Compilation Craze: How a Clothing Brand Built the Ultimate Punk Collection

In 2001, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of blink-182 founded Atticus with their friend Dylan Anderson. At the start, Atticus functioned as a record label and a clothing line, releasing multiple compilations and a few solo albums from 2002 to 2011. I'm not sure if they're signing artists today, but the brand is still around, selling apparel online and making appearances at music festivals.

Of course, I didn't know that when I found ...dragging the lake. II at a used record store. All I knew was that the cover looked intriguing, and the tracklist on Discogs included a lot of punk and post-hardcore bands, which captured my interest. After doing some research, I learned that this record was the second in a trilogy of albums that featured rare tracks, live versions, B-sides and even a couple of hits.

Considering the founders, it's no surprise that Atticus can put together a great record. Twenty-six tracks is a lot, but I listened to most of them (you'll find out which one was missing later) and wrote these bios to give you a reason to listen. Most of these tracks came from the 2001-2003 period, which is pretty impressive. Punk will never be fully mainstream, but Atticus helped these bands get the recognition they deserve, and it gave life to some deep cuts along the way.

1. I'm Not Invisible by Rocket From The Crypt

"I'm Not Invisible" is the first song on this compilation as well as Rocket From The Crypt's 2002 release, Live From Camp X-Ray. With a short runtime, aggressive vocals and ska-flavored horns, this track really is the perfect album opener, and the narrator keeps repeating "I'm not invisible!" as if he's trying to convince the world that his life means something. This track sets the tone for the rest of the album, demonstrating that Atticus is a little rough, edgy and not quite mainstream, but still here to have a good time.

2. Remedy by Hot Water Music

"Remedy" is another album opener from a 2002 release—this time, Caution by Hot Water Music. By sheer coincidence, I added "Trusty Chords" to a playlist earlier this year, so I was excited to hear another song from this album. With harsh vocals and rugged instrumentals, "Remedy" isn't quite as listener-friendly, but the song expertly builds momentum until it reaches an explosive finale. With 166,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Hot Water Music is doing pretty well for a punk band that started in 1997, and I hope they keep at it.

3. To Awake And Avenge The Dead by Thrice

Thrice is one of the bigger bands to come out of the 2000s rock/metal boom. Released in 2002, "To Awake And Avenge The Dead" offers a dark, ominous vibe, fast-paced drumming and shouted vocals that punctuate the song like flashes of lightning over a black landscape. Just when you think this song is over, it abruptly shifts gears to a sound that's somehow darker and more unsettling than before. This song might actually have the power to raise the dead, and maybe that's why Thrice named this album The Illusion of Safety.

4. Worms Of The Earth by Finch

My first introduction to Finch was "Bitemarks and Bloodstains," which was a modest hit in the mid-2000s. I didn't hear "What It Is To Burn" until years later, but with over 40 million Spotify streams, it's a certified emo-kid classic. However, instead of one of these hits, Atticus opted for a rare track that hasn't found a place on an album. Luckily, Finch filmed a music video for "Worms Of The Earth," so we can enjoy the layered, distorted production and crisp vocals that create a stark contrast, like a dive into freezing waters.

5. Fields Of Athenry by Dropkick Murphys

Before Dropkick Murphys blew up with "I'm Shipping Up To Boston," they released a string of fan-favorite albums in the 90s and early 2000s, including 2003's Blackout. "Fields Of Athenry" is the band's take on an Irish folk ballad. After listening to the heavily accented vocals, vibrant Celtic-rock sound and inclusion of bagpipes, I was shocked to find out that they're an American band from Boston. Clearly, they're still in touch with their heritage!

6. Don't Tell Me That It's Over by blink-182

blink-182 appearing on this compilation was inevitable, but instead of a well-worn track like "First Date" or "The Rock Show," Atticus opted for a deep cut from their 2001 classic, Take Off Your Pants And Jacket. Apparently, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was a hidden track on the Green Jacket version, so you had to hunt for the right edition—or you could buy this Atticus record. Compilations might have fallen out of favor, but I won't forget the way they used to give fans access to rarities that we wouldn't hear otherwise.

7. Vacant Skies by Sparta

Speaking of deep cuts: "Vacant Skies" was a bonus track on the Japanese version of Sparta's 2002 album, Wiretap Scars. Listening to it now, I wish this song would've made its way to Spotify. Sparta has always been a little underrated, and this song slowly builds energy like a gathering storm until you feel like you're witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event that could make or destroy you. "Taking Back Control" was my introduction to Sparta in 2006, and it's clear that I need to check out the rest of their discography.

