It's All in Your Goodbyes: A farewell to Underoath

Band break-ups are inevitable. In-fighting, member changes, or something as simple as growing older and having your priorities change has taken its toll on even the world's biggest bands. The truth is, the only guarantee in music is that the bands you love will eventually break up, go on hiatus, fade out, etc. However, music is a personal connection unlike any other, where favorites are not only selected, but worshiped, obsessed over, and immortalized by their fans. While music is cyclical, with bands, musicians, and ideas being recycled, re-imagined, and diluted year in and year out, there is no denying that certain bands do it better, louder, and differently than anyone before them had ever done. And the world lost one of those bands this week.

Underoath began as a deeply religious metal band in the late 1990s in Tampa, Florida. With Dallas Taylor at the helm as the band's main vocalist and songwriter, the band gained a modest following with their releases Act of Depression and Cries of the Past. The band began to really build momentum when they signed to Solid State Records and released Changing of Times, featuring the hit single "When the Sun Sleeps." However, just before finishing up a stint on Warped Tour and the recording of what was to be their follow-up to Times. Amid rumors of a potential break-up and/or name change, the band emerged from a shroud of doubt with Spencer Chamberlain as their new lead vocalist, and a genre-defining album in (They're Only Chasing Safety). Safety wasn't too far a departure from Times, but showed that the band were progressing at a rate no one could imagine, with hits like "A Boy Brush Red Living in Black and White" and "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door" being played in front of thousands of screaming fans the band had inspired. The progression continued on Define the Great Line, an album that showed Chamberlain's full range and songwriting ability. The songs were darker, heavier, and better. However, constant head-butting between band members led to a less than amicable departure from Warped Tour in 2006 left the band, once again, surrounded in doubt for their future. However, the band emerged once again with a new focus, and an even bigger, heavier sound on Lost in the Sound of Separation. Featuring songs that focused on Chamberlain's battles with drug addiction and the drama that nearly ended the band, Separation was the band's most personal album yet, but it didn't come without its drawbacks. After supporting the album, it was announced that Aaron Gillespie, the band's drummer/vocalist and the lone remaining original member of the band, was leaving to pursue his solo material. The band enlisted former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison, and announced that Spencer Chamberlain would now handle all vocals from the band. The result of this was (Disambiguation), the band's most diverse and talented work. Which leads us to where we are now, in the aftermath of the band announcing its break up.

It's easy to talk about what Underoath has done. It will be far more difficult to gauge the impact the band has had on their fans, the scene, and themselves. If your new favorite band has swoopy haircuts, they're probably ripping off of Underoath's swoopy hair cuts from the days of Chasing Safety. You think today's screamo bands implementing electronic elements to their blend of post-hardcore? Underoath wrote the book. Your favorite band was on an MTV show? Underoath was nominated for a Grammy. Your favorite band had a singer whose issues with alcohol got him booted from the band? Underoath had those, but instead of kicking him out, they nurtured him back to good health, and thanks to their faith in Chamberlain, his lyrics and vocals only improved, and the band soared into the throne of post-hardcore. In a scene where every metalcore band overused the same breakdowns and lyrical themes, Underoath pushed the boundaries with every move they made, being defined by their ability to be creative and progressive rather than their ability to regurgitate the same album twice (or more). In a scene that challenges fans to hate those around them, Underoath sought to help their listeners love themselves, never stooping to profanity-laced lyrics of revenge or hatred, and rather focusing on acceptance and maturing. In a scene where some bands used their Christianity as a ploy for popularity, Underoath used their faith to inspire others not to conform, but to think, and analyze. The band never let their personal issues define them; they used them for inspiration, and became an inspiration for those looking for something to hold onto when things around them were falling apart.

It's true that every band's day will come. But with Underoath announcing that after 13 years of changing the game, I can't help but feel torn. At one end, I'm upset that the band have ended what will likely be a genre-defining career, but on the other hand, it's difficult to see what else the band had left to do. They've inspired and brought hope to millions of fans across the world, turned in two gold-selling albums, two deluxe re-releases of albums, countless hours of bonus live footage, and paved the way for bands like The Devil Wears Prada, Oh, Sleeper, letlive., and countless others to make a name for themselves. Of course, we'll miss the band: Chamberlain's constantly self-examing lyrics, the atmosphere created by keyboardist/mixer/producer Chris Dudley's visual setup in the band's life setting, and his energy onstage, the guitar tandem of Timmy McTague and James Smith that helped power Chamberlain's lyrics into the hearts and souls of fans, the basslines Grant Brandell pummeled into the speakers, headphones, and PA systems, and Davison's drumming, which looked to be a welcome addition to the band. But we'll still have (They're Only Chasing Safety)'s melodic anthems, the powerful, inspiring Define the Great Line, the explosive Lost in the Sound of Separation, and the evolution through experimentation that is Disambiguation. Underoath are icons. Underoath are an inspiration. But most of all, Underoath are one of the bands that changed my life. And so, to Spencer, Chris, Grant, Tim, James, Daniel, Aaron, the band's label, management, crew, and fans, thank you for being one of the biggest parts in my life since I was fifteen years old.

