Max Bemis
Encyclopedia
Max Bemis is the lead singer and primary lyricist of the band Say Anything
. He is also co singer along side Chris Conley
of the supergroup
Two Tongues
, which features members from Say Anything and Saves the Day
.
on April 6, 1984. His family moved to Hollywood, California when he was a child. He had minor roles in some films due to his father's work in Hollywood, including an uncredited role as an altar-boy in Face/Off
. Bemis took piano lessons which he credits for the realization that he wanted to make music.
In addition, Bemis was raised "in a strong Jewish environment," which has influenced his music. His maternal grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust, which was the inspiration for the song, "Alive With the Glory of Love
."
Bemis attended high school at Windward School
, a private school in Los Angeles
.
He had also attended Camp Ramah
in Ojai, California
, where he met future band-mate Coby Linder
.
In 2000, Bemis, Linder, and friends from Windward and Beverly Hills High School
formed Say Anything
.
The band was described as a high school band, but they released a full-length LP and an EP. In 2002, Bemis attended Sarah Lawrence College
. However, he spent much of his time recording his own music and left the school after only a few months.
as well as a founding member of the band. He and Linder are the only two original members remaining in the band. In 2000, Say Anything released Junior Varsity. The band released its debut full-length album, Baseball, in 2001. Despite attending Sarah Lawrence College
for a short time, Bemis kept the band alive, performing much if not all of the music that went into Menorah/Majora and the band's dormroom demos.
Say Anything released ...Is a Real Boy
in 2004. Bemis performed the vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboard parts for the album. After the album's release, the band went through a rocky period lasting over a year due to Bemis's mental health. The band canceled at least two tours and lost several members. By 2007 however, after going through rehab, Say Anything and Bemis got back on track with co-headlining tours with Saves the Day and Hellogoodbye
. In 2007, the band released In Defense of the Genre
, on which Bemis sang lead vocals and played guitar and keyboard.
Say Anything recorded a single called "Hate Everyone
" which now has a music video.
Say Anything's self-titled album
was released November 3, 2009.
On November 5, 2010 at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Max announced there will be another Say Anything album.
, Say Anything band members Max Bemis and Coby Linder
worked with Saves the Day
's Chris Conley
and David Soloway on a side project named Two Tongues
.
The new group will have Bemis and Conley sharing the lead vocals
and guitar
duties while Soloway is on bass
and Linder on drums
. Thirteen songs were recorded in Electric Ladybug Studio, Conley's home studio in Chico, California
.
Bemis, Conley, and Linder have previously collaborated on a cover song of Bob Dylan
's "The Man In Me
" for the compilation album Paupers, Peasants, Princes & Kings: The Songs of Bob Dylan released by Doghouse Records
in 2006.
On November 7, 2008, a release date of February 3, 2009, was announced for the self-produced, self-titled, thirteen-track collaboration
on Vagrant Records
.
In fall of 2010, Two Tongues
made their first performances as a surprise in the middle of Say Anything
's set each night of the Motion City Soundtrack
, Say Anything
, and Saves the Day
tour. They performed the song "Crawl". Arun Bali (current guitarist of Saves the Day
) played guitar, Kenny Vasoli
(of The Starting Line
, and Person L
) played bass, Jake Turner (of Say Anything
) played guitar as well, Coby Linder
played drums, while Chris Conley
, and Max Bemis sang.
on "Inhabit," a song from the band's Reality's Coming Through CD.
In 2005, Bemis had a small part on "Ready" from The Starting Line
's Based on a True Story
.
Bemis worked with Armor for Sleep
on a cover of "Today" for a 2008 The Smashing Pumpkins
tribute CD entitled The Killer in You
.
In 2007, performs in two songs, "Maxim and the Headphone Life" and "Regional Community Theater," on LadybiRdS' debut album, Regional Community Theater.
Bemis sang along with Shawn Harris (The Matches
) and Rachel Minton
(Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer
) on "Hello Helicopter" and "Point Of Extinction" of Motion City Soundtrack
's Even if it Kills Me
.
