If you’ve come to like Green Day, thenyou’ll love these modern pop-punk bands. AsGreen Day has helped shape the genre with their tremendous discography, it is clear that these modern acts have taken influence from it. However, they have all created their own distinct sounds, helping them stand out among other great bands such as thehit-making Paramore.
This has led each of them to the biggest stages in the world, includingiconic music festivals that many dream of attending. Along the way, they have all created memorable work that has begun to carve out their legacies. Much like Green Day,there have also been many efforts to experiment and develop the biggest compositions possible.
While many things in pop-punk have changed, these bands are doing their best to keep the core values the same. As the years continue, many legends remain, butit is this next generation that helps keep things growing. These musicians who were once dreamers are now living out their fantasies, becoming the ones that others will look up to.
10Arms Length
The Instrumentals Can’t Be Denied
When listening to thesongs in Green Day’s catalog, something you notice is the emphasis on their instrumentals. This has led to Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool all standing out individually for their abilities. Arm’s Length is a band that just formed in 2018, butit is clear they share the same ideas regarding this.
If you watch some of their music videos, you not only hear the instruments, but you feel them as well, even featuring close-up shots of them. This helps provide their songs with a grandiose atmosphere, making them feel bigger than an average tune. Since signing with Pure Noise Records,they have released their second album in 2025 to resounding praise.
9Girlfriends
Sometimes It Just Takes Two
On his own, Travis Mills has not only made a name for himself as a musician but also for being on platforms such as MTV. Another part of his career is being a member of the duo Girlfriends, alongside Nick Gross. Together, they have released two albums,showcasing their grasp of the genre as they take inspiration from various legends.
Of the many things they have done thus far,one of the biggest was being part of Avril Lavigne’sGreatest Hits Touralongside Simple Plan. This allowed the band to perform in front of the exact audience they were targeting. Things have gone well, and now they continue to play big stages, such as the return of Warped Tour.
8The Wonder Years
The Projects Never Stop
Over the course of their career, Green Day has been known for undertaking various projects, extending the band’s reach beyond studio albums. In their own way, The Wonder Years have done the same. Not only have they created seven studio albums, butmembers have ventured into side projects, which have enhanced their visibility.
With the numerous musical avenues they have explored, this has helped them evolve their sound, consistently offering listeners something fresh. Additionally, as demonstrated by their 2022 release,they are not afraid to be vulnerable and allow their true emotions to surface. This helps create a reliability that can sometimes be lost in translation.
7Game We Play
You Won’t Believe The Shows They’ve Played
Games We Play may be relatively new to the music scene, but they have already accomplished so much.Lead singer Emmyn Calleiro brings high energy while running around during performances, singing their relatable tunes. This has taken them to many big stages, including massive tours with bands such as Fall Out Boy.
Additionally, they have participated in numerous festivals, sharing their sound with the largest audiences. They have achieved remarkable milestones along the way, includingover 18 million streams on their song “I Hope You’re Happy” on Spotify. It feels as if Games We Play are in the ideal position to continue leveling up with a groundswell of support.
6State Champs
Vulnerability Is Key
As seen throughout the pop-punk genre, vulnerability in songwriting is key. This is one area where writing true feelings can lead to mainstream success. For State Champs,this is a crucial trait that has taken them very far since their beginnings. Along the way, they have released five studio albums, showcasing this repeatedly.
From the moment they released their debut record, listeners knew they had something special.
In fact, from the moment they released their debut record, listeners knew they had something special. They ended up at number two on theBillboardHeatseekers Albums chart, which demonstrated their capabilities to a broad audience. They have done much to raise their profile over time,including collaborating with prominent bands such as We the Kings.
5The Story So Far
The Energy Is Next Level
One of the most well-known aspects of Green Day is the fact that they put on breathtaking live performances. This has taken them far, as the energy level is a crucial part of what fans of the genre seek. The Story So Far is one act that can certainlymatch energetic performances with the best of them.
Since their formation, they have released five studio albums, with their latest arriving in June 2024. This brought them great notoriety, ranking as high as 78 on theBillboard200. Some of their biggest songs are “Empty Space” and “Clairvoyant,“with the latter having over 70 million streams on Spotify, highlighting its impact.
4Stand Atlantic
Experimenting Is Part Of The Gig
Even a band as legendary as Green Day doesn’t always remain the same. Over the years, they have experimented with their sound, helping to create a wide range of unique hits. Stand Atlantic is another band following this example, asthey have become known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the pop-punk genre.
Since signing with Hopeless Records, the band has released four albums, with the first arriving in 2018. Even when you look at their latest album, which arrived in 2024, everything down to the titles of the songs has a distinctive look.Little touches like this are what help them stand outas they continue navigating through the industry.
3Neck Deep
They Know How To Create A Catchy Chorus
Over the course of their first few albums, Neck Deep quickly caught on as their songs were very catchy.They released many hits, including “December” and “In Bloom,“which helped them establish their brand. In 2019, they had a huge opportunity as they toured with Blink-182 and Lil Wayne, showcasing their talents to a vast audience.
Since then, they have released two more albums, with their fifth studio recording debuting in 2024. They have shown their ability to write about many of the pop-punk staples,including their hometown. Along the way, their stock has risen, with listeners having full confidence that every release will be great.
2Hot Mulligan
The Best Is Yet To Come
Recently, Hot Mulligan has become one of the sought-after acts in pop-punk. The band has worked hard building up their discography with three studio albums already under their belt, butthey are ready to continue building on their success. For their fans and those just learning about them, they will be excited to know a new release is anticipated soon.
As the band has seen a surge of fandom, this could be their biggest release yet.
The band has announced thattheir fourth record will arrive in August. Although there have been someincredible releases in 2025 so far, this date will give them a prime position to hit the end of summer nostalgia, along with the beginning of fall. As the band has seen a surge of fandom, this could be their biggest release yet.
1Knuckle Puck
Their Storytelling Says It All
Something that has always made Green Day appeal to audiences is their ability to write songs that feature unique ideas. They approach subjects in a way that many haven’t done before. In many ways, Knuckle Puck is the same. When you listen to their songs,you perceive deep thinking that goes beyond standard words on a page.
They have demonstrated this many times over the course of their four studio albums, including their hit debut,Copacetic, which charted on sevenBillboardlists. It remains to be seen what they will do next, but fans are eagerly awaiting it. Whenever Knuckle Puck releases something,you can guarantee it will be done with the highest level of intellectual thought.
