Interview: State Champs Talks Self-Titled Album, New Tour and Legacy in Pop-Punk

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State Champ’s latest full-length, self-titled as State Champs, having debuted Nov. 8, 2024, feels as though the band is hitting a new stride—claiming their place in the scene with a silver trophy, showcasing their renewed confidence and willingness to explore uncharted creative territory. 

It’s an album that reflects not just their musical evolution over the decade, but their growth as individuals. Pushing beyond cliche yet catchy one-liners; this time, the band embraces raw vulnerability and depth, crafting lyrics that dig into their cathartic and confessional, personal experiences, without losing the energy that defines their sound. With a mix of dynamic melodies and an intentionally varied tracklist, State Champs is a record that pushes boundaries while still feeling like it’s 2011—a celebration of how far they’ve come and a look at where they’re heading.

As the album release approached, lead vocalist Derek DiScanio and bassist Ryan Scott Graham explained that the self-titled album isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a symbol of the band's journey with twelve tracks acting as “organized chaos”—eclectic yet entirely cohesive, showcasing the band’s evolution while staying true to the sonic identity that is explicitly State Champs.

As DiScanio and Graham shared, naming the record State Champs was a deliberate choice—not just for its aesthetic appeal, but also for its logistical and symbolic significance. “Over the years, we’ve been through a lot together as a band, and for us this new record really feels like we’re back on the same page,” Graham says. “There were some internal conflicts we had within the band, but this record—it’s a testament to everything we’ve been through and everything we’ve overcome to get here…These are some of our best songs yet.”

Building on this idea of growth and overcoming obstacles, the band reveals how each album has symbolized a different stage of their journey, ultimately culminating in this self-titled release. “Around the World and Back symbolized the journey, the globe. Kings of New Age felt like the crown. With this self-titled album, the broken pieces of the trophy have been put back together—representing the sum of all our trials and triumphs,” DiScanio says.

This album marks a turning point not only in State Champs' music but in their creative approach. The band has pushed themselves, experimenting with new sounds and song structures, without losing sight of the high-energy, anthemic feel that defines their style. 

By incorporating fresh influences—from pulling inspiration from first-wavers like All-American Rejects and Blink-182, to a track solely written for letting loose inspired by Bowling for Soup—they’ve crafted a collection that’s both diverse and unequivocally State Champs. Showcasing everything they’ve learned and everything they still want to say, this is the most authentic they’ve ever sounded. 

“There’s this one song on the record, and it’s just there to be a fun and catchy track. It’s heavily inspired by Bowling for Soup, and you’ll know it when you hear it. It’s almost like a break, or a breath, in the album.” DiScanio says. 

Although the album came together rather instinctively, once the band settled into the recording and production processes, the tracklist was consciously designed to offer a dynamic listening experience—one that keeps fans fully engaged. “You don’t want to have too many fast songs back to back, or too many ballads. It’s about finding that balance, that right rhythm,” DiScanio says. From the blistering opening track to the introspective ballads that slow things down, the album brilliantly combines raw energy with thoughtful subtlety, keeping listeners hooked from start to finish. 

A key element in achieving this balance was the band's collaboration with producer Anton DeLost, who worked with the band on previous releases. His influence greatly contributed to the album's sonic direction.

“Anton was more than just a producer,” Graham said, “He was like a fifth member of the band. He was a big part of the songwriting process, collaborating with us while pushing us to try new things, and experiment with sounds and structures we might not have considered before.” DiScanio echoed this sentiment, noting, "We found a great balance between professionalism, friendship and chemistry with him.”

The band’s collaboration with DeLost certainly helped shape the album’s creative direction, but it was DiScanio’s profound vulnerability, in sharing personal experiences through his lyrical content, that adds an emotional intensity to the record. Previous releases often stayed within the familiar bounds of high-energy pop-punk, leaning into the genre's trademarks without venturing too far outside the lines that define it. Yet State Champs strikes a new chord with its unguarded lyrics, which “was a new addition to the creative and songwriting processes for self-titled.”  

DiScanio’s experimentation with outward vulnerability on this album marks a move away from familiar genre tropes to explore more introspective themes. On "Golden Years," where he captures the essence of personal transformation and the release of old burdens, the lyric, “putting the past up on a shelf and falling in love with something else,” speaks to a moment of moving forward from lingering disappointments and embracing new opportunities. In this track, State Champs explores the theme of reinvention with a maturity that pushes the boundaries of pop-punk, shifting away from the genre's typical safeness and predictability. 

To celebrate the release of their self-titled album in its prime, State Champs are hitting the road on a U.S. headlining tour, ready to play their latest tracks live. Alongside the familiar energy of Knuckle Puck, the band is also excited to share the stage with rising artists, Daisy Grenade. “We’re excited about reuniting with our friends in Knuckle Puck, and also just the freshness of playing a new record live and simultaneously going on a new tour,” they said, reflecting on the community that has grown over years of shared stages and experiences. “We’re really excited to play with up and coming bands that I personally think are sick,” Graham shared. “I recall it being hard to get a lot of opportunities when we were starting out, so we wanted to give some of these bands that chance. We’re going to talk to them about coming out on stage and doing some sort of performance or live collaboration.”

Acknowledging how the current state of the pop-punk scene, in all of its third-wave revival glory, has evolved alongside their own journey, State Champs sees that the scene is evolving in fresh directions, with social media playing a bigger role than ever. “Bands just don’t get big by putting out a record anymore; now, there’s a lot that goes into content creation and reaching audiences in new ways,” DiScanio shared. With the ever-changing dynamics of social media and outward pressures to stay relevant, the band understands how crucial it is to adapt while staying true to their roots. Their advice for up-and-coming bands? “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Stay true to what you love and make music you're genuinely passionate about.” 

For State Champs, it's clear that the third-wave pop-punk revival is more than just a trend—it's a constantly evolving movement that they’re proud to be a part of. State Champs are excited to see the genre’s renewed popularity but are quick to note that they’re not focused on fitting into the latest trends. Instead, they’re continuing to stay authentic to their sound, contributing to the genre’s evolution with the same energy and integrity that have defined their work for years.

With the album ready to drop and tour just in sight, DiScanio and Graham shared a heartfelt message to fans, expressing their gratitude for the support that has helped shape their career. "I get so excited when I get to share a new band with my friends, so the fact that other people are sharing my band with their friends–it’s an unreal and gratifying experience to think that our fans feel that way about us," Graham said.

With tickets selling fast, State Champs encourage everyone to “come out to a show near you,” and experience what will surely be “the best shows of your life.”