Joyce Manor are kicking off a brand new chapter with I Used To Go To This Bar, their upcoming album dropping January 30th via Epitaph Records. And if you’ve ever wanted a record that sounds like pure Southern California bottled into 25 minutes of nostalgic, sun-fried punk bliss — this might be it.
The band just dropped the lead single “Well, Whatever It Was” alongside a Lance Bangs-directed video that hilariously spoofs The Great British Bake Off, with a cast of comedians and musicians pretending to be UK rockstars. It’s as chaotic and charming as you’d expect from Joyce Manor, and Barry Johnson describes the track as “one of the most Southern California sounding songs ever recorded.” Think Jane’s Addiction in the verses, Weezer in the chorus, and RHCP in the outro — then crank it up and add some Bad Religion energy, courtesy of producer Brett Gurewitz himself.
That’s right — the Bad Religion frontman and Epitaph boss stepped behind the board for this record, marking a full-circle moment for the band. “When it comes to our musical DNA, he’s one of the architects of everything we grew up on,” Johnson says. The result? A record that’s as punchy and immediate as anything in their catalogue, but with a confidence that feels earned after years of carving out their place in punk history.
The album — which follows 2023’s 40 oz. to Fresno — promises the same short, sharp hooks Joyce Manor are known for, just bigger and bolder. Between Tony Hoffer’s (M83, Beck) polished mix and Tom Lord-Alge’s (Enema of the State) touch on a few tracks, it’s shaping up to be the band’s most dynamic record yet. Oh, and it’s loaded with cameos — including Oasis reunion tour drummer Joey Waronker — because why not?
If all that wasn’t enough, the band are heading to the UK and Europe this month for a headline run, joined by The Hotelier, Tiger’s Jaw, Oso Oso, and Ways Away. Expect singalongs, chaos, and maybe a few Bake Off jokes for good measure.
After 16 years, Joyce Manor aren’t just revisiting their roots — they’re rewriting them. I Used To Go To This Bar sounds like the sound of a band still having fun, still figuring it out, and still proving why they’re one of the most essential names in modern punk.
