To many, pop-punk is a genre now lost to time, left behind in the early 2000s with bands like Blink 182 and Sum 41.
But under the radar of some the genre still grows, evolves, and thrives in basements, tiny clubs, and small venues across the Midwest.
Charlie Siren is one of these bands that are carrying the torch of pop-punk here in Minnesota. With the release of their second album “This Is Home” and by continuing in the tradition of running shows out of their own home, the torch seems to be burning as bright as ever.
Formed in 2011 by members Tane Graves and Shelby Fisher on a move back to Minneapolis, Charlie Siren slowly took shape and now has become a full-time endeavor.
“We’ve grown as songwriters, gained members with different backgrounds who bring new sides to the songs; we have experienced more in not only our musical lives but our personal as well. The songs are a lot more personal,” said lead singer Graves.
“This Is Home,” released on October 15, is a follow up to 2012’s “Til the Cows Come Home”.
According to Graves, the album tackles “Heartache, conflict, [and] depression, but oddly enough the overall theme is strength.”
“This is Home” delivers on those concepts and more, and over its nine tracks it hits hard and fast – from infectious hooks on “I Promise” to more reflective songs like “Foundations” and “Sink/Swim”.
The whole album is a mature, polished representation of Charlie Siren.
The new album is not the only undertaking for its members; when they are not playing shows or touring, the members of Charlie Siren host shows out of their home in South Minneapolis.
House shows might be a foreign concept to the uninitiated, but they are a tried and true practice in the larger world of punk music.
House shows can come with risk – including angry neighbors and attention from police – but the band said that “Our situation works quite well. We live by the Minneapolis Airport and the houses in this area were built to keep outside noise at a minimum, and it kind of works the other way around. We’ve never had the police crash a show.”
Charlie Siren’s music and willingness to support the larger community of punk will cement themselves as a new pillar of underground music here in Minnesota for the foreseeable future.
Check out Charlie Siren on facebook or bandcamp.
Editor’s Note: Full Disclosure, when I’m not here at The Rampage, I work as a freelance graphic designer. This lends me the opportunity to work with many talented bands, which is how I originally came into contact with the members of Charlie Siren.