Blink 182 fans likely won't get to see their favorite band in State College this year, but they'll get the next best thing when FenixTX and New Found Glory play Sunday night at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave.
FenixTX, which was known as Riverfenix until a legal battle with the late actor River Phoenix's estate forced a name change, toured extensively with Blink 182 earlier this year and is co-managed by Blink bassist Mark Hoppus. FenixTX and Blink 182 also have a lot in common musically. Like Blink, FenixTX plays fast, poppy punk and lightens up its songs with a bratty, juvenile sense of humor.
Hoppus lended FenixTX a hand by appearing in the video for "All My Fault," the first single from FenixTX's self-titled debut album. The song also appeared on the soundtrack to the MTV film Jailbait, and Hoppus' cameo in the video earned the clip a regular spot in MTV's rotation this past summer.
FenixTX returned the favor during Blink's Mark, Tom and Travis tour. Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker injured his hand one evening in a fight. Rather than cancel the remaining dates of the tour, Blink 182 had FenixTX's Damon Delapaz fill in for Barker. Each night, Delapaz opened for Blink 182 as FenixTX's guitarist and then played drums when the headliner took the stage.
On one date, FenixTX shared the stage with Duran Duran. The bill was a result of FenixTX's cover of Duran Duran's "Ordinary World," which gained airplay on several modern rock radio stations across the United States.
Sunday's opener, New Found Glory, is performing at the Crowbar for the second time in just over a month. On September 11, the group opened for fellow punk bands Face to Face, Alkaline Trio and Saves the Day.
Like FenixTX, New Found Glory plays fast, engaging pop punk, but its lyrics lack FenixTX's humor, focusing instead on heartbreak and despair, blending poppy hooks with an emo sensibility.
New Found Glory released a self-titled album on Sept. 26. It is the band's second release of 2000. Earlier this year, New Found Glory released an EP, From the Screen to Your Stereo. It features the band's interpretation of seven songs from popular movies.
