Surviving in Sacramento as a pop punk band can be tough. Most people write off the genre as an old fad that died hard with the introduction of harder bands to the scene.

So when members of the pop punk foursome A Better Half say they get lots of flack for their sound, it shouldn?t come as any surprise. Bands like theirs aren?t serious about their craft, according to local music snobs.

Well, if that?s true, then why have A Better Half been around for nearly two years, with all signs pointing to their popularity growing in the near future? Why do they sound as well rehearsed and intricate as any hardcore or gruff punk band around today?”We get crap from people when we say we?re pop punk,” said lead singer and guitarist Jarred Casstevens. “So we tell them we?re diet punk.”

Hey, diet punk has all the taste of regular punk, and it?s much better for you.

From the second they hit the stage, their energy and drive pours out and permeates the crowd. Influenced by high-energy punk bands like Green Day, Blink 182 and MXPX, A Better Half doesn?t let up until the last note of the last song is played.Three of the four band members attend Sac State, including drummer Ryan Casstevens, who?s currently a junior year in the Communications Department.

For those who enjoy feel-good punk music that?s easy to dance too, check out A Better Half. They?re continuing to solidify the argument that they?re serious local mainstrays. Not only has their debut LP Cue The Screaming Girls garnered great reviews, they?re about to play the most popular punk rock club in town, The Boardwalk, on Sept 26.

For more information on A Better Half, go to www.abetterhalf.com.