How a Genre Died Before it Began | The Tragedy of Teenage Wrist and New Grunge

[@thequarryproductions1101]

Let me know what you think of the video. This is kind of a well articulated rant but it's definitely different from previous videos and I'd like to hear your opinion.

[@CrickeyNyan]

I wonder what you think of the new music and singles they're putting out now. New album is coming out soon too. Personally, i thought "Sunshine" sounded incredible. Love the lyrics too

[@MT-sk1ln]

The new stuff is incredible. Sunshine and Darksky are epic

[@MT-sk1ln]

If you see grunge as only doom and gloom and nihilism, then In sorry I don't know what to tell you. Sure there's a component of that, filtering such a big genre through such a narrow lense is doing yourself a disservice. They sound like a mix between oasis and smashing pumpkins

[@dylanlundgren]

That song Sunshine is outrageous good, it's what got me into them

[@snufkinsrevenge]

This hasn't aged well. The new album is literally Siamese Dream 2 but so very 2023. I'm a 43 yr old in heaven.

[@beerwolf8518]

I love the new album so much. Teenage Wrist is awesome.

[@Ruintek]

Sunshine by teenage wrist gave me new hope, love the sound

[@Jessafur]

I feel like you aren't giving Marshall's vocals nearly enough credit. He sings the lead part about 40/60 with Kamtin on the first LP. For example, Kamtin only sings the chorus of both Supermachine and Rollerblades and he doesn't even sing at all for Daylight, but I didn't even realize that until watching live videos. Their voices sound so similar that I don't think I can accurately tell who is singing which parts in a lot of their songs.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

Totally valid point that I didn't realise the extent of. I saw from live videos that Marshall sang quite a bit but wasn't aware he did much on the studio recordings.

[@Jessafur]

@@thequarryproductions1101 either way it's a shame that the band is in the position that they are. The first LP and both EPs are some of the best new music I've heard in years. Really hope that the new LP reaches that level of excellence

[@murmurs4311]

@@thequarryproductions1101 so do a better research next time. The band still great to be honest

[@rappleby91]

This is the most pretentious analysis of total nonsense I have ever heard. This guy doesn't even realize that Marshall was a secondary vocalist to the band originally as well and sang multiple verses and songs on the first album... Seems like this guy came up with an opinion before even hearing new music based off his misconception of what the band already was. And honestly? I think Marshall is a better singer and brings much more variety and range to the vocals as proven on their new LP. I'm a bit upset I can't get my 18 minutes back from watching this.

[@jesseo715]

Barely secondary. They were practically co-leads. I'm sure he was assuming the voices on the first album were just one dynamic vocalist before he was told otherwise. To me it's pretty clear that Kamtin sings the breathy stuff and Marshall sings the bright stuff. He could also stand to do some research on Epitaph before accusing them of controlling the direction of a band. Of all the labels... Epitaph? The owner of Epitaph LEFT HIS OWN BAND when they signed to a major label because he didn't want the label controlling their creativity. Thankfully Bad Religion is back on Epitaph where they belong, and Brett is back in the band where he belongs. But given that history, Epitaph is not at all likely to meddle with their artists' work. Truly, this video comes across as pretentious because it's just a kid with limited knowledge. He doesn't know much about the band, the recording/publishing process, or the label, but he's making a video and trying to sound authoritative. The fact that he wasn't aware the band had dual vocalists really drives that home and shoots down the authenticity, making the video more hollow and affected... which, coincidentally, is just about the same point he was trying to make about the band's post-Kamtin material. He should work on getting his feet wet before he dives in. Spend more time just playing music, listening, and researching. Authority and authenticity come from experience and informed opinions.

[@Floating_Thoughts]

The old singer Kam also has another side project that sounds like Teenage Wrist wich is called Heavenward. Marshal (new singer) helped him produce a song of this new side project, so I assume they are still friends. He may have left the band due to lack of time cause he is also a graphic designer

[@thequarryproductions1101]

It's good to hear they're still in touch, at least he's still being creative rather than disappearing altogether. That would be awful.

[@Safetysweet]

Heavenward is going on tour with Teenage Wrist on select dates.

[@greenman3265]

Dope! That's for the info listening now!

