Years Down
New Music

Top pop punk bands in Denver – YEARS DOWN list their favorites, teasing new EP

3 mins read

Following their recent release of “Shades of Grey” single, Years Down, a poppunk band from Denver, has collaborated with us to share their list of new emerging bands from Denver that you should definitely check out.

Years Down’s sound draws inspiration from New Found Glory and The Wonder Years and combines heavy and honest pop-punk with modern urgency and melody.

“Shades of Grey” is the band’s most candid and gritty track to date, and they have been busy in 2023, having released a pop-punk cover of Justin Bieber’s “Stay” last month.

Years Down teamed up with producer Taylor Hahn in 2021 and came out of the studio with a series of powerful singles, such as “Better Off,” “Cover Girl,” and “Best of Worst Times.” These tracks showcase the band’s vitality and grit with strong guitars, catchy hooks, and impactful heavy moments. They bring the same energy to their live shows, which are lively and addictive, showcasing their expressive brand of pop-punk.

The band recently went on a successful tour of Texas with Remorsefully Numb, proving that their infectious pop-punk is not confined by state borders.

Years Down consists of Griffin Mather on vocals, Ben Gonzalez on drums, Dylan Beresford on guitar, Rob Cornell on guitar, and Sterling Swanson on bass.

Best emerging bands coming out of Denver, by YEARS DOWN:

HRZN (Alternative/Pop-Punk)

If Jinjer and Paramore made a super group it would likely sound something like what’s been going on over at HRZN lately.

What started as a definitively pop punk with alternative leanings project has slowly turned into one of the heavier female-fronted bands in town.

While they haven’t completely abandoned the poppier elements, their choruses are still crazy catchy, they have added a lot of aspects traditionally associated with much heavier music, and it’s such a vibe.

We are beyond stoked for some of the music they have coming later this spring, you will be seeing their name everywhere very soon.

BURY MIA (Pop-Punk)

If you want to mainline some nostalgia with a fresh twist look no further than our boys in Bury Mia, the Denver scene pop-punk kings as far as we’re concerned.

Funnily enough, our first single “Better Off” shares its name with one of their songs AND was even released around the same time. The back catalogue these guys have is filled with certified bangers that are timeless, tracks you feel like could just as easily have been heard on a 2000s warped tour compilation.

Their new releases are nothing to sleep on either, “We’ve Been Trying To Reach You About Your Car’s Extended Warranty” has one of our favorite choruses so far this spring, and the breakdown is immaculate.

SUITABLE MISS (New Wave Pop-Punk)

The epitome of hustle culture Suitable Miss truly lives by the rise and grind lifestyle, honestly, they might be one of the hardest-working bands in the Denver scene right now. With stage production and presence that could rival any major national band out there right now, it’s a matter of time until they pop off.

They’ve created a perfect blend of all the best parts of the new wave of pop punk while still holding onto those original traits we’ve all come to know and love. It won’t take long until your head banging along to every trap beat laden break down and belting out the soulful soaring choruses.

THE LOSERS CLUB (Pop-Rock/Guitar Music)

Come for the jokes, stay for the music, the lads in The Losers Club are possibly the funniest, most genuine two-piece in town.

Basically Blink-182 without Travis Barker, they were one of the first bands we played with in Denver and have been a must-watch for us ever since.

Outside of their stage banter, their lyrics and music are just as honest as they can be tongue in cheek, with catchy riffs and massive hooks it’s hard to find a song not to like by these guys.

WASTEBASKET (Easycore/Pop-Punk)

Not many are familiar with the genre easycore but those that are will find a true gem in the band Wastebasket.

Infectious, energetic, and brutal these lads are keeping easycore alive and well in the modern era in Denver.

Hands down one of our favorite newer bands that’s sprung up in the last couple of years and they couldn’t be a cooler bunch of people. You legitimately will not want to stop listening to their debut single “Mushroom Cloud”, it is such a bop.

We are so ready for more music by them and can’t wait to see what they have for us this year.

Honorable mentions:

  • CAPTURE THIS (Pop Rock/Pop Punk)
  • OVERTIME WINNER (Pop-Punk/Easycore)
  • THE FRICKASHINAS (Punk)
  • LONG/LAST (Alternative/Post-Hardcore)
  • FLAK (Southern Fried Garage Punk)
  • RELATE. (Post-Pop Punk)
  • KEEP ME SPEECHLESS (Emo)

Karol Kamiński

DIY rock music enthusiast and web-zine publisher from Warsaw, Poland. Supporting DIY ethics, local artists and promoting hardcore punk, rock, post rock and alternative music of all kinds via IDIOTEQ online channels.
Contact via [email protected]

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