Florida's JOE POPP had a whirlwind run in the mid-90’s. Following the regional success of their first independent release, Complex Machine, their follow-up EP Bruiser captured the energy and growth of a band on the rise.
Though the band is governed by the "Loud, Fast Rules" dictum, there are enough subtle departures and melody to keep things memorable. What JOE POPP does best is the classic clenched teeth, post-Ramones kind of thing with well-structured arrangements and singalong-demanding choruses.
From the fragments of several Florida-based bands, the members of JOE POPP came together quickly. After six rehearsals, the band debuted as an opener on a sold-out show opening for the Toadies at their peak. The band then scored a run of many opening slots for other national acts including Seaweed, Jawbox, Mike Watt, Schleprock, five-eight, Superdrag, the Specials, Suicide Machines, Hagfish, Mr. T Experience, Squirtgun, Blink 182, Joan Jett, Life of Agony, Cheap Trick, Six Finger Satellite, and others. The band also played at the 1996 South By Southwest music conference as Florida's only unsigned showcasing act and was invited to the Independent Label Festival in Chicago and the CMJ Marathon in New York.
JOE POPP disbanded in 1997 when Joe moved to New York. Sadly, drummer Jeff Wood passed away in 2007. Now, the band has reformed and are writing/recording together again.
