“I’m awkward and nervous…”
The ridiculously honest hook from ‘There There’ – the first track from The Wonder Years’ now cornerstone album ‘The Greatest Generation’ – is still one I love to yell at the top of my lungs. ‘The Greatest Generation’ was a watershed moment in The Wonder Year’s catalogue where pop punk that was slowly maturing through the previous two albums (‘The Upsides’ and ‘Suburbia’…) turned into a new genre.
Where bands like Blink 182 have stuck to the same subject matter that got them noticed in their teens, The Wonder Years have looked within themselves and their song writing has become deeply personal. Songs that are brave enough to deal with mental health, death, religion and the contempt for having it forced upon you. You still have the signature pop punk beats and guitar work – crowds over the world still jump to these tracks. But you won’t find lyrics like these anywhere else. This is music that matters.
The whole album is a work of art with the final track ‘I Just Want To Sell Out My Funeral’ acting both as its own top tier track, but also a reprise. The latter half of the song blending every hook and stand out line from the preceding tracks before it into an anthem.
That was ten years ago… And now the album is being toured in its entirety. It’s not uncommon for bands to tour albums on their landmark anniversary, but you know The Wonder Years are going to bring a whole new work ethic to the tradition.
In 2018 The Wonder Years were due to play The Garage in Glasgow with support from an artist who is now called John-Allison Weiss and Sorority Noise. Following accusations of misconduct on the part of a Sorority Noise member, the act were dropped quickly from the tour. Rather than replace the support as many would… the headliners went on to support themselves by following John-Allison with a full set of tracks reimagined in an acoustic style (straight from their ‘Burst And Decay’ album). The six piece then played their full electric set straight off the back of it. That night we got two sets for the price of one.
The same is promised on this tour. Where most anniversary tours feature the album being played in full followed by the token gesture of an encore of some hits… We’re getting the full Wonder Years treatment here.
After the first set of ‘The Greatest Generation’ in full… You’re getting a full second set with material from the rest of the band’s career. There’s no cutting corners… No short changing. And Glasgow is going to be the first to experience it.
Tickets are on sale now, but at time of writing they’re super low for Glasgow. You need to get on this fast.
The Wonder Years are playing the following dates:
NOVEMBER
09: GLASGOW SWG3 (TV Studio)
10: MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
11: LEEDS Leeds Beckett Students Union
12: CARDIFF Y Plas
14: BRIGHTON Concorde 2
15: LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire