This Is Who We Are Right Now: An Interview With The Jukebox Romantics

By Staff | February 4, 2026

Our fellow Westchester natives The Jukebox Romantics have maintained nearly a two decade career by prioritizing clear communication and a core philosophy of having fun. Now operating as a four-piece ensemble, the group features AJ and James, whose technical skills have fostered creative growth and a more energetic live dynamic. Their upcoming fifth studio album, This One Looks Cool, represents a refined, introspective milestone for the band, reflecting their evolution as they balance family life with a "work smarter" approach to touring. While they view the local punk scene as a blended alternative community, they remain deeply connected to Westchester through hubs like Yonkers Brewery and the 914 collective. Despite their professional growth, the band retains its "never grow up" spirit, a sentiment Terry personally embodies through his tradition of placing a wrestling action figure on his amp to remind him to stay entertained and connected with his audience.

After 17 years and relentless touring, what is the single biggest lesson you've learned about sustainability as a punk rock band in the modern music industry?

Terry: Listening to each other. Communication. Communication with your band members, your wives/girlfriends/jobs. If you communicate your wants/needs/goals and accepting everyone has a life outside the bad, feelings get less hurt and with that remember, why did you start a band? Cause it was fun. If it ain’t fun, don’t do it.

As a prominent band from Westchester, what is your perspective on the current state of the punk scene here? Are there venues, specific local bands, or aspects of the community you feel are crucial to its identity?

I think the punk scene here is basically non-existent. It's just the alternative music scene. The few punkish/hardcoreish bands play together but also with indie bands, metal bands and art-rock bands. And basically that’s the way its always been here. Not super genre specific, but if you’re loud, fast and cool, you play with everyone.

Venues I’d say Yonkers Brewery has really stepped in and up as a main hub for a lot of music, especially since Rob left Lucy’s in Pleasantville. Lucy's was such a rad spot for shows. The 914 collective (we may be biased cause AJ runs it) is crucial to Westchester in general for art/food/and entertainment; it just brings more eyes to the scene as a whole. Saw Mill Tavern in Ardsley, NYHC Comics and the shows Debo the Pro and Lee throw really grow and build the hardcore scene in the area. Heritage Bar in Yonkers has been doing shows. New spot in Croton just opened up too. Can’t think of the name. Green Growler also hosts lots of music and shows. In 2025 we are in a better place for venues then in the past.

You've played iconic festivals like The Fest, Vans Warped Tour, and Pouzza Fest. Is there one specific festival appearance that stands out as a pivotal moment for the band?

We’ve had a lot of memorable festival appearances over the years. The Warped Tours are all a blur of the same thing almost every day like the circus but there were moments here or there. I remember standing on the side stage before that first day on Warped. We were standing in a tent about to walk up the ramp on stage and I remember being like “this was all our collective dream since we were kids, lets go have fun.” It was a pivotal moment in that we had made goals and were actually reaching them with the work and luck that went into it all. 

Since 2020, you've been a four-piece band. How did that restructuring impact your songwriting process and the overall dynamic of your live performance?

As a 4 piece we are able to play the old songs how they were written and allow me to run around and have more fun without worrying about fucking up as much haha. This band has always been a collective so song writing-wise its been a nice growth cause AJ and James are such solid players and writers.

What was the creative vision behind your upcoming 5th studio LP, "This One Looks Cool," and how does it compare to your previous albums, especially the split LP from 2023?

The vision was very much “this is who we are right now in this moment.” We are guys growing as humans, getting married, having kids, finding perspective in the now and reflecting on the past life decisions. This is our best record front to back. As a whole I don’t think any other compares. It’s definitely a grow on you record with every listen you will find a new favorite song. It’s introspective but obtainable by anyone.

Terry has been there since 2008. How has his vision for The Jukebox Romantics evolved over the past decade and a half? 

Same vision: write cool songs. Play cool shows. Make friends. Make memories. Travel. Have fun.

Many of your lyrics carry the message "never grow up." What does that sentiment mean to you personally, and how do you embody it while still managing the business of a touring band?

Growing up means giving up. It’s selling out. Growing older means getting wiser. So just approaching this business wise and touring smarter. Before we would tour 200 days a year and some years half the shows would be bombs. We got our name out there though and made a reputation of being road dogs. Post 2020, we have kids, the touring scene has changed, so we pick and choose a little more these days with what we are gonna do and what makes the most sense for us and our families.

You have a reputation for ferocious and fun live shows. What is the one non-negotiable item or tradition you must have backstage before taking the stage?

Bowl of sugar, pack of filtered Luckys, bottle of kettenfet, 7 towels …. just joking. Not so much non-negotiable but a tradition for me personally is putting a wrestling action figure out on my guitar amp. It reminds me to have fun and entertain when if I’m pushing through or tired at some point during the set. Like the statue JOBU from the movie Major League that Pedro Cerrano praise to before each game. It started with a Stone Cold Steve Austin figure, a John Cena figure, Kurt Angle. Eventually over a years time I give them away to a kid or someone in the crowd who either calls out that there is a toy on my amp, or who looks like they are having a great time.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new band starting out in the punk scene today, knowing everything you know now, what would it be?

If you are trying to make money doing this, you’re playing the wrong genre. Remember why you are playing punk rock, cause its in your soul. You are feeding your soul. Never forget why.

Has anyone in the band ever tried gas station boner pills? What do you think is in them anyway?  

I’m sure Bob Edge did back when he was in the band. I’d say they are filled with caffeine, taurine, cancer, B12, bits of flannel, desperation, and hope.

Anyone you'd like to thank?

Thanks to Sell The Heart Records/Engineer Records for putting out our new record. And thank you to you, for this interview. Much respect!

Bandcamp: https://thejukeboxromantics.bandcamp.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4UswhxcfY15iWhw8d5LRBV

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxromantics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJukeboxRomantics

At Engineer Records: https://www.engineerrecords.com/thejukeboxromantics