Love,
Donald.

Band of the Week, 9/17: fun.

Who are they?: Formed more out of necessity than curiosity, fun. was only ever mean to be Nate Reuss's creative escape after The Format called it a day. After Aim and Ignite made waves in the indie scene, no one could have predicted the giant leap forward Ruess, guitarist Jack Antonoff (of Steel Train), and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Dost would take on Some Nights, whose mega-hits "We Are Young" and "Some Nights" are the first legitimate ray of hope for rock music in the Top 40 since Fall Out Boy.

Why are they Band of the Week?: In one of the most shocking developments in the music industry in the last five years, Some Nights was certified gold by the RIAA last week. While fun. has already sold millions of singles of "We are Young" and "Some Nights," the gold certification holds quite a bit of weight. The decline of album sales has been well-covered in recent years, and for a band to go from relatively unknown to selling over 500,000 copies of one of the best albums of 2012 is a huge step in the right direction for pop music. We at Keep Calm haven't been this excited about a band who has put in the work to make honest heartfelt music getting major exposure since, well, ever, so we're ecstatic to see where fun. is headed from here. Congratulations to the band, and here's hoping Some Nights goes quadruple platinum (at least)!

What you need to hear: It's kind of cliche to pick the title track, but when it's as good a song as "Some Nights," it's okay to be cliche sometimes.

Band of the Week, 7/30: The Wonder Years

Who they are: Known for their honest, self-examining lyrics and pristine pop-punk musicianship, The Wonder Years are well on their way to becoming one of the cult heroes of the scene. Still finding ways to tour behind 2011's near-perfect album Suburbia: I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing, the band's meteoric rise from sweaty basements to selling out nearly every date of this year's Glamour Kills Tour may still be rising.

Why they're Band of the Week: The band are currently writing the follow-up to Suburbia, just put one of the coolest pieces of merch you'll ever see up for sale, and just in case that wasn't enough, they also were just announced as direct support for Yellowcard's upcoming headlining tour. Tickets for the tour go onsale Friday, and the previous link will provide you with exactly when you need to cancel all of your previous plans and watch one of the best up-and-coming pop-punk acts open up for one of the genre's most influential pioneers. Indeed, it's good to be The Wonder Years right now.

What you need to listen to: While we all patiently wait for more songs to point our fingers violently to while we scream to our hearts' content, let's take a listen to (and look at) one of the band's best songs, "Came Out Swinging." The video was shot by Mitchell Wojcik, who TWY die-hards will recognize as the photographer who recently completed shooting the band for the photobook A Year as a Ghost, which chronicles the band's busy and brilliant past year.

Band of the Week, 6/25- Sparks the Rescue (Exclusive Interview)

Who are they?: Take your dad's Bon Jovi albums, through in your kid sister's Mayday Parade albums, and add a little bit of summer time, and you have Sparks the Rescue. The quintet hailing from Maine have been touring extensively since the release of their 2008 full-length Eyes to the Sun, and are set to self-release a KickStarter-funded EP this July.

Why are they Band of the Week?: Thanks to Eyes to the Sun and 2011's Worst Thing I've been Cursed With (both available on Fearless Records), Sparks the Rescue has become one of the best summertime pop-rock acts around. Whether it's frontman Alex Roy's soaring hooks and choruses or the dueling guitars from Toby McCalister and Mike Naran, there's just something about songs like "Saturday Skin" and "My Heart Radio" that beg you to roll the windows down and sing into your steering wheel on the way to the beach. And since last Wednesday was the first day of Summer, there's no better band to kick off a road trup with than Sparks the Rescue. 

What you need to hear: Usually, we post a song you should check out, but this week, that's not the case. Instead, you can check out an exclusive interview Keep Calm and Carry On did with the band at The Stanhope House stop of the Surrender Your Booty Tour the band is currently headlining! Enjoy!

AND, just because we're all about giving you more music to listen to, here's a video of the band performing "Autumn" (one of the best tracks on Eyes to the Sun) at The Stanhope House!

