Joyce Manor returns to the forefront of the rock landscape with the announcement of their upcoming album ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’ on Epitaph Records. This new collection features production from SoCal punk royalty Brett Gurewitz and showcases the band operating at the absolute peak of their creative powers. The lead single “Well, Whatever It Was” arrives with a high energy music video directed by Lance Bangs that parodies iconic British television. This track captures a quintessential Southern California sound through soaring choruses and a massive rhythmic foundation. Every instrument on the recording hits with a precise and punchy delivery that demands a loud volume.
The collaboration with Gurewitz brings a legitimizing force to the short and sweet songcraft that defines the Joyce Manor legacy. Legendary contributors like Joey Waronker and Lenny Castro add sophisticated layers of percussion to these fast-moving compositions. The engineering work from Tom Lord-Alge ensures that every hook lands with maximum impact across the entire tracklist. These songs bridge the gap between power-pop acumen and the raw intensity of the punk scene. The record vibrates with a sense of renewed vitality and confidence from the Torrance trio.
The songwriting on this album is a masterclass in efficiency and melodic brilliance. Listeners encounter a relentless barrage of infectious riffs and emotionally resonant lyrics that stay in the head for days. The band successfully incorporates a massive wall of sound while keeping the arrangements lean and urgent. Each transition feels like a rush of adrenaline as the group explores new sonic territory without losing their signature bite. This music is a triumphant celebration of California pop-punk heritage that moves the genre forward into 2026.
The track listing for ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’ consists of:
I Know Where Mark Chen Lives
Falling Into It
All My Friends Are So Depressed
Well, Whatever It Was
I Used To Go To This Bar
After All You Put Me Through
The Opossum
Well, Don’t It Seem Like You’ve Been Here Before?
Grey Guitar
The band is currently preparing for their “2026 Headline Tour” in support of the release following a run of dates in Europe and the UK. Fans can catch the live show at these upcoming locations:
Oct 16 – Munich, DE @ Backstage Werk
Oct 17 – Berlin, DE @ Columbia Theater
Oct 18 – Oberhausen, DE @ Turbinenhalle
Oct 19 – Brussels, BE @ AB
Oct 20 – Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat
Oct 22 – Bristol, UK @ The Prospect Building
Oct 23 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Glasgow
Oct 25 – London, UK @ Roundhouse
Oct 26 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds University Union