"Easycore"

There has been a lot of buzz lately around a handful of bands being referred to as "Easycore". For those of you who don't know what Easycore is, it's basically a mashup of pop-punk with heavy mosh parts. Pop-punk and hardcore have been being crossed over for a while now, with some notable bands including Lifetime, Saves The Day, The Movielife, and more recently Set Your Goals. The term "Easycore" was first used by New Found Glory and is now referring to bands who, although drenched in hardcore influence, have a tendency to incorporate breakdowns which are more Metalcore-esque than traditional hardcore mosh parts. With the recent success of bands like Four Year Strong, similarly oriented bands are popping up. So i'm gonna throw up a list of my favorite easycore bands that everyone should check out and/or keep an eye on.

All Or Nothing - Birmingham, UK

First up, England's All Or Nothing. These guys definitely showcase the more melodic side of the Easycore scene. AON made a name for themselves by putting out an EP called "Is Hot Right Now" and a split EP with Pop-Punk heavy hitters The Wonder Years. A more emotional spin on Easycore, these guys show hints of 90's Emo, but still bring plenty of circle pit-worthy fast rythms, breakdowns, and gang vocals.

Check Out: Is Pretty Hot Right Now EP























The Crosstown Rivalry - Voorhees, NJ/Philadelphia, PA

To be honest with you, The Crosstown Rivalry has got to be one of my favorite bands right now. Definitely one of the poppier bands on this list, TCR has some of the most finely crafted songwriting in the pop-punk game today, but still definitely wear their hardcore influence with pride. With two EPs under their belt, these guys bring what is, in my opinion, the perfect blend of sugar coated choruses, sweet vocal harmonies and harder-than hell mosh parts. The best part? These guys aren't signed yet. Keep an eye out for these guys, its only a matter of time before they break out.

Check Out: Pull Down The Sky EP



Fight Fair - San Diego, CA

Fight Fair are all about one thing: Fun. From their music to their look to their lyrics to their live show, these guys are about having a good time and aren't afraid to say it. But don't let their typical Cali surfer-boy looks fool you, these guys are down with the 'core (their merch selection includes a Black Flag themed shirt and a youth crew-esque shirt with a pile-up picture on the back.) One of the best parts about listening to Fight Fair is that, while their songs generally may not be as fast as some other easycore bands, the production of their Settle The Score EP is fairly reminiscent of some pretty moshy bands. Clicky bass drum tone? Check. Saturated guitar tone? Check. Totally mosh-worthy breakdowns? Double Check. Tons of pile-ups, Mosh parts, and a legit live show put these dudes at the top of the easycore heap.

Check Out: Settle The Score EP



Latin For Truth - Scottsboro, AL

Straight out of the dirty south, Latin For Truth stick a little bit closer to the hardcore sound that influenced them than most of the rest of the bands on this list. LFT don't play verse-chorus songs, they only use clean singing about 50% of the time (the rest of the album is filled with hardcore-style yells and growls), and they sing more about more typical hardcore song topics than relationship problems ("Lying For a Living"), and these guys are definitely the fastest band on the list. So what makes them easycore? The guitar melodies are so undeniably happy and upbeat that they fit in better with these bands than their hardcore brethren.

Check Out: Eleven Eleven



Me Vs. Hero - Blackpool, UK

Along with All Or Nothing, Me Vs. Hero are holding down the easycore scene overseas in the UK. Although these guys have the most ridiculous song titles I've ever seen, ("Hey Elzar, Take it up Another Notch With The Spice Weasel. Bam," what the fuck?) their music is pretty serious. Lyrically, these guys are a step ahead of alot of the other easycore bands out there. One thing you're sure to hear when listening to MVH is lots and lots and lots and lots of gang vocals, double bass, and tasty riffs.


Check Out - Self Titled EP



With the Punches - New York

Last, but certainly not least, is New York's With The Punches. These guys stand apart for a couple of reasons. 1: Recognizably deeper and less whiney singing than many of their easycore brethren. 2: Epic choruses which, although may not be as bubble-gummy and radio ready as the choruses of the other bands on the list, definitely evoke alot of feeling (the best of which is on the track "Burned at Both Ends" off of their Keep it Going EP).

Check Out: Keep It Going EP



A Few Honorable Mentions:
Take Notice - Members of WATU, just signed with I Surrender records.
Blank Tape - I honestly felt a little pompous and uncomfortable doing a spotlight on my own band, but if you're a fan of the bands on this list you should definitely check out our new album, "When The Sun Goes Down".
This Time Next Year - California Fun, Feel Good pop-punk with hardcore influence.
Heart To Heart - I didn't give these guys a full spotlight because they're broken up now, but they were an awesome unsigned easycore band.