Many scratched their heads at this development. Dissent had been building across the war. The punk scene, as is its wont, responded in kind. NOFX’s Fat Mike, displaying a long-hidden social conscience, organized a drive called Punk Voter along Rock Against Racism lines — festival-style concert tours with voter registration booths in the lobby, as well as compilation albums and a website working toward the goal of removing Bush from the Oval Office. A number of the year’s best LPs also dealt with the war, including the biggest album of the year. Check them out below.

Read more: 20 greatest punk-rock guitarists of all time

Green Day – American Idiot

What began as an album called Cigarettes And Valentines was scrapped when the master tapes were stolen. The band retooled it as the socio-politically charged American Idiot, Green Day’s second biggest-selling album and the record that pulled them back from the brink.  The more subdued Warning was considered a commercial disappointment ⁠— odd, for an LP that sold 3.5 million worldwide. The response was crafting a “punk-rock opera” a la the Who’s Quadrophenia, a response to 9/11, the Iraq war and George W. Bush’s presidency. Musically, it was both their most ambitious, theatrical yet and a return to gut-busting punk rock. It was also their gutsiest album, one that owned 2004 and endures as a modern classic.

My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

Behold the other record that made a mark on 2004 and owned what turf American Idiot hadn’t already claimed. My Chemical Romance’s second studio full-length featured significantly more polished production from Howard Benson and MCR’s strongest songwriting to date. What mainspring Gerard Way termed in these very pages a “pseudo-conceptual horror story” synthesized pop punk, emo/screamo and metal in a theatrical manner. But really, the best concise summation of MCR? Imagine if every song Queen wrote was “Sheer Heart Attack,” Not that those millions of black-clothed teens singing along with the enormous chorus of “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” gave a damn. They just knew it sounded good.

The Libertines – The Libertines

The Libertines, who spearheaded the British wing of the garage-punk revival, were in trouble. Pete Doherty’s drug use was spiraling out of control, fracturing his relationship with co-captain Carl Barât. Doherty didn’t help by missing some tour dates, then reacted by burgling Barât’s flat. The duo reunited after Doherty served six weeks of his six-month prison sentence. But nothing about the recording of their self-titled second album was easy. Hired security guards kept the co-leaders from fighting. Yet the music and songwriting were some of the Libs’ strongest to date, particularly the two singles, anthems of estrangement whose titles say it all: “Can’t Stand Me Now” and “What Became Of The Likely Lads.”

Descendents – Cool To Be You

It’d been eight years since pop punk’s fathers Descendents last issued an album. Singer Milo Aukerman went back to his biochemistry career, while drummer Bill Stevenson, guitarist Stephen Egerton and bassist Karl Alvarez went back to ALL for a moment. Aukerman decided to take a break from science to reactivate Descendents, cutting their sixth studio album in 2002 at the band’s Blasting Room recording compound in Fort Collins, Colorado. It came out two years later on Fat Mike’s Fat Wreck Chords. Clean, clear production and a streamlined version of the classic Descendents sound, minus 30-second goofs such as “Weinerschnitzel.” What was there was some of their first political songs, including the excoriating “‘Merican,” relationship odes such as “Talking” and “One More Day,” an emotional post-mortem for Stevenson’s toxic relationship with his recently deceased father. The latter may be the most important song he’ll ever write.

Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First

Bad Religion’s 13th studio album, The Empire Strikes First, was an even harder-hitting examination of America’s toxic political climate than American Idiot. Much of it, such as “Social Suicide,” felt like a return to the early hardcore sound of How Could Hell Be Any Worse? Mostly, it was their now-classic popcore sound given a more brutal kick, bolstered by the band’s obvious anger at Bush’s presidency and the misguided Iraq War. In some ways, BR’s musical ambition was being given a freer reign than ever: Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell drops a solo on “Los Angeles Is Burning,” while a “goth choir” appears on “Sinister Rouge.”  All in all, one of their strongest albums.

Le Tigre – This Island

“I was bored doing the same thing over and over and kind of exhausted from 15 years of touring with no help,” former Bikini Leader leader Kathleen Hanna explained to Pollstar of her electro outfit Le Tigre’s move to major label Universal. “It was like, ‘We have to make a big change or we’re going to break up.'” Which meant Hanna, Johanna Fateman and JD Samson moved away from their lo-fi electronica with individual Pro Tools setups at their Manhattan residences, exchanging hard drives as they worked on tracks. This resulted in a cleaner version of their B-52’s-shouting-protest-slogans new wave on such This Island tracks as “Don’t Drink Poison” and “On The Verge,” and even two straight-up punk tunes in “Seconds” and “Punker Plus.” It would unfortunately be the final Le Tigre album, though the band are reuniting to play this year’s This Ain’t No Picnic Festival.

Social Distortion – Sex, Love And Rock ‘n’ Roll

It had been eight years since Social Distortion’s previous studio album, White Light, White Heat, White Trash. Blame it on a relentless tour schedule, a pair of Mike Ness solo albums and the singer/guitarist’s own exacting songwriting process. But with former Plugz drummer Charlie Quintana replacing Chuck Biscuits and OC guitar legend Jonny Wickersham stepping into deceased founding member Dennis Danell’s shoes, SD seemed poised to return to their glam-punk roots. The resultant Sex, Love And Rock ‘N’ Roll was their least country-inflected album since Mommy’s Little Monster, filled with ballsy rockers such as the Clash-esque instant classic “I Wasn’t Born To Follow.” It was good to hear them rock this hard again.

