The Wonder Years

What was originally a one-off song written by a group of bored suburban kids turned into a five-year plan none of them were expecting. Call it the ultimate after-school project. With only the intent and purpose of taking that one song and infecting it on everyone they knew, this ragtag group of “socially awkward” musicians called The Wonder Years found themselves in the middle of a burgeoning – wait for it – career. Now, as the band joins the Hopeless Records family, it’s obvious their easygoing short-term plans have changed dramatically.

The Wonder Years have come a long way from piggybacking their friends’ shows in Philly with that one initial song to sharing stages with the likes of New Found Glory, Set Your Goals and Comeback Kid. Oh, and Boyz II Men. Comprised of Dan “Soupy” Campbell (vocals), Casey Cavaliereand Matt Brasch (guitar), Nick Steinborn (keys/guitar), Josh Martin (bass) and Michael Kennedy (drums), they’re a band that used to borrow gear from their friends, trying to make shows memorable and exciting without worrying whether it was a perfect set or if they were even on time. It shows what the relatable appeal of a band can do – even when, as in the early days, they’re not even really trying.

Their influences, ranging from tour mates NFG to Saves the Day and the Hold Steady, are apparent in the attitude of a band that just want to connect with their audience in the most authentic and unpretentious way possible. “We’re just ourselves all the time, and we don’t have any rad gimmicks,” Campbell said. “We play loud and fast and recklessly. We front flip off speakers and sweat and spit and break just about everything. We’ve walked off stage needing stitches more than once.”

“We’re a band very much in charge of ourselves. We always kind of know exactly what we want to do and exactly how we want to do it, and we like Hopeless because they let us do just that,” Campbell said.

The Wonder Years released their follow up to “The Upsides” this year. Their highly anticipated album “Suburbia, I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing” is available now.

www.myspace.com/thewonderyears


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