PUP (band)

Bassist Nestor Chumak, guitarist Steve Sladkowski, and drummer Zack Mykula are childhood friends who attended school in Toronto together.{{cite web |last=Hudson |first=Alex |url=http://exclaim.ca/Interviews/WebExclusive/pup-boys_meet_world |title=PUP – Boys, Meet World |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=October 22, 2013 |access-date=December 1, 2013 |archive-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112100553/http://exclaim.ca/Interviews/WebExclusive/pup-boys_meet_world |url-status=live }} Two of them met in third grade, and the third met them in high school at Humberside Collegiate Institute.{{cite web |title=Interview with PUP: Zack Mykula talks Boy Meets World, Nintendo Nostalgia & Potential Band Name Change |url=https://matmag.net/interview-with-pup-zack-mykula-talks-boy-meets-world-nintendo-nostalgia-potential-band-name-change/ |website=The MAT Magazine |access-date=February 4, 2019 |date=September 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603045931/https://matmag.net/interview-with-pup-zack-mykula-talks-boy-meets-world-nintendo-nostalgia-potential-band-name-change/ |archive-date=June 3, 2019}}{{cite web |title=President's Scholars: 2006–07 Recipients |url=https://www.uoguelph.ca/president/scholarshippresident_07 |website=University of Guelph |access-date=February 4, 2019 |date=2007 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Throughout their childhood, they played in a number of bands together. Vocalist and guitarist Stefan Babcock also grew up playing in bands in Toronto. During high school, Babcock was the lead guitarist for a ska band called Stop Drop N Skank that he formed with some of his classmates at Earl Haig Secondary School. Babcock encountered Chumak, Sladkowski, and Mykula on occasion at local Toronto music venues, but was not close with them at the time.{{cite web |last1=Streitenfeld |first1=Darcy |title=From drama class to lead singer-guitarist of PUP |url=https://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Do/February-2018/From-drama-class-to-lead-guitarist/ |website=Post City Toronto |access-date=February 4, 2019 |language=en |date=February 8, 2018 |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020630/https://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Do/February-2018/From-drama-class-to-lead-guitarist/ |url-status=live }}

After high school, Babcock's band Stop Drop N Skank dissolved. While attending Ryerson University, he worked with Nestor Chumak to record a song he had written for a school project. Following its completion, the duo teamed up with Chumak's friends Sladkowski and Mykula to form a group called Topanga. The name comes from Topanga Matthews (née Lawrence), a character on the 1990s Disney sitcom Boy Meets World whom the band has called "our first middle-school crush."{{cite web |author1=PUP |title=We used to be called Topanga. Now we're called PUP. Let me explain |url=http://puptheband.tumblr.com/post/48176869122/we-used-to-be-called-topanga-now-were-called |via=Tumblr |access-date=February 4, 2019 |date=April 16, 2013 |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915023317/http://puptheband.tumblr.com/post/48176869122/we-used-to-be-called-topanga-now-were-called |url-status=live }} They decided to record a four-track EP together, although Babcock says that at the time, they considered this a one-off project and didn't think of themselves as a "real band". Topanga EP (later retitled Lionheart EP) was released as a free download on December 7, 2010.{{cite web |title=Topanga EP |url=http://musicoftopanga.bandcamp.com/ |website=Topanga |publisher=Bandcamp |access-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224113/http://musicoftopanga.bandcamp.com/ |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Lionheart EP |url=http://musicoftopanga.bandcamp.com/album/lionheart-ep |website=Topanga |publisher=Bandcamp |access-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602072835/http://musicoftopanga.bandcamp.com/album/lionheart-ep |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

File:Topanga at Mavericks (7055929949).jpg

Shortly after the release of their debut EP, the band began performing live together. They played their first show ever at the Bovine Sex Club in January 2011.{{cite web |last1=Sharp |first1=Elliott |title=We Hung Out Under a Bridge in Austin With PUP |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/we-hung-out-under-a-bridge-in-austin-with-pup |website=Red Bull |access-date=February 4, 2019 |date=April 7, 2014 |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207014827/https://www.redbull.com/us-en/we-hung-out-under-a-bridge-in-austin-with-pup |url-status=live }} According to Babcock, the EP was gaining traction online, and they began receiving increasingly better show offers. By the beginning of 2012, they had begun touring with Hollerado and were signed to Hollerado's label, Royal Mountain Records. On February 15, 2012, they released the two-track Oceans 7" with Royal Mountain.{{cite web |author1=Topanga |title=Oceans |url=https://soundcloud.com/topangatopanga/sets/oceans-7-inch |website=SoundCloud |access-date=February 4, 2019 |language=en |date=January 9, 2012 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129075125/https://soundcloud.com/topangatopanga/sets/oceans-7-inch |url-status=live }}