The Methadones – Not Economically Viable

The Methadones were a side project started by Screeching Weasel’s Dan Vapid, which became his main band after both SW and their Ramones clone adjunct the Riverdales wound down in the late ‘90s. Vapid was soon pouring all of his power pop-based punk rock songs into the Methadones, enough to fill three albums by this point. Not Economically Viable was filled to the rafters with taut, aggressive rockers such as “Turning Inside Out” and “Mess We Made,” filled with turgid guitars and Vapid’s phlegmatic vocals. This entire album is achieving saturation airplay on an alternate universe AM radio station that’s programmed by Joey Ramone as we speak.

Flogging Molly – Within A Mile Of Home

Three studio albums in and Flogging Molly still resembled a thrash-rock version of the Pogues on Within A Mile Of Home. But they were displaying some signs of, er, maturity? For instance, respected country star Lucinda Williams duets with singer Dave King on the relatively relaxed “Factory Girls.” Opener “Screaming At The Wailing Wall” excoriates U.S. foreign policy (fitting, for an album dedicated partly to Joe Strummer), while “The Seven Deadly Sins” sounds like an out-of-control house party in County Cork with electric guitars and drums. It was the tightest, most diverse Flogging Molly full-length yet.

Dwarves – The Dwarves Must Die

On The Dwarves Must Die, notorious punks the Dwarves refuse to die. And as they go along, the lyrics get filthier as the songs get more and more crafted and the production gets increasingly radio-friendly. Such is the contradictory world of the Dwarves. Tracks such as “Dominator” are typically brutal speed bullets. But other tunes such as “Demented” drop hip-hop beats behind corrosive hard-rock guitars, while opener “Bleed On” is a bit of minor-key surf-rock filled with splashy reverb and a guest appearance by Laugh-In announcer/Space Ghost’s voice Gary Owens. All in a day’s work for Blag Dahlia and crew.

Taking Back Sunday – Where You Want To Be

Taking Back Sunday helped firmly place emo on the commercial map with Where You Want To Be, their second LP. Only singer Adam Lazzara and drummer Mark O’Connell remained from their original lineup, bringing in Fred Mascherino and Matt Rubano. But what they wrought under the guidance of veteran producer Lou Giordano was a detailed, manicured sound, brimming with emotion. It was anything but straight ahead. Few in punk would’ve attempted anything like the Left Banke-esque ballad “New American Classic,” replete with chamber quartet strings. But when they did hammer down, such as the relentlessly rocking single “A Decade Under The Influence,” they shone.

The Dollyrots – Eat My Heart Out

Dismayed while watching the 2004 American presidential election results roll out on their TV screens, two members of a Floridian punk band called No Chef – guitarists Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas – went pro. “Luis and I were like, ‘The world’s probably gonna end anyway, and I don’t want to go to med school,’” Ogden recalled. “We had no future anyways, so let’s just be in a rock band!”

Switching Ogden to bass and lead vocals, replacing the drummer and one move to Los Angeles later, the Dollyrots were born. Their rowdy yet polished garage-punk sound, wed to such stellar pop nuggets as “Penny,” immaculately forwarded the Ramones’ legacy. They became an instant local radio sensation, leading to a deadly international cult audience and appearances on hit TV shows ranging from CSI: NY to The Price Is Right.

Amen – Death Before Musick

The 2003 work that Casey Chaos had done with Daron Malakian led to his exterminationist punk-metal band Amen’s inking with the System Of A Down leader’s EatUrMusic label. The following year’s Death Before Musick was the first fruit of the compact. The 15 tracks were the most committed extraction to date of Amen’s aggro riff logic, at its punkiest on “Oblivion Stereo”  and the single “California’s Bleeding.” The latter’s gory, slogan-filled video caused such a stir, an alternative edit featuring less carnage was offered. Amen made a splash, becoming the darker side of the polished rebellion MTV2 and VH1 viewers now ate on a regular basis.

Zeke – ‘Til The Livin’ End

Zeke, Seattle’s Motörhead analog, have been advancing their shit-kicking metallic hardcore agenda since 1992. ‘Til The Livin’ End was their seventh studio album to date. With a loud, clean Jack Endino production, these 15 tracks bullet by in about 30 minutes, pausing only for heavy stompers such as “Little Queen.’ The tubercular rasp of singer/guitarist Blind Marky Felchtone, the band’s sole constant, rests squarely inside a 10-foot-tall wall of Marshall-boosted guitars. Livin’ End secures Zeke’s place as America’s cheap beer and Camaros hardcore kings.

The Used – In Love And Death

Tragedy was stalking the Used. Two friends of singer Bert McCracken died during the second album In Love And Death’s production. Chief among them: former girlfriend Kate, who was bearing his child. This was a lot to process. All the grief poured into the music. The angst and bone-deep sadness burst through tracks such as “Let It Bleed.” Singles such as “Take It Away” made the Used huge with teens with asymmetrical haircuts and black wardrobes, dragging the LP to the sixth position on the Billboard 200 and selling its way to a platinum certificate.

