Joyce Manor Delivers a Dose of Nostalgia with Latest Single "I Know Where Mark Chen Lives"
In the latest single from their upcoming album, I Used to Go to This Bar, Joyce Manor is once again tapping into the nostalgia of their SoCal roots. The song's themes of memories past and the wild west of weed clubs in the early 2000s are reminiscent of a bygone era, where music was raw, emotive, and unbridled.
Lead singer Barry Johnson has explained that the song was inspired by his own experiences with friends hanging out, getting high, and talking about the lawless days when weed was still not fully legalized. The lyrics are a stream-of-consciousness reflection of those moments, with vivid imagery of 19-year-old girls doing their third dab of the hour before being robbed at gunpoint.
The song's dark humor is unmistakable, but it's also tempered by a sense of nostalgia for a time when music was more carefree and experimental. As Johnson puts it, "I love Mark's songwriting and voice," paying tribute to Mark Chen, the lead singer-songwriter of Summer Vacation and Winter Break, whose style has clearly influenced Joyce Manor.
The accompanying music video, directed by Jason Link and Rowan Daly, is a fitting visual representation of this era. Shot in black and white, it captures the cramped, DIY ethos of early practice spaces, transporting viewers back to a time when music was raw and unpolished.
Despite delving into nostalgia for their past, Joyce Manor's present is equally thrilling. Their seventh studio album, I Used to Go to This Bar, has been eagerly anticipated by fans, and with Coachella 2026 in the books, it promises to be a highlight of the year.
"I Know Where Mark Chen Lives" may be a nod to the past, but its raw energy, catchy hooks, and unapologetic humor prove that Joyce Manor is still very much on the rise.
In the latest single from their upcoming album, I Used to Go to This Bar, Joyce Manor is once again tapping into the nostalgia of their SoCal roots. The song's themes of memories past and the wild west of weed clubs in the early 2000s are reminiscent of a bygone era, where music was raw, emotive, and unbridled.
Lead singer Barry Johnson has explained that the song was inspired by his own experiences with friends hanging out, getting high, and talking about the lawless days when weed was still not fully legalized. The lyrics are a stream-of-consciousness reflection of those moments, with vivid imagery of 19-year-old girls doing their third dab of the hour before being robbed at gunpoint.
The song's dark humor is unmistakable, but it's also tempered by a sense of nostalgia for a time when music was more carefree and experimental. As Johnson puts it, "I love Mark's songwriting and voice," paying tribute to Mark Chen, the lead singer-songwriter of Summer Vacation and Winter Break, whose style has clearly influenced Joyce Manor.
The accompanying music video, directed by Jason Link and Rowan Daly, is a fitting visual representation of this era. Shot in black and white, it captures the cramped, DIY ethos of early practice spaces, transporting viewers back to a time when music was raw and unpolished.
Despite delving into nostalgia for their past, Joyce Manor's present is equally thrilling. Their seventh studio album, I Used to Go to This Bar, has been eagerly anticipated by fans, and with Coachella 2026 in the books, it promises to be a highlight of the year.
"I Know Where Mark Chen Lives" may be a nod to the past, but its raw energy, catchy hooks, and unapologetic humor prove that Joyce Manor is still very much on the rise.
These guys are just rehashing old memories and using it as an excuse to make some bland alt-rock song. Barry Johnson's lyrics sound like he's trying too hard to be relatable and authentic, but really he's just regurgitating outdated stereotypes about weed and teenage angst. And don't even get me started on the music video – black and white? How original. 
I mean, I guess if you're into that sorta thing, it might be somewhat nostalgic for those who were actually around in the 2000s, but for everyone else, it's just a lazy attempt to recapture the past.
i swear it's like a 10/10 in terms of comfort food... anyway, back to music - i've been listening to a lot of old school punk bands lately and it got me thinking about how much I love the aesthetic of 90s skate culture 
what do u think, can we bring that vibe back?
and i'm totally obsessed with it! i love how nostalgic its like they're talking about weed clubs from like 2005 or something 
but at the same time its super relatable cuz who hasn't been that carefree and wild right? anyway, can someone pls explain to me what a "third dab" even is lol 
. It's like they're giving us a time capsule of those wild weed clubs in the early 2000s - I'm totally stoked for that nostalgia trip! 
Barry Johnson's lyrics are so vivid, it feels like you're right there with him, reminiscing about those crazy times 
. I'm so hyped for their new album - it sounds like they're gonna bring that same energy and carefree spirit to the table 
! Barry Johnson's lyrics are so relatable, especially for anyone who grew up in SoCal back in the day 
? The music video looks insane too - love how it captures that DIY spirit 
. Can't wait to get my hands on the album, I'm hyped for Coachella 2026 
. Barry Johnson's lyrics are like a time capsule - raw, unfiltered, and totally nostalgic 
. The music video is so cool, it feels like I'm right back there, hanging out with my friends, getting high, and talking about our favorite tunes 
. Coachella 2026 can't come soon enough - I need more of this kind of music in my life!
. Can't they see that a simple Instagram post or TikTok would be way more engaging? 
! They're really capturing the essence of SoCal's wild past, you know? Like, who wouldn't wanna hear about weed clubs and wild nights with friends 
! Jason Link and Rowan Daly really outdid themselves. What I love most is how Joyce Manor's not afraid to poke fun at their past, but still keep the vibes totally authentic 
. and that music video? perfection 
. It's like they're tapping into a different era where music was all about having fun and pushing boundaries. The lyrics are so vivid and raw, it feels like you're right there with Barry Johnson reliving those memories. I love how the song has that dark humor to it, but also this nostalgia for when things were more carefree. And can we talk about the music video? 
! It's like they're tapping into a time machine and bringing back the good ol' days of SoCal vibes. The lyrics are so vivid and raw, it feels like you're right there with Barry Johnson and his friends hanging out, getting high, and living life on the edge 
It's definitely a nostalgic vibe and Barry Johnson's songwriting is fire 
. The music video looks super cool though - black and white is always a great choice for capturing that raw, DIY ethos 
I'm super stoked for their upcoming album and can't wait to see them kill it at Coachella 2026 
i love how theyre paying tribute to mark chen's style too, its like a love letter to the indie rock scene. cant wait for their new album coachella 2026 is gonna be lit 
AND THE MUSIC VIDEO IS SO ADORBS IN BLACK AND WHITE, IT LOOKS LIKE A REAL VINTAGE PRACTICE SPACE 
. And that music video, ugh, it's giving me all the nostalgic feels 