State Champs are back with something that’ll hit right in the nostalgic feels — but with a twist. The pop-punk veterans have dropped a reimagined version of their track “Hell Of It,” now titled “(For The) Hell Of It,” alongside a brand-new music video.
If you loved their 2022 self-titled album, you’ll remember “Hell Of It” as one of those tracks that just hit. Now, the band’s stripped it down and given it a whole new life — softer, more intimate, and surprisingly refreshing. Talking about the new take, they said, “We bring you ‘(For the) Hell Of It.’ A reimagined, stripped-down version of one of our favourites from the self-titled album, which was very fun to revisit and experiment with in the studio.”
And honestly, you can feel that. It’s the same anthemic energy, but with that mellow, late-night road-trip vibe — like if you took a classic Champs chorus and swapped the pit for an acoustic session under fairy lights.
The new release comes at a busy time for the Albany pop-punk heroes. They’ve got a run of intimate headline shows kicking off this week across the U.S., hitting spots like Grand Rapids, Columbus, Asbury Park, and more — before joining Don Broco for a massive UK arena tour next month. So, if you’ve ever wanted to scream along to “Secrets” or “All You Are Is History” with thousands of others, this is your chance.
Speaking of classics, State Champs recently announced they’ll be celebrating 10 years of Around The World And Back in 2026 — the record that gave us some of their biggest hits and helped shape pop-punk’s mid-2010s resurgence. To mark the milestone, they’ve announced eight anniversary shows across the U.S., bringing along a stacked lineup including Cartel, Origami Angel, Real Friends, Broadside, and more. If you were around during that Warped Tour era, this tour’s basically a dream come true.
But they’re not slowing down anytime soon. With a string of major festivals on the way — including Vans Warped Tour Orlando and another stint on the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise in January — it’s clear that State Champs are still living their best tour life, all while experimenting with new takes on old favourites.
It’s been nearly 15 years since Derek DiScanio, Ryan Scott Graham, Tyler Szalkowski, and Evan Ambrosio first started this band — and they’re still finding fresh ways to keep things interesting. “(For The) Hell Of It” proves they’re not just resting on nostalgia; they’re reworking it, refining it, and reminding everyone why they’re still pop-punk royalty.
Whether you’ve been there since Around The World And Back or just hopped on the ride with Kings of the New Age, this one’s for you. Go stream “(For The) Hell Of It” now — and maybe queue up that 2015 record after. For the hell of it.