Read more: 10 next-gen pop-punk bands who will transport you back to the 2000s

Angry Youth Elite

Let’s start this off with some high-quality anger. Germany’s Angry Youth Elite personify punk rock and its raucous, spirited community with every single word of their band name. Formed just three years ago, the socially conscious band echo both the ’70s and the now with each lightning-fast guitar downstroke. But it’s not just for then and 2021. It’s for every time between, with strong influences from Black Flag (’80s) and the Bouncing Souls (’90s) as well.

The Anti-Queens

From the first hit of the drums to the almost immediate gritty yet catchy vocal harmonies, the Anti-Queens are a band that should head to the top of your list of acts to see live when the world opens back up. Toronto has a sea of other underrated aggressive acts, but few deserve gold, silver and bronze punk-rock medals like the Anti-Queens. Check out all 11 tracks on their self-titled album in the meantime and wait impatiently for its sequel.

Big Joanie

Although the band’s name may sound like a character who was edited out of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, their music is far from goofy in the best way ever. Big Joanie label themselves as “Black Feminist Sistah Punk,” and we support a global movement of bands with said description. It’s been a minute since your last LP, Big Joanie, and we can’t wait for more albums. London calling, indeed. Fans of Velvet Underground, Richard Hell and CBGB art-rock acts will freak out about Big Joanie. 

The Bombpops

Fat Wreck Chords truly knows us. Formed in 2007, crazily making the San Diego-based band one of the senior acts on this list, the Bombpops owe as much to the first wave of punk rock as they do to newer bands such as Chixdiggit! and Teen Idols. We’re not mad at this melodic resurgence and still affirm that Death In Venice Beach was one of the best punk-rock albums of 2020.

The Dollyrots

Speaking of a catchy degree of uber-longevity, the parents (and married couple rockers) known as the Dollyrots have been perfecting their bubblegum sugary aggression blend for 21 years. Hail, hail, hail. If you delve into the band’s epicly impressive catalog, which includes a series of LPs (including a live record and a Christmas-themed release), EPs and several sterling singles, prepare to become a superfan shortly after. Do this band ever stop writing songs? We’re not complaining.

Fea

San Antonio bands don’t get enough public love. We said it. However, things are changing for the better with acts such as Fea leading the charge. Part riot grrrl and completely punk rock as fuck, their 2019 LP, No Novelties, is spot on with its title and rocks quite hard for 10 tracks, the longest clocking in at three minutes and 18 seconds. Like pea without the “P” or flea without the “L,” Fea’s material is short, not so sweet and will leave a delicious bite on your musical repertoire.

Hands Off Gretel 

The name Hands Off Gretel conjures a violent image of protection in a world of violence, and their music echoes that ethos and spirit to new heights. In a way, Hands Off Gretel sound like an angry rock ’n’ roll baby living on the streets with three parents: the 1970s, Pixies and Hole. Not a bad place to be. Check out their 2019 full-length, I Want The World, and its mini-sequel of sorts, The Angry EP, if you want proof.

Maid Of Ace

While Maid Of Ace’s band name either intentionally or unintentionally conjures crazy Motörhead vibes, the four sisters seem to be fine just rocking the fuck out in the name of tragedy. Imagine a grittier Damone and a lot of beer, and you will find Maid Of Ace. Their 2020 full-length, Live Fast Or Die, is an unrelenting punk-rock masterpiece filled with youthful exuberance and enough one-two punches to knock their listeners out time and time again. 

The Ramonas

How can one create a modern act list nodding to the first wave of punk rock and not include the Ramonas? Spoiler alert: You simply can’t and shouldn’t. A tribute band that also write their own songs? Amazing. The band’s newest 2021 single “From Belgium With Love” sounds like a happy mix between harmonica-laden cavern club era the Beatles and (obviously) Ramones. Don’t sleep on the song’s extremely impressive guitar and bass solo section. 

The Venomous Pinks 

Let’s close this out with (by far) the most punk-rock band name listed here: The Venomous Pinks. The power trio do Phoenix’s lush music scene proud on their 2020 EP, I Want You. Joan Jett should be also proud as well. Hell, as her legacy lives on in a colorful full blast and a gnarly scarring bite with the Venomous Pinks. Get excited: The band are releasing a new live EP April 23.

Regardless of their potential for moving units, these 20 unique side projects certainly stand out from the pack, and, in general, we’re more than happy to bring side pieces to the forefront. Let’s go.

Read more: You could be buying merch directly through TikTok soon

The Almost

While recording Underoath’s eventual No. 2 Billboard-charting album, Define The Great Line, in 2005, drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie started writing songs for his eventual straight-ahead rock side project the Almost. Just two short years later, the Almost released their debut album as a joint effort on both indie Tooth & Nail Records and major Virgin Records. Three albums and EPs later, the Almost are still active, though they take a back seat to the recently reformed Underoath, which is steering the Gillespie ship full throttle at this juncture. 

