Big Swings with The Junior Varisty
If you missed The Junior Varsity's original run, you're getting a rare second chance
The year 2024 was good for emo and hardcore reunions: Folly, Have Heart, Tokyo Rose, Thursday, The Number 12 Looks Like You, The Blood Brothers, and Linkin Park are just a handful of the powerhouses touring, releasing new music, or in the studio (special shout out to Underoath and Taking Back Sunday who both briefly joined forces with their original vocalists on stage). Add to that list emo alt rockers The Junior Varsity (TJV), veterans of the vibrant Central Illinois underground music scene who recently released a new song and video.
The Junior Varsity’s story is a testament to the grassroots ethos that characterized much of the emo and punk revival of the early 2000s, very much a parallel to the burgeoning scene in New Jersey.
Though their mainstream exposure was limited compared to contemporaries like Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance, The Junior Varsity carved out a niche with their emotionally charged lyrics, technical musicality, and relentless touring schedule.
If you’re not familiar, now’s the perfect time to check out their new track and catch up on their discography so you’re ready when the next new song drops and they (hopefully) inevitably hit the road.
Read on to see what keyboard aficionado Nick Dodson said about The Junior Varsity’s past, present, and future.
Formation and Early Days
The roots of The Junior Varsity trace back to a local band called Winner Takes All, Asa Dawson’s previous band. Winner Takes All had a small but dedicated following in the Illinois DIY scene, and when that project dissolved, Asa started The Junior Varsity with a whole new lineup of musicians. After some band member shifting, including Nick Dodson moving from saxophone to keyboards, the band eventually locked in with Asa, guitarists Andy Wildrick and Sergio Coronado, and drummer Chris Birch.1
The Junior Varsity supercharged their local scene. “We were DIY or do it yourself - we would book, set up the sound, stage and manage our hometown shows but as we grew it became easier and easier,” Nick Dodson explained. “We grew to have connections to communities all over the midwest and it was honestly great.”
From the outset, TJV’s music stood apart. While many emo bands leaned heavily into melodrama and straightforward pop-punk structures, The Junior Varsity showcased a more technical and layered approach. Their sound was shaped by a wide array of influences. “We listened to bands like American Football, Poison the Well, Small Brown Bike, Appleseed Cast, Hey Mercedes, and Braid,” the band shared, highlighting the eclectic mix of emo, indie, and post-hardcore that informed their songwriting.
As for all the intricate guitar riffs, “When he was a senior in high school, Andy Wildrick toured with an incredible indie-rock band PARK that we all grew up loving,” Nick said. “If you listen to any of their music you can see how it would influence his chops. Mixed with Sergio who comes from more of a heavier background and the mean streets of Danville, Illinois.” This blend allowed the band to stand out in a scene dominated by straightforward emo and pop-punk, offering something deeper and more textured for listeners who craved complexity. Their early songs balanced catchy hooks with intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity, a sound that would become one of their hallmarks.
In 2002, the band self-released a short EP, showcasing the raw energy that defined their early years. The local response was positive, spurring them to pursue music more seriously. By 2004, they were ready to record a full-length album.
Breaking Out – The Great Compromise
Their debut album, The Great Compromise, landed in 2004 on the small indie label British Records. At the time, the Midwest was a hotbed for emo and post-hardcore bands, with acts like The Get Up Kids, American Football, and Braid (all who would go on to influence the next generation of musicians) growing sizable followings. TJV fit well within this ecosystem but brought their own style to the table.
Critical reception to The Great Compromise’s raw energy and earnest lyricism was generally positive. The album blended youthful angst with moments of introspection, and captured the bittersweet essence of growing up and grappling with relationships and identity. Tracks like "Park Your Car" and "Don’t Forget To Set Your House On Fire Before You Crawl Into Bed" are reminiscent of bands like Saves the Day or Hot Rod Circuit, but with a sharper, more polished edge. Even in their early music, you can hear the fusion of punk/emo sounds with intricate guitar work that would resurface in bands like Polyphia, Intervals, and other prog-rock-adjacent hardcore acts.
Signing to Victory Records and National Recognition – Wide Eyed
The momentum from The Great Compromise caught the attention of Victory Records, a powerhouse in the punk and emo scenes at the time. Victory was home to bands like Taking Back Sunday, Hawthorne Heights, and Thursday, all of whom were experiencing massive success. In 2004, TJV signed with Victory and immediately began work on their next album.
Wide Eyed, released in July 2005, marked the band’s first major-label effort. Produced by Matt Squire (who later worked with Panic! at the Disco and Boys Like Girls), the album presented a more refined and expansive version of TJV’s sound. The production was slick, but the band retained the emotional authenticity that had earned them their initial following.
Tracks like "Get Comfortable" and "Mad for Medusa" became fan favorites, blending soaring choruses with intricate guitar lines. The album explored themes of love, disillusionment, and existential questioning – cornerstones of the emo genre.
Victory Records pushed the band hard with a full touring schedule. “So many amazing and terrible stories come to mind over the years,” Dodson said, “from forging amazing friendships with incredible people and being robbed in precarious locations across the country- we really got a lot of razzle dazzle in the time we spent active.” They were also slotted into the 2005 and 2006 lineups for Warped Tour. The traveling punk rock festival was a breeding ground for young bands looking to break into the mainstream.
“Once Sergio was sleeping in the van and someone shot our window out,” Nick shared, “so we had to put cardboard over it. Otherwise they were hot, miserable, awesome concerts.” TJV was on the Smartpunk stage with acts like All Time Low, HORSE the Band, Armor for Sleep, and The Spill Canvas, gaining exposure to a broader audience.
