Julian Lennon. Jakob Dylan. James Jagger.
They’re all names that have become infamous for two reasons – they’re all children of great musicians, and they’re also relatively mediocre musicians in their own right (although that One Headlight song by The Wallflowers is a total banger).
So when you read that another rockstar’s kid has started releasing their own music in their famous parent’s footsteps, it’s justified that eyebrows get arched on top of a solid scaffolding of scepticism. History hasn’t exactly been kind to the rock and roll seed.
However, that instant judgement is not warranted when it comes to one newcomer to the scene. I’m talking about the music of Jakob Danger, aka Jakob Danger Armstrong, aka son of legendary Green Day frontman Billie Joe.
Sixteen-year-old Jakob recently released five tracks online of what is some of the best pop punk you’ll hear in 2015. Teaming with the energy and melody of other notable names that have been influenced by his father’s work, including Wavves and Surfer Blood, Jakob Danger crafts catchy, buzzing singles that clearly wear the Armstrong family crest on their sleeve, but also retain a sense of abandon and joy that could only be expressed by a super talented songwriter in his own right.
Watch: Jakob Danger – King Of The World
And considering he’s still a fresh faced teen, his voice and musical maturity is pretty incredible, and definitely recalls the kind of similar pop punk prodigal work released by a teenage Dylan Baldi, aka Cloud Nothings, on songs like Hey Cool Kid.
It seems that tastemakers are starting to take notice of Danger’s skills rather than his pedigree too. He’s now set to release his debut EP on cassette tape via the ultra-cool California indie imprint Burger Records – home to the likes of King Tuff, FIDLAR, Nobunny and Thee Oh Sees, as well as Danger’s older brother’s band Swmrs – a bad ass beach pop-meets-Ramones outfit in their own right (Joey Armstrong in fact drums on several of the tracks on his younger brother’s EP).
Burger Records announced their Jakob Danger release just last week via their incredibly active Instagram account, however they’re yet to announce an official release date. But in the meantime, you can listen to all five Jakob Danger tracks on his Soundcloud page or on his Youtube channel – which quite cutely and unashamedly is under his full name.
Seriously, with bangers like this, I’m on high alert for more great Jakob Danger material, and if his Soundcloud profile bio is to be believed, “More is always on the way.”
Watch: Jakob Danger – Don’t Try
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su5adE-iAy0