New Found Glory
's From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II
and Down to Earth Approach's Come Back to You also featured guest vocals by Bemis on the songs "Crazy for You" and "See You," respectively.
In 2008, Bemis sang vocals on Nightbeast's Inside Jokes for Outside Folks. Also, Forgive Durden
's second album Razia's Shadow featured Bemis as Barayas the Spider in "The Spider and the Lamps."
Bemis also appeared on the opening track of You, Me, and Everyone We Know
's 2008 sophomore EP, So Young, So Insane
, entitled "I Can Get Back Up Now".
In August 2008 Bemis announced that he would be recording unique songs for individual fans written on their requested topics as a part of a project he hoped would decrease the growing gap between artists and fans. http://www.stereocache.com/2008/08/03/max-bemis-of-say-anything-explores-music-couture/
Bemis announced in September 2009 that he and his wife, Sherri, were working on a small project that "became something even cooler". They created a side project called Perma. Limited edition CDs will be sold on the fall promo tour of the self-titled "Say Anything," each copy including a hand drawn cover by Max or Sherri.
Bemis and Say Anything were also featured on the Punk Goes Crunk
album with their cover of Ol' Dirty Bastard
's "Got Your Money
".
Bemis announced in late September 2010 that he had wrote and recorded a 10 song album of acoustic songs that he called Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
. Bemis stressed that this release was not an official solo record, but a collection of songs he had written that he was proud of and wanted to share with Say Anything fans. The disc can only be found and purchased by going to one of the show dates of Say Anythings tour with Saves The Day and Motion City Soundtrack October through November 2010.
On his Twitter in mid-November 2010, Bemis announced, "There WILL be a second Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
record sold next year at a very special SA event that I can't reveal yet.... ", confirming that there will be a second Painful Splits record. It was later revealed that this event was to be a Max Bemis' solo tour. This tour is set to happen in February 2011. Max is set to tour ten different venues, beginning on the 11th and finishing on the 26th.
.
Around this time, Bemis' mental health problems began to surface.
"I literally lost my mind while we were recording," stated Bemis regarding the breakdown.
Heavy marijuana use, anxiety caused by recording and writing the album, and what would later be diagnosed as bipolar disorder
landed him in a mental institution.
The breakdown centered around a mockumentary
discussed by Bemis and producer Tim O'Heir.
Bemis' state of mind led him to believe he was being secretly filmed for the mockumentary; the situation culminated in him walking the streets of Brooklyn thinking he was being filmed while encountering friends (who were actually strangers).
Bemis' health problems continued into 2005.
While touring with Armor for Sleep
and Recover
, Say Anything's management firm had Zyprexa delivered to Bemis daily.
However, this did not work as Bemis began substituting Zyprexa with other drugs, which began to occupy an increasingly focal position in Bemis' life.
In June 2005, Say Anything was forced to cancel a six-week headlining tour with Circa Survive
and Emanuel
on the third day of the tour due to Bemis' health problems, including full-on paranoid delusions in Austin, Texas
.
He moved back home to California and was cared for by his mother, Shifra.
On October 3, 2005, Bemis had another breakdown; this time, it involved harassing children, spitting out food at an outdoor cafe, spending a "half-hour pouring a bowl of soup onto the floor, one spoonful at a time," engaging in a street fight, and finally being admitted to a mental hospital by an off-duty policeman.
This incident forced Say Anything to cancel their tour with Saves the Day
, Senses Fail
and The Early November
.
After returning from his stay in the hospital, Bemis' mother and the remaining members of the band selected the Menninger clinic
in Houston, Texas
, to rehabilitate Bemis. Eventually, Bemis improved and he has reportedly not had a relapse since.
On April 4, 2009, Bemis married Sherri DuPree
of the band Eisley
and now resides in Tyler, Texas
.
