So we mourn the loss of some truly great bands and be thankful for what they were.
Becky, thanks so much for replying again…that’s exactly the kind of “sub-pointless rant” I was talking about in my first post.
I agree with this to a certain extent. Bands like Blink and NFG were doing something different, but (with the exception of Catalyst and Blink’s untitled), I really don’t think that was intentional. I think that brand of music was a result of hardcore and punk influences mixed with the more lighthearted but undeniable influence of suburban teenage life. I think what was different about them was that they were trying to be real instead of different. That’s why they appealed to so many people. Today, bands like Fall Out Boy appeal to so many people (of the same age group that NFG, Blink, and the like used to appeal to) because of the stigma attached to it. Honestly, I give people more credit if they say they like Soulja Boy because his song is catchy and the dance moves are fresh than if they say they like Fall Out Boy because it’s “real” music.
And I also agree that the Blink reunion tour, or at least the Boston date, is a perfect anecdote. I couldn’t believe how many people sat down and took Myspace pics of each other during Blink’s set after they went nuts for Fall Out Boy. It’s disgusting that someone would ask if “Man Overboard” was one of Blink’s new songs. It’s a classic.
Just to clarify, I may have cast Catalyst in a different light than I intended. It’s easily my least favorite of NFG’s catalogue, but it has its moments and it’s a solid record. In terms of subject matter, they remained rather consistent. I think its biggest fault is that it sees the band trying to establish themselves too much as musicians rather than crafting impactful songs. While I may knock it occasionally, NFG did nothing wrong because it was a natural progression. Their past two records after Catalyst have been fantastic. And the same goes for Blink. Their untitled may actually be one of my favorite Blink records. Change can be good, but pretense is horrible. Music today is full of pretense.
The lyrics to the intro of Catalyst say it best:
“It’s more than a t-shirt
It’s more than a tattoo
It’s more than a phase
This is how I was raised
You keep trying to market this feeling
I heard what you said
And no, we’re not the same
No we’re not the same
You’ll never be a part (of what we have)
You’ll never sing a song (that we love)
You’ll never get respect
And you can’t fool us
Because we know what you are
Don’t believe a word they fucking say
Keep writing I love these rants
Somebody linked this post from AP.net and I’m glad to have clicked on it because this is exactly how I have been feeling, word for word. There are a few “pop punk” bands around but it honestly isn’t the same, and I feel that a “true pop punk” group couldn’t even sniff the success the genre experienced in the late 90s / early 2000s. Everything is so different now. It makes me nostalgic for the days when I only heard of a band because somebody handed me a flyer or sampler at a local show. I guess I’ll just throw on the story so far DVD and be nostalgic because I know that feeling is never coming back to me. Thank you for writing this blog.
Thank you for reading. The Story So Far DVD is great, I haven’t seen it in probably five years and I feel like that’s something I really should own. I’m pretty sure it comes with the re-issue of the self-titled that’s coming out?
And I’m interested as to where the link showed up on AP.net? Just curious. I’m really glad other people feel the same way, I figured they would.
Thank you for one of the most genuine articles I have read in a long time. The two bands that have influenced me most in my life have been, (you guessed it) Blink 182 and New Found Glory. This article is the shining light I think everyone in the pop punk scene was thinking but couldn’t pull the words together. Legend.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. I’m so glad so many people are coming from the same place I am. I was hoping this would end up being more than a bitter rant. Thank you!
Nice article a really good read. I agree to a degree with what you are saying. I don’t blame Pete Wentz though…I don’t necessarily think he’s done anything wrong but make money off his looks. No offense but that’s exactly what Tom Delonge did with his bangs, or the rest of Blink (they looked cool for that time) or NFG did with all the hair dye and “pop punk” clothing. Countless bands tend to shape up and get a “cooler” look when they get some type of fame.