In 2012, Topanga began contemplating making their first full-length album, and wanted to find a producer who could help them capture their heavy performance style in a studio recording.{{cite news|last1=Elbert|first1=Tarian|title=Producer Dave Schiffman nails the punk hook for Toronto's PUP|url=http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2013/10/17/producer-dave-schiffman-nails-the-punk-hook-for-torontos-pup.html|access-date=January 7, 2018|work=Metro News|date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321100924/http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2013/10/17/producer-dave-schiffman-nails-the-punk-hook-for-torontos-pup.html|archive-date=March 21, 2018}} Inspired by The Bronx's 2008 self-titled album, they were interested in working with its producer, Dave Schiffman, an industry veteran who had worked with artists such as Rage Against the Machine, Weezer, and Anti-Flag. They sent him a demo and, to their elatement, he liked it and soon flew to Toronto to begin working on their album. The album was recorded in Montréal, in a studio that belongs to professional former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve.{{cite web |last1=Eff |first1=Billy |title=On discute avec PUP, le groupe torontois qui refuse de mourir |url=https://www.vice.com/fr_ca/article/3kk87j/on-discute-avec-pup-le-groupe-torontois-qui-refuse-de-mourir |website=VICE Québec |date=August 8, 2017 |publisher=VICE |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129075111/https://www.vice.com/fr/article/3kk87j/on-discute-avec-pup-le-groupe-torontois-qui-refuse-de-mourir |url-status=live }}

File:Topanga is now called PUP web banner.jpg site announcing the new name and logo]]

While working on the album, the band decided to change their name from Topanga to something else. According to Babcock, they felt the name was less fitting now that they had locked down a heavy punk rock style (as opposed to the lighter rock style they had played early on). In addition, Disney had announced a new spinoff series based on Boy Meets World, and the band didn't want to be associated with it. After a few months of uncertainty, they decided on the name PUP. The name is an acronym of a quote by Babcock's grandmother, who said that playing in a rock band was a "pathetic use of potential". The band officially announced their new name via social media on April 16, 2013.

File:Pup @ Masquerade 7.4.14-2 (14589412961) undistorted (cropped).jpg in Atlanta in 2014]]

Having begun recording with Schiffman, the band announced their upcoming album would release on October 8, 2013. From September to the end of November 2013, PUP joined Hollerado and the Zolas on a 24-stop tour across Canada to promote the album. Upon its release, the self-titled debut album, PUP, was met with critical acclaim. The Calgary Herald named PUP one of Canada's best new bands,{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Mike |url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/music/best+band+Canada+heads+Calgary/9144930/story.html |title=Pup: The best new band in Canada heads to Calgary |publisher=Calgaryherald.com |date=2013-11-08 |access-date=2013-12-01 |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117194655/http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/music/best+band+Canada+heads+Calgary/9144930/story.html |url-status=live }} and Stereogum listed them as one of the top 40 new bands of 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.stereogum.com/1478742/stereogums-40-best-new-bands-of-2013/franchises/listomania/attachment/28-pup/ |title=Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2013 PUP |website=Stereogum |date=2013-09-19 |access-date=2013-12-01 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221500/http://www.stereogum.com/1478742/stereogums-40-best-new-bands-of-2013/franchises/listomania/attachment/28-pup/ |url-status=live }} PUP won two Bucky Awards from CBC Radio 3 for Best Live Show and Best New Artist in 2013, and was nominated for Best Video.{{cite web|url=http://music.cbc.ca/blogs/2013/12/2013-Bucky-Awards-winners|title=2013 Bucky Award Winners|publisher=CBC|date=2013-12-04|access-date=2013-12-10}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In December 2013, PUP signed with SideOneDummy Records and re-released their debut album in the United States on April 8, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://propertyofzack.com/post/69491881053/sideonedummy-records-sign-pup/|title=SideOneDummy Records signs PUP|website=Propertyofzack.com|date=2013-12-09|access-date=2013-12-09|archive-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705004839/http://propertyofzack.com/post/69491881053/sideonedummy-records-sign-pup|url-status=live}} In 2014, they went on their first tour of the UK, playing 8 shows around the country with the UK band Slaves. The first two shows of the tour in London were part of the NME Awards tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/phoenix/74306|publisher=NME|title=NME Awards Tour|date=2013-12-09|access-date=2013-12-10|archive-date=December 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211011405/http://www.nme.com/news/phoenix/74306|url-status=live}} After that they played South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, followed by several more London shows and the Groezrock festival in Belgium. In May they started an extensive tour of the US with the Menzingers, Lemuria and Cayetana, playing 32 shows in 39 days. In August they opened for the Hives in London, England, and then played at Reading and Leeds Festivals. In September 2014, they made first appearance on Riot Fest at Chicago and Toronto.