Max's current religious beliefs have changed as his relationship grew with his Christian wife, Sherri. Say Anything drummer Coby Linder
has said that Max is now a Christian, a fact that Max confirmed in a Myspace
Music interview. He later clarified in a live chat on Absolutepunk.net that he doesn't like to label himself in any specific religious sect and that he has a "new age, metaphysical view" about religion. He said he considers himself "A Jew who is also a Christian," in other words, someone who has recently delved spiritually into certain beliefs of Christianity but who remains culturally Jewish and very much attached to his Judaism. This is similar to Messianic Judaism
. He again identified himself as being Jewish in an online fan chat during The Bamboozle
fest in 2010.
Say Anything (band)
Say Anything is an American indie-punk band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Max Bemis. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.In...
. He is also co singer along side Chris Conley
Chris Conley
Christopher Lane Conley is an American musician and songwriter/composer, and the lead-singer/rhythm guitarist in Saves the Day...
of the supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
Two Tongues
Two Tongues
Two Tongues is an indie rock side project/supergroup consisting of members of Saves The Day and Say Anything. The band consists of Max Bemis and Coby Linder of Say Anything, along with Chris Conley of Saves the Day and former guitarist of Saves the Day David Soloway.-History:Before forming Two...
, which features members from Say Anything and Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
.
The Early Years
Max Bemis was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on April 6, 1984. His family moved to Hollywood, California when he was a child. He had minor roles in some films due to his father's work in Hollywood, including an uncredited role as an altar-boy in Face/Off
Face/Off
Face/Off is a 1997 action thriller film directed by John Woo, starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. The two both play an FBI agent and a terrorist, sworn enemies who assume the physical appearance of one another....
. Bemis took piano lessons which he credits for the realization that he wanted to make music.
In addition, Bemis was raised "in a strong Jewish environment," which has influenced his music. His maternal grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust, which was the inspiration for the song, "Alive With the Glory of Love
Alive with the Glory of Love
"Alive with the Glory of Love" is the first single off of Say Anything's second album ...Is a Real Boy. The song was a hit for the band, charting at number twenty-eight on the Alternative Songs chart.-Song meaning:...
."
Bemis attended high school at Windward School
Windward School
Windward School is an independent school in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It was founded by writer/teacher Shirley Windward in 1971...
, a private school in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
He had also attended Camp Ramah
Camp Ramah
Camp Ramah is a network of Jewish summer camps affiliated with the Conservative Movement. The camps operate in the United States, Canada, and Israel. Ramah camps serve kosher food and are Shabbat-observant.-History:...
in Ojai, California
Ojai, California
Ojai is a city in Ventura County, California, USA. It is situated in the Ojai Valley , surrounded by hills and mountains. The population was 7,461 at the 2010 census, down from 7,862 at the 2000 census.-History:Chumash Indians were the early inhabitants of the valley...
, where he met future band-mate Coby Linder
Coby Linder
Jacob "Coby" Linder in Skokie, Illinois is best known as the drummer of the band Say Anything. He lists his influences as Travis Barker, Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, and Bryan Newman. According to Say Anything's website, his favorite genres include emo, "death-core...
.
In 2000, Bemis, Linder, and friends from Windward and Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School is the only major public high school in Beverly Hills, California. Beverly is part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District and located on on the west side of Beverly Hills, at the...
formed Say Anything
Say Anything (band)
Say Anything is an American indie-punk band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Max Bemis. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.In...
.
The band was described as a high school band, but they released a full-length LP and an EP. In 2002, Bemis attended Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
. However, he spent much of his time recording his own music and left the school after only a few months.
Say Anything
Bemis is the lead singer and primary lyricist of Say AnythingSay Anything (band)
Say Anything is an American indie-punk band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Max Bemis. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.In...
as well as a founding member of the band. He and Linder are the only two original members remaining in the band. In 2000, Say Anything released Junior Varsity. The band released its debut full-length album, Baseball, in 2001. Despite attending Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
for a short time, Bemis kept the band alive, performing much if not all of the music that went into Menorah/Majora and the band's dormroom demos.
