Lunar Hijack: Hijacking Pop Punk with British Grit

Pop punk might have been declared dead a dozen times over, but Worcestershire’s Lunar Hijack are proof it’s alive and thrashing in 2025. With punchy riffs, synth-stacked choruses, and lyrics that dig deep without whining about high school, they’ve racked up 25k monthly Spotify listeners, over 1,000 global radio plays (including Kerrang! Radio), and a growing reputation for live shows that hit with the energy of a seasoned touring band.

Formed in 2021, the four-piece—Scott Milner (vocals/guitar), Josh Gill (guitar), Jamie Kerr (bass), and Carl Haffield (drums)—draw on decades of experience in projects like The Fight, The Fallout Theory, and Skylites. With their latest single “Worlds Collide” out now, and “Deja Vu” set for August, Lunar Hijack are ready to push pop punk forward without losing sight of the 2000s nostalgia that inspired them. We caught up with the band to talk authenticity, evolution, and what it takes to put on a show worth remembering.

Your sound blends 2000’s-style pop punk with British grit and emotionally charged lyrics. Was it a conscious choice to lean into nostalgia, or did that style emerge naturally from your chemistry as a band?

Scott: It wasn’t a conscious choice at all. For us, writing music has always been about being authentic. We grew up on Dookie and Enema of the State—those records shaped us. We’re not trying to reinvent pop punk; we just make the music we love playing, and that’s what comes out.

Having played everywhere from dive bars to major festivals, what’s your secret to putting on a tight, drama-free, high-energy show night after night?

Carl: Honestly, it’s just experience. Between us, we’ve got 80 years of gigging under our belts, and nothing makes you tighter than playing as many shows as possible. Rehearsals are great, but the stage is where you really sharpen up and learn how to put on a show.Jamie: Communication’s key too—making sure everyone’s pulling in the same direction. And here’s our one real “secret”: drink loads of water. Before, during, after. Hydrated punks put on better shows!

“Worlds Collide” marked a new chapter with synths and subdrops in the live set. How has this evolution shaped your connection with the audience?

Carl: I suggested adding the electronics—I’d used them before in Skylites. As soon as we dropped in the synths, digital drums, and subdrops, the set just kicked into another gear.Scott: But the connection with the audience hasn’t changed—it’s never been “us vs. them.” We always want the crowd to feel part of the show. Whether it’s lighters in the air or a dance-off to win a t-shirt, it’s about making the room feel like one big party.

You’ve recorded three tracks with Ian Sadler, mastered by Grant Berry. How did that studio experience push your sound forward?

Josh: Before heading in, we spent months demoing and even testing versions of songs live. By the time we got to Ian, we’d leaned heavily into synths and digital drums. It was new territory for us, but it worked—we came out with three tracks we’re genuinely proud of.Scott: Ian really got what we were aiming for. He knew how to pull that loud, polished pop punk sound out of us without sanding down the edges.

Pop punk often gets written off as a phase. What keeps it alive for you, and why does it still resonate with listeners today?

Scott: For us, pop punk became part of our identity—it’s in our DNA. The mix of hooks, energy, and emotional honesty just doesn’t get old.Jamie: And for listeners now, it still speaks to the same things it always did: friendship, fun, late nights, heartbreak. Whether you’re an “elder emo” or discovering it for the first time, there’s a song for every mood.

Pop punk isn’t dead. It just got hijacked.