Punchline is a pop-punk band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, formed in 1998.
The first conception of Punchline included current lead singer / guitarist Steve Soboslai, current bassist Chris Fafalios and current drummer PJ Caruso. As a young three-man band, Punchline recorded poppy punk and sometimes ska-influenced tunes in the form of the short CDs "How to Get Kicked Out of the Mall" and "Major Motion Picture," and the full-length "Punchline." The band came into their own when they were joined by now ex-guitarist/vocalist Paul Menotiades, and the four recorded "The Rewind EP" with producer Sean O'Keefe. In 2003 the band signed to Fueled By Ramen Records and the EP was re-released.
In the over-saturated world of pop-punk music, Punchline set itself apart with bright three-part harmonies and unique melodies, catchy riffs and a strong rhythm section, especially on their most recent release, "Action." Soboslai, Menotiades, and Fafalios all contributed vocals to the disc.
In January 2005, after 4 years of playing with the band, Menotiades left the band without notice or a reason in the middle of a tour, shortly before a show in Albany, New York. The remaining members of the band, however, proceeded on and enlisted a long-time friend from Connecticut, Greg Wood, to fill in on guitar and vocals for the remaining shows of the tour. He was a member of the now defunct West Beverly and has his own eponymous solo project. Wood later joined the band as a permanent member.
Fans of Punchline are referred to by the band and themselves as "Punchkids."
Punchline has toured the United States with bands such as Less Than Jake, Hidden In Plain View, Hellogoodbye, Mest, Bayside, Reel Big Fish and Hawthorne Heights. Punchline also went on tour with labelmates Fall Out Boy to Japan. The band embarked on their first headlining tour, "The Now Or Never Tour," in Spring 2005.