The Story So Far in Silver Spring
BY ANNA PORCELLAWith iconic debut Under Soil and Dirt (2011), scene favorite What You Don’t See (2013), underrated self-titled The Story So Far (2015), and basically perfect Proper Dose (2018), California-based The Story So Far has possibly the most solid discography held by a 2010’s pop punk band. Following Proper Dose in 2018, a noticeable Story So Far-sized gap was left in the scene as the band took a well deserved break. This June, they made their highly anticipated return with their fifth studio album and first release in six years with I Want to Disappear. With each release, The Story So Far continues to become more refined in their art - I Want to Disappear is a focused look into grief backed by frontman Parker Cannon’s matured lyricism. In honor of the new album, the band embarked on the I Want to Disappear in the USA Tour, with support from hardcore band Koyo and alt rock band Superheaven.
Despite their six year gap, The Story So Far fans have remained dedicated as ever - the tour arrived to a packed room at the Fillmore in Silver Spring this Tuesday. Though the band and their fans love the rowdiness and intimacy of a small no-barricade venue, The Story So Far has the presence and growth that deserves the larger stages they have been playing on this tour. The four-piece band, currently consisting of Parker Cannon on vocals, Kevin Geyer on lead guitar and keys, Ryan Torf on drums, and Will Levy on guitar, carries themselves with the collected air of seasoned performers. Kicking off the set with “Big Blind,” the lead single from the latest album, the energy of the room soars with dual mosh pits and crowd surfers coming over the barricade in waves.
The Story So Far typically leans towards the punk side of pop punk, their sound often punchy and energetic. Yet the set is intertwined with moments of quiet, such as “Letterman,” with it’s melodic instrumental, or “White Shores,” a soft acoustic number. The band balances their sound and lyricism between energy and calm, simplicity and complexity, with both hits and deep cuts. These complementary sides of The Story So Far is what makes their art so brilliant - they continue to prove time and time again to be the forefront of pop punk.