Band of the Week, 6/11: The Early November

Who they are: The Early November are among a select group of bands within the emo genre who need no introduction. But to be safe, here we go. The band took off in the early part of the 00's, most notably after the release of their full-length The Room's Too Cold. 2006's The Mother, The Mechanic, The Path, a triple-disc affair that saw the band's demise shortly afterwards, leaving behind a short-lived legacy most bands would dream of attaining, and thousands of fans wondering what could have been.

Why they're Band of the Week: They're back. The emo powerhouse that once was has returned with In Currents, their new album to be released on July 10 through Rise Records. With a new album to promote after a lengthy time out of the limelight, the band were hard at work for the winter on what will be the make-or-break album of their reunion. Fear not, however: if there's any band that can shake off the rust and pick up right where they left off, it's The Early November.

What you need to listen to: Check out the first fully mastered song the band have released to promote In Currents, "Frayed In Doubt:"

Band of the Week, 5/14: Against Me!

Who they are: Against Me! are a punk rock band from Florida. They've been around since the 90s (and some of you weren't even around back then), and have found a way to stay relevant in the punk scene, and are celebrating their fifteenth year of existence in 2012. With a new album titled Transgender Dysphoria Blues in the works, it looks as if they're looking to add a few more years to their career.

Why they're Band of the Week: For reasons completely unrelated to music, to be blunt. If you picked up or received a copy of last week's Rolling Stone (if you haven't, it's available anywhere magazines are sold), you've already read the news that the band's guitarist/lead vocalist/frontman Tom Gabel has come out as a transgender, and has begun the process of becoming a woman. While the news is jarring, there is no way to not talk about it. There are so many different opinions on the matter that have been expressed, but I think the one most fitting for a situation like this is respect. Very few people on this earth know what Laura Grace (the name Gabel will adopt under her new identity) has gone through throughout her life, and therefore, the only thing those who do not know her personally can feel is respect for the life-defining decision she is making. One of the  building blocks of this nation has been the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (it's in the Declaration of Independence). This is Laura Grace's liberty to change her life in order to continue her pursuit of happiness. Let's all just respect that, okay?

With a decision like this  being made, the question that undoubtedly crosses people's minds is "What happens to the band now?" Without breaking stride, the article (which you really, really need to read) states that the band has already decided (as if they had to in the first place) that they will continue on with Grace. It was likely a simple decision, but one that many Against Me! fans will sleep easier knowing the ease of which it was made. As I said earlier, this has been a jarring piece of news to come out, and all parties have handled  it with incredible professionalism and courage. If you're a fan of Against Me!, punk music, or music in general, it is highly recommended that you read the article in the newest edition of Rolling Stone. It will be, without doubt, one of the most important stories in rock music this year, and possibly in years to come. Best of luck, Laura.

Band of the Week, 4/30- Chiodos

Who they are: Chiodos is/was/is again a six-piece band from Michigan that quietly stormed the screamo castle and took the scene by storm in the mid-00s, releasing two albums: All's Well that Ends Well and Bone Palace Ballet. The band was in such high demand that both of their first two full-lengths saw re-releases with bonus tracks and DVDs, and much of that fame came from their well-known and embattled frontman, Craig Owens. After Bone Palace Ballet debuted at #5 on the Billboard top albums chart in its first week of release, the band seemed poised to become the next scene superstars. However, after an apparent suicide attempt and constantly working on other projects, the band became fed up with Owens's antics, and kick him out of the band. The rest of the band (keyboardist Brad Bell, guitarists Jason Hale and Pat McMannaman, bassist Matt Goddard, and former Scary Kids Scaring Kids drummer Tanner Wayne) enlisted Brendan Bolmer and recorded their third full-length Illuminaudio, which was released in 2010. Owens kept busy as always, forming the supergroup Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows with Matt Good (from first to last), Nick Martin (Underminded), Aaron Stern (Matchbook Romance) and Adam Russel (Story of the Year), and the group released a self-title full-length album. Then, with both bands that were left in the wake of the Chiodos-Owens split not living up to the hype, the unthinkable happened a few days ago.

Why they're Band of the Week: Just a few days ago, Chiodos updated their website showing that Criag Owens has indeed reunited with the band. While very little details have been released as to what this reunion will entail, Sunday, September 16 should stick in fans' minds, as it was teased in the video to be of some importance (in the video, Owens is fiddling with his iPad, and the camera shows a shot of the iPad with that date open in the calendar app). Regardless of how, why, or when it will happen, Chiodos and Craig Owens, who were once the fastest-rising band in the scene, are back for another go at it, and if they can recapture the momentum that they built along the way before Owens's sudden departure, this is going to be one of the biggest news stories of 2012.

