We hate to convey a band’s sound by comparing it to that of another, but sometimes there is no way around it, especially when the comparison is layered with compliments. So, City Lights, you guys are the exception to our no association rule. It is time for you guys to meet your parents, Simple Plan and Bowling For Soup.

The Columbus, Ohio band, which consists of vocalist, Oshie Bichar, guitarist, Joey Kasouf, guitarist, Jeremy Smith, bassist, Chase Clymer and drummer, Sean Smith, formed in 2008 and released their debut EP, “Rock Like A Party Star” in April of that same year.

The pop punksters will drop their inVogue Records debut, “In It To Win It” on November 8th. You can hear the album’s first single, “Please Let Me Know” by clicking here. You can also check out the album’s cover art on the band’s Facebook page.

When we first listened to the track, “Please Let Me Know”, we immediately thought of our teenage days, where we blissfully sang along to Bowling For Soup’s “1985”. City Lights’ lead single has that organic punk flare of the late 1990s, where catchy lyrics were laced with just the right touch of instrumentals. With this City Lights track and other songs from Bowling For Soup and Simple Plan, you are not overwhelmed with the shredding of instrumental sounds, which many punk rock bands tend to wrongly do today.

City Lights sound invokes memories of the past, but these punk beats haven’t been heard in over a decade. So, refreshing is a better way to describe this Ohio crew.

by Lonnie Nemiroff