Some bands ease into a new year. Wanted Noise have never been that band.
The San Diego melodic punk crew are kicking off 2026 by throwing a match straight into the petrol tank with their new single “Burn The Time Away,” and honestly, it feels exactly like how a year should start. Loud, fast, emotional, and full of that reckless optimism that only punk bands who’ve lived it can pull off properly.
If you’ve been anywhere near the Southern California scene over the last decade, chances are you’ve either seen Wanted Noise live, skated past someone blasting them from a car, or heard their name shouted across a car park at some ungodly hour. Formed back in 2014, they’ve built their reputation the old way. Endless shows, endless miles, and a sound that feels like surf wax, sweat, and busted vans rolled into one.
“Burn The Time Away” is the first taste of their upcoming album Easy Listening, and it hits with more weight than just another fast pop punk ripper. Sure, it’s got the energy you expect, but there’s something deeper running through it. This is a song about growing up inside a scene, about friendships that shape you, and about holding onto the dream even when it costs you more than you thought it would.
Frontman Suri Sherman wrote the track reflecting on his time growing up in Goleta, surrounded by a tight crew where the highs were sky high and the lows hit just as hard. It’s about living for the moment, chasing something bigger than yourself, and learning that even when things go wrong, you’d still rather be right there with your people. If you’ve ever been in a band, or even just part of a local scene that felt like family, this one lands close to home.
There’s also something quietly powerful about the chorus. It captures that feeling of being all in, of carrying the weight of the dream while knowing you’re stronger when everyone’s pulling in the same direction. Suri makes it clear he’s not doing this alone either, giving props to bandmates Taylor Wagner, Caleb Adkins, and Matt Lappin, who help turn that vision into something loud enough to shake walls.
Musically, Wanted Noise are still doing what they do best. Think classic skate punk speed with a SoCal melodic backbone, but with enough variety to keep things interesting. It’s no surprise they’ve been called “the kings of PB pop punk,” a label that fits when you hear how effortlessly they blend fun, urgency, and heart.
Their journey so far has been anything but small. From tearing up stages across the US West Coast to shows in Canada, Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, they’ve shared bills with the likes of The Ataris and Punk Rock Karaoke, and took part in the 2025 Punk Rock Rodeo alongside Guttermouth. They’ve even taken things a step further with their own DIY touring concept “Hit the Slopes, Hit the Stage,” combining punk shows with snowboarding weekends, because of course they did.
If you go back to their 2017 release Plate Lunch, you can hear the roots of what they’re doing now. It was messy in the best way, pulling from different influences without caring too much about fitting neatly into one box. Their 2022 album Next Generation leaned harder into that skate punk edge, and Easy Listening feels like the most complete version of all those ideas coming together.
Even the artwork for “Burn The Time Away” feels like a love letter to punk history. Inspired by Blink 182’s “Apple Shampoo” single cover, it reworks that iconic imagery through a modern lens. Created by surf legend turned artist Demi Boelsterli, using a classic skate photo of Wes Kremer shot by Chris “Rhino” Rooney, it ties the worlds of skating, punk, and nostalgia together perfectly.
On top of all that, Wanted Noise have also popped up on a new concept project from LA artist Mendeleyev, delivering a high energy pop punk take on “In Waves” that nods straight to the golden era of Blink 182 and Sum 41. It’s another reminder that this band never sits still for long.
“Burn The Time Away” doesn’t feel like a comeback or a reset. It feels like a statement. Wanted Noise know exactly who they are, where they’ve come from, and why they’re still doing this. If Easy Listening builds on this momentum, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for them.
Turn it up loud. This one’s meant to be played with the windows down!