What you need to hear: Now that this group of friends has been reunited, it only seems fitting that we highlight one of the definitive tracks from All's Well that Ends Well: "The Words 'Best Friend' Become Redefined".

Band of the Week, 4/16: The Gaslight Anthem

Who they are: Hailing from the same New Jersey shore town that sparked Bruse Springsteen to stardom, it's hard to listen to The Gaslight Anthem and not hear how big an influence The Boss has had on the band. From the heartfelt lyrics that tell the story of the American everyman Springsteen became known for to the underground punk influence that bleeds through from the band's earlier days, The Gaslight Anthem have come from the quiet shorelines to become one of the most unique acts in rock today.

Why they're Band of the Week: On top of the fact that the band have finished their new album, which is perfectly slated for a summer release, TGA were just announced as the Special Guest for Sunday, May 20 of The Bamboozle Festival, marking their homecoming to the place that started it all. The Bamboozle was already a must-see festival in 2012, and now the announcement of The Gaslight Anthem taking to the stage in their own backyard brings the term "back to Asbury" a whole new meaning. There are a lot of great bands playing at The Bamboozle this May, but make no mistake: The Gaslight Anthem should be one of the bands you need to see.

What you need to hear: The band's 2nd full-length, The 59 Sound, is just about flawless. Checkout the video for the title track below!

Band of the Week, 4/2: Armor for Sleep

Who they are: Armor for Sleep are a four-piece emo band that released 3 full lengths (Dream to Make Believe, What to do when You are Dead, and Smile for Them) before disbanding in 2009. The band didn't let the restrictions of the emo genre define them, however, creating hard-rocking tracks with soaring radio-ready choruses. The band seemed poised to break through to the mainstream with the release of Smile for Them on Sire Records in 2007, but after a year of inactive touring due to an overall frustration with the way things were going, the band called it quits in 2009.

Why they're Band of the Week: The band announce earlier this afternoon that they will be reuniting for a one-off show at this year's Bamboozle Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The band cite the lack of a formal "farewell" from music as inspiration for coming back to Bamboozle for one last set. The band played the Skate and Surf Festival (back when that existed), which was also held in Asbury Park, where the Bamboozle was originally held, so the Festival's return to the shore also brings back one of the bands who began to build their careers there. Brace yourself, Bamboozle's about to get all nostalgic on us this May, and Armor for Sleep is just the start.

What you need to hear: This track was one of the first 20 submissions to Keep Calm and Carry On's "Emo Hall of Fame," the dark, brooding "Car Underwater." Check out the video below!

Band of the Week 3/26: Balance And Composure

Who they are: Balance and Composure is a moody, alternative rock group from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The five-piece outfit features 3 guitarists, a feature that allows them to explode forth from speakers with a venerable onslaught of powerful chords, emotive vocals and dynamic tones. Balance and Composure is talented and creative enough to be the next Brand New. And just like Brand New, the band has its share of defining lyrical moments. A fan of the genre has not lived until they are shouting “I tore you apart in my head/ locked up in my room again,” at the top of their lungs. Friends of the band have also said that the band has created their own genre, which can be described in one word: “sad”.

Why they are Band of the Week: Aside from releasing one of the top 10 records of last year in Seperation (actually coming in at #5 on Keep Calm and Carry On’s albums of the year list), the band is also having a very busy Spring. They are main support on La Dispute’s Spring 2012 headlining tour, which also features Sainthood Reps and All Get Out. The tour kicked off Saturday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It rolls through Philadelphia on April 28, with a show at the Union Transfer. They’re also releasing an acoustic 7-inch on April 24 which features acoustic renditions of three of the songs from Seperation: “Seperation”, “Stonehands”, and “More to Me” (you can find the album artwork for this release at the top of this post).

What you need to hear: The standout track from their critically praised debut Seperation is easily “I Tore You Apart in My Head”. The ultimate display of the fury and power of vocalist Jon Simmons and the best angry sing-along song of 2011: “I tore you apart in my head locked up in my room again / Fuck what you told me, it all leads to smoking / alone in my room in the end.”

Band of the Week, 3/19: The Story So Far

Who they are: The Story So Far are one of the best new pop-punk bands around, to say the very least. A young, talented five-piece from California, the band are as good at writing hooks as they are at their music, and one listen to "Quicksand" or "Daughters" will tell you the boys are not too fond of the opposite sex. Regardless,  the band have become one of the best kept-secrets in pop-punk.

