Man Overboard

Man Overboard: Old-school Pop-punk is Making a Comeback

By Nathan Morales

Blink 182, Saves the Day, Taking Back Sunday, Sum 41 are all bands that can never be replaced and can never be forgotten because of the mark they have left on pop-punk music over the years. Since their era, music has dramatically changed through electronic beats, piano-electronic accompaniment, and screaming vocals. It is sad to say but for a long time pop-punk was dead. Thankfully, South Jersey brings the scene an answer. Man Overboard, a pop-punk band that takes inspiration from Blink 182, Taking Back Sunday and Saves the Day; and is taking the music scene by storm. This band took the time to go back to their roots and is bringing a new wave of upbeat and poppy tunes to their songs.



The band formed when childhood friends Nik Bruzzese and Wayne Wildrick got together with Mike Hrycenko and Zac Eiestenstein in hopes of reviving the music they grew up listening to. While releasing their first EP “Hung Up on Nothing,” they grabbed the attention of Run for Cover Records, who was the first to sign them. With the help of the record label, they were able to release another EP called “Dahlia.” Apart from doing solo work, the boys joined forces with label-mates Transit, creating a split EP.

The boys previously toured with bands such as The Wonder Years and The Swellers, through North America and then headed to Europe to tour alongside Senses Fail, Transit, The Ghost Inside, and All or Nothing. Upon their return, they released their debut album “Real Talk”, which was deemed “the pop-punk album of 2010,” by Absolute Punk. This soon caught the attention of Rise Records, who quickly signed them to their label in December of 2010.

Unfortunately, founding member Wayne Wildrick left the band for personal reasons, but was soon replaced by Justin Collier. In April 2011, Wayne rejoined the band and played at this year’s Bamboozle.

Just recently, the band has released a compilation LP called The Human Highlight Reel. Fans of their old work should be excited to hear some familiar tunes as well as two brand new songs. Their motto goes… “DEFEND POP PUNK!”

Learn more about Man Overboard on their website.

Follow the band on Twitter.