Say Anything released ...Is a Real Boy
...Is a Real Boy
...Is a Real Boy is the second full-length release by Say Anything.-Recording and release:After signing with the label, Bemis began writing songs for his band's Doghouse debut. With tremendous self-created pressure, he threw himself into pushing the sonic boundaries of the band and maturing their...
in 2004. Bemis performed the vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboard parts for the album. After the album's release, the band went through a rocky period lasting over a year due to Bemis's mental health. The band canceled at least two tours and lost several members. By 2007 however, after going through rehab, Say Anything and Bemis got back on track with co-headlining tours with Saves the Day and Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye is a power pop band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in 2006, in addition to their previously released EP Hellogoodbye...
. In 2007, the band released In Defense of the Genre
In Defense of the Genre
In Defense of The Genre is the third full-length studio album by American pop-punk band Say Anything, released on October 23, 2007 through J Records as a double disc album. It debuted at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 25,000 copies in its first week. The first single, "Baby...
, on which Bemis sang lead vocals and played guitar and keyboard.
Say Anything recorded a single called "Hate Everyone
Hate Everyone
"Hate Everyone" is the first single from Say Anything's self-titled fourth album. The single was released August 25, 2009.-Song information:...
" which now has a music video.
Say Anything's self-titled album
Say Anything (album)
Say Anything is the fourth full-length and self-titled studio album by American rock band Say Anything, after originally being scheduled to be released through RCA Records on October 13, 2009, it was delayed to November 3...
was released November 3, 2009.
On November 5, 2010 at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Max announced there will be another Say Anything album.
Two Tongues
After recording In Defense of the GenreIn Defense of the Genre
In Defense of The Genre is the third full-length studio album by American pop-punk band Say Anything, released on October 23, 2007 through J Records as a double disc album. It debuted at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 25,000 copies in its first week. The first single, "Baby...
, Say Anything band members Max Bemis and Coby Linder
Coby Linder
Jacob "Coby" Linder in Skokie, Illinois is best known as the drummer of the band Say Anything. He lists his influences as Travis Barker, Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, and Bryan Newman. According to Say Anything's website, his favorite genres include emo, "death-core...
worked with Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
's Chris Conley
Chris Conley
Christopher Lane Conley is an American musician and songwriter/composer, and the lead-singer/rhythm guitarist in Saves the Day...
and David Soloway on a side project named Two Tongues
Two Tongues
Two Tongues is an indie rock side project/supergroup consisting of members of Saves The Day and Say Anything. The band consists of Max Bemis and Coby Linder of Say Anything, along with Chris Conley of Saves the Day and former guitarist of Saves the Day David Soloway.-History:Before forming Two...
.
The new group will have Bemis and Conley sharing the lead vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
duties while Soloway is on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and Linder on drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. Thirteen songs were recorded in Electric Ladybug Studio, Conley's home studio in Chico, California
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
.
Bemis, Conley, and Linder have previously collaborated on a cover song of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's "The Man In Me
The Man in Me
"The Man in Me" is a song from Bob Dylan's 1970 album New Morning.It is featured in the soundtrack to the 1998 Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski. It plays during the stylized opening title sequence and during the hallucination sequence after the Dude is punched and his rug stolen...
" for the compilation album Paupers, Peasants, Princes & Kings: The Songs of Bob Dylan released by Doghouse Records
Doghouse Records
Doghouse Records is a Toledo, Ohio based record label, now run out of the New York City office. Since 2004 Doghouse has been a part of the Warner Music Group....
in 2006.
On November 7, 2008, a release date of February 3, 2009, was announced for the self-produced, self-titled, thirteen-track collaboration
Two Tongues (album)
Two Tongues, the debut self-titled studio album by supergroup Two Tongues, released on February 3 2009. -Track listing:...
on Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
.