Or countless other artist. Looking cool is just a plus when you are in a rock band and if you have it you are going to use it. I don’t blame Pete Wentz that people are willing to eat whatever he’s growing. He’s 30 and he’s been able to create longevity by branding himself. That’s just how today’s world worked. Had it been this easy for other artists to brand themselves and secure fame, fortune, & longevity 7 or 8 years ago I’m sure they would have.
Anyway cool stuff get in touch with me and I’ll do a question & answer with you for my site. Let you voice your opinion more and spread your thoughts.
Like I think I said somewhere in the article, the Pete Wentz thing is a long-standing hatred that has developed, probably somewhat irrationally, in my mind over a period of several years. And I absolutely agree that Tom DeLonge & co. definitely used their unique “looks” to their advantage…I won’t get into it too much now, because I definitely want to take you up on that Q&A…but if I felt that Blink of NFG’s music was hollow, which is what I think of Fall Out Boy, I would call them out for the same thing. With that being said, I don’t think you’d ever catch Tom DeLonge or Mark Hoppus on the cover of Cosmo.
We’ll be in touch. I like your site. My email is michael_flanagan@emerson.edu if you want to set something up.
http://www.livedaily.com/news/3190.html
Published June 7, 2001 05:37 PM
In the last couple years, Blink-182 has gone from being generic punk rockers to the court jesters of pop music. They�ve appeared nude in videos and, according to bassist-singer Mark Hoppus, offended everyone possible.
So it makes perfect sense that “Cosmo Girl,” a seemingly innocuous teen girl magazine, would ask Blink-182 to give dating advice to its readers.
…just saying haha. Yeah dude let’s do the Q&A I’ll e-mail you over some details for it. I’m always down for helping bloggers and getting the word out on stuff.
Haha…I definitely didn’t do my homework on that. Bad example on my part. Bad journalism as well. I still stand by my point, though. I won’t get too into it before our discussion.
“It�s so strange, because we get on stage and say the most offensive things we could possibly think of. We write songs about having sex with your family, we say jokes about Satan having sex with people. And then they put us on the cover of �Cosmo Girl,�” Hoppus said with a laugh.
I really enjoyed your Jeff Kummer interview, by the way. He’s a funny dude.
I was linked to this from an AP.net thread as well and can say you summed up my feelings toward the “scene” over the last few years. I’ve been meaning to check out GOW for a while now and this was just the boost I need.
Thank you! That’s great to hear. Good Old War has been one of my favorite bands since I saw their first show. My favorite quality in a band is the ability to be completely original without being pretentious…a quality that’s hard to come by nowadays. I strongly urge you to buy their album.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bryan Velzy, Bryan Velzy. Bryan Velzy said: I enjoyed reading this: http://bit.ly/2W23P2 […]
Just got this link from AP.net as well, great article!
Thank you very much!
Great article, Mike. First time on at your blog. I plan to come back often.
As an avid, die-hard 27-year-old pop-punker, the subject of just what happened to the scene crosses my mind often. I’d like to share a few thoughts.
I agree to an extent that FOB kinda ruined it for everyone. But let us not forget that Take This To Your Grave was undeniable influential to a whole slew of good music. TTTYG is one of my favorite albums of all time. Yes, as it got popular, I wanted to not like it. I heard everyone talking about how great of a song “Grand Theft Autumn” was and how much I would like this band and I was still grieving over the fact that The Starting Line couldn’t seem to land on the right label to showcase their amaze talent while these FOB “hacks” where landing radio play. Of course once I gave in, I found the disk to be right up my alley.
The problem of FOB’s rise to fame and the scene’s fall from grace lies more in Patrick than in Pete. Patrick writes the music. Pete might sell a look, but it’s the dancey, hip-hop wanna-be tracks that Patrick writes that are selling on iTunes. Sugar We’re Going Down was only the beginning. I find that cut-for-rock-radio, Creed rip-off actually TOLERABLE compared to This Ain’t a Scene (It’s An Arms Race). Dear Lord! Patrick wants to do something different. All well and good. And I happen to love good hip-hop. I think Patrick’s work on Gym Class Heroes’ The Quilt album (he produced over half of it) is sick. But that is not what I ever wanted to hear from FOB. But after they took that leap, the rest of the pack (Panic!’s rise, Gabe from Midtown starting Cobra Starship, Skiba working with JEFFREY STAR of all effing people…) followed suite.