[@chaoticfirearm]

I can appreciate you making a video to get your thoughts out but a lot of the points you're making about something being "dead" or "over" seem to be based on complete lack of information. TW isn't even close to being the progenitors of a new grunge wave and I don't necessarily consider a band with 200,000+ monthly Spotify listeners to be "dead", especially after dropping a new record days ago. I'm assuming you're unaware of the label Run For Cover and how it was more or less them and them alone that completely revitalized all different kinds of guitar rock in the early 2010's with Basement, Tigers Jaw, Citizen, Balance and Composure, Pity Sex, Superheaven / Daylight ect. Those bands put out records that sold thousands and thousands of copies on vinyl alone and a good chunk are still doing big stuff to this day with anywhere from 200 to 500,000 monthly Spotify listeners. If anyone reading this is interested in the record that I think objectively was the first in the modern grunge wave, It's absolutely Daylight - Jar that came out in 2013. Huge drums, huge guitars, huge choruses. Still don't think that record is anywhere close to being topped even to this day.

[@TimothyMouton]

I just discovered @teenagewrist they are awesome!!! Grunge is back!

[@GodOfWhine]

I agree with most of what you're saying. I don't want to say Kamtin's voice "carried" the rest of it but he was such an integral role in what made the band stand out to me. He did feature in the song Humbug on TWs newest album and it's probably the best song imo. Kam's new project, Heavenward, still scratches that itch.

[@RobSnowdrums]

I think your problem was putting teenage wrist in a box in your own head. A lot of your rant about chase situation didn’t make much sense. Your research is good, but a lot of what you had to say was your personal opinions and almost kinda makes you seem like you’re a gatekeeper for grunge music. Grunge music isn’t as commercial as it was before, but it’s not dead, you’re just not looking in the right place. Teenage Wrist kills every track they put out. 🔥Sorry you can’t see past Chrome Neon Jesus.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

You're absolutely right that they are in a box for me, and that's mainly down to the fact that Kam always came across as the creative force from what I saw, at least. I also looked at it objectively as two new entities when Kam's solo album came out and when TW released the first of their new singles and happened to enjoy Kam's release a whole lot more. In terms of it being my opinion, that's exactly what it is,. I've interpreted what my understanding of the situation is and I'm not saying if it is or isn't grunge music, I'm just saying that I don't feel the band specifically, has got the same core strength that it had in the past. That's not to say I won't enjoy anything off the new album when it comes but that's how I felt when I was recording.

[@Jappleby]

This is a bizarre video, with a lot of bizarre opinions, all stemming from a wildly privileged fan. The way you try to build narrative shows you don't really know how the industry works. Examples: no band is "manufactured" at this level. Additional guitars means he also wrote additional guitars - it's not just a rerecording. It'd be rewriting. You just assume the worst about everything. Just really strange stuff. As a former music journalist who's worked with epitaph bsnds, I can comfortably say you just have no understanding how this stuff works. They just made a record you don't like. Which is okay! But what a weird, uneducated take.

[@paulfitz6614]

Dunno mate, I have "Sunshine' on high rotation right now. Catchy stuff. I think this band has a lot of potential.

[@dookieeater]

I think it was an awesome album. High Again and Taste Of Gasoline are my top songs this year.

[@gravegore717]

same thing happened w Remo Drive, signed to epitaph, "parted ways" with their drummer, and switched up their sound completely

[@bengarden4538]

I completely understand this take and I’m so glad to hear someone share the same sentiment. The first song I heard from them was “Stoned, Alone” which we can all agree that’s probably one of their best songs single wise. I then remember hearing “Yellowbelly” and thinking “hmm, it sounds like them but something is different.” I paid it no mind because I thought it was the same group of people from the first album but when I found out Kamron left the group, it slowly started to make sense. It all came together when they were coming in town to perform and I started watching some of their live sets to see what they were like before I paid money. I watched one show set with the latest group and then another when Kamtin and the other guitar player was in and it was a night and day comparison. I could easily see why Kamtin was more of a frontman than Marshall when he was in the band because he performed like a rockstar which brought that grunge attitude you were talking about. It was also cool how him and Marshall would harmonize vocals which sounded so good. Marshall is a great singer and guitar player but his live show persona seemed kind of regular. I would pay money to see the original lineup but definitely not the latest because the bass player and the other guitar player seem like they are just filling in where you can tell the original members performed like they were feeling the music. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with what’s going on with them because it is what it is but it’s kind of obvious that with Kamtin not there, things got pulled back a bit. It sucks because I love Chrome Neon Jesus and I was ready to go all in for Teenage Wrist but the “wow” factor from them isn’t there anymore.

