Vancouver’s punk rock scene is alive, loud, and kicking — and it just cracked open its doors for what might be (in my silly opinion) its next breakout band: Cascade. I stumbled upon them the best way you discover great bands — completely by accident. Invited to a random show at Red Gate to snap photos of a friend’s band, I ended up sticking around for the headliners. That’s when Cascade hit the stage, and from the first song, I knew they weren’t your average local punk act.

With an unmistakable stage presence, the band had the crowd in their grip. The banter, the energy, and the reckless, fun vibe gave me serious Blink-182 flashbacks — and honestly, their sound doesn’t stray far from those pop-punk legends. It’s that perfect blend of punchy riffs, charm, and a “let’s burn this place down” kind of attitude.

Cascade just dropped their first full-length album, New Distraction. This eight-track collection is a tight, energetic ride through themes of disillusionment, late-night chaos, and bittersweet nostalgia.

From the opening track, “Eudaemonia”, you’re thrown headfirst into a world of gritty guitars and pounding drums. Tracks like “Fall Apart” and “Drown Out” (my two favourites back to back, I love when that happens in an album) follow with catchy, aggressive choruses. Midway through, “Bruised Up Deer” slows things down just enough to hit an emotional nerve, before launching right back into the frenetic energy of “Greenwater” — a definite standout for me, balancing melody and ferocity in equal parts.

Cascade is going to throw down a killer show at The Roxy on April 24, followed by a set at KW Studios on April 26 — you can’t miss it! The energy, the chaos, and that Blink-esque charm are best experienced from the pit.

You can check out the shots I took from their album release show at Red Gate Arts Society here! Also, New Distraction is streaming now on Spotify, Amazon Music, and all your go-to platforms.

Want to keep up with Cascade’s chaos and upcoming gigs? Follow them on Instagram at @cascade.ca — and if you’re into live music photography and more moments from your favorite artists, give me a follow too at @nariwired!