WSTR

WSTR emerged rapidly amid the expanding British pop-punk movement, securing a contract with the U.S. independent imprint No Sleep Records prior to staging any performances. Originating in Liverpool, the quartet—Sammy Clifford handling vocals, Alex Tobijanski on bass, plus guitarists Kieren Alder and Danny Swift—named blink-182, Sum 41, and New Found Glory among their primary influences. Their debut EP, SKRWD, arrived through No Sleep in September 2015, followed by a joint trek across the U.K. and Europe with Creeper, Moose Blood, and Neck Deep. Observers noted strong resemblances to tourmates Neck Deep, the band from Wrexham, yet Clifford attributed such observations to the close ties between the two groups. The following year brought the lead single “Lonely Smiles” from their first full-length effort; its lyrics center on romantic dissolution, a subject Clifford identified as the record’s central focus. Red, Green or Inbetween appeared in January 2017. Early 2018 saw the group sign with Hopeless Records, resulting in the August release of their second album, Identity Crisis.