POP PUNK TIER LIST vol 2 

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Ya'll think Finn caressed his Goldfinger vinyls after this while whispering "I'm sorry I had to lie about you again"

Simple Plan deserves S Tier for the What's New Scooby Doo theme alone

As someone who counts Alkaline Trio as one of their favorite bands, I can confirm that everything Finn says about their fans is true. Myself absolutely included.

The timing of that “wHHERS YOAR rehs-PEEEKKT” after Finn’s line about shouty lyrics about a girl was absolutely phenomenal. S Tier

State Champs are like the hometown heroes in Albany, NY where I'm from. So cool to watch them grow from a local pop punk band to what they've become.

NFG was sick because they always had breakdowns in their songs. The one in “Understatement” is a classic!

American huge fan of Billy Talent here. Extremely underrated and talented band. Their first album in particular is forever gold.

NFG is to me one of the the most influential of the genre, up there with Blink and Green Day as truly molding the sounds going forward. I would say that easycore is the template for a lot of pop punk over the last 15 years for sure, and NFG definitely started that trend.

Gutter mouth would probably like that they are f tier

“This is absolutely awful” - Finn McKinty THPS Stans everywhere who are in their late 30s and Early 40s start Vibrating.

Guttermouth is the greatest example of “Is so bad that it's good”

Rufio was massive locally (Southern California) and I think that the fact that didn’t sound like slow boring pop punk that was out at the time AND the fact that they were extremely proficient at their instruments was what made them such a big deal. Listening then, I was stoked on it. Now I can’t even get through a single song.

Rufio's final album "Anybody Out There" is a hidden gem, it's substantially better than their albums that came before it. Had I never stumbled upon that album I'd rank them very low, but it's a game changer for the band. It's worth giving a shot and redeems the hell out of 'em.

People who forgot about Lagwagon seriously need to go listen to their newest stuff. They changed their style to a heavier tone but it's still so good. They stayed as consistent as any band possibly could, and I dont think they get the credit for it. If you haven't heard Hang, you need to listen to it. Possibly their best album

Simple Plan's intro song to "What's New Scooby Doo?" probably got tons of kids into pop punk tbh.

As much as I love Ska I don't think I would ever be able love it as much as Finn does

God i never realized how much Goldfinger reminded me of The Mighy Bosstones

I feel like nowadays NFG's legacy gets forgotten. They were Easycore before Easycore exists. And the amount of bands that named themselves after NFG songs or lyrics like All Time Low and The Story So Far is ridiculous. Awesome band.

I think its crazy how Billy Talent didn't made that much of an impact in the USA, cause here in Europe (i'm from Germany) they were pretty big, many people got introduced to heavier music by them over here

Simple Plan and Good Charlotte got me through high school! I kinda fell off with Good Charlotte but Simple Plan is the band that can put everything I feel into their songs. They get me way more than most people do.

I love when Finn imitates each singer. Unbelievably hilarious! Good job, Finn.

The sweat band on the forearm is a guitar playing thing. When you're heavy down stroking and palm muting, your forearm rests on the guitar and can get aggrivated...hence, the arm band.

I've Seen Quite A Few Finn McKenty Videos Over The Years, But He Just Classed Alkaline Trio As A "Pop Punk" Band And Claimed Their Fans Are "Sad Fuck-Ups" And That Having Alkaline Trio Tattoos Are A "Red Flag" And To "Proceed With Caution". I Feel Personally Attacked And It's Now An All-Out War That Only One Of Us Realises Exists. (I Love You Really Finn)

I've always found Alkaline Trio fans to be super chill. Back in the days of internet band forums everyone on theirs was super nice (relatively), and the shows I went to had positive energy (most starkly contrasted with Brand New fans who are fng a$$holes online and irl). I don't have a Trio tat, but I want one, is that a red flag? 😂

I almost lost my shit when drip wasn't included as a judging axis.

