“It’s All Happening!” groupie Penny Lane shouts to young rock critic William Miller across a parking lot after a Black Sabbath concert in one of the most iconic scenes in ‘movies about music’ history. The iconic phrase from Almost Famous is the simplest, yet most accurate way to describe the incredible transition for a band on the brink of success that is not only recognized by the band, but also the fans, and even rock critics. It only seemed fitting to name my radio show this. I have done a Pop Punk specialty show before with all the expected names such as Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and any other eyeliner wearing, mohawk having, skinny jean enthusiast. But this time I wanted to do something different.
The most interesting time in a band’s career is the moment when they feel as if they are about to hit something big, the moment that they feel as if all of their hard work is about to pay of, a moment where life feels like it’s all happening. These are the bands I want to focus on in my radio show. Every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm I will be embarking on a journey through debut albums, first headlining tours and newest members of a record label. Local and non-local, Pop Punk is a huge scene with a lot to offer, and the underground scene is rising fast. Each week I will feature a band that you may or may not have ever heard of on the show and tie it into a WUSC Wednesday post. So if you like the bands I am playing make sure to check in here to find out information such as upcoming tours, upcoming releases, or maybe even just a really rad live set they did. Pop Punk is a genre that has always been the stand out track in the albums of popular music. Before Neck Deep there was All Time Low, before All Time Low was Brand New, and before Brand New was Blink 182. You never know what the next best band in the scene is going to be, but you’re the most likely to hear them first on “it’s All Happening!”
Joy, Departed sounds like the most riveting and emotional parts of Deja Entendu by Brand New meshed with the most relatable and whimsical parts of You’re Gonna Miss It All by Modern Baseball, and for their debut full length on Topshelf Records, that isn’t a bad place for Sorority Noise to be. Though their 2014 album Forgettable wasn’t necessarily lackluster, Joy, Departed offers a more refreshing sound of new-wave emo. With the first single off the album being “Using” the band promoted a mellow yet catchy song that as soon as I heard it I thought, “Where is the rest of this album?” Needless to say it does not let down. Including a feature from Modern Baseball frontman Jake Ewald, “Art School Wannabe” is an instant favorite alongside other heavy hitters, “Mononokay” and “Nosley.” However, not all songs on the album are so upbeat. The record offers darker elements in tracks such as “Your Soft Blood” and “Blissth” leaving the listeners with every emotion they could have wanted from an album. These guys have got something figured out. They will be heading out on a tour this fall supporting Pop Punk poster boys Knuckle Puck alongside Seaway and Head North. If you’re looking to watch a couple of long-haired guys sing songs about sleeping in, wearing black and being sad in the most elated way, then this is the band for you.
Catch Sorority Noise live at The Masquerade in Atlanta November 6 or in Greensboro, NC at Greene Street November 12.Â
