Knuckle Puck is an American pop punk band, formed in 2010 in the south subu… Read Full Bio ↴Knuckle Puck is an American pop punk band, formed in 2010 in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The band got its name from a Stick to Your Guns t-shirt that said "Knuckle Puck Crew". The band consisted of lead vocalist Joe Taylor, lead guitarist Kevin Maida, and drummer John Siorek. The group started writing original songs in April 2011 with the addition of rhythm guitarist Nick Casasanto. The group had friends fill in on bass. In July, the band played its first ever show. In October, the band released a self-titled EP, this was followed up by the Acoustics EP in March 2012. In October, the band released the Don't Come Home EP. The band co-headlined a tour with Seaway from late May to early June 2013. In August, the band self-released The Weight That You Buried EP. In February 2014 Bad Timing and Hopeless released a split EP that featured two songs each from Knuckle Puck and Neck Deep. Both bands toured together alongside Light Years from late February to early April. On March 16, the band performed at South by So What?! festival. In spring, the band gained bassist Ryan Rumchaks. Between May and June, the band supported Man Overboard on the group's The Heart Attack Tour alongside Transit and Forever Came Calling.

A music video was released for the song "No Good" in June. It was directed by Eric Teti. In late July, it was announced the band were recording, and in early August the band finished recording its next release. Knuckle Puck supported Senses Fail on the band's Let It Enfold You 10th anniversary tour from late August till early October 2014. In early September, the band released a 7" flexi containing the songs "Oak Street" and "Home Alone", the former of which was intended for release on the group's next EP. The flexi was released by Bad Timing. On October 16, 2014, "Bedford Falls" was available for streaming. On October 23, the While I Stay Secluded EP was made available for streaming and on October 28, it was released by Bad Timing. The EP had peaked at number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums in the U.S. Guitarist Kevin Maida revealed that the band "firmly and confidently" considered the EP the group's best work so far. On October 31, the band released a music video for "Oak Street". In November and December, the band supported Modern Baseball on the group's winter tour.

In November 2014, the various artists compilation album Punk Goes Pop 6 was released, it featured Knuckle Puck covering The 1975 song "Chocolate". On December 22, 2014, Knuckle Puck signed to Rise Records. Maida said that Rise would be "a bountiful new home" for the group and would help the band evolve. Throughout January and February 2015 the band supported Neck Deep on the band's The Intercontinental Championships Tour. In late February, the band announced it had started recording its debut album and by early April, the group had finished. The group joined The Maine on The American Candy Spring 2015 Tour, as a support act, throughout April and May. On June 11, the band's debut album, Copacetic, was announced. The artwork and track list was revealed. On June 19, a music video was released for "Disdain". On June 30, "True Contrite" was made available for streaming. The band played on the 2015 edition of Warped Tour. On July 14, "Pretense" was made available for streaming. On July 23, the album was made available for streaming. Copacetic released on July 31. The band supported State Champs on the group's European tour in September and October. The band toured the U.S. in October and November, with support from Seaway, Head North and Sorority Noise. In February and March 2016, the band supported Neck Deep and State Champs on the groups' co-headlining tour of the U.S.

In March 2017, a 7-inch vinyl single was released, featuring the tracks "Calendar Days" and "Indecisive". On July 27, the band released the first single from their at the time upcoming album onto YouTube and iTunes titled "Gone". A few months later in September the second single "Double Helix" was released on YouTube with its music video. The group released their second album, Shapeshifter, on October 13.

Despite its title, the second album from Knuckle Puck isn’t a reinvention; rather, Shapeshifter is the sound of the Chicago-based pop-punk band taking their best qualities and honing them to make them even sharper. The songwriting became tighter and more deliberate, the lyrics more introspective and urgent—without losing an ounce of the sweat-soaked authenticity and passion that made their debut album, Copacetic, so captivating.

Above all, it’s an album that proves the band are unflinchingly unwilling to compromise when it comes to their art. That’s evident on first single “Gone,” perhaps the most fully realized Knuckle Puck song to date. It’s equal parts muscular and melodic, textured with keyboards, buzzsaw guitars and a buoyant chorus that will integrate seamlessly into the band’s raved-about live show.

