Pointed Sticks

Pointed Sticks occupy that sweet spot where the aggression of the late-70s punk scene collided with the infectious melodies of 60s pop. Their sound is characterized by a relentless forward momentum, driven by snappy drumming and melodic basslines that refuse to sit still. It is music that feels perpetually youthful, capturing the frantic excitement of a basement show while maintaining a sophisticated sense of songcraft.

What truly distinguishes them is the integration of bright, percussive keyboards and vocal harmonies that feel more like The Hollies than The Sex Pistols. While their contemporaries in the Vancouver hardcore scene were leaning into noise and nihilism, Pointed Sticks leaned into the hook. The production is surprisingly crisp for the era, allowing the interplay between the jangly guitars and the organ to sparkle without losing its rock and roll edge.

Start with their early singles or 'Perfect Youth' to hear a band that understood exactly how to make a three-minute pop song feel like a revolution. It is the perfect soundtrack for anyone who wants the energy of punk but the melodic payoff of classic radio pop. It is bright, fast, and undeniably fun.