Artistic Growth and Evolution – Cinematographic
By 2007, The Junior Varsity continued pushing boundaries within the emo and alternative rock scenes. Their third album, Cinematographic, showcased a band unafraid to experiment. The album featured darker, heavier themes and more complex arrangements. While the emo scene was veering toward a poppier direction, TJV leaned into their post-hardcore influences, crafting an album that felt both progressive and deeply personal.
Upbeat, feel-good vibe track "The Sky!", driven by tight rhythms and catchy hooks, was the perfect choice for a music video: “The SKY! will always hold a special place in my heart for a few reasons - I loved the stop motion animation music video that was animated by the folks that did ROBOT CHICKEN on ADULT SWIM. But also because of how many deeply rooted societal issues we cover while also having some fantastic syncopated heavy guitar parts.”
Title track “Cinematographic” stands out as a notable departure from their typical sound (and forecast of what was to come). The subdued arrangement, featuring Nick Dodson on saxophone2, fills out the song with a jazz-like layer on top of their progressive-rock-leaning punk. This atmospheric shift helps capture The Junior Varsity’s evolving musical sound at the time they were in the studio, blending emo’s introspective lyricism with more experimental instrumentation. The unexpected reference in “Try to Define” is a delight to notice and surprisingly catchy.
Despite critical acclaim, Cinematographic didn’t achieve the commercial success of its predecessor. But it did solidify TJV’s legacy as a band committed to artistic integrity and high quality musicianship.
Hiatus and Reunions
In October 2007, The Junior Varsity announced an indefinite hiatus. However, the band never officially disbanded, leaving the door open for future projects. Since their hiatus, TJV has reunited for select performances, including shows in 2010, 2016, and 2022. These reunions have been met with enthusiasm from fans who cherished the band’s contributions to the mid-2000s emo scene. Which brings us to 2024.
“Over the last several years,” Nick said, “we've had some really great opportunities to have some fun and will continue to do so. Seeing so many familiar and new faces at the show was such a blast.”
Their latest material reflects a matured sound that still carries the emotional intensity and intricate guitar work that defined their earlier releases. Fans can expect a blend of the raw energy that made Wide Eyed a standout, alongside new influences and refined production that speak to the band’s growth over the years.
“Honestly we're just lucky to be able to still do it.”
Influence and Legacy
The Junior Varsity’s influence lies not in mainstream accolades but in their contributions to the emo and alternative underground. They embodied the DIY spirit, crafting music that was personal yet technically proficient.
By consistently touring with major acts and participating in festivals like Warped Tour, they helped shape mid-2000s emo. While bands like Fall Out Boy skyrocketed to fame, groups like TJV were the backbone of the scene, fostering a tight-knit community of fans and musicians. Moreover, TJV’s willingness to experiment musically paved the way for many younger bands. Their blend of emo, post-hardcore, and alternative rock foreshadowed the genre-blending tendencies that would define the late 2000s and 2010s emo revival.
The Junior Varsity are often cited by fans as a formative band that introduced them to the emo genre. The band’s inclusion in video game soundtracks (MVP 06: NCAA Baseball and Amped 3) also helped expand their reach beyond the traditional emo audience.
Anxiety and The New Junior Varsity
The band’s latest track “Anxiety” encapsulates The Junior Varsity's signature pop-punk energy, delivering a refreshed yet familiar sound that balances their early 2000s roots with a matured, contemporary perspective. Driven by dynamic guitar riffs that intertwine intricate melodies with power chords, the track highlights the band’s knack for creating high-energy yet emotive compositions.
The song also reflects a significant evolution in how The Junior Varsity approach songwriting. As Nick explained, “At this point, none of us live in the same zip code and only three of the five of us live in the same state.” The logistical challenges of distance have reshaped their creative process, turning it into a modern collaborative effort. Writing sessions often begin with instrumental ideas shared digitally, allowing each member to contribute and refine sections remotely. “Then Asa and I will work on vocals, lyrics, and structure ideas in my kitchen, where I have a small office and recording setup,” Nick added.
Despite the complexities of remote collaboration, the band finds joy in the process. “I tell you, after years of time apart, it's really great to get art out with friends. It can be frustrating, hard, wonderful, and terrible all at the same time. We’re having a lot of fun doing it,” Nick shared. This renewed sense of camaraderie shines through in their music, resonating with the emotional weight and enthusiasm that fans have come to love.
As they continue releasing new material, The Junior Varsity’s excitement is evident. “Truly, I am so proud, excited, and pumped for folks to hear these three brand new tracks that come across as a modern zeitgeist,” Nick said. “The first track we released was ‘Anxiety,’ and the following are ‘Guilt’ and ‘The One Percent.’” With these songs, the band not only revisits the energy that defined their earlier work but also shows they’re not afraid to tackle the present.
An Unsung Stalwarts of Emo and Alt Rock
While The Junior Varsity may not have achieved household name status, their legacy endures in the emo and alternative rock communities. They were part of a wave of bands that defined the sound of the mid-2000s, blending emotional vulnerability with musical sophistication. Their signature use of elaborate guitar riffs and layered tracks set the stage for more melodic and technically driven bands like CHON, Disperse, or Periphery.
Their story is one of persistence, passion, and creativity – hallmarks of a band that, while perhaps overlooked by mainstream media, left a lasting impact on those who encountered their music. For fans of the genre, The Junior Varsity remains a link to a golden era in emo and alternative rock, all the more reason to be excited they’re back.
“We are so thankful to be able to create and release art and reconnect with old and new friends.”
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I know this is old but……
ARE YOU JOKIN MY ASS?!?!
I haven’t heard this name in fucking YEARS and now I feel like I’m in a time machine.