Punk rock may have began in the 1970s, but there was a revival in the 1990s that brought forth many new bands who have become the main influences for today's artists. It was the heyday of Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords, whose artists brought punk music to a wider audience by seeking originality, while at the same time keeping to the core values of the genre. They added a heavier, yet more melodic sound to the music. These bands gained widespread fame through soundtrack appearances on Tony Hawk video games, appearances on Warped Tour in the early years, and appearances on multiple cheap compilations (Fat Music, Punk-O-Rama, etc.). Bands such as Lagwagon, Rancid, and Strung Out have paved the way for today's popular artists like the Menzingers, Rise Against, and Frank Turner, amongst many others. Many of these bands haven't released a proper full-length studio album since the early-mid 2000s, though they never disbanded or even stopped performing. Fans have been anxiously awaiting new albums from their favourite bands for years and years, and finally, in 2014, it seems many of them are finally coming back out of their musical hole. The majority of these musicians are now rocking their 40s, but are back stronger (and healthier) than ever. From the already released "Metropole," to the soon-to-be-released "Transmission Alpha Delta," to the recently revealed upcoming release of the currently untitled Guttermouth record, 2014 is proving to be a comeback year for the punk rock that us 20/30-somethings grew up loving. There are more influential bands releasing albums this year than those included on this list - H2O, Rancid, Pennywise (marking the return of original vocalist Jim Lindberg), and Street Dogs, for example - , however these bands haven't a large gap since their last album, therefore they are not included here, though they should not be forgotten and should very well be on your most-anticipated lists. In no particular order, let's begin.
Shawn-Ray Dalinsky (27) is a communications graduate student at SUNY Brockport. He is 2012 graduate of SUNY Oneonta where he dual majored in Mass Communication and Music Industry. He has an unhealthy addiction to music.
