Hailing from Ocala, Florida, A Day To Remember has carved out a career by a unique fusing of pop-punk and metal-core. A Day To Remember’s Attack of the Killer B-Sides might wear the label of a stopgap release, but this four-track EP punches far above its weight. Released in 2010 as a collector’s gem and digital snack between full-length records, it showcases the band’s signature fusion of pop-punk melodies and hardcore breakdowns while revealing a playful, occasionally unexpected side of their sonic personality. Fifteen years on from the initial limited release of Attack of the Killer B-Sides, Craft Recordings is giving the EP a special Record Store Day release. Limited to only 2000 copies, it has been pressed on 10” Neon Orange vinyl at 45-RPM.
The opener, “Right Where You Want Me to Be,” was originally released as a holiday single, but it transcends its seasonal trappings. With an anthemic chorus and thick layers of guitar, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the band’s more polished singles. Jeremy McKinnon’s vocals swing confidently from gritty to melodic, and while the sleigh bells in the background feel tongue-in-cheek, the song itself is a genuine slice of pop-punk euphoria. The EP’s backbone, however, lies in its trio of covers and B-sides, starting with Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”, reinvented here with chugging guitars and double-kick drums. What could have been a throwaway novelty becomes a surprisingly faithful-yet-heavy rendition, toeing the line between irony and admiration. Next is “Another Song About the Weekend” (Acoustic), which strips down the original from Homesick into a campfire version. It brings out the lyrical melancholy buried beneath the full-band version and proves that even without distortion and breakdowns, A Day To Remember can still land an emotional blow. The EP closes with “Over My Head (Cable Car),” a cover of The Fray’s 2005 hit. It’s the most surprising inclusion, delivered with more grit and urgency than the original. While McKinnon lacks the soft introspection of Isaac Slade, he brings a kind of desperation that reimagines the song through a post-hardcore lens. It’s raw, slightly uneven, but engaging—a curious end to a curious EP.
Though Attack of the Killer B-Sides doesn’t redefine A Day To Remember’s sound, it is still a great collection of songs. It’s a fan-focused release, reaffirming the band’s genre-blending chops and irreverent spirit. The 45-RPM pressing does a lot for this release, allowing the listener to pick out parts that they might have missed on streaming platforms. For listeners looking to go beyond the polished hits and hear the band play fast and loose, this bite-sized collection is a must-have.
