We Were Sharks Give New Voice to Pop Punk Scene
Photo courtesy of We Were Sharks
There is something to be said for the way that pop punk nestled it’s way into the hearts of skinny jean-clad young adults in the beginning of the 2000’s. Whether it was a cracked “From Under the Cork Tree” CD or your first experience in a mosh-pit, what mattered most was likely your introduction to guitar-driven compositions.
Now, artists like We Were Sharks provide a pathway back to these roots, while breathing new life into the genre. “We definitely take a lot of our influences from the early ‘00s era of pop punk”, the band expressed in an email interview. “New Found Glory has always been our go-to for inspiration.” Among other influences noted were Mayday Parade, Hit the Lights, The Ataris, and (of course) Fall Out Boy.
The band solidified their place in the community with their song “Bridge Burner”, which has amassed over 1,000,000 plays on Spotify.
“It was an absolute surprise”, they mused. “We didn’t think it was going to be the song that opened the door for us. But, we’re thankful and have fully accepted that it’s a song that we will be playing until the end of time.”
The relationship between the band and their fans is essential to them, and this is evident in the tone they took when asked about their favorite part of touring.
“It doesn’t matter the turnout”, they shared. “Some person who you have probably never met in your life has heard your work. And it mattered enough to them that they listened to it so much that they know your lyrics.” We Were Sharks has been traveling around the U.S. alongside Assuming We Survive and Never Loved for the past month or so, rounding out their shows on November 15th.
Nostalgia is present within We Were Sharks’ discography, yet their 2018 release “Lost Touch” creates a mature air both lyrically and sonically. Described by the band as an “evolution” from their previous work, the album includes a feature by Ollie Baxxter of Broadside and the anthemic likes of songs such as “Ashley” and “Beyond Repair”.
In terms of their latest work the band stated, “We sprinkled tastes of our pop punk influences throughout each of the songs, but, we also wanted to have other influences shine through.” Despite evidence of vocalist Randy Frobel’s love of country on some tracks, the band was sure to stay true to their rock roots.
Among new ventures for the band is their recent signing with Revival Records, described by them as, “...a very friendly and family oriented team.” They are excited to enter this new chapter with the label, and look forward to growing together.
When asked about upcoming music, We Were Sharks seemed enthusiastic. Once the band returns from their current tour and settles down for a well-earned week off, they plan on getting back into the studio.
“We have the same team working with us on this next album as we did on ‘Lost Touch’ with an old friend who helped us with our first independent releases”, they stated. “So, we can’t wait to share this next record with everyone.”
With four more shows left on this tour, any interest in seeing We Were Sharks live should be capitalized on. Catch them in Scottsdale, AZ (11/8), Fresno, CA (11/9), San Diego, CA (11/10), Indianapolis, IN (11/13), or Lakewood, OH (11/15). If you can’t make it out to these dates, their four releases are available on most streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
We Were Sharks is Randy Frobel (vocals), Jason Mooney (guitar), Colin Jacques (guitar), Matthew Sears (bass) and Will Plummer (drums).
Follow We Were Sharks: