There is new music from a newer band headed our way. Hold on to your hats and wigs because this pop punk band will blow you away. The band is The Things We Were and they are something special coming out of Orlando, Florida.
The Things We Were are bringing back the pop punk scene with bands like Story of the Year, The Used, 408 and Sleep Eater. Although they have been together writing music since 2016, they rebranded in 2018 to become who we now know and love as The Way Things Were.
The band has a considerably catchy sound with their dual vocalists and both lead and rhythm guitar (Think Blink-182 with an extra guitar that gives them more meat on their bones). Their songs come from personal experience like their last release “Plaid Shoes and Tattoos.” We spoke with front-man Dylan Garforth who told us, “Plaid Shoes and Tattoos is about Thomas and I both going through really tough breakups out of the blue around the same time in 2019. The song is about realizing your worth and bettering yourself.”
Their newest release, “Black Tops” has a great cathartic meaning behind it for Dylan and Thomas. Dylan told us about “Black Tops”, he said “We basically sat in the studio after these breakups and that’s how we took out our frustration, sadness and anger so the songs kind of make sense together. This one is the part where you let go of the toxicity in your past relationship and want better for yourself.”
Dylan told us that their upcoming full-length album will be called, “Cloudy Kids” and it has a story concept, “the meaning behind the album is two very sad and depressed kids find happiness in each other and they almost make it work but the negative side of both of their lives completely consumes them and they can’t make it work for each other.” Of the 10-track album, “Each song will be released every six weeks or so until the final release date.”
Although the definite release date for “Cloudy Kids” is under lock and key, Dylan was able to secretly tell us though a special telegram that we should see the album this Fall… and then the message spontaneously combusted.
The Things We Were prove that Orlando isn’t just cranking out theme parks and vacation destinations. They have quite a music scene and we can’t wait to hear more from the upcoming “Cloudy Kids” album!
The Things We Were are an electrifying band, it features Dylan Garforth (guitarist), Thomas Jay (guitarist), Jonah Greenberg (bass), and Jake Siegel (drums). Pound for pound, they are one of the best sonic experiences you’ll find coming from Orlando!