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.”
Your Back Porch
Knuckle Puck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It shouldn't be like this.
And it's so hard to act like I'm over this
When everything you said tore my heart out of my chest.
I just wanna feel something again.
I'm not innocent.
Not in the least bit.
And if this mess that I left in the southwest is in your head,
Then I'm not the only one digging up the dead.
You swear you're a safe bet, but I know that you're not
And I think that's why I'm here and you still think I'm wrong,
But there's nothing between you and me.
Not anymore.
Not on your back porch at 4am,
I'm in this van hoping I won't see you again.
I just wanna feel something again.
I'm not innocent.
Not in the least bit.
Selfish wishful thinking.
And if this mess that I left in the southwest is in your head,
Then I'm not the only one digging up the dead.
(My family gets smaller every year) [8x]
Does your conscience keep you awake?
Because one day all that you've felt in those bones will make them break.
But now I know just how you see me, and I want you to know
You won't grow out of selfish, you'll just find better ways to hide it.
[2x]
If you gave all that you take, the weight would take it's toll and your skeleton would cave
I just wanna feel something again.
I'm not innocent.
Not in the least bit.
Selfish wishful thinking.
And if this mess that I left in the southwest is in your head,
Then I'm not the only one digging up the dead.
The first verse of Knuckle Puck’s song ‘Your Back Porch’ details the singer’s late-night struggles as they try to sleep but fail due to emotions running high. They refer to headphones, a common motif for those escaping reality, as they try to find solace in the music. However, they realize that this behavior is unhealthy and should not be normalized. The second half of the verse references how the singer cannot pretend to be over their heartbreak when the pain is still very fresh in their memory. This pain seems to have been caused by someone who said things to the singer that have left them feeling damaged and hurt.
The second verse appears to be directed at the person who caused the singer’s pain, with the singer admitting to selfish behavior in their desire to feel some kind of emotional connection again. There is mention of a mess left in the southwest, which is likely a metaphor for the emotional baggage that the singer is carrying with them. The singer acknowledges that they are not the only one digging up the past, suggesting that the other person is also struggling to move on.
The chorus repeats the desire for emotional connection, with the singer acknowledging their flaws and the selfishness of their wishes. The bridge mentions how one day the other person will have to face the consequences of their actions. It ends with a cautionary message, warning that selfishness will only lead to better hiding places, but the weight of the actions will catch up to the individual eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
It's 4am again and I'm falling asleep with the headphones in
I can't sleep and music is the only thing that helps me drift off.
It shouldn't be like this.
I know deep down that something is wrong.
And it's so hard to act like I'm over this
I put on a brave face, but inside I'm hurting.
When everything you said tore my heart out of my chest.
Your words hurt me deeply and I'm struggling to move on.
I just wanna feel something again.
I feel numb and disconnected from my own emotions.
I'm not innocent.
I know I played a part in our breakup.
Not in the least bit.
I take full responsibility for my mistakes.
Selfish wishful thinking.
I'm caught up in hoping things could go back to the way they were.
And if this mess that I left in the southwest is in your head,
I know I hurt you when I left and it's still affecting you.
Then I'm not the only one digging up the dead.
We're both struggling to move on from the past.
You swear you're a safe bet, but I know that you're not
I know you're not as perfect as you try to make yourself out to be.
And I think that's why I'm here and you still think I'm wrong,
I'm trying to prove that you're not as blameless as you think.
But there's nothing between you and me.
Our relationship is over and there's no going back.
Not anymore.
We've both changed and moved on.
Not on your back porch at 4am,
Our late-night hangouts are a thing of the past.
I'm in this van hoping I won't see you again.
I'm trying to distance myself from you and move on.
(My family gets smaller every year) [8x]
I feel more and more alone with each passing year.
Does your conscience keep you awake?
Do you feel guilty for how things ended between us?
Because one day all that you've felt in those bones will make them break.
The weight of your guilt will eventually catch up with you.
But now I know just how you see me, and I want you to know
I understand how you perceive me, and I want to make things right.
You won't grow out of selfish, you'll just find better ways to hide it.
I know you have a selfish streak and I don't believe you'll ever change.
If you gave all that you take, the weight would take it's toll and your skeleton would cave
If you truly faced the consequences of your actions, it would be too much for you to bear.
Contributed by Kaylee M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jonathan Rodrigues
Thank you for helping me to dream again. This vibe harmonizes with the echoes within me and reminds me of all of he things I love in life. Thank you Knuckle Puck
KoolAidOverIce
god damn this song is so much better than i thought it was before.
SwarMz
I swear this song saved my life, thank you so much you will always be my favorite band..
SEAN PAGE
SwarMz same
Evan Hale
God, best pop punk I've heard in a while. Digging that brand new reference too
koopathaqwik
danieltoshistheman "you swear youre a safe bet but i know that youre not."
danieltoshistheman
what's the Brand New reference?
Nik Tackett
An absolute classic
Bird0fPrey
Great sound you guys! You've got a new fan
Lucy Jeanette
Pretty sure I just found my new favorite band.