In late 2014, PUP completed its first head-lining tour of Canada and the US, culminating in a sold-out concert at Toronto's Lee's Palace featuring a "next level" performance.{{cite web |last=Howard |first=Richard |url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/pups-homecoming-show-next-level |title=PUP's Homecoming Show Took Them to the Next Level | NOISEY |website=Noisey.vice.com |date=2014-11-25 |access-date=2016-06-28 |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101202650/http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/pups-homecoming-show-next-level |url-status=live }} In early 2015, PUP completed a multi-city tour of Australia, supporting The Smith Street Band. PUP then participated in the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, joining the tour for the month of July, including a highly anticipated date in Toronto, the band's hometown and place where the band has enjoyed success. This was the band's first time playing the Molson Amphitheatre. Between October and December 2015, the group supported Modern Baseball on their headlining US tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/modern_baseball_announce_tour_with_pup_jeff_rosenstock_tiny_moving_parts|title=Modern Baseball announce tour with PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, Tiny Moving Parts|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Leak, Brian|date=August 11, 2015|access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-date=July 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708213122/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/modern_baseball_announce_tour_with_pup_jeff_rosenstock_tiny_moving_parts|url-status=live}}

File:PUP at the Bowery Ballroom, 2016-10-22 (29874051064).jpg in New York City, October 2016]]

In early 2016, PUP headlined a very select number of shows in New York City.{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/pup-add-more-da/|title=PUP add more dates, including Music Hall of Williamsburg|work=Brooklyn Vegan|date=February 2, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2022}} They also released a new track, "DVP", from their second album, The Dream Is Over.{{Cite news|first=Michelle|last=Geslani|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/01/pup-unleash-rip-roaring-new-song-dvp-listen/|title=PUP unleash rip-roaring new song "DVP" — listen|work=Consequence of Sound|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2022|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921001447/https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/01/pup-unleash-rip-roaring-new-song-dvp-listen/|archive-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=live}}

On May 27, 2016, PUP released The Dream Is Over through SideOneDummy.{{cite web|first=Maria|last=Sherman|url=https://www.spin.com/2016/05/review-pup-the-dream-is-over/|title=Review: PUP Proclaim 'The Dream Is Over' But Proudly Welcome the Nightmare|website=Spin|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2022}} According to the band, the title is a direct quote from Babcock's doctor after damaging his vocal cords.{{cite web|first=Jessica|last=Goodman|url=http://diymag.com/2016/03/01/pup-interview-the-dream-is-over-in-the-studio|title=PUP talk their "rowdy, noisy clusterfuck" of a new album, 'The Dream Is Over'|website=DIY|date=March 1, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608140907/http://diymag.com/2016/03/01/pup-interview-the-dream-is-over-in-the-studio|archive-date=June 8, 2016|url-status=live}}

PUP toured the US, Canada, Australia and Europe in 2016 on a headlining tour entitled "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will", which is also the name of the first track on the album. In early 2017, PUP headlined European shows with The Wonder Years and Tiny Moving Parts.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-wonder-years-announce-2017-uk-and-european-tour|title=The Wonder Years Announce 2017 UK And European Tour|website=Kerrang!|date=September 27, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2022}} During spring and summer 2017, they made appearances at several music festivals, including Shaky Knees,{{cite web|first=Jared|last=McNett|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/pup/pups-hitting-the-road/|title=PUP Hitting the Road for Headlining Tour|website=Paste Magazine|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2022}} Boston Calling,{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Sacher|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/boston-calling-2017-day-by-day-lineups/|title=Boston Calling 2017 day-by-day lineups|website=Brooklyn Vegan|date=March 3, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2022}} WayHome,{{cite web|first=Sarah|last=Murphy|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/wayhome_reveals_official_2017_lineup|title=WayHome Reveals Official 2017 Lineup|website=Exclaim!|date=February 13, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2022}} Lollapalooza,{{cite web|first=Sarah|last=Hess|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/lollapalooza/photos-lollapalooza-day-two-with-blink-182-run-the/|title=Photos: Lollapalooza Day Two with Blink-182, Run the Jewels, Tegan and Sara & More|website=Paste Magazine|date=August 5, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2022}} and Osheaga.{{cite web|first=Katie|last=Scott|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3278303/osheaga-2017-the-weeknd-muse-lorde-headline-festival/|title=Osheaga 2017: The Weeknd, Muse, Lorde headline festival|website=Global News|date=February 28, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2022}}