And we can all sit around and blame All Time Low for this, too. But I won’t do it. I think they are actually a really good band. Sure, they got lumped into the haircut bands, but they’re not them. Having seen both Metro Station AND ATL live, they are not there at all! And I’m a firm believer in the stupidity of the lyrical content most of these new bands are spitting out. But I don’t find ATL writing a tongue-in-cheek love song to Stella Artois or a play on words (Holly, would/Hollywood You Turn Me On) track to be any more damaging to kids than Blink’s songs about boners and jerking off were. For me to be disgusting it boils down to IMAGE with these new bands, and I don’t think ATL’s image is overtly sexual. (Unlike, say, Cobra Starship or 3Oh!3)
I look at bands like ATL and Cartel not as pop-punk bands, but as power-pop bands, no different in relationship to their punkier cousins than Eve 6 or American Hi-Fi were to Blink or Sum 41. And NFG’s Coming Home is more like akin to a radio-friendly Lit album than a traditional NFG album. As long as the spirit of pop-punk is there (even when it comes out sorta power-poppy) I’ve got no beef. The problems arise when bands put down their guitars and pick up their drum machines and synthesizers. Ask yourself why in God’s name crappy bands like Shinedown and Hinder are the only bands on the radio who still play actual instruments? I find more problems with this reality than I do with some dumb-ass kid wanting to bounce around to Katy Perry at Warped Tour.
Try not to think of these neons as punk-pop. The problems only become worse when we inside the scene let these posers think they took something from us. Most of the impressionable youth that rock out to Metro Station rocked out to Miley Cyrus before hand, not New Found Glory. It isn’t punk anything to them. It only looks similar to us because they swiped certain elements of our style and attitude and marketed it to the Disney generation. It’s vapid and stupid and it’s a shame, but it shouldn’t effect OUR view of our own scene!
There are tons of good bands out there right now. Living With Lions, The Loved Ones, Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, The Wonder Years, Fireworks, Set Your Goals, on and on and on. And they’re only a click away. Ignore the bullshit and find something that speaks to you — trust me, it’s still around. Rocking hard and being true to yourself will NEVER die.
Thanks for the great post, Mike. Keep it up.
Geoff
Soundtrack To A Suburb
Thanks so much man! This is exactly the kind of response I wanted to get out of this. I don’t expect everyone to agree with all the specifics of my argument…like I said, I realize I’m probably taking a bit too much of my frustration out on bands like All Time Low just because I happen to not like them. But everyone seems to understand very clearly my main argument, and I’m glad we can definitely agree on that. I really can’t express how much I appreciate such a thorough reply.
Let me start off by saying I’m so glad you mentioned The Starting Line in all this…I’m already starting to write a feature on them, I’ve been planning on it for a long, long time. Also, I have very little against Take This to Your Grave. I never got into Fall Out Boy, but I never disliked them until I was forced to watch Wentz relentlessly market himself over the music, which has become, I completely agree, full of shit. “This Ain’t A Scene,” “Dance Dance,” and the like are some horrible, horrible songs.
You also brought to my attention the fact that I failed to even mention bands like Metro Station and Cobra Starship…ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I’ve pretty much ranted myself to death on the subjects of those bands. But Cobra Starship really sums this whole thing up a hundred times more than any other band could. Who would have thought that Gabe Saporta, lead singer of one of the most beloved pop-punk bands ever, would found one of the worst bands to ever happen to the genre?
