Punchline "Action" Fueled By Ramen Records Sounds like: A sincerer version of Yellowcard mixed with the Early November
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Punchline is a Pittsburgh, Pa. punk band with all the right moves. The band is hard-working, energetic. The members are PJ Caruso, Chris Fafalios, Paul Menotiades and Steve Soboslai.
Punchline has been touring up and down the East Coast, making friends and fans along the way. They are currently on tour with Allister and Hidden in Plain View. Punchline also opened for Less Than Jake last fall and performed on the Warped Tour last summer.
"It's wonderful to tour with bands we've always admired and to find out that they are down-to-earth nice people," said guitarist and vocalist Steve Soboslai.
Punchline released their fourth album, "Action," this February. The album is the end to the band's "movie-esque trilogy," following up "Major Motion Picture" and "The Rewind EP," Soboslai said.
"Action" is an awesome follow-up album with the same emotionally charged lyrics and vibrant guitar as the previous records. "Action" takes the energy of "The Rewind EP" and makes the lyrics smoother and the guitar more controlled.
The intricate layering of vocals is exciting. The words are contemplative and emotionally inspiring. There is an invigorating variation in tempos throughout the record. Listening to the album is like hearing the feelings everyone hopes to express but does not know how.
"A Sharp is a Flat" is the record's motivational anthem. The line, "the pressure's on from everyone ... this 'little band' has got to succeed" sounds like it comes straight from the band's soul.
"The motivation for that line is a shout out to people that downplay our band's work ethic and goals, the people that think we're insane for following a dream instead of pursuing more intense college careers and living a blueprint life," Soboslai said. The song is a very collective piece that reflects the attitudes of the entire band, he said.
In "The World," the band softly utters, "The reaction was greater than the scream" with so much passion it sends chills up the listener's spine. "Heart Transplant" is a new take on the same old theme of unrequited love. "Even a heart transplant wouldn't show you how I feel, would it baby?" the band inquires as if their hearts were breaking at that very moment. It is a poppish song with a poignant core.
Punchline has received much support from their record label Fueled By Ramen, started by Vinnie, the drummer for Less Than Jake, and John Janick in 1996.
"That label is fantastic," Soboslai said. "They are like family to us."
Punchline's live show is full of spunk. The band's lively stage antics and fluid group movements teeter on the line of looking choreographed. However, Soboslai said, the staging just comes naturally.
"We just play a lot and have fun with it," Soboslai explained. "Some nights we're better than others, but we're always giving it 100 percent."
Punchline appeals to new fans through their live performance. The crowd cannot help but respond to the band's emotion and vigor. The guys are very approachable and down-to-earth enough to chat with new fans and old fans after their set. They even humbly accept the compliments of young teenage girls who flock to meet the next big thing.
"We're not very high up in the food chain, but we're very happy to be where we are right now," Soboslai said.
Punchline recently played at the Recher Theatre in Towson, Md. and will be returning to the D.C. area on April 18 at Fletchers in Baltimore with Allister, Hidden in Plain View and Boys Night Out.
Punchline does a great job of promoting friends' acts.
"I don't know who we've influenced, but we're always promoting our friends' bands and vice versa," Soboslai said.
A few bands Soboslai encourages fans to check out are A Week in July, Fall Out Boy, Unsung Zeros, Telstar and Procession Came Opposite.
For more information about Punchline, visit www.punchkids.com and www.purevolume.com/punchline.