In September 2017, PUP made their cable television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly on NBC, performing "Sleep in the Heat"{{cite web|url=https://www.nbc.com/last-call-with-carson-daly/video/pup-sleep-in-the-heat/3587281|title=Pup: "Sleep in the Heat"|work=NBC|date=September 18, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921001711/https://www.nbc.com/last-call-with-carson-daly/video/pup-sleep-in-the-heat/3587281|archive-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=live}} and "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will / DVP".{{cite web|url=https://www.nbc.com/last-call-with-carson-daly/video/pup-if-this-tour-doesnt-kill-you-i-willdvp/3587280|title=Pup: "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will/DVP"|work=NBC|date=September 18, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921001923/https://www.nbc.com/last-call-with-carson-daly/video/pup-if-this-tour-doesnt-kill-you-i-willdvp/3587280|archive-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=live}}

In January 2018, PUP joined The Menzingers along with Cayetana on their headlining UK/Europe tour.{{cite news|first=Richards|last=Will|url=http://diymag.com/2017/08/14/the-menzingers-pup-uk-european-tour-2018|title=The Menzingers and PUP Announce UK/European Tour|work=DIY|date=August 14, 2017|access-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725192943/http://diymag.com/2017/08/14/the-menzingers-pup-uk-european-tour-2018|archive-date=July 25, 2018|url-status=live }}

File:PUP at Bogart's - PUP (47954124997).jpg in May 2019]]

In May 2018, the band announced that they had finished tracking their third album in Toronto with Dave Schiffman and Darren McGill.{{cite web|first=Ricky|last=Frankel|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/66903/pup-finish-tracking-new-lp|title=PUP finish tracking new LP|website=Punknews.org|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=February 15, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Calum|last=Slingerland|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/pup_detail_morbid_stuff_share_new_song_kids|title=PUP Detail 'Morbid Stuff,' Share New Song "Kids"|website=Exclaim!|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2022}} Towards the end of 2018, the band released a zine entitled "Pup the Zine Vol. 1" containing a comic book and a flexi-disc for a live version of "My Life Is Over and I Couldn't Be Happier".{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Bobkin|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/pup_announce_zine_flexi_disc_for_limited_release|title=PUP Are Releasing Their Very Own Zine|website=Exclaim|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210638/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/pup_announce_zine_flexi_disc_for_limited_release|archive-date=January 14, 2019|url-status=live}}

In January 2019, the band released Pup the Zine Vol. 2 complete with a flexi-disc featuring a new single, "Kids", that they mailed out to fans over the course of the month.{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Hudson|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/pup_to_release_new_album_morbid_stuff_in_april|title=PUP to Release New Album 'Morbid Stuff' in April|website=Exclaim!|date=January 11, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2022}} The zines additionally contained a press release and release date for the band's third album, Morbid Stuff, which was due on April 5, 2019. The second single from the album, "Free at Last", was released on February 27, 2019, and featured guest vocals from Eva Hendricks of Charly Bliss.{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Kaye|url=https://consequence.net/2019/02/pup-free-at-last-music-video/|title=PUP share video for new song 'Free at Last', featuring Charly Bliss' Eva Hendricks: Watch|work=Consequence |date=February 27, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2022}} The band performed "Kids" on Late Night with Seth Meyers on March 21, 2019, in anticipation of release of Morbid Stuff.{{cite news|first=Madison|last=Bloom|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-pup-perform-kids-on-seth-meyers/|title=Watch PUP Perform "Kids" on "Seth Meyers"|work=Pitchfork|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Breihan|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2036530/watch-pup-make-their-late-night-debut-on-seth-meyers/video/|title=PUP Make Their Late-Night Debut, Ripping Through "Kids" On 'Seth Meyers': Watch|website=StereoGum.com|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322143438/https://www.stereogum.com/2036530/watch-pup-make-their-late-night-debut-on-seth-meyers/video/|archive-date=March 22, 2019|url-status=live}} Later in March 2019, the band released two new songs, "Scorpion Hill" and "Sibling Rivalry".{{cite news|first=Jordan|last=Darville|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/03/22/pup-sibling-rivalry-scorpion-hill|title=Listen to two new PUP songs, 'Scorpion Hill' and 'Sibling Rivalry'|work=The Fader|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=February 15, 2022}}{{cite news|first=Montana|last=Martin|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/pup/pup-sibling-rivalry-scorpion-hill/|title=PUP Punch out Two More Tracks, "Sibling Rivalry" and "Scorpion Hill"|work=Paste Magazine|date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://readdork.com/news/pup-sibling-rivalry-scorpion-hill-listen/|title=PUP have shared two new songs: 'Sibling Rivalry' and 'Scorpion Hill'|work=Dork|date=March 22, 2019 |access-date=February 15, 2022}}

