here aren't many great pop punk bands anymore. The genre peaked in the mid-90s and was killed by the millions of mediocre bands that emerged after the success of Green Day and The Offspring, et al. Many of these bands still exist—just pick up a copy of MRR or Punk Planet, there are still pages and pages of LP and 7" reviews. New Jersey's The Ergs capture the best elements of the early Lookout! sound without merely copying the formula.

The band shares the same great pop sensibility that separated The Smugglers and Tilt from NOFX and Guttermouth. Their best songs—"Ashley Sugarnotch", "I'll Call You When You Think of Me", "A Million Perfect Days"—hint at the rougher power pop of The Undertones, The Boys, The Real Kids and even late-period Lemonheads. They belong in the same class of great punky power pop groups as the Mr. T Experience and The Yum Yums While their music is far from revelatory, The Ergs are certainly worth a listen.

After a 2001 single on Whoa Oh Records, the Ergs released The Ben Kweller EP in the summer of 2002. In hopes of getting sued, The Ergs borrowed the cover from Kweller's shitty 2001 EP and wrote a song making fun of him. The band will soon go on tour with Charlie Brown Gets A Valentine and is working on a full-length LP.

For More Info, Visit Their Website: http://www.dorkrockcorkrod.com.

Quick Facts:

Current Members: Joey Erg—bass, vocals; Jeff Erg—guitar, snyth, vocals; Mikey Erg—drums, lead vocals.

Location: Sayerville, New Jersey

Style: Pop-punk. Power Pop.

Labels Appeared On: Fongul, Whoa Oh

Essential Release: Ben Kweller EP