Antarctigo Vespucci

Jeff Rosenstock, who also has played in more prolific bands than most (Bomb The Music Industry!, the Arrogant Sons Of Bitches, the Bruce Lee Band and more) joined forces with the like-minded Chris Farren (formerly of Fake Problems) in 2014 to form Antarctigo Vespucci. In doing so, the duo created perfect power pop that both indie kids and punk rockers could equally enjoy. Also, the band have the best album title of all time with 2018’s Love In The Time Of E-mail. 

Blaqk Audio

Anyone familiar with AFI knows they incorporate a lot of electronic elements into their aggressive rock songs. The duo of Blaqk Audio (featuring two members of AFI: vocalist Davey Havok and guitarist Jade Puget) took this songwriting influence one step further and flipped the switch, incorporating aggressive rock elements into their electronic tunes. Four albums later, their blend of synth-pop shows no sign of slowing down (on the band’s own terms, of course), and the duo’s die-hard fans await a fifth LP with bated breath.

Box Car Racer

In 2001, blink-182 were one of the biggest bands in the world. Singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge wrote a lot of songs that he felt were too dark for the then sunny-pop-punk trio to use and formed a heavier side project called Box Car Racer as an outlet to get them out. Their debut (and sole) self-titled LP features blink-182 drummer Travis Barker on every track and bassist Mark Hoppus on one vocal feature (“Elevator”).

The Breeders

Talk about alternative-rock royalty: Kim Deal of Pixies and Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses formed the Breeders as a side project to their busy buzzing bands in the late ’80s. Donelly eventually left the band to focus on her new act Belly in 1992, and Kim’s twin sister Kelley Deal joined just before she departed, making the Breeders a true grunge family affair. The band then released a platinum album called Last Splash in 1993 and cannonballed away till the following century.

††† (Crosses)

Vocalist/cult hero Chino Moreno of Deftones and former guitarist for Far (and the Revolution Smile) Shaun Lopez formed Crosses with bassist Chuck Doom in 2011 to a plethora of underground buzz from fans and notable musicians alike. Unlike the other three bands mentioned above, there’s absolutely no screaming in Crosses, plus a lot of electronic elements unheard in the other projects. The mysterious group released their first and only self-titled full-length in 2014, and we’re overdue for some more tunes.

The Damned Things

The Damned Things started with members of metalcore titans Every Time I Die (Keith Buckley), pop-punk kings Fall Out Boy (Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley) and thrash metal giants Anthrax (Scott Ian) in their fold, thus making the group a universally confirmed legit-as-fuck supergroup. They became even more of a supergroup 11 years later when Alkaline Trio’s bassist Dan Andriano joined for the band’s second LP, High Crimes.

The Dead Weather

Jack White, of the White Stripes and a million other bands, can do it all, and he proved such with his drum work for the Dead Weather. The Dead Weather also features vocalist Alison Mosshart from the Kills and Discount, lead guitarist Dean Fertita of Queens Of The Stone Age and bassist Jack Lawrence of the Raconteurs (one of White’s other projects that almost made this list) and City And Colour. You know a band are good when they release a live record, so check it out and dig into their three studio LPs.

Farewell Continental

As Motion City Soundtrack were on the brink of becoming one of the bigger and universally respected Warped Tour bands of the mid-2000s, singer/guitarist Justin Pierre wanted another outlet for songs in a far less poppy and much more indie-rock vein. Enter the Minneapolis, Minnesota, project Farewell Continental, who released two EPs and one full-length before departing without saying farewell.

Fever Ray

Vocalist/producer Karin Dreijer had more indie cred than every band on Coachella with her family duo the Knife. When the Knife went on hiatus, Dreijer created Fever Ray, a solo side project that should and could be listed as an example in the dictionary underneath the term “electronic pop.” Two studio albums and two live albums later, Fever Ray continues to drown their listeners in a sweet form of sickness.

Jaret And Kelly

What do you get when you add a Dollyrot to a Bowling For Soup-er? Most people don’t know this, but Jaret And Kelly, of course. The collaboration is far less punk rock and much more of a ’60s-ish power-pop outlet than both the Dollyrots and Bowling For Soup, but Kelly Ogden and Jaret Reddick’s two distinct voices blend super well together, so it completely makes sense in the best way ever.

The Longshot

After the Revolution Radio tour cycle ended in 2018, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong put together a quartet of friends and ex-GD crew members called the Longshot to make four of the most buzzed-about EPs and one of the most revered rock LPs of the last decade. If you had a chance to catch the elusive band on their brief mini-tour around this time, you’re one of the few and the proud. 

Mariachi El Bronx

The Bronx pulled a complete 180 on the punk-rock world when it formed a side project that literally no one expected but those in the band’s inner circle called Mariachi El Bronx. The effort is a surprisingly authentic and enjoyable mariachi side project with all of the Bronx’s members in tow (and some new additions), many of which on different instruments. And they have almost as many albums as the Bronx now. How fucking punk rock is that? 

Matt Skiba And The Sekrets

What do you get when you add the guitarist/vocalist of Alkaline Trio (and eventually blink-182), the bassist for AFI and the drummer for My Chemical Romance? Matt Skiba And The Sekrets. The alternative trio (Matt Skiba, Hunter Burgan and Jarrod Alexander) currently have two full LPs out, and they’re not that different from Alk3’s later catalog, but they’re musically unique and lyrically biting enough to satisfy a fan of any of the bands listed above. 