On July 3, 2020, the band released a live album available on Bandcamp for one day only, titled Live at the Electric Ballroom.{{cite news|first=Madison|last=Bloom|url=https://diymag.com/2020/07/03/pup-live-at-the-electric-ballroom-bandcamp|title=PUP release 'Live At The Electric Ballroom'|work=DIY|date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=February 15, 2022}} In August 2020, the band released a cover of "A.M. 180", off of Grandaddy's debut album, Under the Western Freeway.{{Cite web|first=Emily|last=Tan|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/08/pup-cover-of-grandaddy-a-m-180/|title=Hear PUP's Cover of Grandaddy's 'A.M. 180′ – "Grandaddy are one of the unsung hero bands of indie rock..."|website=Spin|date=May 8, 2020|access-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815025610/https://www.spin.com/2020/08/pup-cover-of-grandaddy-a-m-180/|archive-date=August 15, 2020|url-status=live}} In September 2020, the band announced that a new six-track EP, This Place Sucks Ass, would be released on October 23. Along with the announcement they released one of the tracks from the EP, "Rot".{{cite web |last1=Bloom |first1=Madison|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/pup-announce-this-place-sucks-ass-ep-share-new-song-listen/|title=PUP Announce This Place Sucks Ass EP, Share New Song|website=Pitchfork|publisher=Condé Nast|date=September 17, 2020|access-date=September 17, 2020|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920050437/https://pitchfork.com/news/pup-announce-this-place-sucks-ass-ep-share-new-song-listen/|archive-date=September 20, 2020|url-status=live}}

In December 2020, PUP collaborated with the New York-based band Charly Bliss on a Christmas song titled "It's Christmas and I Fucking Miss You". The bands also released an accompanying music video for the song.{{Cite web|first=Madison|last=Bloom|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/charly-bliss-and-pup-team-up-for-new-song-its-christmas-and-i-fucking-miss-you-watch-the-video/|title=Charly Bliss and PUP Team Up for New Song "It's Christmas and I Fucking Miss You"|website=Pitchfork|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2021|language=en-us}} The band contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Holier Than Thou" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released in September 2021.{{Cite web|last=He|first=Richard S.|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-metallica-blacklist-cover-ranked-from-worst-to-best|title=Every Metallica Blacklist cover ranked from worst to best|website=loudersound|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=October 22, 2021|language=en}} On November 9, 2021, PUP released two new singles, "Waiting" and "Kill Something".{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Breihan|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2166736/pup-waiting-kill-something/music/|title=PUP – "Waiting" & "Kill Something"|website=Stereogum|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=February 15, 2022|language=en}}{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Doria|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pup-drop-fiery-new-songs-waiting-and-kill-something-detail-north-american-tour-3091681|title=PUP drop fiery new songs 'Waiting' and 'Kill Something', detail North American tour|website=NME|date=November 10, 2021|access-date=February 15, 2022|language=en}}

On January 18, 2022, PUP announced their fourth studio album, The Unraveling of PUPTheBand, which was released on April 1, 2022. They also released a single from the album, "Robot Writes a Love Song", and an accompanying music video.{{cite web|first=Allie|last=Gregory|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/pup_announce_new_album_the_unraveling_of_puptheband|title=PUP Announce New Album 'The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND'|website=Exclaim!|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=January 18, 2022|language=en-ca}} The band performed as the opening act for Sum 41's final tour in January 2025.{{cite web |last1=LaPierre |first1=Megan |title=Sum 41 Announce Canadian Leg of Final Tour |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/sum-41-announce-canadian-leg-of-final-tour |website=Exclaim! |access-date=May 27, 2024 |language=en |date=March 25, 2024}}

