The Wonder Years (band)
The Wonder Years is an American rock band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, formed in July 2005. The band currently consists of Dan "Soupy" Campbell (lead vocals), Casey Cavaliere (lead guitar, backing vocals), Matt Brasch (guitar, vocals), Josh Martin (bass, vocals), Nick Steinborn (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals) and Mike Kennedy (drums, percussion). They have released seven full-length albums, two EPs, and several splits/compilations. The group is currently signed to Hopeless Records.[1] Their name originates from a paper that Campbell read that was written by one of his after-school educators titled "The Wonder Years."[2]
The Wonder Years
Lansdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- Pop-punk
- alternative rock
- emo
- easycore (early)
2005–present
- Dan "Soupy" Campbell
- Casey Cavaliere
- Matt Brasch
- Josh Martin
- Nick Steinborn
- Mike Kennedy
- Mikey Kelly
History[edit]
Formation, the early years (2005–2006)[edit]
The Wonder Years were formed in 2005 out of the remnants of an old Lansdale, Pennsylvania, band called The Premier.[3] The Premier consisted of future Wonder Years members Dan "Soupy" Campbell, Matt Brasch and Nick Steinborn, Matt Wells, Dave Hughes and CJ Morgan.[3] The first Wonder Years practice was in Mike Kennedy's basement on July 5, 2005. On that day they wrote their first song, "Buzz Aldrin: The Poster Boy for Second Place".
In their first two years, two split EPs with other local bands were released. Their first, with Emergency and I, was released in 2005,[3] featuring two songs later re-recorded on their first full-length album Get Stoked on It! -- "I Fell in Love with a Ninja Master" and "Buzz Aldrin: The Poster Boy for Second Place"—plus "Cowboy Killers". The second was split with band Bangarang![3] and also featured two songs that would be re-recorded for Get Stoked on It! -- "My Geraldine Lies Over the Delaware" and "Let's Moshercise!". The other two songs on the EP were "I Ain't Sayin' He a Gold Digga (Sike!)" and "Through Two Hearts".
Musical style and influences[edit]
The Wonder Years has been described as pop punk,[5][3][21] alternative rock,[21] and emo pop.[5] Get Stoked on It! has been described as pop punk.[22][23] The Upsides has been described as emo pop and pop punk.[5] Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing has been described as melodic hardcore[24] and pop punk.[25][26] The Greatest Generation has been described as pop punk.[27] No Closer to Heaven has been described as alternative rock[28] and pop punk.[29] Sister Cities has been described as indie rock, post-hardcore and rock.[30]
Campbell, in a Let's Play with Achievement Hunter, said that Motion City Soundtrack were "a huge influence" for the band.[31] In an interview with Alternative Press, he also cited Blink-182, Inkling, and The Get Up Kids as influences.[32]
Rock Sound wrote that on The Upsides Campbell sung about "His early twenties soul-searching and tales of strife" which "resonated with a [new] generation, inspiring countless imitators in the process."[33] This pushed Campbell to "the forefront of a new wave", and the album influencing a new wave of pop punk bands.[33] The Wonder Years have been listed as a big influence for British bands As It Is[34] and Neck Deep.[35]