In fall of 2010, Two Tongues
Two Tongues
Two Tongues is an indie rock side project/supergroup consisting of members of Saves The Day and Say Anything. The band consists of Max Bemis and Coby Linder of Say Anything, along with Chris Conley of Saves the Day and former guitarist of Saves the Day David Soloway.-History:Before forming Two...
made their first performances as a surprise in the middle of Say Anything
Say Anything (band)
Say Anything is an American indie-punk band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Max Bemis. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.In...
's set each night of the Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1997. The band consists of founding members Justin Pierre and Joshua Cain , along with keyboardist and moog synthesist Jesse Johnson, bassist and backing vocalist Matthew Taylor, and drummer, percussionist and...
, Say Anything
Say Anything (band)
Say Anything is an American indie-punk band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Max Bemis. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.In...
, and Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
tour. They performed the song "Crawl". Arun Bali (current guitarist of Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
) played guitar, Kenny Vasoli
Kenny Vasoli
Kenneth Robert "Kenny" Vasoli is the lead singer and bassist of The Starting Line, a pop punk band. Vasoli attended Hatboro-Horsham High School. At the age of 14, he was invited to join the band after Matt Watts read his AOL Instant Messenger profile. His previous bands include The Prize Fight and...
(of The Starting Line
The Starting Line
The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that formed in 1999.- Formation and history :In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an e-mail from guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli...
, and Person L
Person L
Person L is an American rock band fronted by Kenny Vasoli, of the pop punk band The Starting Line. Vasoli is the band's lead singer and guitarist and formed Person L in winter 2006 as an outlet to explore other musical styles...
) played bass, Jake Turner (of Say Anything
Say Anything (band)
Say Anything is an American indie-punk band from Los Angeles, California, fronted by Max Bemis. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.In...
) played guitar as well, Coby Linder
Coby Linder
Jacob "Coby" Linder in Skokie, Illinois is best known as the drummer of the band Say Anything. He lists his influences as Travis Barker, Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, and Bryan Newman. According to Say Anything's website, his favorite genres include emo, "death-core...
played drums, while Chris Conley
Chris Conley
Christopher Lane Conley is an American musician and songwriter/composer, and the lead-singer/rhythm guitarist in Saves the Day...
, and Max Bemis sang.
Other work
Bemis has made cameo appearances on several albums. One of his earliest cameo appearances was with friend Andy Jackson and Hot Rod CircuitHot Rod Circuit
Hot Rod Circuit is an American emo band from New Haven, Connecticut established in 1997.-Early years:The band was originally known as Antidote under which they released the album Mr. Glenboski, which won the group the award of Best Unsigned Band of 1998 by Musician Magazine...
on "Inhabit," a song from the band's Reality's Coming Through CD.
In 2005, Bemis had a small part on "Ready" from The Starting Line
The Starting Line
The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that formed in 1999.- Formation and history :In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an e-mail from guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli...
's Based on a True Story
Based on a True Story
-Credits:*Max Bemis – background vocals on "Ready"*David Gold – viola*Mike Golla – guitar, percussion, celeste*Tom Gryskiewicz – drums, percussion*Taguchi Hiroka – violin*Amy Kimbal – violin*Benjy King – Hammond B3...
.
Bemis worked with Armor for Sleep
Armor for Sleep
Armor for Sleep was an American rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001 and disbanded in 2009. The final lineup consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Ben Jorgensen, lead guitarist PJ DeCicco, bassist Anthony DiIonno and drummer Nash Breen....
on a cover of "Today" for a 2008 The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
tribute CD entitled The Killer in You
The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins
The Killer In You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins is a 2005 tribute album, featuring a variety of artists covering songs from the American alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins.-Track listing:#"Cherub Rock" by Roses Are Red - 5:04...
.
In 2007, performs in two songs, "Maxim and the Headphone Life" and "Regional Community Theater," on LadybiRdS' debut album, Regional Community Theater.