8. Once Again by Slick Shoes

Slick Shoes was the first band on this tracklist that I'd never heard of. Apparently, this California-based group formed in 1994 and released five albums before going on hiatus, then reunited in 2008 to release two more records. Short, catchy and a little melancholy, "Once Again" is a great introduction to Slick Shoes and their 2003 record, Far From Nowhere. Right now, they're sitting at 19,000 monthly listeners, but you can help them out by checking out their albums and buying their 2018 single on Bandcamp.

9. ¡¡Noble Stabbings!! by Dillinger Four

With an active Instagram and Bandcamp presence, Dillinger Four is another group that's successfully transitioned to the online age. "¡¡Noble Stabbings!!" is the opening track on their 2002 record, which is loaded with colorful song titles like "Labourissuesinthetoydepartment" and "The Father, The Son, And The Homosexual / Single Parent." In particular, this track is a blend of fuzzy recordings, punk aesthetics and foggy vocals that sound like a fading radio transmission, giving the song a vaguely apocalyptic vibe.

10. All My People by The Suicide Machines

While their name probably isn't the most marketable, The Suicide Machines are still around on Instagram and Bandcamp, and they're holding steady at an impressive 240,000 monthly Spotify listeners. For some reason, Spotify miscredits "All My People" as "All The Way," but it doesn't have to affect your listening experience. This 2001 track would make a fierce protest song, and once you've reached the end, you feel like standing up and taking a stand—an urge that's even more important in these tumultuous times.

11. E. Dagger by Lagwagon

You don't see this much anymore, but "E. Dagger" is one of my favorite types of punk songs: a loose, casual track that tells a story as the lyrics unfold. As the vocalist begs E to go to a party, you feel like a friend is standing right in front of you, urging you to relax and forget about the future. E even gets a chance to respond, saying, "Can we have just one night without / All this self-destruction?" Apparently, Lagwagon's fans agreed with my assessment: with over seven million streams, this is easily the biggest song on their 2003 release.

12. Soleil by Maxeen

With two albums and 20,000 monthly listeners, Maxeen is one of the smaller acts on this compilation, but Atticus clearly saw the brilliance of "Soleil." The middle of the tracklist is a fitting place for this 2003 single, which has warm, sincere vocals and glowing arrangements like sunshine bursting through the clouds. "Soleil" sounds like a track you'd hear over the closing credits of a 90s teen movie, and while Maxeen came a little too late for that, you can still sit back and enjoy the nostalgia.

13. Pride War by Further Seems Forever

I thought this band's name sounded familiar, and sure enough, "So Cold" has been on one of my playlists since 2013. However, "Pride War" comes from Further Seems Forever's 2003 album, How To Start A Fire, which came out almost a decade before my favorite tune. What really makes this band unique is the fact that they've had three separate vocalists, including Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional) and Jon Bunch (Sense Field). Jason Gleason took over vocal duties for this record, giving "Pride War" a glossy pop-punk vibe.

14. William Tell Override by Jets To Brazil

While Jets To Brazil only released three albums in their six-year career, they've maintained a loyal following, with fans clamoring for a reunion on the band's Instagram page. "William Tell Override," a track from their 2002 album, has an eclectic indie-rock flair. Better yet, the fuzzy production on the vocals makes the track sound like a live performance, creating a sense of intimacy with the listener. Jets To Brazil hasn't released an album in 24 years, but with 80,000 monthly Spotify fans, it's safe to say that they deserve their retirement.

15. All Systems Go by Box Car Racer

Box Car Racer was probably another inevitable feature, and as a fan of their 2002 album, "All Systems Go" was the first song on this compilation that I'm familiar with. Personally, it's not my favorite song on their record, but I can appreciate the dark, foreboding tone and lyrics that seem even more pertinent today. This group allowed Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker to explore subjects that were a little too dark for blink-182, and as DeLonge sings, "Speak up now, lose or get / Left behind," you can't help but feel like it's time to raise your voice.

16. One Seventeen by Transplants

Transplants is another blink-adjacent project, featuring the talents of Travis Barker, Tim Armstrong, Kevin Bivona and Rob Aston. While the Internet has tried to water down the definition of punk, "One Seventeen" reminds you what punk music really is: loud, in-your-face and not here to make you comfortable. This track comes from their 2002 self-titled debut, and it's so rough and grimy that you can practically see the mosh pit. The same album also spawned "Diamonds And Guns," which was a minor hit for this rock/rap supergroup that's only released three records to date.