Simple Plan released a new album in 2022, and it's really good. I was surprised, because bands usually fall way off after 20 years. I saw New Found Glory live in August 2022, and they put on an amazing show. What I liked most is that they didn't pause between songs like a lot of bands do. They were just non-stop. They played 18 songs in an hour and 15 minutes, which included a 7-10 minute break in the middle where Chad Gilbert told the audience about his battle with a rare cancer (Pheochromacytoma) in 2021. They even played a cover of "Let It Go" from Frozen. lol BTW, NFG has a new acoustic album that just dropped a couple of days ago, which appears to contain some new songs plus some classics.

Alkaline Trio is my favored of all these bands. I'm a sad fuck up, too. No tats, though.

The respect for New Found Glory is real. Well done Finn.

As a dual citizen of the US and Canada who’s lived in both countries extensively, I find Billy Talent to be a really fascinating band. They’re one of those bands that is definitively Canadian. They’re kind of a secret band that all Canadians are aware/fans of but basically no one else in the world listens to. Basically like an alternative rock Tragically Hip.

You're going to have to do parts 4, 5, 6, & 7 at this rate and I'm here for it.

Man those first 2 or 3 NFG albums were totally awesome. Very nostalgic stuff

That's my biggest issue with ska, a lot of the bands clearly know how to write a decent song, they just have terrible taste and decide to make it a ska song.

Silverstein, Canadian, and very influential as they were on Victory Records. But 100% not a Pop punk band Have to agree with you on New Found Glory self titled though solid album.

Oh man I did like Rufio back in the day, I met them and they signed my CD lol. Love Strung Out. Love Goldfinger. NFG obviously at the top forever and ever.

I’d put Simple Plan in the S Tier simply (heh) because their song “I’m Just A Kid” has been used by a bajillion people for their “glow up” TikToks.

“Coming Home” was the album that really brought New Found Glory to my attention. Glad they got some recognition!

Lagwagon should move up. Had legacy members from Rich Kids on LSD. Their influence counts.

This may seem small, but I rly liked the cliffhanger you left us on at the end, as opposed to just a blunt "Thanks for watching, stay tuned for part 3!"

Strung Out sounds like the inspiration behind Heartsounds. Anyone ever listen to Heartsounds? Big time underrated.

I loved Lagwagon in the early 2000s. I got to see them with Rufio and Yellowcard opening. They were definitely an 'older folks' pop-punk band. They wrote a lot of songs about becoming adults that were pretty poignant but sort of lost on younger kids. No Use For a Name was another great example of this.

Billy Talent is among the best live performers ever. Saw them 5 times in ATL GA area between 2003-06. Huge crowds by 2005 and everyone into it. They are a Top-10 all-time for me. 20+ years strong.

I remember hearing that one member of guttermouth had his own RU-vid channel where he basically just breaks into old abandoned houses and buildings to see what was inside. I never looked into it but it sounds like it could be cool

Looks at my Alk3 tattoo* damn Finn. That shit hurted… 🤣

I have an Alkaline Trio tattoo and I agree with everything you had to say about Alkaline Trio fans.

I have "Dressed to Kill" tattooed across my chest because every time I hear that song I literally get the chills. It's insane how that song can mentally transport me back to 2000 and the memories come flooding in. NFG will always be my favorite band for combining my two favorite genres, and bringing the hardcore and pop-punk kids together for some epic pausy jumps and spin kicks 🤍

Hey Finn, I can’t speak to every reason why pop punk artists wore wristbands, buts here’s why I did in the later years of playing with Home Grown. I sweat..a lot..when playing live. The wristband would help keep the sweat off the strings and pickups, as well a quick swipe on the forehead ‘cuz the salt would sting your eyes and be incredibly frustrating when you played in poorly ACed venues or down south on Warped Tour. And speaking of Warped Tour, I remember all the bands sharing T-shirts with one another because..well we ran out of clean shirts..but then eventually all those free shirts you got from your friends started to stink..bad. Solution, cut out the sides of the shirt (kept the BO off the armpit, and let the hot southern breeze blow on through). My experience anyhow. Love your work.