And I agree that we should go out preaching to these kids listening to these awful bands letting them think they took something from us…that’s such a great way to put it. The point of this was more to analyze exactly what happened to the scene we used to know, the scene that got me into every kind of music I listen to now more than a decade later. I’ve thought a lot about whether something really did happen here, or if every generation thinks what they grew up on was the only music of value and anything to come after it is a bastardization. That’s a question I still struggle with, because I’m sure there were punk purists back in 1998 who scoffed at the explosion of pop-punk.
Admittedly, I haven’t gotten into new pop-punk in some years. My taste has progressed somewhat away from pop-punk over the past couple years. There was a brief period where I was a bit delusional, thinking I wasn’t supposed to listen to pop-punk and its offshoots. Lately, though, I’ve been getting back into it in a big way…it doesn’t matter how advanced, complex, or different music is as long as it means something to you. That’s really what inspired this article.
Again, thanks so much for being interested. I hope to do this again in the future.
I hope you don’t mind I linked your site. Good shit man.
Mike,
No problem man! I appreciate the shout-out a lot. I just started my site up last night actually, so as soon as I find an appropriate spot for links I’ll be sure to add you.
Take care bro and keep up the good work.
G
NFG, has and will always be my favorite band. I’ve loved them since I was in 6th grade and begged my mom to buy me their shirt. I’m now 21. I just saw NFG for the 5th time about a week ago and they stlll bring the same energy they brought to the stage 8+ years ago.
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that so many people can appreciate NFG for how awesome they are. They have an upcoming tour that is their 10 anniversary of their self titled album where they are going to play every single song off of that album.
I’m sure Fall out boy has never and would never dream of doing something like that for Take this to your grave.
Anyway, Good shit man.
I can’t tell you how excited I am for the 10th anniversary tour…NFG’s self-titled is the first album I ever bought for myself. I haven’t seen them since 2004 (unless you count the five minutes I saw them from way back at Warped Tour a few years ago), but I don’t ever expect their live show to go down in terms of energy…not until they’re too old and withered to move. They do everything the right way, treat their fans the right way, and treat each other the right way. And they just love the music they make, whether it’s popular or not. That’s why NFG has been around for so long and will continue to be around for a long time.
That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fall Out Boy made it to a 10-year anniversary tour for Take This To Your Grave. That’s what, only three years or so from now?
Thanks so much for the reply!
First off, I couldn’t agree more about what’s happened to the genre. Bands like Cobra Starship have taken away from what so many others have done, and it’s a shame.
Being fresh out of high school, I’ve seen the scene kids, and it actually pains me physically when they call their music pop-punk. I don’t think anyone saw this coming, and now I can’t wait for it to go away.
I think the part that bothers me the most is that with all of these bands achieving mainstream success, it keeps the truly talented pop-punk bands in the background. I love NFG, and Sticks and Stones might be one of my favorite albums of all time, but until the genre is cleaned up, I can’t see any new artists with their same mindset making it big.
Of course, at the same time, I almost don’t want bands like Bayside, Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, etc., getting popular with the general public. The thought of these scene kids grabbing on and dubbing them their style of music scares me.
That’s always going to happen…kids clinging onto their own version of a genre and calling it their own. I really think it’s a shame. I’m sure…in fact, I know…that pop-punk was much maligned by fans of classic punk rock when it was becoming popular. My argument is that this amalgamation of music that is happening today is ACTUALLY bad, whereas real pop-punk was just a different take on a genre. I don’t know…I’m realizing that I didn’t frame it as enough of a question in my actual article, but it was meant to be an exploration of that question: Do we just hate this music because of the generational gap, or does it really just suck?
