Knuckle Puck

Knuckle Puck formed in the south suburbs of Chicago in 2010, building a devoted following through relentless touring and a melodic pop punk sound that drew on The Wonder Years and The Story So Far while developing its own emotional register. Copacetic (2015) was a breakthrough debut that established them as one of the most consistent bands in the scene. Shapeshifter (2017) and 20/20 (2020) continued their trajectory. The band's guitar interplay — stacked harmonics, clean verses that explode into heavy choruses — is a masterclass in dynamic pop punk arrangement. Their Chicago roots give them a Midwestern earnestness that distinguishes them from their California counterparts.