REVIEW: TV Generation - Passafist

Punk is a genre best experienced live, and Florida natives TV Generation know that better than anyone. With their second full-length offering Passafist, capturing that live sound was a priority, seeing them ditch the slightly more polished sound of their debut album Cheap Times for a louder, grittier collection of pop-punk goodness, all produced in a single weekend and – for some tracks – in a single take.

With new vocalist/guitarist Eric Pabon on board, the melodies are as free-flowing as the power chords. He joins Jerry Henegar on guitar, alongside bassist Billy Ondrus – but it’s drummer Jorge Gonzalez who is the first to introduce himself on the opening bars of the first track ‘Handful of Nothing’. It’s an easy-going pop punk bop, with some excellent guitar work on the back end and some gravelly vocals throughout.

Whilst it’s a fun introduction, the raw recording style at work here really shines on their punkier, more rage-filled tracks. ‘My Way’ sees Pabon (unconvincingly) promise through gritted teeth that everything is going his way, whilst guitars thrash around him like they’re trying to summon a mosh pit to appear right in your living room. And ‘Daisy’ is less than a minute of furious lamenting and pounding drums, but the punch it packs is enough to knock you dizzy. It’s hard to imagine anyone being able to stand still when that riff starts up.

There are places where this album suffers slightly from the stripped-back production, though; on ‘Billy’s Song’, the vocal harmonies sound great, but you may have to strain to hear them in the mix. ‘Wild Things’ is catchy and it’s impossible not to sing along, but the verses have a tendency to feel empty and unbalanced. There's a smattering of bum notes and missed chords and off-beats throughout the 26-minute runtime, but this IS a punk album. Some things aren’t meant to sound perfect, and if this is what a live TV Generation show sounds like, then I’d buy a ticket any day of the week.

And it’s good to know that if I did buy one, I’d be welcome at their show. ‘I’m With You’ sees the band extend a hand to anyone who doesn’t fit into the social mould, branding bigots as "ignoramuses" and vowing to fight for the outcasts of society. These political themes run throughout the record, ranging from a general distaste of the world to an overt criticism of the current political system of the USA on ‘American Undead’. In a world where musicians are facing real and terrifying consequences for their political views, it’s refreshing to see a band that is willing to voice these thoughts whilst still making fun and vibrant music.

Through and through, this album feels purposeful in its celebration of live performance. ‘XOXO’ is a standout track on the album: an upbeat punk love song which feels every bit as energetic and chaotic as it would in a crowded room. The music video seeks to prove this theory, and sees the band performing in beloved local Orlando venue The Spot, which closed permanently shortly after the video was recorded. On their Instagram page, the band writes that they hope that the video captures the “raw energy and urgency of a space that meant something – and the people who filled it”. Passafist isn’t just about the band performing the music, it’s more than that; it’s about the community who contribute to putting the show together.

If you love spending Friday nights in your local punk bar, shout-y choruses and loud guitars, Passafist was made for you. Throughout the record, TV Generation prove time and time again that you do not have to reinvent the wheel to make a great song. This is their love letter to live music, and tangible proof that sometimes, all you need to have fun is some power chords, a catchy melody and one take in the booth.

Score: 7/10

Passafist was released on July 1st 2025.

Words: Ellen Lovell

Photos: TV Generation