I don’t know. Bayside SHOULD be the biggest band on the planet considering how amazingly talented and awesome they are. I just saw them live last weekend for the second time and they blew me away. So incredible live it’s almost disgusting. And they played everything faster and still just as tight as the records. It’s a real shame they’re still on Victory…
You hit the nail on the head with this one, man… My band played a show a couple months ago at one of the local venues here in Tampa and we decided to play a couple of covers. One of the cover songs was “My Friends Over You”. Our band which spawned from a few different hardcore and move-on punk bands are used to playing tunes like this and having kids Go NUTS and have pile-ons, sing alongs, and circle pits. We hit the opening few notes, and quickly realized we’ve become too old. For the 3 and a half minutes of playing this song, not one person in the room knew a note we were playing… We could have easily called it one of our own and no one would have been the wiser. I immediately got back in my car and played the Get Up Kids, Ghoti Hook and Slick Shoes to make myself feel better… Like Greg Said, will any of these over-produced, nintendo based, heartless albums ever get played in 10 years… I think not.
Thanks for the article.
-Drew
Thanks for the comment! I’m just shy of 20, so I feel weird complaining that I’m too old, but sometimes I do feel out of touch. I just found out who Lady Gaga was semi-recently. One thing about New Found Glory is that I can go nuts to songs like “My Friends Over You” with absolutely anybody my own age, but if you’re much younger you may not get it. It’s a shame. I’m sure that happens to everyone who likes a certain kind of music. It’s just a very strange feeling because this is the first time I’ve experienced that.
You have to realize though that the way you feel about Fall Out Boy is the same way older punk rockers felt about Blink 182, New Found Glory, and all the other bands that were successful. It’s all a cycle. If you don’t like Fall Out Boy’s music, fine…whatever, I don’t really either. But if kids get into Fall Out Boy and that leads to them discovering other, better bands, well then it’s all good, right? I’ve never understood why there’s such an elitist attitude within the punk rock community.
Well, as I’ve said before, that whole “cycle” theory is what led me to question this in the first place. Every generation has their music that they hold onto and think is better than everyone else’s. My problem is that I don’t think a lot of people are getting into better bands after they get into Fall Out Boy, but much worse ones. There are exceptions, but that’s just what I’ve seen happen. And the last thing I want to be is elitist…Honestly, I don’t consider myself part of any punk rock community because I don’t even listen to much punk rock these days. I don’t mind when people listen to shitty music and say, “Well, I know this isn’t good music but it’s catchy and I like to dance to it, so I like it.” But when they listen to Cobra Starship and think that’s the real thing just because Gabe Saporta dresses and acts like a clown, that’s just a shame. It’s the bands that market their image and make the music a secondary thing.
Hey dude, Chad from NFG just twittered about your article.
Great job!
I saw that! I can’t tell you how excited I am…he is very much responsible for getting me into music. I honestly cannot express my excitement! I’m so glad people took interest in this. Sooooo glad.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by BryanToRemember: I enjoyed reading this: http://bit.ly/2W23P2…
This is SO great. I’m 21 myself and have seen the pop-punk scene go from Blink and NFG to Metro Station and crunkcore crap. To be honest and it’s sad, most “pop punk” bands of today like Fall Out Boy or All Time Low did start off great. I think fame got to both of the bands heads and now they try to please MTV audiences with crappy poppy music. It sucks though. Maybe one day the original pop punk will return, but as right now, teens are just not interested. =[
If it doesn’t, at least we have the great music of the past to last forever.
Hey Mike. Great article. I didn’t start listening to NFG until I joined a pop punk band myself but I have since fallen in love with their music and have discovered a plethora of new bands because of it.
Anyway, the real reason for my comment is to inform you that Chad Gilbert has read and enjoys your article!
I know, that’s absolutely insane! Chad is one of my musical heroes…I can’t believe it. Thanks so much for being interested!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article, and the comments. I’ve had similar discussions many times with friends (and I’m sure most of the people who agreed with this article also have). Its always refreshing to be reminded that there are other people out there who agree with you.
Also, just as a thought for your original question. Older classic rock and punk generations may not have liked pop punk when it emerged, but while the content may have changed, no one could truly argue that the music was empty . The songs were (in general) about real life, even if they were portrayed in silly ways and were more emotional, or upbeat, etc. than the previous generation would connect with and appreciate. The music was, as you said, still real.