Bemis sang along with Shawn Harris (The Matches
The Matches
The Matches are a United States-based band formed in 1997 in Oakland, California. It currently is composed of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Shawn Harris, lead guitarist and backup vocalist Jonathan Devoto, bassist and backup vocalist Dylan Rowe, and drummer Matt Whalen...
) and Rachel Minton
Rachel Minton
Rachel Minton is lead vocalist and keyboardist for the Independent music/pop rock/power pop band Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer....
(Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer
Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer
Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer is a pop rock band that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania through core members Vince Ratti and Rachel Minton alongside Anthony Green...
) on "Hello Helicopter" and "Point Of Extinction" of Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1997. The band consists of founding members Justin Pierre and Joshua Cain , along with keyboardist and moog synthesist Jesse Johnson, bassist and backing vocalist Matthew Taylor, and drummer, percussionist and...
's Even if it Kills Me
Even If It Kills Me
Even if It Kills Me is the third studio album by American pop punk band Motion City Soundtrack, released on September 18, 2007. The album was a follow up to their 2005 album, Commit This to Memory and was co-produced by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and Eli Janney of Girls Against Boys,...
.
New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
's From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II
From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II
-Release history:-Credits:Band* Jordan Pundik – Vocals* Chad Gilbert – Guitar* Steve Klein – Guitar* Ian Grushka – Bass* Cyrus Bolooki – Drums / PercussionAdditional Musicians* Michael Bethancourt – KeyboardsGuest Appearances...
and Down to Earth Approach's Come Back to You also featured guest vocals by Bemis on the songs "Crazy for You" and "See You," respectively.
In 2008, Bemis sang vocals on Nightbeast's Inside Jokes for Outside Folks. Also, Forgive Durden
Forgive Durden
Forgive Durden is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, who got their name from the novel Fight Club. They are signed to Fueled By Ramen...
's second album Razia's Shadow featured Bemis as Barayas the Spider in "The Spider and the Lamps."
Bemis also appeared on the opening track of You, Me, and Everyone We Know
You, Me, and Everyone We Know
You, Me, and Everyone We Know was a pop rock band from Washington, D.C., fronted by singer-songwriter Ben Liebsch. They released their debut EP Party for the Grown and Sexy in 2006...
's 2008 sophomore EP, So Young, So Insane
So Young, So Insane
So Young, So Insane is the second EP by You, Me, and Everyone We Know, a rock band from Washington, D.C. The six-track record was released independently on November 18, 2008.-History:...
, entitled "I Can Get Back Up Now".
In August 2008 Bemis announced that he would be recording unique songs for individual fans written on their requested topics as a part of a project he hoped would decrease the growing gap between artists and fans. http://www.stereocache.com/2008/08/03/max-bemis-of-say-anything-explores-music-couture/
Bemis announced in September 2009 that he and his wife, Sherri, were working on a small project that "became something even cooler". They created a side project called Perma. Limited edition CDs will be sold on the fall promo tour of the self-titled "Say Anything," each copy including a hand drawn cover by Max or Sherri.
Bemis and Say Anything were also featured on the Punk Goes Crunk
Punk Goes Crunk
Punk Goes Crunk is the seventh compilation album in the Punk Goes... series released by Fearless Records. The album is composed of popular hip hop songs performed by various emo, pop punk and metalcore bands.-Track listing:...
album with their cover of Ol' Dirty Bastard
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Russell Tyrone Jones was an American rapper and occasional producer, who went by the stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard or simply ODB...
's "Got Your Money
Got Your Money
"Got Your Money" is a single by American hip-hop artist Ol' Dirty Bastard, taken from his second full length LP Nigga Please. Both the single and the album were released on Elektra Records in 1999. The song was produced by The Neptunes...
".
Bemis announced in late September 2010 that he had wrote and recorded a 10 song album of acoustic songs that he called Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
Max Bemis and the Painful Splits is a side project created by Say Anything's lead singer Max Bemis in September 2010. They have recorded two albums, titled "Max Bemis and the Painful Splits" and "Max Bemis and the Painful Splits 2."-Not a solo project:...