PUP has been described primarily as a punk rock band.{{cite magazine|first=Kory|last=Grow|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/pup-interview-morbid-thoughts-817224/|title=PUP on the Things That Make Life 'Slightly Less' Terrible|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 6, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/arts/music/pup-punk-the-dream-is-over.html|title=Up North, Pup Makes Freshly Mutating Punk|work=The New York Times|date=July 6, 2016|access-date=February 14, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Deming|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pup-mn0003176821|title=PUP | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704133457/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pup-mn0003176821|archive-date=July 4, 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first=Andrew|last=Sacher|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/qa-with-pup-on-their-best-album-yet-morbid-stuff/|title=Q&A with PUP on their best album yet, 'Morbid Stuff'|website=BrooklynVegan|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205170750/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/qa-with-pup-on-their-best-album-yet-morbid-stuff/|archive-date=February 5, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=PUP Find Joy in Angst, Celebrate Destruction-Loving Dogs on Two New Songs |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pup-find-joy-in-angst-celebrate-destruction-loving-dogs-on-two-new-songs-1255351/ |website=Rolling Stone |date=November 9, 2021 |access-date=1 March 2022}} They have also been labeled under punk rock subgenres such as pop-punk,{{cite web|first=Shawn|last=Cooke|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/how-pup-turned-crippling-doubt-into-addictive-hooks.html|title=How PUP Turned Crippling Doubt Into Addictive Hooks|work=Vulture|date=April 3, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112005551/https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/how-pup-turned-crippling-doubt-into-addictive-hooks.html|archive-date=November 12, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Peyton|last=Thomas|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/pup-this-place-sucks-ass-ep/|title=PUP: This Place Sucks Ass EP Album Review|work=Pitchfork|date=October 27, 2020|access-date=February 14, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Weiss|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20161103_For_Toronto_pop-punks_PUP__the_dream_is_just_beginning.html|title=For Toronto pop-punks PUP, the dream is just beginning|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081615/http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20161103_For_Toronto_pop-punks_PUP__the_dream_is_just_beginning.html|archive-date=February 11, 2017|url-status=live}} hardcore punk,{{cite web|title=Don't Sleep on PUP|url=https://sites.psu.edu/sylviak/2019/09/11/pup-a-four-piece-punk-rock-band-from-toronto/|access-date=September 11, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Lampiris|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/pup-pup-150301|title=PUP – PUP|publisher=The Line of Best Fit|date=April 14, 2014|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001182357/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/pup-pup-150301|archive-date=October 1, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Eli|last=Enis|url=https://www.kerrang.com/pup-a-loving-look-back-at-the-canadian-punk-quartets-career|title=PUP: A Loving Look Back At The Canadian Punk Quartet's Career|publisher=Kerrang!|date=April 3, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=O'Malley |first=Kerri |title=PUP, "DARK DAYS" |url=https://imposemagazine.com/bytes/new-music/pup-dark-days |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=Impose|date=March 20, 2014 }} post-hardcore, and as indie rock. The band also experimented with pop elements on The Dream is Over.{{cite web|first=Lars|last=Gotrich|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/05/19/477925300/first-listen-pup-the-dream-is-over|title=Review: PUP, 'The Dream Is Over'|website=npr|date=May 19, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2022}}

In interviews, band members have self-identified PUP as a punk rock band.{{cite web |last1=Dunn |first1=Michael |title=IN THE DOGHOUSE: A CONVERSATION WITH POP PUNK ICONS PUP |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/pup-interview-2019-morbid-stuff/ |website=Atwood Magazine |date=April 30, 2019 |access-date=January 26, 2023}}

PUP has enjoyed critical success, having been nominated or won in major Canadian contests such as the Juno Awards, the Polaris Music Prize, the CBC Bucky Awards, among others. Their first single "Reservoir" was nominated for a SOCAN Song-writing Prize.{{cite web|url=http://www.socansongwritingprize.ca/en/#/ |title=SOCAN Songwriting Prize |access-date=June 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608035116/http://www.socansongwritingprize.ca/en/ |archive-date=June 8, 2014 }} It was also used on gameplay footage shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 for the game Watch Dogs 2.

PUP won two Bucky Awards from CBC Radio 3 for Best Live Show and Best New Artist in 2013, as well as a nomination for Best Video. PUP's first album was long-listed for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize of 2014. The national newspaper The Globe & Mail called them out as front-runners in the contest along with Arcade Fire, Mac DeMarco, BadBadNotGood, among other artists.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/long-list-for-the-polaris-prize-is-diverse-but-not-all-inclusive/article19257074/|title=Long list for the Polaris Prize is diverse, but not all-inclusive|first=Brad|last=Wheeler|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=20 June 2014|access-date=September 10, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818103405/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/long-list-for-the-polaris-prize-is-diverse-but-not-all-inclusive/article19257074/|url-status=live}} PUP has been nominated for three Juno Awards. In 2015, PUP was nominated for Recording Package of the Year and Video of the Year for "Guilt Trip."{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-JUNO-Nominee-List.pdf|title=2015 JUNO Awards Nominees|website=Junoawards.ca|access-date=2016-06-28|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405023242/http://junoawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-JUNO-Nominee-List.pdf|url-status=live}} In 2016, PUP was nominated again for Video of the Year for "Dark Days."{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-Nominee-List.pdf|title=2016 JUNO Awards Nominees|website=Junoawards.ca|access-date=June 28, 2016|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205115142/http://junoawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-Nominee-List.pdf|url-status=live}}

