Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
Ian "Shiner" Thomas of Those Damn Crows onstage playing to a festival crowd with his Gibson Les Paul. He wears a baseball cap and sunglasses.
Artists Shiner from Those Damn Crows on how to write a No.1 album and the Slipknot riff he wish he wrote
Getty Compile of Artist Pics
Artists 9 fresh long reads on tracks with astounding musical moments
South Arcade
Artists South Arcade on how they became the figureheads of a growing Y2K revival
Finneas
Guitarists “Such an emotive player... so cool": Finneas names his 5 favourite guitarists
Lifeguard's Kai Slater, Isaac Lowenstein and Asher Case
Artists Lifeguard on abstract noise and pop hooks – and the creative epiphanies behind their stellar debut
Yungblud
Artists Yungblud reveals his secret to making acoustics sound massive – and hints at future signature model
Este and Danielle Haim.
Bands "Are you an idiot?”: Haim respond to those who say they don't play their instruments live
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Amps

7 iconic pop punk guitar riffs

News
By Guitars and Amps Expo 2014, Claire Davies published 13 May 2014

We Are The In Crowd pick their faves

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

We Are The In Crowd

We Are The In Crowd

GUITARS AND AMPS EXPO 2014: We Are The In Crowd are fast becoming that band we just can't stop listening to. With super catchy choruses and riffs, they're a likeable bunch of young pop punkers raised on the very best musical diet of Blink-182, Fall Out Boy and Jimmy Eat World.

Hailing from New York, We Are The In Crowd add a colourful splash of rock to their own pop punk, helping them to infuse a meaty backbone into the music they write. When we asked guitarist Cameron Hurley to choose seven iconic pop punk tracks for your aural delectation he mused, “The iconic guitar riff might be one of the most sought after achievements in rock music, and many try but only few succeed.

“Pop punk wouldn't be the same without the classic guitar riffs,” Cameron continued. “So many air guitars would go unplayed and powerchords would rule the world. We thank all who strive to keep the riffs alive, and those who have brought them thus far.” Here are Cameron's picks...

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
Song: Dammit

Song: Dammit

“You could consider this song to be the cornerstone of the pop punk riff world and for Blink-182's discography (the Dumpweed riff being a close second). For many it was the introduction to pop punk guitar playing. It's not the most advanced riff to play, but you just had to learn it, so that means it deserves honourable mention for the influence it has had on aspiring guitar players.”

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Song: Chicago Is So Two Years Ago

Song: Chicago Is So Two Years Ago

“There aren't many songs where you could say the intro, verse, pre-chorus and chorus are all riffs. This is powerchord riffing at it's finest. There's nothing complicated – it's straight forward, which makes this song so much fun to play and listen to.”

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
Song: Futures

Song: Futures

“One of my favourite intro songs/riffs to an album. The constant, driving, chugging guitar mixed with the harmonizing riffs makes this song a one of a kind pop punk classic from one of the most legendary pop punk bands.”

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Song: Misery Business

Song: Misery Business

“I can't deny this song a spot on the list. Misery Business is a perfectly executed and simple pop punk rock riff that's so good, I would put it under the 'Damn! How did I not come up with that?' riff category.”

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Song: Above Me

Song: Above Me

“Rufio are built on guitar riffs. If you're just learning guitar and wanna skip learning the chords and all the boring stuff and go straight to the fast picking, start with this band, this song.”

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
Song: Direction

Song: Direction

“The Starting Line had a huge influence on our guitar writing and playing style, even in the earlier years of us just learning how to play. This song in particular sparked something in me when I first heard it. The sludgy style guitar playing and chord structure stuck with me.”

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Song: What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost / Liar (It Takes One To Know One)

Song: What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost / Liar (It Takes One To Know One)

“I had to put both of these songs together as one, and if you ever played these songs on guitar you would understand. They flow so well together and both start off with some of the best, simple, iconic guitar riffs that have ever come out of the pop punk genre.”

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Claire Davies
Read more
Ian "Shiner" Thomas of Those Damn Crows onstage playing to a festival crowd with his Gibson Les Paul. He wears a baseball cap and sunglasses.
Shiner from Those Damn Crows on how to write a No.1 album and the Slipknot riff he wish he wrote
Getty Compile of Artist Pics
9 fresh long reads on tracks with astounding musical moments
South Arcade
South Arcade on how they became the figureheads of a growing Y2K revival
Finneas
“Such an emotive player... so cool": Finneas names his 5 favourite guitarists
Lifeguard's Kai Slater, Isaac Lowenstein and Asher Case
Lifeguard on abstract noise and pop hooks – and the creative epiphanies behind their stellar debut
Yungblud
Yungblud reveals his secret to making acoustics sound massive – and hints at future signature model
Latest in Guitar Amps
Mooer Audio F15i Li Intelligent Amp: this battery-powered take-anywhere guitar amp is packed with amp and effects models, and is an all-in-one practice solution.
Mooer’s F15i Intelligent Amp is a desktop doozie equipped with 55 amps, 69 effects and a touchscreen
EVH Gear Hypersonic FR-12: The newly launched FRFR speaker packs 1000-watts, is available in black or ivory, and might just be the perfect companion to your amp modeller.
EVH Gear drops the Hypersonic FR-12 FRFR speaker – 1000-watts to get the most from your amp modeller
Blackstar ID:X 50: The new combo from the British amp titan is described as "this is the most natural-sounding" modelling amp on the market.
Blackstar unveils ID-X combos – complete with 6 amp voices, over 35 effects, CabRig and OLED display
Laney Black Country Customs Tony Iommi TI100: Long-time Laney user Tony Iommi is pictured with his new signature amp, which is limited to 50 units worldwide to mark Black Sabbath's final show at Villa Park.
Laney celebrates Black Sabbath's final show with a limited edition reissue of Tony Iommi's TI100 amp
Supro Airwave: the new 1x12 tube combo combines old-school looks and tones with onboard cab sim tech from Two notes Audio Engineering.
Supro teams up with Two Notes for the Airwave, a vintage-voiced 25W tube combo with onboard cab sims
Line 6 Helix Stadium XL: The new flagship amp modeller and multi-effects unit is a dramatic expansion of the Helix framework with a suite of state-of-the-art features
Line 6 debuts all-new AI tech as it supercharges its amp modelling platform with the Helix Stadium
Latest in News
Exodus Gary Holt
"It might have been like 12 people there”: Exodus’ Gary Holt pulls zero punches in his new autobiography
blur and oasis
“I am happy to accept and concede defeat”: Damon Albarn just admitted that Oasis won
Jeff Lynne ELO
"Jeff is devastated": ELO's last ever mega-gig plunged into jeopardy after last-minute cancellation of last night's Manchester show
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day deal on gear from Fender, Roland, Casio, Yamaha, Toontrack & more - but you'll have to be quick
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino StingRay: the bass legend's new signature model is offered fretted or fretless, and in a deep and luxurious 79 Burst finish.
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
Amerie
How Amerie created a ‘00s R&B/funk classic with producer Rich Harrison

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...