Valencia are playing their last show in Philadelphia today. I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I’ve been trying not to think about it, but since today’s the day, I feel the need to write something…

When I first heard This Could Be a Possibility back in 2006, I was hooked. Shane, their singer, then released When The Flowers Bloom under his acoustic side-project, Promise of Redemption, which had the biggest emotional impact on me than any other album. So, I just knew Valencia’s second album We All Need A Reason To Believe was going to be something special. And it really was!

Obviously, music is subjective, but WANARTB is seriously one of the most perfect pop-punk releases. Definitely in my top 3 albums of all-time, anyway. I always said that if they weren’t going to explode after that, then there’s really no hope for them. It gave them a little recognition, but nowhere near what they deserved.

The thing I appreciated about Valencia the most is that they didn’t have any gimmicks. They weren’t pretending to be sad anymore, they didn’t attempt to ‘defend pop-punk’, or purposely immerse themselves with ‘cool’ bands. They were just Valencia. Real guys writing the most heartfelt music.

I saw them on tour supporting Kids In Glass Houses in 2008, I went to the Middlesbrough and Sheffield shows - practically, the only one singing along to them. I don’t really know why, but I had a sinking feeling a break-up was on the cards - I even told Shane when I interviewed him in September, ha. I never thought I’d get to see them again, but they finally came back, three years later, with The Wonder Years. I’m seriously so relieved I got to see them two more times, in Brighton and London, with all my best friends.

If the show was announced a lot earlier and I hadn’t gone to Fest, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’d be in Philly right now. Going to Boston for Have Heart’s last show was the best thing I’ve ever done, and ignoring genres, I’d put Valencia right up there with Have Heart in regards to their unparalleled sincerity.

Fuck. :(

slc-hunks:

Wrightsville Beach

A Loss For Words

No Sanctuary

Find me a better pop-punk song… You can’t!

Good day for music, first Backtrack and now this. Both absolutely banging. Support A Loss For Words!

fuckyeahpop-punk:

Here’s the brand new video for “Count Your Bruises” by The Flatliners! Check it out, and pre-order their new 7” by the same name via Fat Wreck Records that was released yesterday. Also, Europe, you’re in luck, as the band are starting a EU tour today! Check out the dates for that HERE.

Best band in the world.

Man Overboard - Love Your Friends, Die Laughing @ Hevy.

I wanna go back! Crowd surf at 29-secs!

Punknews.org is not a fan of Man Overboard. Check out my interview with their guitrarist, Justin Collier: http://www.punknews.org/article/43726

photoxcore:

I’m back from SYG. Just what I needed. A fun-filled Pop-Punk show to end a shitty day at work.

Two more photos here.

Tonight was just incredible and exactly why I love shows. I think I spent the majority of it airborne (10 stage dives, yeah!). It was my 13th time seeing Set Your Goals, people say they’re hit or miss live, but I always end up having the best times at their shows. Great vibes and so many friends.

“For nights like this, I trade my days…”

mikescottpunk:

http://hangoverhard.blogspot.com/2008/04/mr-t-experience-everyones-entitled-to.html

i recently put this on my mp3 player having not listened to it in a very long time. it is an album from 1986 - mr t experience’s debut album, ‘everyone’s entitled to their own opinion’.

i came across these guys when i was 13…they were meant to be supporting green day in the UK on the insomniac tour. as it happened, the tour got cancelled and i never got to see them. but this album has stuck with me for years.

MTX became the epitome of 1234 punk (pop punk, whatever you want to call it). but this record was so much more than that. it mixes the kind of surf, hardcore sound of agent orange with pop punk, all done on low budget with a very gravelly couple of voices.

have a listen. it’s fucking awesome. and it was SO far ahead of its time it’s ridiculous. i’m not sure MTX ever got near making as good a record as this again.

I think you’re the only other person I know who listens to these. So underrated! Love Is Dead is definitely the better album, though!