A Perfect Circle

To all those musicians reading, there’s hope for you. A Perfect Circle are easily one of the larger acts on this list, and it all started when Tool’s former guitar tech Billy Howerdel played his compositions for Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. Shortly after, the band were formed, and various members from Failure and Primus joined the fold to create their dark (but much more accessible than Tool’s catalog) debut LP, Mer De Noms. Now the Smashing Pumpkins’s James Iha is involved, making it a perfect supergroup. 

The Postal Service

If you made it through 2003 without hearing “Such Great Heights,” the gold-certified single from the Postal Service’s platinum debut album, Give Up, you must have been sleeping in throughout the year. The viral (before viral was a term) group consisted of Death Cab For Cutie vocalist/guitarist Ben Gibbard, Rilo Kiley vocalist/guitarist Jenny Lewis on backing vocals and producer Jimmy Tamborello at the boards. Although the group have only one LP, it seems that their legacy will not give up.

The Prize Fighter Inferno

Fans of Coheed And Cambria are another breed of obsessive prize-fighter advocates for the band, and they proved such with the underground inferno demand for singer/guitarist/guru Claudio Sanchez’s unconventional side project the Prize Fighter Inferno. If you ever listened to C&C and were like, “Man, this shit is truly great, but the songs need to be way weirder and encompass so many more genres,” then TPFI are certainly for you.

Rehasher

Fans of Less Than Jake who deviate more toward their brash punkier selections than the sunny ska tunes in their catalog will love Rehasher. Less Than Jake’s bassist/co-lead vocalist Roger Lima switched to guitar for this band and doesn’t share the lead vocal spotlight with anyone in this four-piece. It must be unusual for the guy not to be onstage with a horn section, but it works just as well.

Silvertooth

Every member of Silverstein and every member of Beartooth joined together to form the largest (in size) screamo supergroup of all time called Silvertooth. And what a romp it was and always will be. The few Warped Tour audiences who were lucky enough to catch their unrelenting two-pronged sets deserve a plethora of gold stars (and a silver tooth). Aggressive music has never ever sounded so damn sweaty, and boys, we absolutely love your uniforms.

Simple Creatures

Bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus of blink-182 formed an alternative-pop side project Simple Creatures with All Time Low singer/guitarist (and blink-182 superfan) Alex Gaskarth in 2019 that has the ability to appeal to both mainstream rock and underground scene fans alike. Seriously. The fervor on the internet when they made the announcement of the union seemed to be sponsored by adrenaline.

While many movies today are still hilarious, some may agree that bands such as Good Charlotte and Bowling For Soup make the experience even more enjoyable. Here are 10 comedy movies from your past where punk, rock and emo music thrived on its soundtrack. 

Read more: Here’s what new shows and movies Hulu is bringing us in June

1. The Pacifier

Disney’s 2005 movie The Pacifier stars Vin Diesel as a Navy SEAL. His mission includes nannying a group of angsty teens and squirmy kiddos to save them from possible attackers searching for their father’s high-tech computer software. The film is family-friendly and funny. It’s also punk AF. It features “Everyday Super Hero” written by the kings of soundtracks, Smash Mouth. Good Charlotte’s “The Anthem” also makes an appearance, as well as Queen’s classic “We Will Rock You.” 

2. She’s The Man

Alongside leading man Channing Tatum, Bynes stars in She’s The Man as Viola Hastings. She pretends to be her twin brother Sebastian and goes out for his school’s soccer team as hers was cut. In a hilarious film modernizing Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, of course there’s an equally as hip and modern soundtrack. A whole scene is taken over by “4Ever” by the Veronicas, and the All-American Rejects pop in with “Move Along” and “Dirty Little Secret.” OK Go provide music for the final game of the movie with “Invincible” and O.A.R.’s “Love And Memories” can be heard in the background of the film. She’s The Man goes down in teen comedy history as being the most quotable movie. Just one question: Do you like cheese?

3. John Tucker Must Die

John Tucker, played by Jesse Metcalfe, is a cheater in this 2006 romantic comedy. A group of heartbroken girls convince the new girl Kate (Brittany Snow) to seduce John and ruin his life instead. Netflix’s You star Penn Badgley also plays a big role in this movie as the introverted cutie Scott. (Fortunately, he’s not quiet in the serial killer sort of way.) Honestly, this soundtrack is stacked. In true teen comedy fashion, the All-American Rejects make an appearance with “Dirty Little Secret.” Additionally, Cartel’s “Honestly,” the Click Five’s “Just The Girl” and the Cure’s “Close To Me” can all be heard. 

4. The House Bunny 

Anna Faris stars as Playboy bunny Shelley Darlingson in this 2008 comedy film alongside the likes of Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, Colin Hanks and even Tyson Ritter, lead singer of the All-American Rejects. After Shelley gets kicked out of the Playboy Mansion when she turns the old age of 27, she finds a home at a sorority house on a college campus, turning nerdy misfit sorority sisters into sexy queens. The soundtrack features a variety of genres from hip-hop all the way to punk served on a silver-screen platter by Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend.” Many alternative favorites such as Boys Like Girls’ “The Great Escape,” “I Wanna” by the All-American Rejects, “I’ll Run” by the Cab and “Shake It” by Metro Station can all be heard on this damn near perfect soundtrack. 

