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.”
Poison Pen Letter
Knuckle Puck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now a young man you wouldn't try
Cause all you turned out to be was a fallacy
That I outgrew quickly
With a busted hand and a bad knee, the patterns ossify
Your sorrow's magnified
The culprit will be tried
To self-reflect on the coward
Who took the opportunity to turn their back on me
You left me standing there all alone praying to a Jesus
Something I don't believe in
So now I'm self medicated to block out everything
Including walls you built around me
And I've been dodging demons as a past time
At this point I'm not even sure if I'm alright
You couldn't find time
You'll never find time
I'll gather fragments in the palm of my hand
To self-reflect on the coward
Who took the opportunity to turn their back on me
You left me standing there all alone praying to a Jesus
Something I don't believe in
I'm not sad, I'm through sulking
I'm not breaking, I'm not buckling
I'm not sad, I'm through sulking
I'm not breaking, I'm not buckling
I'm not sad, I'm through sulking
I'm not breaking, I'm not buckling
I'm not sad, I'm through sulking
I'm not breaking, I'm not buckling
I'll gather fragments in the palm of my hand
To self-reflect on the coward
Who took the opportunity to turn their back on me
You left me standing there all alone praying to a Jesus
Something I don't believe in
In "Poison Pen Letter," Knuckle Puck addresses a broken relationship with someone who was once a source of admiration and inspiration. The lyrics describe the disillusionment the singer feels as he realizes the person he looked up to was not who he thought they were. The "patterns ossify" and "sorrow's magnified" indicate that the situation has become stagnant and emotionally painful. The singer struggles with feelings of abandonment, being left "standing there all alone praying to a Jesus / Something I don't believe in." In response to this betrayal, the singer turns to self-medication to block out the pain, while acknowledging that he may not be okay. Despite this, the song ends on a defiant note, with the singer proclaiming that he is "not sad" or "breaking," but rather moving on from the hurt caused by this person.
Overall, the song portrays the complex emotions that come with a relationship ending, particularly when it involves someone the singer held in high esteem. The use of physical metaphors, like a "busted hand and a bad knee," adds to the visceral nature of the song, while the repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to reflect on what happened and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Once a young boy enamored by the things that you gave me
When I was young, I admired and loved the things you gave me.
Now a young man you wouldn't try
Now that I've grown up, you wouldn't dare to try to take advantage of me again.
Cause all you turned out to be was a fallacy
Because I've come to realize that you were never really the person I thought you were.
That I outgrew quickly
I quickly realized that I had outgrown my adoration for you.
With a busted hand and a bad knee, the patterns ossify
Despite physical pain, I see the patterns of your behavior clearly.
Your sorrow's magnified
Your actions have caused me even greater sadness and pain.
The culprit will be tried
You will be held accountable for your actions.
I'll gather fragments in the palm of my hand
I will collect and examine the pieces of our relationship.
To self-reflect on the coward
I will use these pieces to consider what kind of cowardly person could leave someone they claimed to care for.
Who took the opportunity to turn their back on me
You had the chance to support me, but instead chose to abandon me.
You left me standing there all alone praying to a Jesus
You left me feeling completely alone and helpless, searching for answers and comfort from a religion I do not believe in.
Something I don't believe in
I did not turn to religion for real guidance or belief.
So now I'm self medicated to block out everything
I have turned to self-medication to numb my pain and try to forget what you did to me.
Including walls you built around me
I have been trying to break free from the emotional barriers you created around me.
And I've been dodging demons as a past time
I have been struggling with my own inner demons as a way of coping with what you did to me.
At this point I'm not even sure if I'm alright
I am struggling so much that I do not believe I will ever be okay again.
You couldn't find time
You were too busy or too selfish to make time for me and our relationship.
You'll never find time
You will never be able to make up for what you did to me or restore our relationship.
I'm not sad, I'm through sulking
I am not wallowing in sadness anymore - I am taking action to move on from what you did to me.
I'm not breaking, I'm not buckling
I am not allowing your actions to break or defeat me; I am standing strong and determined.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Siorek, Joseph Taylor, Kevin Maida, Nicholas Casasanto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cards with Chris!
Neck Deep, Knuckle Puck, and State Champs are all on the rise. I'm loving Pop Punk more than any other genre this year.
Dianne Arida
Same here
Casio Lamb
RIP Neck Deep
Dk
No they aren't/ weren't
Jeremiah
Can't forget In Her Own Words.
Shelby Anthony
plus the story so far boiii cant forget
Ried Tavares
in this song, i always feel like he's saying "praying to a jesus, something i don't believe in"
and it gets me every time oh god
Jack Cannon
+Aquaria The Earthling yep
Ried Tavares
@Jack Cannon really???
Jack Cannon
+Aquaria The Earthling he does