The difference, by ear
Skate punk is faster and more technical with no breakdowns and no screaming.
Skate punk is sung cleanly where easycore is part sung, part screamed, and a little faster: 180 to 230 bpm against 150 to 190. To hear the difference, play New Found Glory next to NOFX. Both grew out of pop punk, skate punk first and easycore seventeen years after.
In figures
Easycore
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Pop punk › Easycore
In short
Pop punk with hardcore breakdowns glued into the middle. Sweet chorus, hammer at the end.
How it sounds
- Pop punk verses and choruses interrupted by a hardcore breakdown.
- Modern production with guitars tuned lower than in classic pop punk.
- Sung vocals alternating with short shouts.
Key acts
- New Found Glory
- Four Year Strong
- A Day to Remember
Start here
The pickA Day to Remember - Homesick. The most effective sweet-to-brutal switching in the genre.
Full page →Skate punk
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Pop punk › Skate punk
In short
Faster, more technical pop punk with two-beat drumming and short solos. The soundtrack to skate videos.
How it sounds
- Very fast tempos with two-beat drumming and technical transitions.
- Clear-toned bass with its own often highly technical lines.
- Vocal harmonies everywhere, even at 220 bpm.
Key acts
- NOFX
- Pennywise
- Lagwagon
Start here
The pickNOFX - Punk in Drublic. Technical, fast and unreasonably well written.
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