Junior Battles is about connecting with the tiny, enthusiastic, sober 16 year-old buried deep inside each and every one of us. And then pouring 40s of Black Ice all over them, raging to old Punkorama comps all night, and passing out at dawn.
Since releasing Hotel Bibles on Toronto punk imprint Black Pint Records in April, Junior Battles has turned into an unintentional road beast. Initially conceived as a lazy, friendly way to hang out and play throwback pop-punk, Junior Battles got a lot more real in the summer of 2009, clocking a girlfriend-troubling number of hours between Ontario, Quebec, and the East Coast of the U.S., all while learning to sleep in new, exciting positions on strange, foreign floors. Touring alongside bands like Bridge and Tunnel, O Pioneers!!!, and North Lincoln, they also snagged spots at S.C.E.N.E. Fest, NXNE and legendary punk mecca, The Fest 8.
The new focus on live sonic bludgeoning has refined Junior Battles’ songwriting approach, tightening their two-pronged vocal attack and locking down their drum and bass heroics. With eyes on all the records they fell in love with in high school, they’re trying to define the band they want to be: an honest one that those enthusiastic 16 year-old versions of themselves would flip their shit over.
Hotel Bibles may be a debut effort, but the EP reeks of experience. What's great about it is that rather than queuing up behind Blink-182 and New Found Glory's pop-punk lesson book, Junior Battles have crafted their own style from the likes of Jawbreaker, Hot Water Music and Green Day. They've seemed to end up in a movement of bands such as the Ergs!, Bridge and Tunnel, Lemuria and others in developing a new brand of melodic punk -- and it's something worth getting excited about.-- Ben Conoley, Punknews.org
Junior Battles’ dual vocal attack is extremely successful and the band has a penchant for writing forceful choruses which in turns leads to memorable songs that stick to your guts.-- Will Miller, Sound As Language
Junior Battles manage a delicate balance of pop punk and the edgier, darker influence of bands like Jawbreaker or Fugazi. Most of the songs start out sounding poppy before evolving into a wall of layered guitars and gang vocals that cause Junior Battles at times, to sound a little like Bombs Over Providence. The standout track is definitely "Boats," the chorus of which will stay stuck in your head for days.-- Ty Trumbull, Exclaim! Magazine
Melodic punk rock can be such a great thing when it is done well. Lucky for us, Junior Battles is good at it. -- Scott Thomson, !earshot magazine
The band's first six-song, 15-minute EP, Hotel Bibles, is driven around hook-filled melodies & aggressive bursts of guitar-riff chaos.-- Chris Fallon, Absolutepunk.net
These local hook-heavy upstarts welcomed a bill full of visiting bands with their charming ease, copious group chants, and funny banter (actually). An energetic start to a quality pop-punk showcase.-- Nicole Villeneuve, Torontoist.com (NXNE Review)
Super nice dudes having the time of their lives!-- Fest 8 Guidebook
Junior Battles [NEW SONGS]'s Friend Space (Top 24)
hey guys! we had such a good time meeting you all last night and watching your set. really catchy tunes and awesome harmonies, we hope to see you all again! safe travels!!!
I've told everybody, all of the bands and everyone I know who's going to the fest to go check you guys out. I hope you guys Rip it up!!! Drive safe, say hi to Bridge & Tunel and have so much fucken fun!!!!
Come on by the Farm and check out the artist and songs featured “IN THE MIX” and if you like what you hear or have a recommendation leave a comment – it’s fun and it’s free!
tuesday night we are playing in your fair city at the sleeping giant art gallery. it would be BALLIN' if you guys came out and hung with us! 789 dundas west.
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