17. All We Want by H2O

"All We Want" starts with a brutal announcement for parents: "Cover up your eyes / And put your fingers in your ears / We're about to say some shit / That you don't wanna hear." As the song admonishes parents for their neglectful behavior, it's clear that the people who need to hear this message would never listen to it. Like most songs in this genre, it's doomed to be a teenage-angst anthem—and since the 2002 EP hasn't made it to Spotify, YouTube is one of the fewer places where you can hear it.

18. You're So Last Summer by Taking Back Sunday

"You're So Last Summer" might be the only real hit on this compilation. I've been listening to this song since I was a preteen, and every emo kid has these lyrics memorized: "The truth is, you could slit my throat / And with my one last gasping breath / I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt." As a bonus, Adam Lazzara's vocals have a loose, improvised quality that really makes you feel the narrator's heartbreak, and it's one reason why people are still listening to the band's 2002 debut 24 years later.

19. Heaven Knows by Rise Against

Rise Against is one of the rare punk bands that made it big. However, before they blew up with "Savior," "Prayer Of The Refugee" and "Swing Life Away," they released their 2003 album on Fat Mike's record label, Fat Wreck Chords. "Heaven Knows" harks back to their punk roots with harsh, rapid-fire instrumentals and a grungey sound that's less polished than their later releases. Most of their seven million Spotify listeners are focused on their mid-2000s work, but it's time to discover Rise Against's humble beginnings.

20. A Jackknife To A Swan by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

I thought that The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were a 90s band, but they actually formed in 1985 and broke up as recently as 2022, leaving behind a long discography that includes 2002's A Jackknife To A Swan. The title track is a fun, enthusiastic song that features their iconic horns after the chorus, reminding you that ska is one of the most colorful genres. It's no wonder they had such a hold on the 90s with "The Impression That I Get," and their one million Spotify listeners probably agree.

21. The Greatest Fall of All Time by Matchbook Romance

Matchbook Romance has been around for so long that I was surprised to learn that they've only released two albums. Fun fact: they went by Fizzlewink and The Getaway before settling on their current moniker, which is a much better fit for their style. "The Greatest Fall of All Time" (miscredited here as "The Greatest Fall") comes from their 2003 release, and this quietly poignant song is the perfect soundtrack for late nights when you're plagued with insomnia and dwelling on the past.

22. Misled by Hot Rod Circuit

I figured every song on this album would be easy to find—while this compilation has some deep cuts, we're not exactly dealing with indie bands with 12 listeners—but"Misled" was the first track that I couldn't find anywhere. It's not available on streaming, and the only YouTube upload is a lyric video without the actual song. I'm not sure why this Hot Rod Circuit track has disappeared from the Internet, but I guess it'll remain a mystery. Luckily, the band's sitting at 27,000 monthly listeners, so they're definitely not forgotten.

23. Next To Go by Down By Law

Many of the groups on this tracklist disbanded long ago, but not Down By Law. They're still at it, posting news on their Instagram profile and dropping a new album in 2024. If you roll the clock back to 2003, you'll find Windwardtidesandwaywardsails, which features "Next To Go" as the opening track. This song immediately draws you in with raw vocals and high-energy instrumentals, and since it's punk, it doesn't take long to get to the point.

24. Be There by Over My Dead Body

If you thought these bands with thousands of monthly listeners are obscure, you're about to discover a truly niche artist. Over My Dead Body sits at about 500 monthly Spotify listeners, and they only have a couple of albums to boot. Clocking in at a minute long, "Be There" is the shortest track on this list, but you never feel like you're missing anything. This 2001 song is blunt, honest and direct, making a statement about friendship before it abruptly ends.

25. Some Came Running by Bane

"Some Came Running" is an explosive track from Bane's 2001 record, Give Blood. The fierce, electrifying vibe makes you feel like you're about to walk into a crime scene, and it's arguably the hardest song on the record. When the track starts to slow down, the vocalist gets the chance to show off his versatility with a spoken-word section. Of course, it's not long before the violence comes rushing back in, and the sudden ending might give you whiplash.

26. Crawl by Alkaline Trio

Instead of the studio recording of "Crawl," Atticus opted for a live version that fans note is better than the original. Normally, I prefer studio tracks over live recordings (does that make me a fake fan?), but I can see the appeal of this version, which is raw, unpolished and unforgettably honest. The original track comes from Alkaline Trio's 2001 release, From Here To Infirmary, and it's just one of many tracks that highlight the band's bold imagery and sharp wordplay.

Are you a punk or post-hardcore fan? Which one of these tracks was your favorite? Sound off in the comments.