We recently had the extraordinary opportunity to check out the new record, “Pest Sounds“ from Philadelphia , based punks , Five Hundred Bucks , You can listen to “Pest Sounds “ Here

“Pest Sounds “, from Five Hundred Bucks, is a punk rock lovers dream. Every single song is full of punk rock goodness.

On their second full-length Pest Sounds, lead songwriter Jeff Riddle has written a set of maximalist punk rock songs that buzz like a metal detector in a crowded mine-field while never shying away from classic pop structures and affecting storytelling. This is punk-pop for the kicked-around. Sing-along songs for the rough-around-the-edges, and the sound of a new and exciting band stumbling onto their masterwork.  

Going back a few years, Riddle (formerly of The Holy Mess) hooked up with his old friend, drummer William Francis Orender (Captain, We’re Sinking), to fulfill an assignment of writing the soundtrack the hit indie horror flick Uncle Peckerhead, written and directed by Riddle’s friend and close collaborator, Matthew John Lawrence. During the dire days of the pandemic, the two got together for almost daily writing sessions. They quickly amassed a well of songs and a sound that stays true to their punk past but makes room to include their all-encompassing musical vocabularies. The band made a name for themselves on their 2022 debut $500, as well as with the success of Uncle Peckerhead, but have dug even deeper into their modus operandi of following wherever their muse leads them on this new batch of songs.  

We’re doing this for us,” says Riddle of their approach. “If people connect with it, great. But we’re not writing for anyone else.” And it’s that defiance that shapes Pest Sounds, which swings from world-dominating heartland anthems like  “Promises of Gold” to the wild, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fury of “Baker’s Lung.” to the sleazy 70’s rock strut of “The Cramp.” There’s no safe zone here—every track is an unpredictable dive into a new corner of the band’s world.        

While the album is chock full of hooks that pass by with a rabbit’s heartbeat, Riddle is opening up lyrically in a way he never has. Emotional haymakers like the stomping “Denialism” offer a sepia tone snapshot of days of yore: fleeting impressions of innocence—a stolen cigarette here, a bummed ride there—swirling in a fog of nostalgia and droning Leslie organ.

When we were younger and just discovering punk we dream of finding a band like Five Hundred Bucks, now our dreams have come true .

Every song on “Pest Sounds” , is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. “pest Sounds”, from Five Hundred Bucks, is everything we wanted in a punk rock record and more.