[@baristart123]

There’s a 20 year rule. It comes back every 20 years... the 90s had a lot of 70s things- “that 70s show” “dazed and confused”- 2000s had a lot of 80s things- and so on and so forth.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

It's weird though because I remember everyone having that Elvis haircut when I was a teenager but rewind like 5 years and everyone in my school had a mullet. Each trend was probably on it's 2nd or 3rd cycle.

[@Safetysweet]

I'm seeing them for the first time with Trauma Ray and Slowjoy October 2, super hype!!

[@depswa3]

Bands evolve, they cant put out the same record again and again, and being a 2 piece band now when it comes to the writing process, its normal to not sound the same as when it was a 3 or 4 piece. Each of their releases is really good, I cant wait to hear the whole new album.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

Totally true. They were never going to be the exact same regardless, I just feel like the essence is missing with this new direction.

[@depswa3]

@@thequarryproductions1101 I like their new direction, they sound a little bit grungey and another bit shoegazey or something like that...... I can hear some awesome 90s influences in the new songs and I like them better than some old ones. For me there's no weak moment in any new song so far, every part fits in perfectly.

[@justinstewart5963]

2 years later and you’re super wrong about this with bands like Superheaven and similar artists currently blowing up with the tiktok kids. I think you might still get that revival you wanted.

[@jensspau]

I've just now stumbled upon this video cause I've been really hyped for the upcoming Teenage Wrist album, and while I gotta say, I actually see where you're coming from with this, I also feel like you haven't really given the band without Kamtin a chance, because you were used to, and blown away by Kamtin's participation on their debut, just like me tho, and therefore a bit biased, which is also totally understandable. But anyways, I just wanna give my opinion on this, three years later lol, cause their upcoming Album, Still Love, seems to be wayyy more "classic" Teenage Wrist than Earth is a black hole. Idk if you've listened to the singles, but especially Still Love and Dark Sky are super reminiscent of Chrome Neon Jesus, executing the apathy in the entire delivery you described; that defines grunge; wayyy more than the previous album. Earth is a black hole I feel like was a bit more testing the waters than continuing their established vibe, with more pop punk influences than shoegaze/grunge, and I feel like they've now achieved a perfect combination of this blend on the upcoming Album. At least the singles are incredibly promising throughout.

[@theloniuspoon]

Kamtins new band heavenward is the spiritual successor

[@DBSG1976]

I was 16 when the first wave of grunge hit and I assumed that the same thing would happen every decade, I didn't realize how much music was changed forever by that movement. I grew up on metal, 80s synth pop, classic rock, and went to college as grunge/alternative became mainstream. I picked up some new bands in the '00s, but still waiting for that game changing genre to come storming in.

[@ebbeeriksson2243]

So you’re into Falling In Reverse?

[@coconut6431]

Marshall posted this on his instagram 😭

[@johnathonthunder272]

Curious to hear your thoughts on teenage wrists new singles

[@danielpkilmartin]

I only discovered this band and video the other day. "Sunshine" came on Spotify Radio and I left it on. What do you think of the latest stuff that they put out?

[@mondrian5620]

Kamtin did mention he was already bored with their chrome neon Jesus album in an interview done with the band

[@mondrian5620]

I do miss their aesthetic with Kamtin. He made a big difference.

[@94tilwhenever91]

Did you hear Kamptin’s new band Heavenward?

[@thequarryproductions1101]

I haven't had a chance to check them out yet but he's got a great voice so I'm guaranteed to like it. Thanks for the recommendation

[@baristart123]

The old singers solo stuff is meh ... it sounds like background music to a reality show set in LA - I think the new singer is great... silver spoon, swallow, end taste of gasoline are all great songs.

[@joshuaandrews5384]

Agreed. I like the new stuff more.

[@mondrian5620]

He’s not new (Marshall). They both sang starting out and now he’s just by himself. New stuff is great but Kamtin just added versatility to that already great sound. Gonna miss hearing both of them together.

[@GarySheedyMusic]

A band called Previous Love out of Buffalo, NY makes the kind of music you're talking about wanting to hear more of. Enjoy! And for the record, while the new TW record isn't Chrome Neon Jesus or Counting Flies, it's still pretty damn solid. Hella hooks, great guitar tones. Growing on me with each listen. I'd give it a fair shake before writing it, and them, off as a band.

[@patrickadams639]

It saddens me that Previous Love isn't a bigger success than it is now. I've talked to the guys before and the things and guitars they said they were toying with is very exciting.

[@clarkoceans8239]

Great recommendation. Just looked them up and I’m into it.

[@alexwent672]

You’ve not done a lot of research Kantim’s other project started releasing music in 2010...