Rolling Stone listed the "Canadian punkers" of PUP as one of 2014's "breakout rock acts."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-breakout-rock-acts-of-2014-20140626 |title=The Breakout Rock Acts of 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628105000/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-breakout-rock-acts-of-2014-20140626 |archive-date=June 28, 2014 }} Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux was nominated for the 2016 Prism Prize for Music Video of the Year for "Dark Days".{{cite web |url=http://www.prismprize.com/news/ |title=News |publisher=Prism Prize |access-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729200548/http://www.prismprize.com/news/ |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

PUP achieved commercial success with the release of their second album, The Dream Is Over, on May 27, 2016, with chart achievement recognition from Billboard in several categories including Canadian Albums, Alternative Albums, Heatseekers, Independent Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Album Sales.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/7127445/pup/chart|title=PUP – Chart history {{!}} Billboard|website=Billboard.com|access-date=2016-06-18|archive-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610180427/http://www.billboard.com/artist/7127445/pup/chart|url-status=live}} In July 2016, The Dream is Over was nominated to the short-list of the Polaris Music Price 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://polarismusicprize.ca/2016-nominees/|title=2016 Nominees – Polaris Music Prize|newspaper=Polaris Music Prize|access-date=February 9, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216034319/http://polarismusicprize.ca/2016-nominees/|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone also listed the "Sleep in the Heat" music video as #4 of the "10 Best Music Videos of 2016."{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-best-music-videos-of-2016-w456728|title=10 Best Music Videos of 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 20, 2016|access-date=February 9, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080909/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-best-music-videos-of-2016-w456728|url-status=live}}

"DVP" and "Sleep in the Heat" were nominated for the 2017 Prism Prize for Music Video.{{Cite news|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/2017_prism_prize_announces_top_20_finalists|title=Prism Prize Announces Top 20 Finalists|access-date=March 4, 2017|language=en|archive-date=March 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305113832/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/2017_prism_prize_announces_top_20_finalists|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/prism_prize_2017_reveals_top_10_finalists|title=Prism Prize Reveals 2017's Top 10 Finalists|access-date=May 27, 2017|language=en|archive-date=May 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521172816/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/prism_prize_2017_reveals_top_10_finalists|url-status=live}} In July 2017, PUP won SOCAN Songwriting Prize for "DVP."{{Cite web|url=http://www.socan.ca/news/punk-phenoms-pup-win-10000-socan-songwriting-prize-2017|title=Punk phenoms PUP win $10,000 SOCAN Songwriting Prize 2017|website=SOCAN|access-date=July 14, 2017|archive-date=July 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716003707/http://www.socan.ca/news/punk-phenoms-pup-win-10000-socan-songwriting-prize-2017|url-status=live}} In March 2018, PUP was nominated for the Prism Prize for the video for "Old Wounds."{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Sarah|title=Here Are the Top 10 Prism Prize 2018 Finalists|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/here_are_the_top_10_prism_prize_2018_finalists|access-date=May 15, 2018|work=Exclaim|date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508105321/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/here_are_the_top_10_prism_prize_2018_finalists|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, Morbid Stuff was nominated on 2019 Polaris Music Prize.{{cite news|title="Polaris Prize 2019 Short List Announced: Marie Davidson, PUP, More"|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/polaris-prize-2019-short-list-announced-marie-davidson-pup-more|date=July 16, 2019}} In February 2020, music videos "Kids" and "Free at Last" nominated for long-list Prism Prize 2020.{{cite news|title="TOP 20 NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2020 PRISM PRIZE"|url=https://www.academy.ca/2020/top-20-nominees-are-announced-for-the-2020-prism-prize|date=February 27, 2020}} in June 2020, Morbid Stuff won an "Alternative Album of the year" of 2020 Juno Award.{{cite news|title="Junos 2020: the complete list of winners"|url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/junos-2020-the-complete-list-of-winners-1.5483821|date=June 29, 2020}} In March 2021, "This Place Sucks Ass" was nominated on "Alternative album of the year" category of 2021 Juno Award.{{cite news|title="Here are all the 2021 Juno Award winners"|url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/here-are-all-the-2021-juno-award-winners-1.6036001}}|date=June 04,2021}}

• Stefan Babcock – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Steve Sladkowski – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Nestor Chumak – bass, backing vocals, keyboards
• Zack Mykula – drums, backing vocals, percussion

Releases marked with † were published as Topanga.

