Fast Times at Barrington High
Encyclopedia
Fast Times at Barrington High is the third and final studio album
by American
rock
band The Academy Is...
, released in August 2008. It was produced by S*A*M and Sluggo. The title refers to the high school William Beckett
and Adam Siska went to, and a play on the title of the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High
. The album cover photo was taken by William Beckett's sister, Courtney Beckett, and shows William sitting on a couch with Naomi, a friend of the band.
Pete Wentz posted a blog on his website, saying that he heard the demos for the new album and called them, "Mind blowing. Miles away from where they were." The first single off the album is "About a Girl
", which was released on July 15, 2008. Collaborations include Andrew McMahon
from Jack's Mannequin
; Gabe Saporta
, Ryland Blackinton
and Alex Suarez
from Cobra Starship
; and Mason Musso and Blake Healy from Metro Station
.
The album sold 35,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 17 on the Billboard 200.
It was named the 46th best album of 2008 by Rolling Stone
.
The band performed "About a Girl" and "Summer Hair = Forever Young" on the Vans
Warped Tour
and their Australia
n tour with Panic! at the Disco
and Cobra Starship. Hot Topic
released two new The Academy Is... t-shirts, one of which comes with a code for the free download of an acoustic version of "His Girl Friday".
iTunes
bonus tracks:
Hot Topic
bonus track:
7" vinyl bonus track:
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American
Music of the United States
The music of the United States reflects the country's multi-ethnic population through a diverse array of styles. Among the country's most internationally-renowned genres are hip hop, blues, country, rhythm and blues, jazz, barbershop, pop, techno, and rock and roll. The United States has the...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band The Academy Is...
The Academy Is...
The Academy Is... was an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2003. Before dispersing, they were signed by the Decaydance imprint of the Fueled by Ramen label. They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004 to avoid legal complications with other...
, released in August 2008. It was produced by S*A*M and Sluggo. The title refers to the high school William Beckett
William Beckett (singer)
,William Eugene Beckett Jr. was the lead singer of the band The Academy Is... , who were signed to Atlantic Records/Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance Records. While still in high school in 2002, Beckett and guitarist Mike Carden came together from rival bands in Chicago to form The Academy Is......
and Adam Siska went to, and a play on the title of the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written by Cameron Crowe and adapted from his 1981 book of the same name...
. The album cover photo was taken by William Beckett's sister, Courtney Beckett, and shows William sitting on a couch with Naomi, a friend of the band.
Pete Wentz posted a blog on his website, saying that he heard the demos for the new album and called them, "Mind blowing. Miles away from where they were." The first single off the album is "About a Girl
About a Girl (The Academy Is song)
"About a Girl" is the first single by The Academy Is... from their third studio album, Fast Times at Barrington High. The single reached the pop charts at #88, making it the band's first charting single and this song was ranked #74 on MTV latinoamerica list of the Top 100 Hits of 2008. This song...
", which was released on July 15, 2008. Collaborations include Andrew McMahon
Andrew McMahon
Andrew Ross McMahon is a singer/songwriter. He is the vocalist, pianist and primary songwriter for the bands Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin; he also performs solo.-Early life:...
from Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin is an American rock band formed in 2004, originally hailing from Orange County, California. The band began as a side project of Andrew McMahon, the frontman for Something Corporate, and is composed of guitarist Bobby Anderson, bassist Mikey "The Kid" Wagner, and drummer Jay...
; Gabe Saporta
Gabe Saporta
Gabriel Eduardo "Gabe" Saporta is the lead singer and primary creative force behind the synthpop band Cobra Starship. He was previously the lead singer, bassist, and lyricist for the pop punk band Midtown....
, Ryland Blackinton
Ryland Blackinton
Ryland Blackinton is the lead guitarist for the band Cobra Starship. He is from Wilmington MA, but was born in South Kingstown Rhode Island on March 31, 1982. Before joining Cobra Starship, Ryland, along with high school best friend Alex Suarez formed the folk/pop duo This Is Ivy League...
and Alex Suarez
Alex Suarez
Alex Suarez is the bass player and additional keyboardist and vocalist for Cobra Starship as well as co-founder of This is Ivy League, a band created with fellow Cobra Starship member and high school best friend Ryland Blackinton.-Early life:...
from Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship is an American synthpop band created by former Midtown bassist and lead vocalist Gabe Saporta in 2003 in New York City, New York...
; and Mason Musso and Blake Healy from Metro Station
Metro Station (band)
Metro Station is an American pop rock band that formed in Los Angeles by Mason Musso and Trace Cyrus. In late 2006, the band signed a recording contract with Columbia/Red Ink. They are best known for their Top 10 Billboard hit single "Shake It" from their self-titled debut album...
.
The album sold 35,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 17 on the Billboard 200.
It was named the 46th best album of 2008 by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
.