[@thequarryproductions1101]

I didn't realise he released music that far back, I've only listened to his newest album.

[@damnitboy9635]

Kamtin has been doing Chain Gang since at least 2008. He used to be in a band with two of his brothers called The Vanity around mid to late 00's and and he started CG1974 around that time as well. He's been making music for years.

[@Govanda]

There are more bands I would say: have you heard about Dinosaur Pile-Up?

[@thequarryproductions1101]

I haven't but I must check them out.

[@Oldmanhenderson12]

The strangest thing is that Khamptin is actually the DJ The Chain Gang of 1974. I had no idea he was also them, and it’s kind of cool he made a grunge band for the hell of it

[@Patrick8782]

Love your review on Teenage Wrist and I understand your disappointment in what direction the band is going becoming a manufactured band. I have no complaints with your opinions, but as for me I love all of Teenage Wrist albums they have come a long way and I would like to see them in concert someday.

[@voxextremos22]

I disagree Marshall and Cams voices are both similar they’re sing high in thier nasal register. They both have airy head voices which fits the nature of the songs. My issue is the lack of low end

[@JLE999]

Nothing wrong with the new album. There are about four or five songs that could be radio hits. The problem is in America the radio stations operate on payola. The only songs that get thru are the ones a label paid and arm and a leg to have played. That’s what is killing rock and alternative. There’s no lack of quality music. Just a ton of gatekeepers. Far more than there were even in the 90’s.

[@khazad25]

So let me get this straight: if the new songs sound like CNJ they’re just cynically trying to trick fans into liking the new singer; but if they try something different (like EIABH) they’re being manipulated and “manufactured” by their label?

[@thequarryproductions1101]

I'm not accusing them of tricking fans into anything. I'm saying that I haven't heard anything reminiscent of CNJ that is up to that standard from any of their new releases. Trying different things is absolutely fine but the fact that it is so drastically different leads me to believe that either they have been influenced by the label or that the main creative force for those previous releases was Kam. Either way the end result is the same, in my opinion.

[@onekebabpls4236]

whats the bg music???

[@earlymedia3301]

I’m here after Black Hole came out. AOTY for sure

[@Hoochypoo]

New grunge like Nothing, Superheaven, Narrow Head? Cloakroom even? The genre isn't dead, not even close.

[@johnathonthunder272]

I like the observations you made in this video, and I agree with pretty much all the points, but the new album has grown on me the more I listen to it. Without Kam, I think they might need a bit of time to find their new sound. Pressures from Epitaph might’ve had something to do with the issues in the album, but I’m hopeful for the future for these guys. What do you think of the new album as a whole?

[@jjjjjjjjjjj3242]

Kam wanted to continue the old TS sound (shoegaze) so he left to start Heavenward. Marshall & Anthony changed TS's sound to more of a light alternative sound. Kam and TS have no issues with each other, and both bands collaborated on Heavenward's new album. Both bands are also playing a show together soon. We essentially have two TSs now, and all is right in the world

[@sammo2560]

if you like Chrome Neon Jesus I highly recommend the album Finelines by My Vitriol

[@peterlizarraga9464]

I just heard them for the first time on welcome to Rockville Daytona .I really like them good band

[@rottenapple_12]

The album is great. There is definitely nihilism in there.

[@tanningchatum7790]

Band: loses some members This guy: ARE THEY EVEN A REAL BAND?!

[@thedriszen8350]

Sorry, but it seems you're more interested in the movement/genre than you are in the music itself, which is just wrong. Forget whether or not you can call it GRUNGE... that's just desperately hanging on to a genre label (and your own self-identification image). Focus on whether the music is good or not.

[@jamessmithfanclub7574]

You nailed it on Chase. The allegations were proven false on him and the band knows that. They just wanted to avoid the bad press leading up to the album...

[@ourownwar]

Chrome Neon Jesus is great however the new stuff just ain't doing it for me. If you haven't already listened to Superheaven as they are one of the best grunge sounding bands. Sadly they split a couple years back but left us with a few great records.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

Superheaven is sick man, great recommendation.

[@howitusedtobe]

Not having listened to a single second of this … today im going to tell you about a genre that isn’t never was. This band isn’t mixing anything new here .. There has been zero ground broken ..It’s a few things we all know and love emulsified slightly differently than your standard groovy spaced out pop punk

[@coconut6431]

I disagree with this but agree with this at the same time. Like on one side bands like Swervedriver, My Vitriol, and Swirlies have been doing a version of this sound since the 90s, but I don't think that listening to Teenage Wrist isn't worth your time. Like no matter the originality of the sound of the music, it dosen't change the fact that it's done really well.

