When I Feel Weak You Make Me Feel Strong

I probably should have written last year when this happened, signaling that one my all-time favourite forever and ever and ever bands The Descendents would be somewhat active again.

BUT.

PREPARE YOURSELF.

Earlier today it was brought to my attention that the band would be playing a show at Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto as a part of the North By Northeast music festival. The day they are playing the show also happens to be on my brithday, so you can imagine my excitement (seriously, this is fucking huge for me).

But The Descendents aren't just one of my personal favourites, they without a doubt, objectively up there as the most important punk bands ever. They came from the late 70's/early 80's Los Angeles hardcore scene, but were definitely different from their peers. I mean sure, most of Milo Goes To College fits pretty well with that music scene, but songs like "Bikeage" were what set them apart. Even in their faster songs, they had a definite melodic, pop sensability. Lyrically they also were little different. The predominant theme for Milo can be summed in the song "I'm Not A Loser" (guess what it's about!) and it still really holds up well and definitely is sort of a time capsule for the period.

More importantly, they wrote songs about girls. Not like Ramones "Sweet little girl, I wanna be your boyfriend" girls songs (don't worry, I fucking love The Ramones, just making a point), but actual emotional songs about how they got dumped. They are the quintessential pop-punk band. Almost everyone who came after copied them.

Think about this: blink-182 are unashamedly (I bet Mark and Tom would both admit it) a total Descendents rip-off. Now think about how many bands just totally ripped off blink. Fall Out Boy? All Time Low? Think about how many bands around today totally rip-off those bands. Also keep in mind that when they started, blink-182 were just one of many bands who essentially owe their musical style to one band. They are without a doubt one of the most influential punk of all time. When you take into account how many big bands today they have either directly or indirectly (I bet the Friday Night Boys (please don't check them out) do not own a copy of Milo Goes To College) influenced, they have had a giant impact on mainstream pop music as well.

They've been one of my "go-to" bands for a long time because of how relatable they are. Songs about being unpopular and striking out and being used by girls are basically my cup of tea, but it's also that way for the vast majority of people who are in to punk rock.

Another thing I really like about the band is that every member contributes. It's not just the lead singer writes the songs and everyone plays along. Each album features a pretty even mix of songs by every member, showing how much of a really special group of musicians they. Even better, once they added guitarist Stephen and bassist Karl for their fourth album, All, they really started to all shred and write interesting and difficult, but also poppy and catchy instrumentals for all their songs

They put together catchiness, great song-writing and fun in the best way possible.

Obviously this is a bit of a fan-boy rant (Can you tell?), but I really do strongly urge you to check out the songs below because I think everyone has been dumped at felt shitty about it and everyone has felt like they didn't belong at some point and everyone gets bummed out sometimes, so it should be pretty relatable.

This song is pretty the blue print for every pop-punk song ever. Obviously the recording is a little rough, but it's fucking 1982. You don't think this is how Enema Of The State would have sounded back then?

Usually the first thing I do when I get home from school is put on side two of this record. But now the record player is broken. It still rules regardless.

Pop-punk perfection:

I'm sorry "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World, you're pretty sweet, but this is the best guitar solo of all time (See what I mean by making it technical, but still catchy?):

Then they went on hiatus for 9 years, came back and put my third favourite record of all time. This is my favourite song ever:

2003. Mid-life crisis, but still writing the best love songs in all of punk rock:

Long story short: I'm reallt excited to see one of my absolute favourite bands play in Toronto for the first time for a long time in Toronto on my birthday. If I ever complain about anything ever, please remind me that this is happening.