Victor Alvarez of Awkward Age plays the Hold Tight House on March 5, 2011/Photo by: Nicole Kibert

By our count, Tampa-based pop-punk trio Awkward Age have been in existence for less than a year.  They haven’t even played twenty shows yet, but don’t look to be losing any steam.  They released their first piece of recorded material — a self-titled, four-song demo — in June, and if Awkward Age proves anything, it’s that being DIY doesn’t mean your demos have to sound like shit.

The effort clocks in at well under ten minutes, but every second of the release is polished and oozes a very apparent respect for the ultra-melodic, power-chord driven punk of the early 2000′s.  And while you may think that you’re over that whole scene, consider the fact that the boys are all as old as your are.  What’s more is that singer/bassist Victor Alvarez and his bandmates all worship Taco Bus.  If that’s not enough to get you to join the ranks, then have a listen to said demo, which is streaming below.  If you like what you hear, then grab a free download here.

Awkward Age – Awkward Age [Demo]
01. New Teen Fiction
02. It Never Stops
03. Lucky Man
04. Jamies A Wreck