Local heavy-hitters Stay Out have been making waves beyond Warped Tour stunt appearances. The group crashed the Long Beach festival, prompting threats from law enforcement … but that isn’t stopping these punks. Their newest record, Broken Homes, encompasses the true DIY punk spirit the group came up in. Hailing from the Bay Area, Stay Out stick to their guns; the record contains an unmistakable Bay Area punk sound. Of course, their heroes in Green Day have had a significant influence—but this is no covers album. Instead, the group’s fresh spirit breathes new life into the genre. Truthfully, the scene has needed a group like Stay Out for some time.
The record’s themes have a vast range—from personal grief to political anguish. It is clear that Stay Out practices what they preach; they aren’t just screaming into a microphone for the sake of it. Each new note resonates like only lived experience could. For example, the record’s title track depicts a living situation that many may experience, but be shy to discuss openly. Stay Out’s delivery platforms a building legacy that drew inspiration from an initial spark and transformed into something else entirely. The range they show between “Broken Homes” and “Never Change” is impressive. Their lyrical style tends to maintain a legible pace, without being “too plain.”
Still, the trio shine compositionally above all else. Their musicianship retains its grit, yet they don’t lose technicality points—even when high-velocity tracks like “Fix My Life” kick everything up three gears. From tight guitar riffs to steady vocal harmonies, Stay Out accurately maneuver through complex compositions. They aren’t simply getting by on power chords. Sure, some tracks do have a catchier hook, but the band strategically implement stylistic choices throughout the album. Broken Homes contains a healthy balance of classic punk tactics and modernity. Stay Out offer an intriguing listen through and through. The group are just getting off the ground, but they’re surely taking off.
Stay Out have outdone themselves with Broken Homes. Their take on Bay Area DIY elevates expectations. They have a keen understanding of the culture—which ultimately makes the record stick for listeners. Even if you’re outside our nine counties, you might still resonate with something in Broken Homes. The record is unabashedly human, asserting the fact that people don’t typically feel one way or another. Even if accidental, Stay Out have accurately captured humanity’s nuance. And, they’ve done so with some catchy-ass hooks along the way.
Photo provided by Kayla Moreno