Now look at the lyrical content of music in the scene today. How often do you see anything real? The lyrics mean nothing, the sounds are over processed mimicries of other over processed sounds until its hardly recognizable as music. Someone who always uses auto-tune (even live) is often considered a better vocalist than someone who actually uses their voice, and the passion in it, as part of the song. Its a product to the younger generation, not an art.
Just 2 more comments, 1) I’m pretty certain that ATL is a band specifically desiring to do what they do. To make catchy music and have fun doing it. I don’t think that they have ever claimed to be “serious”. I wouldn’t hold them as such a negative example as Brokencyde. Also, I’ve seen them live and its clear that they were influenced by blink, by their antics on stage. Its funny and its reassuring to see a tribute to that, even if most of the fans there don’t recognize it. 2) While I agree with your comments on Pete Wentz, I think that more blame has to be laid on (hate to say it) myspace. As myspace gained in popularity, suddenly you didn’t need to TRY to be in a band. You didn’t need to care, or work at it. You could just put yourself online and get some degree of a fan base. Everyone is a musician now. It started out as a good thing, allowing good, but poor, bands to put themselves out there. But eventually it got flooded with this new noise, and became popular virally.
Sorry for such a long comment, I intended to keep it shorter.
Don’t ever apologize for a long comment…look at how long my article is! And after reading all these comments I’ve come to realize that I may have been a bit harsh on All Time Low and maybe even Fall Out Boy (but not Pete Wentz). I can tell you got exactly what I was trying to say…the other stuff is pretty much, admittedly, me trying to bash bands I don’t like. I still stand by everything I say, however. This is not a hard news story. It is a blog, and this is an opinion piece. But yeah, I can tell you got that…just wanted to clear it up.
Thank you so much for reading and being interested and responding!
I’m not even kidding when you I admit right now that I was nearly brought to tears with this entry. First of all, your writing is absolutely incredible. I am amazed to see you’re not even 20. I first found out about NFG back when things like Napster still existed. I had to have been still in grade school, or just beginning high school when I rushed my ass over to Sam Goody to buy Nothing Gold Can Stay and the self titled when it first came out. I was hooked from the start. I remember bringing the records to my friends house down the street, playing her the album, and use making a pack that we’d never be the type of awful girls “Boy Crazy” was about.
Hands down, some of the best moments of my adolescence were all New Found Glory related, whether it was how I met some of my best friends at their shows, talking about songs between classes, crowd surfing at Warped Tour…I could go on forever. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen them live but can describe each performance like it’s the back of my hand anytime someone brings up a concert.
It was an privilege and blessing to have NFG tunes as the soundtrack. There is not a day that goes by, that even during a shitty time, or in the worst mood – I can’t stay upset or distressed if I pop on a New Found Glory jam in my itunes. More bands should follow the example that NFG present to the world. The way they go about being their for their fans, whether it’s an album or a CD – you always are given a sense that you’re part of them too, in on the joke or what have you – without malicious intent underneath or the false sense of hope you end up projecting onto bigger name bands who makes themselves untouchable and un-relateable. It’s like with New Found Glory, you always have a friend.
Sorry I started to ramble. I just really appreciate someone being able to properly write out what I’ve always struggled to find the perfect words for. Fantastic post. Infinity stars.
Great article.
Hey Mike,
First of all, I would like to say thank you so much for this amazing post. It is truly one of the best blog’s I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
Pop-punk is more than just a music genre to me. It is one of the things in my life that I love and cherish the most (Right after friends and family, and right before food and sleeping). I’ve loved NFG and blink ever since falling in love with them in 7th grade. I can’t really find anymore words to describe my view on the pop-punk scene, because, well, you and most of the people who have commented this have already said what I feel about it.