5. Hot Fuzz

The 2007 British crime-comedy Hot Fuzz has ultra dry jokes and pop culture references that will make viewers laugh-cry as well as a rocking soundtrack that will make music fans headbang during those intense montages. Simon Pegg, who plays the tight-laced cop Nicholas Angel, wrote and starred in this glorious zombie movie that lies in a trilogy with his other films, Shaun Of The Dead and The World’s End. (Don’t worry: You don’t have to watch them in order.) This soundtrack showcases the Fratellis with “Baby Fratelli” and “Solid Gold Easy Action.” Also, the movie shows a lot of love for British rock stars the Kinks and plays “Village Green” and “Village Green Preservation Society.” 

6. Freaky Friday 

Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis star in this Disney hit where a mother and daughter switch bodies and have to take on each other’s daily challenges. Lohan’s character Anna plays guitar in her band Pink Slip and crushes it at the end of the movie—in her mom’s body, of course. This soundtrack uniquely uses punk bands to cover well-known rock tunes to give the movie a much-needed edge. Simple Plan cover “Happy Together” by the Turtles, Bowling For Soup tackle “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears and Joey Ramone puts a punk spin on “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Andrew W.K.’s “She Is Beautiful” makes its way into the movie, too. 

7. Sydney White

Bynes starred in another hilarious movie during the mid-2000s, Sydney White, loosely based on the classic tale Snow White And The Seven Dwarves. Sydney comes to college and doesn’t fit in with any sorority girls despite being a legacy, but she comes across a broken-down house with seven nerds living inside. The unlikely bunch rise to the top and take over the student government, creating equal rights for dweebs and popular kids alike. The soundtrack features some badass punk songs to fit this roller coaster of a film. The Veronicas can be heard in the film with “Revolution,” while Dashboard Confessional offer up their sappy love tune “Stolen.” 

8. Cheaper By The Dozen

Steve Martin’s Cheaper By The Dozen remake is a hilarious, family-friendly movie that follows a large family’s move to a new neighborhood with school and career adjustments and challenges. Though few people have a 14-person family, this film gives you a glimpse into what it’s like to raise a dozen kids varying in age. Appropriately, Simple Plan’s “I’m Just A Kid” fully encapsulates the scene where the teens are enduring absolute hell at school. “In Too Deep” by Sum 41 also encapsulates the feelings that come with taking on new responsibilities and social obligations. Both of these punk songs are perfect for any on-camera struggle, comedy or not. 

9. Easy A

Based on the novel many were forced to read in high school, Easy A is a modern The Scarlet Letter. Stone, Badgley and Bynes (Are you seeing a theme yet?) star in this comedy film. Stone plays Olive, a shy high school student who, due to fake rumors, becomes the class slut. Therefore, she dons a red A on her clothes like Hester Prynne from the novel. A movie based on classic literature deserves an equally classic soundtrack, right? Death Cab For Cutie’s hit “Transatlanticism” and Rooney’s “Go On” can be heard in the film. There’s also “Bad Reputation” written by Joan Jett and performed by the Dollyrots. 

10. Yours, Mine & Ours

2005’s Yours, Mine & Ours stars Dennis Quaid, Rene Russo and 18 kids. They really give Cheaper By The Dozen a run for its money. Two single parents move in together and hope their large families will get along and become one in no time. Instead, the children try to break up their parents to get back to the life they knew before. Aside from a good storyline, the movie features BFS with “Almost,” and the Click Five reappear with “Good Day.”

1. Defeater – Fall Midwest Tour 2019

Hitting the Midwest this fall.

Tix on sale this Friday at https://t.co/wqtjyubtWA

Poster by the ever-loving homie @MBingham87 pic.twitter.com/0nwtFPPfED

— Defeater (@Defeater) May 15, 2019

Defeater dropped their incredible self-titled album earlier this month and announced a short run of dates across the Midwest U.S.

Read More: Power Trip cancel show due to member’s bicycle accident

They’ll be kicking off the tour in St. Louis on September 27 and wrap up their run in Buffalo on October 6. Check out the full list of dates below and pick up tickets here.

Dates:

09/27 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
09/28 – Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcarde
09/29 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
09/30 – Burnsville, MN @ The Garage
10/02 – Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
10/03 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roboto Project
10/04 – Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry
10/05 – Columbus, OH @ Big Room Bar
10/06 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place

2. Born Of Osiris – The Simulation Tour

 

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The Simulation continues! Catch us performing our new album The Simulation on tour with @badomensofficial, @spiteofficial, and @kingdomofgiants July-August. #TheSimulation #TheSimulationTour #KieselGuitars #SumerianRecords #BornofOsiris #BadOmens #Spite #KingdomofGiants

A post shared by BORN OF OSIRIS (@boocrue) on May 15, 2019 at 12:23pm PDT

Born Of Osiris are heading on a summer tour with Bad Omens, Spite and Kingdom Of Giants. Take a look at their dates below and secure tickets here.

