Ok:.Here's the story. The fairytale of pop punk is the flavor.

So you've got your chucks:leather jacket with your band name on the back:.your band name with "the" in front of it:black t shirt preferably. Eyeliner! Perfect. Hair a mess, levi's riding low. The mystery of a good belt buckle always gets me hot. But does that really make you pop punk? Well maybe. What makes you a pop punk star however is another story altogether.

The formula we all love and know is what makes us follow this trend to the very end. Unfortunately many bands trying to gain attention in our scene lose focus of one key element: originality. There are many different rip offs available for your listening pleasure. First and foremost we have the "Blink 182 crew". Stop whining. Why don't you cry about it? These kids just don't have a clue. It started many moons ago kiddo. I'd like to gather all these younglings, put them in straight jackets, throw them in a padded room and play the Ramones til their ears bleed. But would it stop the torture. Probably not. Second we have the "I want to be Ben Weasal gang". What can I say except honey please, only Ben can pull off singing through his nose for all these years with out getting some kind of sinus cancer. And that lead guitar riff. You know the one. If I hear one more band try to pull that one off and call it original I'm going to puke. Third but most important are the "I want to be Joe Queer disciples", now I have to be honest here because I myself am a HUGE Joe fan. He can take any song and make it a hit. So some of these bands make the cut because they are doing perfect melodies much and manage to couple it with original vocals. Yes what a concept original vocals. That's all it takes folks. Take a hint. Last but not least are the girl bands shaking their way into Droneville. Like we need any more Donnas girls. The Eyeliners are taking care of that. I think we need a few more L7's in the world. Calling all lovers of L7. I want to sign a girl band next. Now you get to work.

The next topic of discussion is attitude. As long as you have some and don't come off like an asshole. You're good to go. It really is all in how you wear your jeans. Being too good to talk to your fans is what makes you a corporate prick. And you know who you are. Our scene is not that big. It's a very small world. I'm sure you've been out of town many times and run into the same clan following the breath of every good band to hit the circuit. Like loyal puppies with fashion sense. Is it so hard to take the time to acknowledge their patronage. I think not. So KUDOS to you scenesters. And you know who you are. Don't waste your time on stuck up punk rockers who spend your money and don't appreciate you.

And finally, bands that are worth checking out: my personal favs:Moral Crux, Dirt Bike Annie, The Travoltas, Groovie Ghoulies, Darlington, The Apers, The Manges (Yes, Stefan at Stardumb is doing a great job I'll admit), The Copyrights, The Gamma Rays, Beatnik Termites and I'd name a girl band but I can't think of any. Ok: I'm outtie.

P.S.

You may not agree on any of these points. But I don't care. It's my view. Like it or not.  - Heidi Shaffer.