The only thing I would like to share is that there IS still a loyal pop-punk scene in this world. There ARE people who truly love it for the right reasons. It’s something no one will ever take from us, because it is simply impossible. Pop-punk is NOT dead, and never will be.
If you haven’t checked out any new real pop-punk I would suggest a few bands such as: The Wonder Years, Fireworks, Set Your Goals (not the new album “this will be the death of us”) and even A Loss For Words. I would describe them all as New Found Glory-influenced bands with real meaning, energy, and fun.
Oh, and I actually really enjoy “Take This to Your Grave” and even some of “From Under the Cork Tree”. Just sayin’ haha.
Once again, thank you so much Mike!
Thank you, Danny! I keep saying it over and over, but I’m so glad so many people are responding to this and feeling the same things. In terms of pop-punk bands today, I’m sure they’re out there, but not in the same way they were ten years ago. I’ve heard some of those bands. In all honesty, and I hope this doesn’t devalue anything I’ve written, I haven’t been all that into pop-punk in the last couple years or so. I’ve just been getting into very different kinds of music that have steered me away. More recently, though, I’ve been getting back into it. Actually, I’ve been listening to a lot of older bands like The Promise Ring, Texas Is The Reason, etc. But I have heard some of those bands…I’m pretty sure my band has actually played with A Loss For Words (they’re from my area) and from what I remember they’re all cool dudes. I remember they used to cover NFG all the time. But I’ll have to give some of those other bands a listen!
Thanks again!
jesus christ, I just typed a whole story and when I submitted, it just gave me an error! HOW CRAP! I just wanted to see that I totally agree with everything you said. Pop punk used to be a genre with really good morals and values and all kinds of nerdy kids, including me, listened to it. Now it’s all about how XhardXcoreX you look, and how much black eyeliner you’re wearing around your eyes. All Time Low is a Blink182 jack-off: they say exactly the same things on stage. I’ve heard it all, the joke is dead! But all the new dumb and ignorant emo kids apparently think that it is very original, and they all are very original (not at all, everyone looks the same). Pete Wentz is a gaywad, and he is a sell-out. I thought the whole pop punk hype would blow over, but it didn’t. Instead, it intermingled with emo, and anew horrible genre was born. I’ve tried to get over it all, but I just felt obliged to not like pop punk in general anymore. I tried to find something else, something that isn’t popular with the whole world. I still listen to occasional pop punk and all the oldschool bands are still on my playlist everyday, but it just hurts too much to watch tv or look at myspace profiles and realize how much everything has changed since I was 12/13. The world has gone crazy. I mean, Jeffre fucking queer-ass star appeared in the Metro Station video.
It’s not about music anymore… and that is terrible :(.
I’m glad you agree. If I were you, though, I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in refusing to listen to anything that’s not obscure…there is some good stuff out there that just happens to be mainstream. Just not much in what is known today as pop-punk, in my opinion.
In terms of mainstream pop-punk, anyway.
THANK YOU! I completely agree with everything. Well said. I’m sure whatever I am going to write has already been written, but these issues have been in my mind for years.
First off, New Found Glory is my all time favorite band… not just because of their music, but the fact that they are sooo down to earth. I’ve been listening to them since I was 13 years old and now I am 23. They are the same guys since the first time I met them. I’ve been to hundreds of shows and met hundreds of bands, but the guys in NFG I felt have not changed or what people would say “sell-out” to fit the scene.
I was just telling my friends the other day about how I don’t enjoy the new music that is out there. I am stuck to what I have been listening to since I was in middle/high school. Part of the reason is because bands nowadays sound like bands I already enjoy… so why would I need to listen to something I already am listening to? All these bands now that sounds like NFG and Blink… are just ehhh. It is nothing new. Maybe it is just probably me not wanting to branch out and listen to new music… but this is just my personal opinion.
