Music genres have changed throughout the years as often as I changed my pants. However, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t appreciate old music and settle with the new mainstream songs on the radio. Pop punk and rock music has been a prominent input in our society’s musical tastes. Here are some major bands that have impacted many adolescent teens and should never be forgotten. Every 90s kid who went through a pop-punk phase in their teenage years would understand.
Green Day (1986)
It’s been thirty long years for Green Day, as they peaked with many successful albums such as Dookie, American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown. Don’t pretend that you didn’t cry-sing-along to Wake Me Up When September Ends and jam out to American Idiot in your room back in your teenage days! Good Riddance, also known as Time of Your Life, made numerous appearances in the soundtracks of many films and even ended one of the greatest 90s sitcoms, Seinfeld. In 2015, Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Fall Out Boy. No one doesn’t not know Green Day. They are simply iconic.
Blink 182 (1992)
What’s My Age Again? Rock yet also punk band Blink 182 skyrocketed and made their way through the hearts of all ages. Other popular singles include I Miss You, All the Small Things, and Feeling This. Blink 182 also makes appearances at popular rock/punk events such as Vans Warped Tour.
Bowling For Soup (1994)
1985 will always be the most iconic song of middle/high school for me, and really reminisces my childhood every time I hear the song. Other popular singles include Girl All the Bad Guys Want, Almost, and High School Never Ends. The band also makes appearances at events, including Warped Tour.
Good Charlotte (1996)
The men of Good Charlotte shook the lives of adolescent teens with their hit single, The Anthem, which told kids to be themselves and aspire to be more than just like everyone else. “I don’t wanna you! Don’t wanna be just like you!” After their announced hiatus in 2011, Good Charlotte came back and went on tour with All Time Low in 2015. The band is expected to release their new album, Young Authority, in July.
Simple Plan (1999)
Growing up listening to pop punk, Simple Plan was definitely at the top of my list at one point. Their lyrics really speak to young teens and not only shows the goods in life, but also the horrible things some people have to go through. In an emotional Welcome to My Life, the band talks about bullying, being left out and life, similar to many of their other songs. The band is also known for their Scooby-Doo theme song, What’s New Scooby-Doo? Other singles include, Grow Up, Perfect, I’m Just a Kid, I’d Do Anything and Addicted. Also collaborating with lead singer of All Time Low, Alex Gaskarth, the band released Freaking Me Out. After a long hiatus, the band came back just last year with their new album, Taking One for the Team in 2016, which really took us back to the original sounds of pop punk.
Fall Out Boy (2001)
Popular members, Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz, are the faces of the rock/punk band. However, you can’t forget about Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley. The band went through a hard time and hiatus when vocalist Patrick Stump, was attacked for his image and weight. Their most well-known singles are Sugar, We’re Goin Down, Dance Dance, and Thnks fr th Mmrs. With their recently released album, American Beauty/American Psycho, consisting of many winning songs such as Centuries, Uma Thurman, My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark. In addition, Fall Out Boy music videos are always one of a kind and usually very weird. There were also mixed reactions when Fall Out Boy to the remix album of AB/AP, Make America Psycho Again, where the band collaborated with a different rapper for each song. This completely changed the sound of Fall Out Boy and made them seem more mainstream than ever. Hopefully, we get the original Fall Out Boy sound back.
My Chemical Romance (2001)
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed a tear when I heard that My Chemical Romance was breaking up in 2013. MCR was a mixture of rock, pop punk, emo and post-hardcore music. They took the music industry away with Welcome to the Black Parade, achieving number 1 single in the UK for the band. The band had many internal conflicts as any band would with constant member changes and fill-ins. Michael Pedicone, one of many former drummers, was caught stealing from the band and was abolished immediately. Soon, the band broke up, but denied that it was because of problems between the bandmates. Who wants to see a reunion? Me!
All Time Low (2003)
This pop punk band not only moves the hearts of teenage girls with their good looks, but also with their consistent pop punk sound. Recently, their newest album, Future Hearts, debuted no. 2 on Billboard Hot 200 and no. 1 in the UK. This has been the band’s biggest success over the years, and to make it better, their hit single, Dear Maria, Count Me In, was certified gold by the RIAA and later platinum in 2015. Other successful albums include Dirty Work and Nothing Personal. The band simply has fun with what they do both on and off stage and are a blast to catch live.
Paramore (2004)
Honestly, Paramore took the world by storm. Unlike typical pop punk/rock bands, this one had a female lead singer, which was pretty controversial at some points. This can mean love and war with females and males working so closely together, but Hayley Williams makes it work. Although they did suffer a loss when bassist Jeremy Davis left the group. Now, remains Hayley and Zac. In 2016, Hayley got married to Chad Gilbert from New Found Glory.
Panic! At the Disco (2004)
With their unique sound and ultimately beautiful lead singer, Brendon Urie, Panic! At the Disco makes history winning Best VMA Winning Video of All Time with their leading single, I Write Sins Not Tragedies. Recently releasing their newest album, “The Death of a Bachelor,” Panic! climbs up the Billboard charts with Victorious and Hallelujah. With a new sound for every album and an ultimate stage presence, Panic! At the Disco continues their fame and fortune.