The Nile Theater (Mesa, AZ)
04/22/23
Tinley Park, Illinois quintet Real Friends are an iconic staple in the pop-punk world. Vocalist Cody Muraro, guitarist David Knox, guitarist Eric Haines, bassist Kyle Fasel, and drummer Brian Blake are a group of friends that have perfected the multi-punch pop-punk sound while pinning together the most personal sound. The Chicago-formed band was heavily inspired by bands such as Brand New and the Starting Line. The group’s brooding, lustral songs burst onto the alternative scene with a collection of pop-punk anthems that address personal shortcomings and the heartache of youth in a way that feels immediately accessible. The band found a quick rise to success in the early 2010s with the explosive, emo-stricken sound of albums like Maybe This Place Is the Same and We’re Just Changing and The Home Inside My Head. The group quickly found a home in the hearts and minds of young people around the globe by building songs around the moments in life that change everything. Real Friends have always felt like their own driving force in the ever-expanding pop-punk world. Their profound and vivid lyrics place them a cut above those in the scene who rely on hardcore edges or screeching vocals.
In 2020, the band took a path of some uncertainty when original lead vocalist Dan Lambton announced his departure from the band after fronting the pop-punk group for ten years. After hitting radio silence on social media during the pandemic, the future of Real Friends to the outside world did not look great; but little did we know, they were ushering in Cody Muraro, a Vancouver, Canada-based singer-songwriter who was playing in the rising pop-punk group, Youth Fountain. With the group having a foothold in the pop-punk scene and a well-established credibility to the alternative world, Mouraro had some big shoes to fill and has not disappointed. Earlier this year, the band released their second E.P. with their newest frontman which we had the pleasure of seeing live amongst many other beloved fan favorites.
Much like their throat punching and dancy studio album tunes, their live performances are soul packed with passion. The Nile Theater was packed to the brim with a sold-out show and that crowd did not quit. The energy kept up the entire night – they did not rest and neither did the band. Real Friends is full of aggressive, emotional, anthemic pop-punk. Their lyrics are nostalgic and moody, expressing the simple desire of wanting to feel loved and appreciated, relief in toxic relationships, and feelings stemming from insecurity and self-doubt. Their music never fails to be a breath of fresh air into understanding and validation, making it something we all can relate to.