Why they're Band of the Week: Aside from being a band taking their name from a New Found Glory song that actually play pop-punk (let's be honest: the only thing All Time Low have become is a punchline to your favorite "awful music" jokes), the band have set themselves up to gain a lot more notoriety in 2012. Currently on a supporting slot of the Glamour Kills Tour with The Wonder Years, Polar Bear Club, Transit, and Into It. Over It./A Loss for Words, the band also recently tweeted that they will be on all three days of The Bamboozle Festival, and released a video for their song "Roam" over the weekend. There's no doubt that The Story So Far have the talent to be big, and with all of these great things going for the band, the only question that remains is, how high can they climb?

What you need to hear: I would say "Roam," because of the video release (which you can watch here), or any song from their highly-regarded debut Under Soil and Dirt, but a song I've been listening to a lot lately has been "High Regard." Relentless energy, great, stinging lyrics, and a big-time chorus: pop-punk doesn't get much simpler. Or much better.

Band of the Week, 3/12: Moving Mountains

Who They Are:  Moving Mountains is a post-rock/post-hardcore band from Purchase, New York. Though Moving Mountains has only released two full-lengths since their 2005 inception (a date referenced in their song title “8105”), they have still undergone a radical shift in their sound between albums. Their 2007 debut, Pnuema, was self-released (it was later re-released by Deep Elm Records). It gained critical acclaim in the indie-rock and post-rock communities, with many claiming that Moving Mountains was the next Appleseed Cast. They released an EP, Foreword, which marked their first change in style, to a decided more instrumental/post-rock direction (three of the songs stretch over 9 minutes on the album). However, that sound did not stick with the band for long, as their 2011 sophomore full-length, Waves, featured a much heavier, post hardcore meets ambient sound a la the later Thrice albums. Moving Mountains acknowledged this stylistic shift by agreeing to open for Thrice on their tour with La Dispute last fall.

Why Are They BOTW: Moving Mountains is a band that keeps reinventing and innovating as a group in such a way that their music never grows stale to the listener. One of the ways they’re attempting to do that this year is by releasing an EP on April 24, entitled New Light, on which they will be reworking 2 songs off each of their full-lengths (“8105” and “Ode We Will Bury Ourselves” from Pnuema, and “Alleviate” and “Where Two Bodies Lie” from Waves) into acoustic tracks. They will also be embarking on a short March tour of the Northeast, including a date at The Stanhope House in Stanhope, NJ on March 18. The Stanhope House show will be the first that Don and I purposely attend together during my time at Keep Calm and Carry On. Moving Mountains also has a tour lined up of the Southeast and Midwest United States opening for Coheed and Cambria in late April and early May.

What You Need To Hear: I was at first going to pick “Ode Will Will Bury Ourselves” from Pnuema, which is as perfect an album closer as they come, but I decided instead to feature one of the singles from their 2011 album Waves, “The Cascade.” The combination of the music and the music video directed by Christian Sorensen Hansen is uniquely impactful. However, Moving Mountains albums are especially expressive if taken as a whole (for example, this song features an outro that meanders perfectly into the intro of “Once Rendering”).

 

-Craig Ismaili

Band of the Week, 3/5: Cartel

Who They Are: Cartel is a pop-rock outfit hailing from Georgia. By now, you've probably heard either "Honestly" or "Say Anything (Else)" from their debut album Chroma, but give that album a proper listen, and you'll understand how big this band could have been, had it not been for the "Debacle in the Bubble" fiasco that was their self-titled sophomore album. Nevertheless, the band have pressed onward after flirting with fame, and in 2009, they put together one of the great pop-rock albums in the last five years.

Why They're BotW: Pop-rock melodies are a dime a dozen, but vocalist/guitarist Will Pugh and the gang have found their niche to be catchy without being over-produced, and that's a rarity these days. You may list bands like All Time Low, Every Avenue, or Mayday Parade as your favorite band, but chances are, all three of those bands (and about a bazillion more) have taken a page or two from Cartel's book. The living legends of pop-rock have survived the one-hit wonder syndrome, and are set to release new music this year. You can catch them on tour with Set Your Goals, Hit the Lights, Fireworks, and Mixtapes this Spring, and tour dates can be found here.

What You Need to Hear: I'd put one of the two monster singles on here, but that would defeat the purpose of exposing just how good Cartel really is. Instead, I'll leave you with an absolute gem from the criminally underrated Cycles, "27 Steps":

This will be the first of hopefully a long line of bands you need to pay attention to. Cartel's been around for a while now, but they seem to have fallen by the wayside for a bunch of people, and that needs to change. Take a listen to Cycles today, and let's get Cartel back to where they belong: on the throne of the pop-rock scene.

-Donald.