All Time Low is my favorite band of all time. I always hear you say uve never heard any artists say they were influenced by them BUT 5SOS has multiple times. They are amazing live. You missed Neck Deep, Sum 41, Wonder Years, TSSF, Cartel, All American Rejects, The Starting Line.

I saw gutternouth open for authority zero a few years ago and they were so fun, hands down one of the best shows I’ve seen. Rowdy crowd, Mark was such a dick but a funny way. They’re definitely one of my favs

Strung Out's Exile Into Oblivion is a MONSTER album. I feel ya on the punisher vibes; they are definitely one of the bands that inspired me to do a little woodshedding on the guitar, but they have put out some amazing work. That being said, everything after Blackhawks Over Los Angeles has been pretty phoned in.

I feel personally attacked by your alk 3 comments hahaha. Love your videos though man.

The fact that you put All Time Low at A tier made my eighth grade heart happy. I was their exact target demographic. They were definitely a gateway band for me!

I see NFG every time they come to town and they kill it every time. S-tier. No doubt.

Some suggestions for the next time: Tonight alive, Avril, Yellowcard, Click Five, Zebrahead, We the kings, Stand Atlantic, Busted, Soon of dork, American Hi-fi, All American rejects, Plain white Ts, Four year strong Goodnight nurse,

Finn please do guitar tier list, I want to learn more about dad guitars.

Simple Plan actually have more monthly listeners then Good Charlotte on Spotify; nearly 7m vs. 4.5ish.

Strung Out, Knuckle Puck, and State Champs are 3 of my favorite bands of all time.

Fact: If you can cover Rufio's stuff from their first two albums (both on guitars and drums), you can easily transition into thrash/death metal.

Strung Out is awesome. I got to see them recently with Descendants and NOFX, great show, super fun. No punishing 😘

I really like this video, but 2 points I’d like to make, gold finger is not a ska band, but rather a punk ska band, there is a big difference. Also, I don’t consider Alkaline Trio as sad and mopey, actually they have a very energetic sound, and sad, and have one of the best drummers in pop punk I’ve ever heard. This video should also have a part 3, would like to see that!

Keep making these Finn! I love some of the lower tier bands from the first vid (Slick Shoes, Fenix TX).

Putting Lagwagon in C tier is fraudulent

Gold finger has more nostalgia for me than any other band. Love them!!

Geez, I think Lagwagon should be higher than that. While I've never considered their songwriting on par with some others from that era, they belong to a very small minority of punk bands to release that much material without putting out a truely weak album.. Off the top of my head about the only other band with a more consistent catalogue would be Good Riddance. To be nearing double digit albums without a single bad one is almost unheard of for any band, but especialy in the punk world.

Finn McKinney is the absolute best Metal/Rock reactor/reviewer on RU-vid ! Frfr. Keep up the awesome work. One Love Bruv ♥️🎵💜☯️🖤💯💯💯♠️

Can you do a video on AK3? They are having a moment right now.

When are you going to make a video about Rise Against?

lol the hoverhand Rachel Leigh Cook comment got me Finn. Dressed to Kill is also the song that got me into them, senior year of high school 2001.

I saw Strung Out play live last year, and the drummer had two bass drums, and the guitarists and bassists played Jacksons. I thought it was cool to see a pop punk band kitted out like a metal band haha. Makes sense though as there is definitely a metal edge to their music. A+ in the drip category for me right there haha

You know they're S tier when no justification other than "they've sold a zillion albums" is needed. Come on, man, if you're going to force us to listen to multiple Goldfinger songs give us at least one Good Charlotte

I went to a Reverend Horton Heat show and Guttermouth was the opener. Somehow Mark (lead singer) got thrown out of the show. 1000% agree with everything you said about them

Where would you put Bad Religion since they influenced all of these bands

Do a punishier band tier list!