. Bemis stressed that this release was not an official solo record, but a collection of songs he had written that he was proud of and wanted to share with Say Anything fans. The disc can only be found and purchased by going to one of the show dates of Say Anythings tour with Saves The Day and Motion City Soundtrack October through November 2010.
On his Twitter in mid-November 2010, Bemis announced, "There WILL be a second Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
Max Bemis and the Painful Splits is a side project created by Say Anything's lead singer Max Bemis in September 2010. They have recorded two albums, titled "Max Bemis and the Painful Splits" and "Max Bemis and the Painful Splits 2."-Not a solo project:...
record sold next year at a very special SA event that I can't reveal yet.... ", confirming that there will be a second Painful Splits record. It was later revealed that this event was to be a Max Bemis' solo tour. This tour is set to happen in February 2011. Max is set to tour ten different venues, beginning on the 11th and finishing on the 26th.
Personal life
In 2004, Say Anything released its breakout record, ...Is a Real Boy...Is a Real Boy
...Is a Real Boy is the second full-length release by Say Anything.-Recording and release:After signing with the label, Bemis began writing songs for his band's Doghouse debut. With tremendous self-created pressure, he threw himself into pushing the sonic boundaries of the band and maturing their...
.
Around this time, Bemis' mental health problems began to surface.
"I literally lost my mind while we were recording," stated Bemis regarding the breakdown.
Heavy marijuana use, anxiety caused by recording and writing the album, and what would later be diagnosed as bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
landed him in a mental institution.
The breakdown centered around a mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
discussed by Bemis and producer Tim O'Heir.
Bemis' state of mind led him to believe he was being secretly filmed for the mockumentary; the situation culminated in him walking the streets of Brooklyn thinking he was being filmed while encountering friends (who were actually strangers).
Bemis' health problems continued into 2005.
While touring with Armor for Sleep
Armor for Sleep
Armor for Sleep was an American rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001 and disbanded in 2009. The final lineup consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Ben Jorgensen, lead guitarist PJ DeCicco, bassist Anthony DiIonno and drummer Nash Breen....
and Recover
Recover (band)
-History:Recover comprised Dan Keyes , Robert Mann , Ross Tweedy , and Santiago "Jimmy" Vela . The four first started playing together while in high school, but didn't officially form Recover until 2000. The band recorded a four-song demo in the spring of 2000...
, Say Anything's management firm had Zyprexa delivered to Bemis daily.
However, this did not work as Bemis began substituting Zyprexa with other drugs, which began to occupy an increasingly focal position in Bemis' life.
In June 2005, Say Anything was forced to cancel a six-week headlining tour with Circa Survive
Circa Survive
Circa Survive is an American alternative rock band from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suburb of Doylestown, formed in 2004. The band consists of vocalist Anthony Green, former singer of Saosin and members of the now-defunct This Day Forward....
and Emanuel
Emanuel (band)
Emanuel is a five-piece rock band from Louisville Kentucky, United States. They formed in 1998 under their lesser-known name Emanuel Nice and appeared on four self-released efforts, before getting signed to Vagrant Records and changing their name in 2004...
on the third day of the tour due to Bemis' health problems, including full-on paranoid delusions in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
.
He moved back home to California and was cared for by his mother, Shifra.
On October 3, 2005, Bemis had another breakdown; this time, it involved harassing children, spitting out food at an outdoor cafe, spending a "half-hour pouring a bowl of soup onto the floor, one spoonful at a time," engaging in a street fight, and finally being admitted to a mental hospital by an off-duty policeman.
This incident forced Say Anything to cancel their tour with Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
, Senses Fail
Senses Fail
Senses Fail is an American post-hardcore band from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Formed in 2002, the line up initially consisted of vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Dave Miller and Garrett Zablocki and being completed by bassist Mike Glita. The band quickly issued their debut EP, From...
and The Early November
The Early November
The Early November is an American rock band from Hammonton, New Jersey. The group formed in 1999 and signed with Drive-Thru Records in 2002. , they have released two EPs , as well as two full-length albums...
