Fives: Don’t Panic’s Pennsylvania Hidden Gems

With their latest album, ‘For Your Consideration,’ Pennsylvanian quartet Don’t Panic explores the push and pull between youthful nostalgia and adult self-reflection. It allows frontman Ted Felicetti to reflect on being part of an industry that often prioritises youth and recycles the past. The ten-track collection results in a blend of heartfelt rock and punchy pop-punk delivered with an abundance of passion. As Felicetti said ahead of the album’s release, “‘For Your Consideration’ is about shedding old skin: rejecting the comfort of familiarity, confronting self-made failures, and choosing growth anyway.”

Since forming in the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania in 2009, Don’t Panic has shared the stage with the likes of Bowling for Soup, Less Than Jake, The Ataris, and Alien Ant Farm. ‘For Your Consideration’ is their fourth album. Throughout the record, there are resonant moments of soaring emo-rock such as ‘Honest’ and ‘Calls From Home’. There’s a pulsating punk energy in its underbelly, with tracks such as ‘Conscience’ and ‘One and Done’ pushing this to the surface.

Don’t Panic comes from a long line of Pennsylvanian bands rooted in punk, pop-punk, and emo. The Wonder Years, The Menzingers, Title Fight, Tigers Jaw, and The Starting Line are just some of the names to emerge from the State of Pennsylvania. While Don’t Panic may not have “broken out” to the level of those names, they have stayed ingrained in the local music scene. From playing shows throughout the area to befriending a whole host of bands, Don’t Panic are a part of a constantly thriving community.

As considerably longstanding members of Pennsylvanian scenes, we thought we’d ask Don’t Panic vocalist and guitarist Ted Felicetti to tip us off on five bands that deserve more recognition.

Eternal Boy

From: Pittsburgh, PA
These guys are from the west side of Pennsylvania and might be the furthest away, but we have known Rishi and the boys the longest. Over 20 years! Eternal Boy (as they’re named as of 2017 – previously called SpacePimps) has been going strong since 2003. There is nothing more pure pop-punk sounding than what comes from the steel city. They bring the old Blink-182/The Ataris feel and are an integral part of the Pittsburgh music scene. The singer Rishi even hosts a massive annual pop-punk fest out there called Four Chord.

University Drive

From: Scranton, PA
University Drive are based out of the “Electric City” of Scranton, PA. We met these guys only in the last few years, but they are just a straight-up rock band. They have lots of ’90s influence and are super melodic. Several of the members also play in the band Cold, so they are on the road a lot. I’ve always said their sound is a mix of new Thrice with Chevelle.

WKND Therapy

From: Scranton, PA
This is our buddy Brandon’s band, who was the former drummer of another local area band as well, when we first met. These guys are much more on the emo side of things, but after being around for such a short time, they are really already making quite a mark. They’re much more in the Boys Like Girls and All Time Low lane.

Punchline

From: Pittsburgh, PA
Punchline are another awesome band from the west side of PA. We have known the guys in Punchline since I started playing music in the early 2000s. They’ve toured everywhere with bands like Fall Out Boy, Bayside, Bowling for Soup and even released an album or two on the famous Fueled By Ramen record label. Not to mention they’re an AMAZINGLY tight live band.

If you dig bands like Bayside all the way to Gin Blossoms, this might be a great band to check out (if you haven’t already heard of them, that is)

Goalkeeper

From: Philadelphia, PA
Goalkeeper are our homies from Philly. They’re one of the hardworking and dedicated bands with one of the happiest drummers you will ever meet. They’re part of a new wave of pop-punk with a lot of older influences like New Found Glory, Blink-182 and Four Year Strong.