Promotion
The Academy Is... held a contest for releasing new tracks, email addresses were entered on a page off the main website page and 8 winners were selected at random to receive a song off the album and also a call from the band and a free signed copy of Fast Times at Barrington High. The contest winners were encouraged to post the songs over the internet and the winner with the most song listens would receive a special unknown prize.The band performed "About a Girl" and "Summer Hair = Forever Young" on the Vans
Vans
Vans is an American based manufacturer of sneakers, skateboarding shoes, BMX shoes, snowboarding boots and other shoe types.- History :On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, brothers Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, and three other partners opened up their first store...
Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and their Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n tour with Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
and Cobra Starship. Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
released two new The Academy Is... t-shirts, one of which comes with a code for the free download of an acoustic version of "His Girl Friday".
Track listing
- Tracks 1-6 co-written with S*A*M and Sluggo.
- "About a GirlAbout a Girl (The Academy Is song)"About a Girl" is the first single by The Academy Is... from their third studio album, Fast Times at Barrington High. The single reached the pop charts at #88, making it the band's first charting single and this song was ranked #74 on MTV latinoamerica list of the Top 100 Hits of 2008. This song...
" – 3:30 - "Summer Hair = Forever Young" – 3:39
- "His Girl Friday" – 3:41
- "The Test" – 3:29
- "Rumored Nights" – 3:45
- "Automatic Eyes" – 3:26
- "Crowded Room" – 3:07
- "Coppertone" – 3:18
- "After the Last Midtown Show" – 5:13
- "Beware! Cougar!" – 3:38
- "Paper Chase" – 3:30
- "One More Weekend" – 3:43
iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
bonus tracks:
- "Every Burden Has a Version" – 4:08
- "Sodium" – 3:46
- "About a Girl" (Acoustic version) – 3:22
Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
bonus track:
- "His Girl Friday" (Acoustic version) – 3:42
7" vinyl bonus track:
- "Tokyo Bay" – 2:59
Release history
| Country | Release date |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | August 18, 2008 |
| United Kingdom | |
| United States | August 19, 2008 |
| Australia | August 23, 2008 |
Chart positions
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | 17 |
| Rock Albums | 5 |
| Digital Albums | 17 |
| Alternative Albums | 5 |
Contributions
- Gabe SaportaGabe SaportaGabriel Eduardo "Gabe" Saporta is the lead singer and primary creative force behind the synthpop band Cobra Starship. He was previously the lead singer, bassist, and lyricist for the pop punk band Midtown....
(Cobra StarshipCobra StarshipCobra Starship is an American synthpop band created by former Midtown bassist and lead vocalist Gabe Saporta in 2003 in New York City, New York...
) - Additional vocals on "Crowded Room". - Mason Musso (Metro StationMetro Station (band)Metro Station is an American pop rock band that formed in Los Angeles by Mason Musso and Trace Cyrus. In late 2006, the band signed a recording contract with Columbia/Red Ink. They are best known for their Top 10 Billboard hit single "Shake It" from their self-titled debut album...
) - Additional vocals on "Crowded Room". - Andrew McMahonAndrew McMahonAndrew Ross McMahon is a singer/songwriter. He is the vocalist, pianist and primary songwriter for the bands Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin; he also performs solo.-Early life:...
(Jack's MannequinJack's MannequinJack's Mannequin is an American rock band formed in 2004, originally hailing from Orange County, California. The band began as a side project of Andrew McMahon, the frontman for Something Corporate, and is composed of guitarist Bobby Anderson, bassist Mikey "The Kid" Wagner, and drummer Jay...
& Something CorporateSomething CorporateSomething Corporate is an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their current line-up includes pianist and vocalist Andrew McMahon, guitarist Josh Partington, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland....
) - Piano on "After the Last Midtown Show". - Ryland BlackintonRyland BlackintonRyland Blackinton is the lead guitarist for the band Cobra Starship. He is from Wilmington MA, but was born in South Kingstown Rhode Island on March 31, 1982. Before joining Cobra Starship, Ryland, along with high school best friend Alex Suarez formed the folk/pop duo This Is Ivy League...
(Cobra Starship) - Additional vocals on "About a GirlAbout a Girl (The Academy Is song)"About a Girl" is the first single by The Academy Is... from their third studio album, Fast Times at Barrington High. The single reached the pop charts at #88, making it the band's first charting single and this song was ranked #74 on MTV latinoamerica list of the Top 100 Hits of 2008. This song...
". - Alex SuarezAlex SuarezAlex Suarez is the bass player and additional keyboardist and vocalist for Cobra Starship as well as co-founder of This is Ivy League, a band created with fellow Cobra Starship member and high school best friend Ryland Blackinton.-Early life:...
(Cobra Starship) - Additional vocals on "His Girl Friday". - Blake Healy (Metro Station) - Piano on "His Girl Friday" and "Summer Hair = Forever Young".