I don’t think you were too harsh with All Time Low and Pete Wentz because to me… what you are pointing out is true. All Time Low… don’t get me started. Haha. Hearing girls say how ATL is their favorite band because he is so hot.. blah blah. That is not MUSIC! Also… their new video, I don’t know what it is called… the one where are the titles come up on screen… that has been done before! Remember the band Homegrown? Their “You’re Not Alone” music video is a very similar concept and that was done in 2002. One of the NFG guys even brought this up before… a photoshoot with underwear… errr… I am sure we all know who Blink 182 is!
And yes, I enjoy Fall Out Boy. “Take This To Your Grave” is one of my all time favorite records. Then came the “Sugar We’re Going Down” era and that is when it changed for me. FOB fans became these kids who didn’t know that there was a record before “From Under the Cork Tree” and all they cared about was looking like Pete Wentz and buying his clothes. It wasn’t about the music anymore… it is a look, a style that people aim for. I actually went to a tour where NFG opened for FOB. It was weird because the people in front of the line waiting at the show were all NFG fans. Some even waited there at 7am! Then we find out that the FOB fan club goes into the venue first. We were angry, but I get it. You pay extra money to get in early.. so go ahead… claim your spots. So we went inside the venue after 20 or so FOB fans go in and the front is practically empty! I don’t get it? Isn’t the point of getting in early so you can be in front of your fave band?!?! Then I noticed most of those kids were on the second level of general admission. Were they worried that their Pete Wentz like hair and makeup was gonna get ruined?? I don’t know and I didn’t care cause I got the front row! I am not trying to say that all FOB fans are like this, but this is what I have experienced.
I recently went to a Paramore concert. I’ve been a fan since their first cd came out, “All We Know is Falling.” Then RIOT! hit and the crowds have become sooo different. I miss the days of seeing them at a small venue and everyone there is dancing, singing along, rocking out, enjoying the music. I didn’t have to worry about girls cussing me out and purposely hitting me to get my spot in the front. I get it. It’s a concert. I’ve made my way to the front too but I am not rude about it. People shouldn’t be rude about it. Enjoy the show. That is what you are there for right? Well at least, I am. I swear it wasn’t that bad before. People in the crowd respected each other and had each other’s backs. It wasn’t about Hayley touching your hand and making eye to eye contact. If that happens let it happen. Don’t make that a goal of yours so you can tell all your friends. Enjoy the show and just let it be.
Oh gosh… I didn’t mean to write this much. I apologize for this rant. Haha. Thanks for reading and again… THANK YOU FOR WRITING!! 😀
BTW… I enjoy Coming Home. That is probably my all time fave NFG record. It’s different and I love it.
Awesome Mike you have a way with words, I told you last night man, its brilliant… Great job cya soon loveydovey
[…] like. Having said that, I do think, for the sake education and my own mental health, what I said before needed to be […]
this is awesome. i agree fully with the whole FOB/ATL thing. I’m at college taking music business and i have to do a project on a subject of my choice. My project is to study a question of my choice, and i’m studying “What influenced a change in punk rock music from the 1970’s to the way it is now?” i would greatly appreciate it if you could write me a little something and tell your views?
I’d love to help you out. Are you looking for an interview-type thing?
You make so much sense man over here in the uk the pop punk scene is dying out due to big ego’s and no sense of independence and what pisses me of the most is it effects local bands just because people follow trends when really deep down they love pop punk because they grew up to it.
[…] So since my career is probably going to be based around keeping the fuck up with my blogs, I probably should have taken myself seriously when I told myself to keep the fuck up with my blog. School has been demanding, along with my new internship, trying to start a band back up, and doing my best to somehow enjoy my last semester and a half of college in Boston from the redundant comfort of my parents’ house in the suburbs. But I’m going to give this thing another go, with a new approach, and hopefully get my few readers (I know you’re there…I’m still getting 20-some-odd hits a day even when I don’t update for months) to comment, criticize, and contribute to the discussion like they did in the beginning. […]