American band, Knuckle Puck burst onto the pop-punk/emo scene in 2014 and, since then, have released two outstanding albums, Copacetic and Shapeshifter to establish themselves as a band to look out for.
What makes them stand out from the pack is their heartfelt and witty lyrics and their ability to write amazing melodies that draw the listener into each song. The band currently consists of Kevin Maida – lead guitar, John Siorek – drums, percussion, Joe Taylor – lead vocals, Nick Casasanto – rhythm guitar, backing vocals and Ryan Rumchaks – bass.
Do yourself a favour and check out these awesome songs that made it onto the top 5.
Honourable mentions: ‘Evergreen’, ‘Want Me Around’, ‘Conduit’, ‘No Good’, ‘Wall to Wall (Depreciation)’.
5. Pretense
The pace of this song’s intro is the perfect introduction to Knuckle Puck as the speedy, harmonious guitar riff, coupled with Siorek’s drums and Taylor’s quick-witted lyrics set the scene. The lyrics, ‘How dare you guilt me for not sticking around as if you ever did for me? I’ll leave you in the dark with a broken flashlight. You left me with a choice and a pretense,’ perfectly sum up the nature of the song that focuses on broken hearts and relationships – something that anyone can relate to.

4. Disdain
‘I’ve got a lot to talk about. My disdain for the Pacific threw my name into distant mouths. The heart is heavy when the words are weighing you down,’ is how the vocalist, Taylor, opens up this song straight off the bat. The emotional, almost screaming-type vocals fit perfectly in this track as it grabs your attention from the start. This song is edgy and a perfect track for those summer blues. Self-loathing and wanting to be more in a relationship mix and bounce off each other in this personal song.

3. Double Helix
This drum-based track from Shapeshifter is a fantastic entry on the band’s sophomore album with its enduring melody and memorable chorus. The verses are slower and melodic with the pre-chorus and chorus taking the song to the next level as Taylor and Casasanto harmonise their vocals: ‘Take, take oh please just take it back. I don’t want your double helix.’ This part is sung at full volume and really adds a fantastic dimension to the song. One of the band’s standout tracks.

2. Gone
Pop-punk at its best is an accurate way of describing the first single from Shapeshifter with its guitar melodies and pulsating rhythms combined with Knuckle Puck’s signature lyrics. A highlight is the opening verse of this track: ‘I did what I do best. Forgot myself. Got overdressed like everybody else. A glance and a half smile. Black heels on the white tile. It took seven years for your path to realign. But I’ll still think of you on the fifth of June. Cause when I saw you I lost you all over again.’ The bridge where Siorek’s drums and Rumchak’s bass riff intertwine is another personal favourite of mine.

1.True Contrite
This is my favourite song from Knuckle Puck and the blend of edgy punk rock beats and melodic passages are what keep me returning every time. Sometimes, the lyrics should be listened to with a dictionary as they focus on the theme of wanting remorse. ‘Disguise your memory with pictures on the walls. Am I good enough? Replace my every flaw, the ones you never even saw. As if you tried to. You never tried to. We dream in colour, but see in black and white.’ My favourite part is the melodic bridge intro with a clean guitar and unique drum beat to finish it off perfectly.