Australia is home to some outstanding bands from all different types of genres, but when it comes to pop punk, we can be a little picky when it comes to the upbeat styles that just make us want to jump, dance and relive our youth! With bands like Trophy Eyes and Tonight Alive already being household names across the globe, we thought we'd turn our attention to the Class of 2020 and who we think could potentially be the next big exports within the genre, thus creating The Top 15 Aussie Pop Punk Bands To Watch In 2020...
#15 - In Eyes
We first got introduced to this Gold Coast band last year via their song 'Time Won't Wait' and have been keen and eager to see what they do next. With some major DreamState/TonightAlive vibes in their music, it won't be long before you're calling yourself a fan of this trio!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wPJo_L1wC0&w=640&h=360]
#14 - Cambridge
Formed back in 2013 after frontman Brad Smith's very public ousting from Heroes for Hire, the lads have been plodding along ever since, playing shows throughout Sydney with the likes of Mayday Parade, The Maine, New Found Glory, We The Kings and more! With new music lined up for release in 2020, this could be the year they finally show us what they're really made of!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRkPZt8zaA&w=640&h=360]
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#13 - Stone Lions
Central coast punk band Stone Lions first caught our attention last year with their fun, catchy party tunes reminiscent of fellow Aussies Heroes For Hire and Skyway. With their debut album Necking On and Kicking Off released late last year, expect this trio to continue spreading their infectious fun melodies all over the east coast (and hopefully) beyond!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGkknhcQfnU&w=640&h=360]
#12 - Nautical Mile
An act who caught us off guard late last year were Perth pop punk band Nautical Mile, who released a fucking stellar debut album called The Only Way is Through. They embarked on a National tour last November, where we caught up with them to find out that these guys are making some big plans for the future. With looks to match All Time Low and a sound to rival heavyweights State Champs, you'll fall in love with these young west coasters as they set to go places this year, that's for sure!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksgNL5ckDhQ&w=640&h=360]
#11 - Five North
Ok ok ok, whilst these guys are technically not Australian, they do have one Aussie member and so they deserve a spot on this list just for that! ScottEckel is an exceptional drummer who has been showing off his true talent in bands like MAKEOUT, Satellites and IAmVillain over the years and now he's teamed up with TylerPosey and Kyle Murphy for a band that instantaneously caught our attention with their debut track 'ThisMess'. With producer JohnFeldmann working with the guys behind the scenes, expect nothing but big things from them this year!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scrv7b5hJVc&w=640&h=360]
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#10 - Carrington
Leading the pop punk pack on the west coast are Carrington, who last year released two EPs and their emotional, lively tunes definitely vibed with us. While we haven't seen a national tour from these guys yet, it's probably because frontman Emmett Carroll is a little sidetracked helping out his friends make records (like Nautical Mile with their debut album). Here's hoping this year sees Carrington venture out of Perth and jumping on some tours out east.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFLcscQzN6I&w=640&h=360]
#9 - Homestate
Perth has the pop punk golden nugget at the moment, so rounding out WOS' Class of 2020 from Western Australia is nostalgic pop punk act Homestate. The boys managed to release their debut EP in the last literal month of 2019 and we are fucking hooked! Their punchy, tongue-in-cheek songs send us straight back to our high school days, reminding us of the good ol' days (when Sum 41 was punk). There's only one more thing to say about these guys...MORE HOMESTATE IN 2020 PLEASE!!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDWiZ_vrhbs&w=640&h=360]
#8 - Eat Your Heart Out
This young act from Newcastle found themselves signed to Fearless Records and since then, have established a loyal following in the USA as well as here in our own backyard. They released their sophomore album, Florescence last year and embarked on a short album tour shortly afterwards. They're kicking off the year by playing UNIFY Gathering, so I wouldn't be surprised if they follow that up with a National tour and a few overseas tours here and there either.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFxQLfwuFHU&w=640&h=360]
#7 - Yours Truly
Straight off the back of their debut EP Afterglow via UNFD, Sydney four-piece Yours Truly have had a massive year. They survived their first overseas trip, including stints in the UK and the USA as well as their first headline tour of Australia! Their fiery attitude is ever so evident in their live shows, so expect these kids to dominate even more this year, hopefully with their full-length debut!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TPKTn6qd5c&w=640&h=360]
#6 - Stateside
They've been in hibernation for pretty much the past twelve months, but Brisbane pop punk outfit Stateside are gearing up to make 2020 their fucking year. Frontwoman ErinReus is a fucking natural on the stage and their live energy has been given the stamp of approval by Canadian pop punk heavyweights Simple Plan (you don't get the support slot twice for nothing!). They're now preparing to open for Japanese rock act One OK Rock in March, so be sure to get around their Naive EP now before the long awaited release of new music later this year!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w7d98670D0&w=640&h=360]
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#5 - Waxflower
This Brisbane four-piece haven't even been a band for a year and they've already been given support slots with the likes of Simple Plan and The Dangerous Summer! It's not surprising though, because since the release of their first single 'Cut Your Teeth' we and everyone else are slightly addicted! Waxflower are so undeniably catchy, we're hoping they'll curb the drip feeding of singles and come at us with an EP or even better, a full-length album this year! Keep your ears pinned to these lads this year as they continue to captivate hearts all over!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7IhAbVvnxM&w=640&h=360]
#4 - Skyway
They took out the top spot for the Queensland bands we thought needed a comeback and it looks like we'll be seeing the return of Skyway in 2020 and, well, not gonna lie, we're frothing at the thought of these lads making music together. They've been teasing a new track for a while now, stay tuned on when that finally sees the light of day
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0eMsUdE2qM&w=640&h=360]
#3 - Between You and Me
Much like EYHO earlier, Between You and Me have been making a name for themselves in the States (since signing to HopelessRecords) and for good reason! Their infectiously catchy pop punk anthems are just as good as their stage presence which, when both combined, create a memorable and absolutely fun experience for all. If you're a pop punk fan and aren't all over BYAM, give yourself an uppercut!
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4Bm5P8JYc&w=640&h=360]
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#2 - Slowly Slowly
They've slowly been making their way into our lives and 2020 may just be the read Slowly Slowly do just that, especially after they DOMINATED their performances at Good Things Festival 2019! After finding their feet (and their place) in the music scene, and releasing two incredibly catchy tracks in the second half of last year ('Jellyfish' and 'Creature of Habit Pt. 2'), it's only a matter of time before they explode and take on the world next. Frontman BenStewart also eluded more new music was coming soon when we grabbed him backstage at GTF for a chat, so stay tuned for that.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LthQApdf9nU&w=640&h=360]
#1 - Stand Atlantic
Not since TonightAlive have we had a band that just oozes fun, thought-provoking lyrics, role model tendencies and all-around good times when you're in their presence, but StandAtlantic have managed to encompass all of the above and more long before the release of their stellar 2018 album Skinny Dipping. They've signed with HopelessRecords, toured the world and are still paving the way for the next breed of Australian bands following in their footsteps.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqx3f18MuFc&w=640&h=360]
Frontwoman BonnieFraser flies the flag loud and proud for the LGBTI community online and throughout her music, reminding you it doesn't matter who you lock lips with, just as long as you're happy and living your best life and that bloody deserves recognition in itself. Go give the band a follow, suss out their already released tunes and get set for album number two on the way this year!
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Words by Browny@brownypaul and TamaraMay@citylightsTAM
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Y5qCHrOXI&w=853&h=480]
