Select Start

Select Start is a Tampa, Florida-based power pop ensemble that emerged in the mid-2000s, carving out a niche within the 'neon pop-punk' movement. Their sound identity is built on a foundation of melodic rock augmented by heavy synth sequencing and chiptune-adjacent textures, a style that anticipated the electronic-heavy direction of the alternative scene in the late 2000s.

The band's lineup, featuring multiple vocalists and a dedicated sequencer/synth player, allowed for a dense, multi-layered live sound that mirrored their polished studio recordings. Their career arc peaked with the release of 'Giving Up on Thinking Clearly' in 2006, an album that solidified their reputation for high-energy, hook-driven songwriting. Culturally, they represent the bridge between the guitar-centric emo-pop of the early 2000s and the synth-heavy 'scenecore' that followed. Critical consensus highlights their technical proficiency in blending organic and digital elements, often citing them as a more musically ambitious alternative to the era's more simplistic pop-punk acts. They are frequently associated with the Florida alternative scene and are a staple for collectors of the 2000s indie-pop and power-pop subgenres.