I grew up in the early 80s. I appreciate these videos. Helps me discover music that I missed along the way

I noticed Alex Melton popping up on one of your searches, what your oppinion on his genre-bending or experimental remixing pop-punk to other styles, and other pop songs to pop-punk? I personally did his rendition of No Scrubs, id watch that reaction

18:10 I can see Finn's grimace displaying all the fear of demonetization lol

Green 182

When All Time Low first came out (before their album “so wrong its right” so coffeeshop sountrack and the party scene days) they came to milwaukee to open for someone I cant even remember lol… But they were cool as hell. Talked to them when I was only like 16 and they were super interested in the rave/eagles club being haunted and weirdly enough when we were talking, this giant door by us just slammed shut with no one around. I know it probably wasnt “ghosts” lol but still a fun moment to remember. And Alex was just the first person/band to play in the old ass pool at the rave in the basement ever this past week which is cool! Wish I would’ve known beforehand lol. Also, backseat serenade acoustic is amazing.

Guttermouth being anti-vax is actually super super spot on haha.

Think you should do a alexisonfire video. Even if they weren’t huge in the states they were literally everywhere else

The red white and blue wristband was a thing worn by SId Vicious in a bunch of photos, including a real weird one where he's awkwardly drinking orange juice. Unsure if this was just a thing he had or if you can blame Malcom McLaren for it

Ska sounds like the soundtrack to a tropical island jet-ski racing game marketed toward elementary aged kids.

Yo, Alexisonfire’s “Crisis” is absolute perfection. Boiled Frogs is peak soft posthardcore of the era.

I know I'll get hate and I'm being a punisher here, but the guitar work in Rufio is fuckin rad. Clark and Scott kill it. Jon Berry is a bad ass bassist. Saw these dudes sprint past each other, flip back to back and rebound off walls all without missing a note. Such a good time. Just throwing that personal experience out there. Had a huge impact on me personally.

Rufio…wow. Kills me we live in a world where they go F and Good Charlotte go top tier 😳

still missing: The Wonder Years, Real Friends, The Starting Line, Man Overboard, Yellowcard, No Use For A Name, Rise Against, Like Pacific, Mayday Parade, Belmont... btw Knuckle Puck on D tier was brutal. just plain BRUTAL. specially when you have groups like Strung Out and Lagwagon ahead of them. at worst they should be together with State Champs.

If I remember correctly, John from Goldfinger was in Cannibal Corpse around the time they formed for like a minute.

As a huge ATL fan, I like to think the overlays you mentioned in the Weightless video weren't their doing. At least I hope they weren't lol 🤣

Love that you brought in lagwagon.

Your roasting of gutter mouth had me crying in tears of laughter I would so totally be down to watch a video where you just roast bands.

How about Unwritten Law?

You forgot to mention how Goldfinger has a entire album with Travis Barker called The Knife in 2017 & that is the best Goldfinger album imo & for those who are not into the SKA music there's some in there to check out that isn't SKA or some that are but isn't over the top worth a listen for those who haven't

Guttermouth talked shit on metal but they made Corpse Rotting In Hell. A joke song that somehow slays.

LOL on the Guttermouth thing

I'm a Rufio fan and it's totally not E tier LMAO I've never heard of Knucle Puck, sounds cool

Lagwagon has to be S-tier, in my opinion. They’re one of the “Big Four” skate punk bands: NOFX, Lagwagon, Pulley, and Ten Foot Pole.

I always saw Alkaline Trio fans as the type who liked Blink's sound, but hated Blink because they where so popular. Which that attitude is typically a red flag. However, I know a lot of pretty normal people who really enjoy their music, myself included, its the ones who put them way up on a pedestal who are a bit off. I really do appreciate the dark sense of humor they write into songs.

FINN, the MAN, the one and only. This is important, listen to Armaggedon by Alk3, same album than Stupid Kid, I think you'd like both that album (From Infinite to Infirmary) and the previous one "Maybe I'll Catch Fire", it's pretty much the most punk they've gotten I think appeals you

love the channel

Hoss by Lagwagon is still my jam!