Punk will never die.
Surfer Blood
West Palm Beach, FL
Surfer Blood isn’t your typical punk rock band. This vibey group has an awesome post-punk revival sound mixed with a little indie and surf rock. The founding members, Tyler Schwarz and John Paul Pitts started out playing music in Orlando under the name Jabroni Sandwich. When they moved back to their hometown, Palm Beach, the two joined forces with Luke Bovat and Freddy Schwenk in 2008 under the name TV Club but didn’t stay together for long and broke up the following year. Around the time TV Club broke up, Pitts and Schwarz met Thomas Fekete at an Ultra Music Festival in Miami and the group was then re-named Surfer Blood. They are most commonly known for songs such as “Floating Vibes,” “Demon Dance,” “Swim,” and “Take It Easy.” Surfer Blood’s concerts are energetic and insanely fun… especially when they’re in their hometown.
We the Kings
Bradenton, FL
Friends since childhood, Travis Clark, Hunter Thomsen, Drew Thomsen, and Danny Duncan formed Broken Image while still attending high school. In the summer of 2005, the band set off on their first tour, Don’t Die Cindy. Later that year, they changed their name to De Soto. By fall of 2005, We the Kings went on its first tour under that name and Bret Disend. WTK is mostly known for their singles “Heaven Can Wait,” “We’ll be a Dream” (featuring Demi Lovato), “Check Yes, Juliet,” and “She Takes Me High.”
A Day to Remember
Ocala, FL
In 2003, Jeremy McKinnon, Neil Westfall, Tom Denney, Joshua Woodard, and Bobby Scruggs came together and formed ADTR. Shortly after, ADTR undertook 200 shows on their first ever tour all across the United States. ADTR self-released their first EP, Halos for Heroes, Dirt for the Dead, in 2004. ADTR is largely known for “If It Means a Lot to You,” “All I Want,” “The Downfall of Us All,” “All Signs Point to Lauderdale,” and several of their covers such as “Since U Been Gone” and “Over My Head (Cable Car)” for Pop Goes Punk.
Yellowcard
Jacksonville, FL
Yellowcard has successfully brought punk generations together since 1997. Although Yellowcard is no longer together, every time “Ocean Avenue” comes on the radio, our inner teen will always come out of its shell and rock out to this timeless classic. This iconic punk band originated from Jacksonville, FL after meeting in high school. Their name originated from their friends calling out “yellow card” for committing a “party foul.”
Less Than Jake
Gainesville, FL
LTJ formed in 1992 when some of the band members were still attending the University of Florida. Less Than Jake’s Ska punk style music is perfect for a nice day at the beach or on a long road trip. Their catchy and upbeat songs will make you feel like you want to headbang and party your butt off no matter what you’re doing. They’re also one of the best bands on this list to see live. LTJ is best known for “She’s Gonna Break Soon” and “The Science of Selling Yourself Short.”
