Joker’s Republic just dropped their cover of Green Day’s “When I Come Around,” and they came ready. The Essex County, New Jersey ska-punk trio recorded the track with producer Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls, and it’s out now on Punkerton Records across all digital platforms. It’s the first of five Steinkopf-produced ska-punk covers the band plans to release throughout the year.
Singer and guitarist Austen Gray didn’t mince words about the choice: “I don’t think Joker’s Republic covering a Green Day song is a surprise to anyone. As much as ‘When I Come Around’ is a slam dunk of a cover, we don’t pick songs just because they’re easy to pull off. We knew we had something to add to the song, and we knew that the moment those opening chords come in almost everyone would have certain expectations that we’d blow away in the next eight bars.” That’s a bold promise, and the track delivers on it.
The cover arrives on the heels of the band’s third full-length album, ‘The Hand You’ve Been Dealt’, released in 2025 on Punkerton Records. That record was produced by Roger Lima of Less Than Jake and mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Eric Taft. Joker’s Republic has been building serious momentum in the ska-punk world, earning spots at Supernova International Ska Festival, FEST 23, and Wake and Bake with Less Than Jake, plus opening slots for Save Ferris and Goldfinger.
Operating as a power trio by design, Joker’s Republic keep their sound tight and their crossover appeal wide. With Steinkopf in their corner for this new run of singles and a full touring schedule through 2026 and 2027, the band’s showing no signs of slowing down. “When I Come Around” is a strong opening move.