• PUP (2013), Royal Mountain, SideOneDummy
• The Dream Is Over (2016), Royal Mountain, SideOneDummy
• Morbid Stuff (2019), Little Dipper, Rise
• The Unraveling of PUPTheBand (2022), Little Dipper, Rise
• Who Will Look After the Dogs? (2025), Little Dipper, Rise

• Lionheart EP (2010) † – digital (originally titled Topanga EP)
• Oceans (2012) † – CD
• This Place Sucks Ass (2020) – CD, vinyl LP, digital

• Audiotree Live (2015) – digital{{cite web |title=PUP: Audiotree Live |url=http://audiotree.spinshop.com/details/237252 |website=Audiotree Music |access-date=24 February 2020 |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224203239/http://audiotree.spinshop.com/details/237252 |url-status=live }}
• Live at The Electric Ballroom (2020) – digital, recorded {{nobr|November 20–21, 2019}}{{Cite web |last=PUP |date=3 July 2020 |title=Live Record out today for ONE DAY ONLY |url=https://artistic.io/u/lp/Pup/t/c-1x-DF8d57SounIGhE6qwwDv-QakAM88x-c92ox6n4/m/e/Live-Record-out-today-for-ONE-DAY-ONLY.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703181741/https://artistic.io/u/lp/Pup/t/c-1x-DF8d57SounIGhE6qwwDv-QakAM88x-c92ox6n4/m/e/Live-Record-out-today-for-ONE-DAY-ONLY.htm |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=artistic.io |language=en |type=Newsletter}}{{cite web |author1=PUP |title=Live at The Electric Ballroom |url=https://puptheband.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-electric-ballroom |website=Bandcamp |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703143537/https://puptheband.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-electric-ballroom |archive-date=3 July 2020 |language=en |date=3 July 2020}}
• PUP Unravels Live in Front Of Everyone They Know (2022) – digital{{Cite web |title=PUP Unravels Live In Front Of Everyone They Know, by PUP |url=https://puptheband.bandcamp.com/album/pup-unravels-live-in-front-of-everyone-they-know |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=PUP |language=en}}

• "Oceans" (2012) † – 7" (B-side: "Mabu")
• "Reservoir" / "My Shadow (Jay Reatard cover)" (2014) – 7"
• "You Don't Get Me High Anymore (Triple J Like A Version)" (2017) – digital, Phantogram cover
• "My Life Is Over and I Couldn't Be Happier" (2018) – live 7"
• "Kids" (2019) – 7"
• "Bloody Mary, Kate and Ashley" (2019) – 7"
• "Bare Hands (demo)" (2019) – 7" (B-side: "Edmonton")
• "Skateboarding Is A Crime And You Should Be In Jail" (2020) – 7"
• "Anaphylaxis" (2020)
• "A.M. 180" (2020) – Grandaddy cover
• "Rot" (2020)
• "It's Christmas and I Fucking Miss You" (with Charly Bliss) (2020)
• "Waiting/Kill Something" (2021)
• "Robot Writes a Love Song" (2022)
• "Matilda" (2022)
• "Totally Fine" (2022)
• "How To Live With Yourself/Smoke Screen" (2023)
• "Paranoid" (2025)
• "Hallways" (2025)

• "Reservoir" (2013)
• "Lionheart" (2014)
• "My Shadow (Jay Reatard cover)" (2014)
• "Guilt Trip" (2014)
• "Mabu" (2014)
• "Back Against the Wall" (2015)
• "Dark Days" (2015)
• "DVP" (2016)
• "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will." (2016)
• "Sleep in the Heat" (2016)
• "Old Wounds" (2017)
• "Kids" (2019)
• "Free at Last" (2019)
• "Sibling Rivalry" (2019)
• "See You At Your Funeral" (2019)
• "Anaphylaxis" (2020)
• "It's Christmas and I Fucking Miss You" (2020)
• "Robot Writes a Love Song" (2022)
• "Matilda" (2022)
• "Totally Fine" (2022)
• "Paranoid" (2025)
• "Hallways" (2025)

• "Reservoir" appeared in the video games Watch Dogs 2 and Riders Republic. It was also used in gameplay footage shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 for the game.
• "Lionheart" appeared in the video game NHL 15.
• "Factories" appeared in the Canadian TV series Saving Hope.
• "DVP" appeared in the video game Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator. The band themselves also make a cameo in the game.
• "Sibling Rivalry" appeared in the video game NHL 20.
• "Matilda" appeared in the video game Rock Band 4 as a downloadable song.
• "Totally Fine" appeared in the video game NHL 23.

{{Portal|Music|Canada}}

• Music of Canada
• Canadian rock

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website}}
• [http://artists.cbcmusic.ca/artist/48822 PUP] at CBC Radio

{{PUP band}}

{{SOCAN Songwriting Prize}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Canadian punk rock groups

Category:Musical groups from Toronto

Category:Musical groups established in 2013

Category:2013 establishments in Ontario

Category:SideOneDummy Records artists

Category:Royal Mountain Records artists

Category:Rise Records artists

Category:Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year winners

Category:Canadian hardcore punk groups

Category:Canadian pop punk groups

Category:Canadian post-hardcore musical groups