[@AV-bz2zv]

You want a great new “grunge” band… check out Noiseheads. Their song “Expectations” would have been a 90’s classic had it released back then. Other great current bands that have that sound are Skating Polly, Webbed Wing, Jake Clarke, Hands Off Gretel, Bleached, All Dogs, Daddy Issues… The indie punk scene especially the female led genre is actually pretty damn good today.

[@redskullz1249]

A bit late to the party but, your reasoning for why the band should remove all credits and guitar parts from their original guitarist doesn't make a lot of sense. If they have already recorded the the songs and it's ready for release it makes little sense for the band to go back and rewrite and re-record songs. It's just more expense for the band for little gain. He's not a part of the band anymore and that will be enough for most, if not all, of the band's fans. He may benefit off some of the songs which he co-wrote, as he should because despite the allegations that's still his creative work, but the band doesn't have to go through the trouble of trying to reallocate royalties and writing credits and whatnot.

[@MxLee192]

You think this band was the first band since the 90s to play with grunge and other sounds? Seems you've missed various artists from the past 10 years. Also you didn't cover the EP Teenage Wrist did I'm between where they toyed with shoegaze and britpop, which I think is great. Ie sparkle/fade. Start of 2010s. Violent Soho did a grunge sound across their various albums across the decade. What about the band "Nothing" who have done four albums. Evolving out of post hardcore bands. They did their own take on grunge and shoegaze combined. What about the band Wand? Similar to smashing pumpkins in places, did fuzzy psychedelic grungy rock for maybe their first 2 albums and then started branching into other areas and became much more experimental on more recent releases.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

I've listened to a bit of Violent Soho and was really into Nothing for a while. I never implied they were the first ones to do it since the 90's. My initial reaction when I first heard TW was that they were so good that they should be the ones to launch the genre back into the mainstream, in a way that it hasn't been since the 90's. I haven't heard Wand actually but that sounds like a good recommendation, I'll be sure to check them out.

[@notreally-sf3df]

this video has aged like fucking milk, tf?

[@Thomas_of_the_forest]

Rob my man, you should do more videos like this. You've got such a great knowledge of music history and it really shows in this video.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

Thanks dude. I have a few ideas that are kinda this style I'd like to get around to very soon once I get the time. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@ulrichhavershim5529]

What a truly awful video. You’re entitled to your own opinion on the music, but all the stuff about the band being “manufactured” or “plasticy” is you just gatekeeping how you think music should be made. Really disappointing.

[@crispycaptures]

I love this album!

[@weirdoguy6800]

it went down from silverspoon - i absolutely loved that song but black hole was kinda meh and taste of gasoline sounds kinda annoying ... : (

[@darrenXparker]

I like it all.

[@thequarryproductions1101]

That's cool man I'm glad that you're able to get some enjoyment from all the releases.

[@ianfischer2254]

Seems to me like you’ve already got an idea in your head there

[@NotJasonFeldman]

Thanks, I agree with you. I was wondering what happened to Teenage Wrist sound, however, Marshall is still a good songwriter and maybe he was the one coming up with the melodies and riffs the whole time, a lot of the new album is good man. I get it’s a little more poppy, still some killer riffs !

[@Thomas_of_the_forest]

Ooh, this sounds interesting : )

[@CrazySwipes]

I agree that Earth is a Black Hole is garbage, but their latest single "Taste of Gasoline" is much much better

[@thequarryproductions1101]

I totally agree Taste of Gasoline has something there that the other new tracks were missing. I'm just hoping the rest of the album has that same vibe.

[@freewhirr]

listen to Superheaven’s album JAR

[@bodakboatman]

what a damn good suggestion

[@johnkramer2878]

Great Video. I’m in the same boat as you. I found Teenage Wrist and was obsessed by Chrome Neon Jesus. The sound connected with me on so many levels. Loved the style both Kam & Marshall’s voices - when I first heard Kam’s voice it reminded me of Daniel John’s from Silverchair. Anyway, I was disappointed with Kams departure and their new sound. For me it’s too poppy and the songs just don’t do it for me. There’s a couple of good ones on the new album, like Silverspoon and Yellow Belly, but that’s about it for me. Love, love, love Chrome Neon Jesus and appreciate bands change, but for me, I’ll stick with CNJ.

[@ethanis2kool4u]

it’s a shoegaze band lmao

[@phiavir5594]

Wut