Guest Post: UK Pop Punk's Not Dead

New Music | UK Pop Punk's Not Dead

Finally. Some guitars. Introducing a fine guest post from Mark Hooson on what's hot in UK pop punk!

By Mark Hooson of www.poppunkbands.co.uk

Pop punk isn't a genre that has flourished in the UK as it has in the US, maybe it's the sunnier climes of Florida and California that make America a better fit for pop punk music, or maybe we Brits are too cynical - but that could be about to change thanks to a spate of new bands who are out to prove that UK pop punk's not dead.

I've been a pop punk devotee since I discovered New Found Glory's self-titled album in 2000. The record blew me away and turned me on to a genre of music that I would still be worshipping some 11 years later. In those 11 years, however, there have been very few bands that have managed to capture the sound and the spirit of pop punk to the degree of their American counterparts.

Over the years there were some contenders, but they ultimately failed to put British pop punk on the map. Southampton pop punk band Not Katies, for me, were one of the bands that could have come close - had the marketing been right. Their track 'Two Halves of Two' arrived at a time when pop punk bands like Blink 182, Sum 41 and New Found Glory were blowing up in the US.

Not Katies put out two EP's on Deck Cheese Records which showed real promise, but the band became "disillusioned" and split in early 2006.

While bands like Lost Prophets have at times strayed more towards pop punk with tracks like Last Train Home, and bands like Kids In Glass Houses have walked the line between pop punk and alternative rock - I've never quite felt like there were any bands solely flying the flag for UK pop punk.

It's been a long time coming, but today there are a slew of new British pop punk bands who just might be able to put the UK on the pop punk map. Here's a look at a few of them.

Save Your Breath

Newport new-comers Save Your Breath have been hotly-tipped by Kids in Glass Houses front-man Aled, and combine the polish and sheen of the American pop punk scene without sacrificing any sincerity of authenticity. Their single 'Stay Young' is a great UK take on the current pop punk scene.

I'd be more than surprised if the band's name wasn't a nod to US pop punks Hit The Lights, who had huge success with their single of the same name.

Me Vs Hero

With a sound that comes somewhere between Sum 41 circa 'All Killer No Filler' with modern pop punk acts like Four Year Strong or Set Your Goals - and what a great combination it is! 

With gang-chants, break-downs and catchy melodies I can't help but think they could be as big as any of the aforementioned acts if they were signed to a label like Drive Thru Records or Decaydence.

Youmeatsix

While not exactly a 'new' British pop punk band, the commercially successful Youmeatsix have managed to ride the wave of popularity caused by US bands like Paramore and made a name for themselves with their own unique pop punk sound. 

Their album Take Off Your Colours contained at least two undeniable pop punk gems in the form of Save It For The Bedroom and Jealous Minds Think Alike.

The future

I desperately hope that this is shape of things to come for UK pop punk. Perhaps it comes down to the bigger marketing machine over in the US, but UK bands haven't traditionally manage to gain the same success as their overseas cousins.

Me Vs Hero and Save Your Breath, to me, are perfect examples of why UK pop punk's not dead.