I want you to think back to your younger years. Fall Out boy was considered edgy, Brendon Urie had us all writing sins and not tragedies, and we were clad with chokers and poorly dyed hair. It was a new age of rebellion in the early 2000s, and we all were excited for it. However, as the dye faded and bands separated, music sounds started to change into something less raw and angsty, but more clean and accessible to a wider audience. With the last Warped tour happening this year, many punk rock fans are saddened by the departure of this beloved practice, and will venture out one more time to the concert grounds in order to participate in a niche and exciting music community. One of the greatest parts of Warp Tour was being able to discover new artists who jumped on the tour and partnered with wider known bands in order to get their name out there. MAKEOUT is a prime example of this, and they are an example of the type of band that we all grew up loving.

Think back to punk in the 2000s, and then listen to MAKEOUT, and you will see the similarities. I actually saw this band back in march when they were opening for Icon for Hire at Subterranean. Usually opening bands are something you have to make it through to get to the main act, but MAKEOUT really made it their own and engaged with the audience. Even after the show they were very down to Earth, eager to get photos with fans and talking to fans. They were the type of the band that you feel as though you could hang out, grab a drink (if you are old enough!), and talk all night with. Each member brought an energy to the stage that made the show even more engaging and just damn fun.

Their music brings this same energy to listeners no matter where they are in the world. Some of their songs are your typical punk songs, being crossed by and ex lover, hating parts of the world, etc. But other times there are hints of comedic relief from the main singer. For example in their song “Where’s my charger” it is a thought every young person has had at some point when they crash at a friend's house and wake up after a crazy night out. Even the cover art is an homage to younger middle school or high school days with the composition not background, the “S” symbol we all drew and other little accents that bring us back in time. Personally, the song I like the most has to be “Crazy” or “Childish”, as I can relate to sometimes wanting to lost the persona and shroud of maturity and just regressing into my angsty and sometimes annoying yet fun teenage self. The reason why I like this band and I love punk music in general, is it reminds us to look at our lives and reflect on some of the injustices or some of the choices we make, and not to take life so seriously all the time.