.
After returning from his stay in the hospital, Bemis' mother and the remaining members of the band selected the Menninger clinic
Menninger Foundation
The Menninger Foundation was founded in 1919 by the Menninger family in Topeka, Kansas, and consists of a clinic, a sanatorium, and a school of psychiatry, all of which bear the Menninger name. In 2003, the Menninger Clinic moved to Houston. The foundation was started by Drs. Karl, Will, and...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, to rehabilitate Bemis. Eventually, Bemis improved and he has reportedly not had a relapse since.
On April 4, 2009, Bemis married Sherri DuPree
Sherri DuPree
Sherri Kay DuPree-Bemis is a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist for the band Eisley.-Career:Three of her siblings, Chauntelle, Stacy and Weston are also members of Eisley, along with her cousin, Garron. Her youngest sister Christie has performed with them live as well...
of the band Eisley
Eisley
Eisley is a rock band from Tyler, Texas, consisting of four siblings and their cousin , all of whom were born and live in Texas. Although the band's name translates to ice island in several Germanic languages, it was actually selected by the bandmates because of its link to the Star Wars saga...
and now resides in Tyler, Texas
Tyler, Texas
Tyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
.
Max's current religious beliefs have changed as his relationship grew with his Christian wife, Sherri. Say Anything drummer Coby Linder
Coby Linder
Jacob "Coby" Linder in Skokie, Illinois is best known as the drummer of the band Say Anything. He lists his influences as Travis Barker, Tony Williams, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, and Bryan Newman. According to Say Anything's website, his favorite genres include emo, "death-core...
has said that Max is now a Christian, a fact that Max confirmed in a Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
Music interview. He later clarified in a live chat on Absolutepunk.net that he doesn't like to label himself in any specific religious sect and that he has a "new age, metaphysical view" about religion. He said he considers himself "A Jew who is also a Christian," in other words, someone who has recently delved spiritually into certain beliefs of Christianity but who remains culturally Jewish and very much attached to his Judaism. This is similar to Messianic Judaism
Messianic Judaism
Messianic Judaism is a syncretic religious movement that arose in the 1960s and 70s. It blends evangelical Christian theology with elements of Jewish terminology and ritual....
. He again identified himself as being Jewish in an online fan chat during The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle is an annual rain-or-shine, three-day music festival held in New Jersey. Every year, new bands compete for spots during the two days. The event evolved out of the Skate and Surf Festival.- The Characters:...
fest in 2010.
With Say Anything
- Baseball: An Album by SayanythingBaseball (album)Baseball: An Album By Say Anything is the debut album from the American band Say Anything.-History:At the time of the album's release, the band was known as Sayanything, which is the name that appears on the album. During the time of recording in 2001, the band consisted of Max Bemis on vocals,...
(2001) - Menorah/Majora EP (2003)
- ...Is a Real Boy...Is a Real Boy...Is a Real Boy is the second full-length release by Say Anything.-Recording and release:After signing with the label, Bemis began writing songs for his band's Doghouse debut. With tremendous self-created pressure, he threw himself into pushing the sonic boundaries of the band and maturing their...
(2004) - In Defense of the GenreIn Defense of the GenreIn Defense of The Genre is the third full-length studio album by American pop-punk band Say Anything, released on October 23, 2007 through J Records as a double disc album. It debuted at number 27 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 25,000 copies in its first week. The first single, "Baby...
(2007) - Say AnythingSay Anything (album)Say Anything is the fourth full-length and self-titled studio album by American rock band Say Anything, after originally being scheduled to be released through RCA Records on October 13, 2009, it was delayed to November 3...
(2009) - Anarchy, My Dear (2012)
With Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
- Max Bemis and the Painful Splits
- Max Bemis and the Painful Splits 2
- The Painful Splits Destroy