Knuckle Puck

Knuckle Puck is an American rock band formed in 2010 in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, and across a steady run of EPs and full length releases they moved from early covers to original material and long touring cycles that eventually led to albums on Rise Records and later Pure Noise Records.

How the name came together

The band’s name is tied to the “knucklepuck” shot in ice hockey, popularized by the 1994 film D2: The Mighty Ducks. The bio also notes that the name came from a Stick to Your Guns t shirt that read “Knuckle Puck Crew.”

From covers to early EPs

Knuckle Puck began by playing cover songs in fall 2010 in the Chicago area. The early lineup included vocalist Joe Taylor, lead guitarist Kevin Maida, and drummer John Siorek. In April 2011, the band began writing original songs after adding rhythm guitarist Nick Casasanto, and friends filled in on bass.

The band played its first show in July 2011. In October 2011 they released a self titled EP, followed by the Acoustics EP in March 2012 and the Don’t Come Home EP in October 2012. In August 2013, they self released The Weight That You Buried.

Neck Deep split, touring, and a new bassist

In February 2014, Bad Timing and Hopeless released a split EP featuring two songs each from Knuckle Puck and Neck Deep. The two bands toured together with Light Years from late February to early April, and Knuckle Puck also played the South by So What?! festival on March 16.

In spring 2014, bassist Ryan Rumchaks joined the band. Between May and June, Knuckle Puck supported Man Overboard on The Heart Attack Tour with Transit and Forever Came Calling.

While I Stay Secluded and a major step forward

A music video for “No Good” arrived in June 2014, directed by Eric Teti. Later that summer the band recorded their next release, and in early September 2014 they released a 7 inch flexi with “Oak Street” and “Home Alone” through Bad Timing. “Bedford Falls” was made available for streaming on October 16, and the While I Stay Secluded EP followed later that month through Bad Timing, peaking at No. 5 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States. A music video for “Oak Street” was released on October 31, and the band supported Modern Baseball on a winter tour in November and December.

Rise Records and Copacetic

In late 2014, Knuckle Puck appeared on Punk Goes Pop 6 with a cover of The 1975’s “Chocolate.” On December 22, 2014, the band signed with Rise Records. In early 2015, they supported Neck Deep on The Intercontinental Championships Tour, then began recording their debut album in late February and finished by early April.

The band supported The Maine on The American Candy Spring 2015 Tour and announced their debut album Copacetic on June 11, 2015. Music videos and streams for tracks including “Disdain,” “True Contrite,” and “Pretense” followed, and the band played Warped Tour in 2015. Copacetic was released on July 31, 2015. Later that year, Knuckle Puck supported State Champs in Europe and then toured the United States with Seaway, Head North, and Sorority Noise. In early 2016, they toured the United States with Neck Deep and State Champs.

Shapeshifter era and continued touring

In March 2017, the band released a 7 inch single featuring “Calendar Days” and “Indecisive.” They released “Gone” as the first single from their next album on July 27, followed by “Double Helix” in September, and released their second album Shapeshifter on October 13, 2017.

In May and June 2019, Knuckle Puck co headlined a U.S. tour with Citizen, supported by Hunny and Oso Oso. In October 2019, they appeared at the Four Chord Music Festival and released a 7 inch vinyl with “Gold Rush” and “Fences,” along with two additional tracks, and it sold out within hours.

20/20, touring changes, and an EP

On February 21, 2020, the band released “Tune You Out” and began a North American tour with Heart Attack Man, which ended early due to the COVID 19 pandemic. A second single, “RSVP,” arrived on April 21, 2020 alongside a 7 inch release. On June 18, 2020, Knuckle Puck released a music video for “Breathe,” featuring Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade. The band released their third album 20/20 on September 18, 2020 and played drive in shows in October 2020 with Hot Mulligan.

In December 2021, the band headlined a tenth anniversary tour with Arm’s Length, Carly Cosgrove, and Snow Ellet. On December 1, 2021, they released “Levitate” and announced U.S. and European touring from March through June 2022 with co headliner Hot Mulligan, with Meet Me at the Altar and Anxious supporting on U.S. dates. The band released the EP Disposable Life on February 4, 2022, and later supported New Found Glory on a U.S. tour running from September through November 2022.

Pure Noise Records and Losing What We Love

On October 20, 2022, Knuckle Puck announced they had signed with Pure Noise Records and released “Groundhog Day.” They later announced a compilation vinyl titled Retrospective, collecting their first two EPs and their split with Neck Deep.

On August 8, 2023, the band released a cover of Third Eye Blind’s “Losing a Whole Year” for the compilation Dead Formats Vol. 2. On August 29, they released “The Tower” and announced their fourth album Losing What We Love, scheduled for release on October 20, 2023. Another single titled “Losing What We Love” followed on September 28.

Recent tours, anniversary plans, and new songs

Knuckle Puck did two consecutive co headlining tours with Real Friends in spring and fall 2023. In 2024, they announced headline dates in the United Kingdom ahead of opening for Neck Deep at Alexandra Palace. The bio notes this show as the largest indoor date the band has played, listed at 10,000 standing room capacity.

On July 10, 2024, the band released a cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” for Dead Formats Vol. 3. On July 22, 2024, they announced a 10 year anniversary show for Copacetic, saying it would be their first time playing the album in full. On October 24, 2024, they released “On All Cylinders” ahead of a tour starting November 8, 2024 with State Champs, Meet Me at the Altar, and Daisy Grenade.

How writers have described the sound

The band’s sound has been described as a melodic mix of old school punk rock and emo, and it has also been framed as leaning toward the pop side of punk. Their debut album Copacetic has been categorized as emo and pop punk, with commentary noting that the record moves between faster, heavier tracks and slower material.

Side projects mentioned in the bio

• Ryan Rumchaks released a solo EP titled Decades in July 2013.
• Rumchaks plays guitar and sings in Homesafe, a band from Oak Lawn, Illinois, which has released several EPs and a full length album.
• Joe Taylor and Rumchaks formed Rationale with former Real Friends vocalist Dan Lambton, with Taylor and Lambton on guitar and vocals, and Rumchaks on drums.
• Kevin Maida plays guitar in the Chicago hardcore punk band Lurk.
• John Siorek has played drums for William Bonney, Droughts, and Matter of Fact.
• Nick Casasanto has a solo project titled Bad New World, and released an EP by the same name in January 2024.

Recognition and nominations

• Knuckle Puck appeared on Alternative Press’s “12 Bands You Need To Know” list in 2014.
• The band was included on Idobi’s “Artists To Watch In 2014” list.
• Knuckle Puck was nominated for Best Underground Band at the 2015 Alternative Press Music Awards.
• The band received nominations for Album of the Year and Best Breakthrough Band at the 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards.

Band members

• Joe Taylor, lead vocals (2010 to present)
• Kevin Maida, lead guitar (2010 to present)
• John Siorek, drums and percussion (2010 to present)
• Nick Casasanto, rhythm guitar and co lead vocals (2011 to present)
• Ryan Rumchaks, bass guitar and backing vocals (2014 to present)

Discography

• Copacetic (2015)
• Shapeshifter (2017)
• 20/20 (2020)
• Losing What We Love (2023)