“When you reach early adulthood and start to see your life take shape, it’s also important to shape your identity and break yourself free from anything that might be holding you down,” guitarist Nick Casasanto explains. “I hope the album instills a little bit of hope in people. I hope people realize they should consume the things that really speak to them. Through that, I feel like it’s the most satisfying way to be who you want to be.”

Everything Must Go
Knuckle Puck Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lately, I've been more selfish than I should be
'Cause I got caught up in what you thought would've been
A better way to end this
But everything was so much easier when we were younger
'Cause all that mattered was my feet treading the concrete
I never thought that I'd lose my footing

I said I wouldn't let this go, but now you're gone.

And I wish you'd take some fault, but that's not how you were taught.
I thought I couldn't find these songs, but I had it all wrong.

So as of late, I guess I'm to blame.
Apparently you see right through me
So now all that I've got anymore
Is some leverage to settle the score
But you're still tearing up my skin
I'm not the only who sees that you got lost in all of this.

I said I wouldn't let this go, but now you're gone.
And I wish you'd take some fault, but that's not how you were taught.
I thought I couldn't find these songs, but I had it all wrong.

Stop waiting for things to change, you're the reason that I felt this way in the first place.
Stop waiting for things to change, by the time that you're back home I'll be states away.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Knuckle Puck's song "Everything Must Go" is about a relationship that's falling apart. The singer acknowledges that he's become more selfish than he should be and is struggling to grasp the real reasons why the relationship isn't working out. He reflects on the easier times when all that mattered was walking on the concrete, but now he has lost his footing. The singer confesses that he wanted to hold on to the relationship, but now that his partner is gone, he knows he must move on. However, he also wishes that his partner would acknowledge some fault in the relationship, but he knows that won't happen.

The singer blames himself for the breakdown of the relationship, and he knows his partner sees right through him. All he has left now is some leverage to settle scores, but his partner is still "tearing up" his skin. The singer is not the only one who sees that his partner is lost in all of this. In the end, the singer advises his partner to stop waiting for things to change and moving on with his life.

In essence, the song conveys the struggles of a breakup and how sometimes the only thing left is to move on, even though it's not always easy. The lyrics are potent and straightforward, and the delivery is emotional, making it easy for listeners to relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

Lately, I've been more selfish than I should be
Recently, I have been prioritizing my own needs without considering others as much as I should have.

'Cause I got caught up in what you thought would've been
I became too focused on what I thought you wanted or expected from me.

A better way to end this
I believed that there was a way to end our situation in a more favorable, positive way.

But everything was so much easier when we were younger
When we were younger, life was simpler and less complicated than it is now.

'Cause all that mattered was my feet treading the concrete
Back then, my primary concern was just moving forward and making progress physically.

I never thought that I'd lose my footing
However, I did not anticipate stumbling or becoming unsure of myself.

I said I wouldn't let this go, but now you're gone.
I previously expressed my intention to hold onto this situation, but now that you have left, I must let it go.

And I wish you'd take some fault, but that's not how you were taught.
I desire for you to take responsibility for what has happened, but I understand that this may go against what you were taught.

I thought I couldn't find these songs, but I had it all wrong.
I believed that I would not be able to find a resolution, but I was mistaken.

So as of late, I guess I'm to blame.
Recently, I have come to realize that much of the situation is my fault.

Apparently you see right through me
You are able to perceive the truth about me that I may try to hide.

So now all that I've got anymore
At this point, all that I have left is...

Is some leverage to settle the score
A way to gain an advantage in order to make things right or even the playing field.

But you're still tearing up my skin
Despite this, you are still causing me emotional pain.

I'm not the only who sees that you got lost in all of this.
Others also recognize that you became caught up and lost in this situation.

Stop waiting for things to change, you're the reason that I felt this way in the first place.
Instead of hoping things will change without taking action, recognize that I feel this way because of you and make a change yourself.

Stop waiting for things to change, by the time that you're back home I'll be states away.
If you continue to wait for things to change instead of making a change, I will already be far away when you return home.

Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS