QUIZ: Can you match these neon-pop lyrics to the bands who sang them?
It’s impossible to picture the 2000s alternative music scene without the added flair of neon pop punk. Between its bright fashion, catchy lyrics and synth-ridden melodies, the era is the one that stands out most from the decade.
Even 10 years out from the neon heyday, we’re still struggling to get a number of songs out of our heads. Seriously, just try reading the words “Shake It” without a day-long throwback.
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But with so many notable bands and even more evocative hits, it can be a struggle to keep them all straight. Think you’ve got a masterful knowledge of 2000s neon pop punk? Take the quiz below to find out!
More on neon pop punk
Grounded in the pop-punk scene of the 2000s, the neon movement skewed heavily toward the “pop” end of the spectrum. Though its mark on alternative culture was clear (think bright tees and shutter shades), the subgenre proved divisive among the scene. Today, however, the neon era is warmly regarded and often a strong point of mid-to-late 2000s nostalgia.
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The true definition and bounds of the movement are largely up for debate. The incorporation of synth by prominent bands such as Cobra Starship and 3OH!3 arguably created the foundation of the style. Still, groups who didn’t harness this element, including All Time Low and Every Avenue, are often categorized under the genre.
It seems now that the era is retroactively characterized most strongly by its bright aesthetic and generally upbeat vibe. To this point, it’s no surprise that we attribute most of the Glamour Kills sponsors—You Me At Six, Forever The Sickest Kids and Hey Monday, among others—as neon icons.
Read more: QUIZ: Which neon-pop punk band are you?
While the mainstream popularity of the neon era was short-lived, its legacy lives on today. Many bands such as We The Kings and the Maine have persisted with large followings through the last decade. Other artists, such as Mason Musso of Metro Station and Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin, have expanded on their pop-influenced foundations with new projects entirely.
