I grew up in the sweet spot of the late ‘90s-early ’00, right as an explosion of pop punk bands hit mainstream success. When I entered middle school in 1996, I listened to boy bands like every other pre-teen girl alive at the time. But was that MY music?

The first CD I ever purchased was “Jagged Little Pill” by Alanis Morissette. She provided me with the angsty female vocals I craved but wasn’t getting from the Spice Girls. It wasn’t until I bought the “1998 unVailed Alternative Collection” from the clearance section of a Sam Goody that I felt like I struck gold. But was I into alternative rock? What even is alternative rock?

I dived headfirst into this scene I just discovered.

I wasn’t sure what I liked, but I knew what I didn’t like… KoRn was too bass-heavy, and I despised everything about the Dave Matthews Band. I didn’t understand Rage Against the Machine, and Radiohead was just too serious. Foo Fighters, a little too generic. 311, a little too mellow. Fuel, a little too corny.

Then I heard blink-182.

Now, I’m not going to say blink-182 changed my life, or that I even consider them my favorite band. However, from the first time I heard blink on K-Rock (the original), I felt like I revealed a secret part of my identity.

My musical taste evolved over time, but it was pop punk that opened those pathways. And no, I don’t feel cool admitting that… but at 13, potty-mouthed humor and catchy songs that were (although remotely) punk made me feel edgy and SEEN.

I finally found me.