Dates:

07/19 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Citadel
07/20 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
07/21 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
07/23 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
07/24 – Ft. Collins, CO @ The Aggie Theater
07/26 – Spokane, WA @ The Pin
07/27 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
07/28 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
07/30 – Reno, NV @ Cargo
07/31 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
08/01 – San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues
08/02 – Las Vegas, NV. @ Vinyl
08/03 – Pomona, CA @ Glass House
08/04 – Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
08/06 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
08/07 – Odessa, TX @ The Club
08/08 – Corpus Christi, TX @ House Of Rock
08/09 – Dallas, TX @ GMBG
08/10 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
08/11 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge

3. The Faim – State Of Mind World Tour

 

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THE TIME HAS COME TO OPEN OUR STATE OF MIND ? It’s hard to believe that 4 guys from Perth are even announcing these shows for our headline tour. We’re bringing our craziness to new cities with new songs and playing more incredible festivals like @officialrandl @fm4frequency and @lollapaloozade ?This is beyond humbling and it’s all possible because of the the incredible relationships we’ve created with you. We’re excited to see all your wonderful faces on our ‘State Of Mind – World Tour’ ? Tickets on sale this FRIDAY the 17th of May @ 9am UK // 10am GERMANY // 4pm PERTH // 6pm SYDNEY ? #thefaim #stateofmind

A post shared by THE FAIM (@thefaim) on May 13, 2019 at 2:50am PDT

The Faim are gearing up to head out on a two-month European tour. “We’re bringing our craziness to new cities with new songs and we’re beyond excited to see all your wonderful faces,” the band say in an Instagram post.

Take a look at the dates below and pick up your tickets here.

Dates:

07/12 – Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo (All Ages)
07/12 – Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo (18+)
07/13 – Adelaide, AU @ Lion Arts Factory
07/14 – Melbourne, AU @ Northcote Social Club (All Ages)
07/14 – Melbourne, AU @ Northcote Social Club (18+)
07/17 – Sydney, AU @ The Factory
07/19 – Perth, AU @ Vision Studios (All Ages) 
07/20 – Perth, AU @ Jack Rabbit Slims (18+)
08/17 – St Polten, AT @ Frequency
08/19 – Aschaffenburg, DE @ Colos-Saal
08/20 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
08/21 – Antwerp, BE. @ Den Eglantier
08/23 – Leeds, UK @ Reading & Leeds Festival
08/25 – Reading, UK @ Reading & Leeds Festival
08/27 – Dublin, IE @ Academy 2
08/28 – Belfast, IE @ Oh Yeah
08/29 – Edinburgh, UK @ Sneaky Pete’s
08/30 – Liverpool, UK @ Arts Club
08/31 – Sheffield, UK @ Corporation
09/01 – Norwich, UK Epic Studios
09/04 – Luxembourg, LU @ Den Atelier
09/05 – Munster, DE @ Skaters Palace
09/07 – Warsaw, PL @ Hydrozagadka
09/08 – Berlin, DE @ Lollapalooza Festival
09/10 – Bremen, DE @ Tower
09/11 – Prague, CZ @ Meetfactory

4. The Old Firm Casuals –  July Tour 2019

The Old Firm Casuals are heading out on a string of July dates in support of their latest effort, Holger Danske. Additionally, the band are playing Roadblock Music Festival and this year’s This Is Hardcore. You can pick up tickets for the tour here.

Dates:

07/06 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone
07/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
07/11 – Dallas, Tx @ Three Links
07/12 – Austin, Tx @ Dirty Dog Bar
07/13 – Houston, Tx @ The Secret Group
07/27 – East Providence, RI @ Roadblock Music Festival
07/28-29 – Philadelphia, PA @ This Is Hardcore Festival

5. The Dollyrots – Summer Tour 2019

Which @TheDollyrots‘ show are you going to? Check out the tour dates! #WickedCool pic.twitter.com/WUBu6PLSHE

— Wicked Cool Records (@wickedcool_nyc) May 16, 2019

This summer, pop-punk duo the Dollyrots are heading on a US tour with the Pink Spiders. You can check out a full list of dates below and get your tickets here.

Dates:

06/14 – Bloomington, IL @ Midwest Punkfest XI
07/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hi Hat
07/20 – Mountain View, CA @ Warped Tour
07/30 – Charlotte, NC @ Milestone*
07/31 – Chapel Hill, NC @ The Local 506*
08/01 – Lancaster, PA @ Lizard Lounge*
08/02 – Philadelphia, PA @ Milk Boy*
08/03 – New York, NY @ Coney Island Baby*
08/04 – New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine*
08/05 – Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar*
08/06 – Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5*
08/07 – Greenville, SC @ Radio Room*
08/08 – Atlanta, GA @ 529*
08/09 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits*
08/10 – Tampa, FL @ The Attic*

* – with the Pink Spiders

See more: 10 pop-punk shows we wish we could have gone to

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The song addresses how though you may not know exactly what’s going to happen in life, you shouldn’t give up.

Read more: Poppy unleashes creepy music video, experimental new song “Voicemail”

After touring together for over a decade and collaborating on other projects, including “Those Were The Days,” theme song for ABC’s Schooled, and “Love Ya, Love Ya, Love Ya,” from Bowling For Soup’s One Big Happy, the two decided to come together and make an album.

