Culture 4 min read By Mason Emerson
Riff Wood Channel Green Day and Rob Cavallo on New Album 'Butterfly In Black And White'
The Utah pop-punk trio Riff Wood have released their second album, 'Butterfly In Black And White,' produced by Rob Cavallo, the man behind Green Day's 'Dookie' and 'American Idiot.' The band says the record is about duality and aims to give hope to their generation.
Riff Wood, the pop-punk trio from Davis County, Utah, have released their second album, 'Butterfly In Black And White,' a record that expands their sound while staying true to the Green Day-inspired roots that first brought them together. The band — Carson Groves, Hyrum Russon, and Shredder — worked with producer Rob Cavallo, the longtime Green Day collaborator behind 'Dookie' and 'American Idiot,' as well as Paramore's 'Brand New Eyes' and My Chemical Romance's 'The Black Parade.'
The album's title comes from a serendipitous moment: Groves photographed milk that Russon had spilled before band practice, and the shape resembled a butterfly. After researching the symbolism of a black and white butterfly, they found it represented both good luck and misfortune across different cultures — a perfect fit for a record about duality, positives and negatives.
Musically, 'Butterfly In Black And White' marks a step forward from last year's debut, 'Tough Luck.' While the first album was pure pop-punk, the new collection incorporates broader influences, including Radiohead, The Beatles, The Police, and Van Halen. Shredder credits drummers Tré Cool and Travis Barker as inspirations, while Groves cites the recent Oasis documentary 'Don't Look Back In Anger' as a powerful reminder of music's lasting impact.
The band's origin story is rooted in discovery. They formed after watching the Netflix series 'Julie And The Phantoms,' but it was hearing Green Day's 1994 album 'Dookie' that solidified their direction. «'Basket Case' was the song that got us all into rock music,» Groves said. «It was just so carefree.» Russon added that the album's simplicity made it feel achievable: «It wasn't full of Van Halen-style shredding. It felt like we could do it too.»
That influence remains, but the trio is eager to show growth. «It has the same Green Day-inspired roots as 'Tough Luck,' but hopefully you can also hear that we've moved beyond doing just that,» Shredder explained. Russon noted that their voices have matured, and they've found their own identity: «People will still say we sound like Green Day, but I don't hear it on 'Butterfly In Black And White.'»
Working with Cavallo was a significant endorsement. The producer's résumé includes some of the most defining pop-punk and emo records of the past three decades. For a young band still in their teens, the collaboration represents both a validation and a challenge. The album's sound retains the snotty guitar anthems and snarling teenage attitude of their debut, but with more adventurous chord progressions, time signatures, and lyrical themes.
Riff Wood's ambitions extend beyond music. They speak of wanting to give hope to their generation and make the world a more positive place. «We want to give hope to our generation,» they said, a mission that aligns with the posi-punk spirit. Their recent touring — including their first shows outside Utah and the U.S. — has only strengthened that drive. «It's filled our brains with this drive to share our music with as many people as possible,» Groves said. «Not for clout, but because connecting with fans in that way is such a beautiful thing.»
The band also points to a «rebirth of rock» among Gen Z, a movement they're proud to be part of. With 'Butterfly In Black And White,' Riff Wood are positioning themselves as hopeful torchbearers for a new generation of rock fans, blending the energy of their heroes with a message of resilience and connection.
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