From Blink-182 cameos to scrapped song titles, here’s the pop punk trivia you didn’t get from the liner notes.
New Found Glory’s Sticks and Stones isn’t just a pop punk essential—it’s a time capsule packed with angst, attitude, and a few secrets you might’ve missed. As the album turns 23, we’re diving into the lesser-known facts behind one of the most influential records of the 2000s.
There’s a secret song hiding at the end
If you let the final track, “The Story So Far,” play all the way through, you’ll eventually stumble on a hidden acoustic track. It’s a brief but heartfelt moment that fans have come to cherish—and many didn’t even know existed the first time around.
Mark Hoppus (Blink-182) lends his voice
“Something I Call Personality” features background vocals from none other than Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus. At the time, a cameo like that was basically pop punk royalty giving you their blessing.
They almost called it something else
Sticks and Stones wasn’t the original title. Early ideas included Head On Collision (after the track), but the band eventually landed on something broader—something that reflected the emotional punches of the record as a whole.
The original album cover was much darker
Before settling on the now-iconic, street-scene artwork, earlier drafts reportedly included more stylized or even moody visual themes. Ultimately, they went with something that looked more like their world—teenage, suburban chaos included.
The album was recorded in L.A.—but inspired by Florida
Despite recording in California with producer Neal Avron, much of the lyrical content reflects the band’s Florida upbringing. From friendships to falling-outs, Sticks and Stones captures that East Coast suburban energy.
“Head On Collision” inspired the band name All Time Low
When Alex Gaskarth and company were teenagers, the lyric “And it feels like I’m at an all-time low” from “Head On Collision” inspired their eventual band name. Talk about legacy.
They toured with Green Day right after it dropped
Right after Sticks and Stones was released, New Found Glory opened for Green Day on tour—introducing thousands of new fans to their high-energy, full-throttle live show.
One song was cut last minute
At least one track didn’t make the final version of the album, though it’s never been officially released. Band members have hinted at demo material that may surface someday—if fans keep asking.
They brought in a string section—but barely used it
Some studio experimentation included strings and piano, which didn’t make it far past the demo stage. The band ultimately stripped things back to keep the album raw and energetic.
The whole thing was recorded in less than a month
Despite how polished it sounds, Sticks and Stones came together fast. Neal Avron pushed the band to capture the rawness of their live shows while still tightening up their songwriting. The result? A record that still slaps two decades later.