“It was absolutely like nothing I had in mind for the song, and it was perfect,” Reddick says. “I just don’t know how this song doesn’t put a pep in your step.”

Read more: 13 misheard pop-punk lyrics you’ve been singing wrong your entire life

The new track was one of the first that the duo wrote for their album. The result set the tone for the rest of the writing process.

“The lyrics and music really embody the spirit of the project,” Ogden says. “We didn’t know what we were doing or how we were going to do it, but we knew it would be fun.”

Check out “Here We Go” below!

Sittin’ In A Tree will be released March 22 via Whiskey Joe Records, but you can preorder the album and receive three tracks instantly here.

You can also keep up with the duo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

See more: 10 pop-punk shows we wish we could have gone to

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Collected here are some of the very best. Some you may have heard, some you may not have heard, but either way they’re important takes on some classic tracks.

I See Stars — Hozier’s “Take Me To Church”

One of the greatest love songs ever written. Fact. I See Stars take this track and give it such a yearning makeover that it’s hard to not fall into a deep, heartbroken misery just by listening to it.

A Wilhelm Scream — The Outfield’s “Your Love”

You might not recognize the name straight away because there are about 10 thousand with this title, but the moment the vocals kick in, you’ll know it. Giving it an edge that is unbeaten, A Wilhelm barrel through, taking no prisoners — except your love.

Braid — The Smiths’ “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”

How can the Smiths sound even more melodramatic? Add angst, and lots of it. A loose, emo-tastic take that shows why Braid are so bloody good at what they do.

Joyce Manor — The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star”

Everyone knows this song, but not like this. Joyce Manor’s take on this ’80s behemoth is filled with their classic DIY, rough-and-ready sound.

Me First And The Gimme Gimme’s — Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”

Yes, this might be considered cheating slightly because Me First are pretty much a straight-up covers band, but after hearing “My Heart Will Go On” like this, you’ll understand why it’s on this list.

New Found Glory — Sixpence None The Richer’s “Kiss Me”

Now, we’re 99.9999 percent sure you know this cover. It might well be more well-known than the original, but what list would be complete without it?

Blink-182 — Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself”

A throwback to when Blink-182 were that scrappy little punk band, and Tom DeLonge hadn’t left (twice). Everything about this cover is what gave Blink their charm: It’s fast, it’s messy, and, most of all, it’s fun.

Pennywise — Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”

Pennywise bring a slightly more upbeat and faltering sound to this staple, as the track sounds like it could fall away with the emotion it picks up as it gathers speed, including a slight change in lyrics with “fuckin’ stand by me.” Punk AF.

The Dollyrots — Katrina & The Waves’ “Walking On Sunshine”

Only released this year, the Dollyrots’ take on this happy-go-lucky standard gives new meaning to its title. A furiously upbeat ripper, you won’t be able to go back to the original.

The Avalanche Diaries — Christina Aguilera’s “Genie In A Bottle”

That unassuming intro just delves into a beautiful and chaotic take that’s certainly unique. Christina Aguilera never sounded so huge and maniacal.

All Time Low — Rihanna’s “Umbrella”

Of course All Time Low nailed this one. It’s Rihanna’s monstrous breakout single that really was born to be a pop-punk song. Their pop-punk urgency fits right in with the glitz and glam the lyrics convey.

Our Last Night — Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse”

You know what a track like “Dark Horse” needs? More darkness; loud, chugging drums; and KP’s lyrics surrounded by haunting and taunting demonic music.

The Maine (feat. Derek Sanders) — LEN’s “Steal My Sunshine”

A picture-perfect cover of LEN’s one-hit wonder. The Maine somehow take one of the most recognizable songs of the ’90s and give it an injection of life that is so addictive you’ll find yourself on play No. 20 before realizing it’s repeated.

The Ataris — Don Henley’s “Boys Of Summer”

Quite possibly one of the best covers of all time. Shoutout for the change of lyrics from “Dead Head” to “Black Flag.” It’s a must-have for any end-of-summer playlist.

Read more: Bowling For Soup release “Right About Now” video

“Life After Lisa” was originally on Drunk Enough To Dance, released in 2000. Bowling For Soup are about to embark on the How About Another Round U.K. Tour, kicking off in Glasgow on February 1. Support comes from the Dollyrots, Lacey and MC Lars. Dates are below.

Dates:

Feb 1 – Glasgow @ O2 Academy
Feb 2 – Newcastle @ O2 Academy
Feb 3 – Leeds @ O2 Academy
Feb 4 – Liverpool @ O2 Academy
Feb 5 – Manchester @ Academy
Feb 6 – Birmingham @ O2 Academy
Feb 7 – Sheffield @ O2 Academy
Feb 8 – Norwich @ UEA
Feb 9 – Nottingham @ Rock City
Feb 10 – Guildford @ G Live
Feb 11 – London @ Roundhouse
Feb 12 – Bournemouth @ O2 Academy
Feb 13 – Southampton @ Guildhall
Feb 14 – Cardiff @ Great Hall
Feb 15 – Bristol @ O2 Academy

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