Say Anything (band)
Encyclopedia
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 2003, the band signed with their first label, Doghouse Records
. A year later, they released ...Is a Real Boy
. To support the album, they picked up new members and began touring; however, despite rapidly growing critical and fan acclaim, Bemis' health problems, including bipolar disorder
and drug addictions, sidelined the band in 2005 as five band members left during the year.
Say Anything signed with J Records
in 2005 and, following Bemis' successful rehabilitation, released ...Is a Real Boy on J Records. They went on co-headlining tours with Saves the Day
in 2006 and Hellogoodbye
in 2007. On October 23, 2007, the band released their third full-length album, In Defense of the Genre
. In 2008, Say Anything went on a headlining tour across the US and UK and appeared on every date of Warped Tour
. Their fourth album, entitled Say Anything
, was released on November 3, 2009.
Currently, Say Anything consists of Max Bemis
(vocals), Coby Linder
(drums), Jake Turner
(guitar, vocals), Jeff Turner (guitar, vocals), Parker Case
(keyboard
), and Adam Siska (bass guitar).
pursued the band and called Max Bemis "the next Bob Dylan
." Brett Gurewitz
of Epitaph Records
recorded "A Boston Peace," one of the dorm-room demos, with the band. In early 2003, Say Anything signed with Doghouse Records
stating sarcastically that Doghouse "put out such obscure, borderline D.I.Y.
records as The All-American Rejects
."
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 sound, incorporating elements of math-rock, indie-pop and theatrical pomp. He and Linder also started the search for a producer. The two met several producers but eventually decided on Tim O'Heir and Stephen Trask
. Bemis struggled with different ideas for the record and decided the album should focus on "the artistic struggle, the fact that every creative person has this sick ambition to affect some sort of change in society with their art, to be more than just a guy in a band or a poet or a sculptor." Bemis originally intended the album to be a rock opera
with a full script, narration, and a cast of characters. It was tentatively titled Zona! Zona! However, Bemis became overwhelmed by the entire process of writing and playing most of the instruments and had a breakdown.
"I literally lost my mind while we were recording," stated Bemis regarding the breakdown. The breakdown centered around a mockumentary
discussed by Bemis and O'Heir. Bemis' condition 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). After recovering, Bemis decided to focus solely on the music and dropped the idea of a script. Around July 2003, the band began recording ...Is a Real Boy
, their first album with Doghouse Records. Bemis said the two people he wanted to "outdo with ...Is a Real Boy were Andy Warhol
and Jesus
." In addition to working with O'Heir and Trask, Say Anything worked with Forrest Kline
(of power pop band Hellogoodbye
) to record the For Sale...
EP, released in 2004. The band also worked with ECA Records to record a promotional album that was never released.
...Is a Real Boy was released August 3, 2004. The album featured Linder on drums and Bemis on vocals, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard
. ...Is a Real Boy received positive reviews, including a 99% from AbsolutePunk.net
and four and a half stars (out of five) from Allmusic. When the band began touring in support of ...Is a Real Boy, they picked up Dan DeLauro, Casper Adams, and Kevin Seaton.
Say Anything signed with J Records
in 2005, owned by Sony BMG Music Entertainment
, one of the "big four" record labels. When asked why he signed with a major label, Bemis stated, "We were looking to expand our fan base as well as have more money to tour comfortably. I also wanted enough money to work with an awesome producer for [In Defense of the Genre
]." 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 health problems with Bemis, including "full-on paranoid delusions" in Austin, Texas
. At this point, Bemis' bipolar disorder and drug addictions were wreaking havoc on the band. Bassists DeLauro and Seaton had already parted ways with the band. Andy Jackson left in September after only a few months of touring with Say Anything. Casper Adams, who was clashing personally with Bemis despite a close friendship, was fired after a show.
On October 3, 2005, Bemis had another breakdown; this time, it involved harassing children, spitting in 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 another tour, this time with Bemis' personal idols Saves the Day
, along with Senses Fail
and The Early November
. The band was replaced by Emanuel. 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 rehab Bemis. Eventually, Bemis approved of their decision, admitted himself to the Menninger clinic, and has reportedly not had a relapse since.
, Say Anything re-released ...Is a Real Boy
with a bonus CD entitled ...Was a Real Boy on February 28, 2006 (although the album was originally slated for release on October 18, 2005 and later January 17, 2006). However, copies were leaked before the release by Tower Records
and His Master's Voice, with some copies selling on eBay
at inflated prices. According the album's liner notes, ...Was a Real Boy was originally intended as a charity album, but the band dropped the project. This charity project was to be called Vs. AIDS and was recorded in Kevin Seaton's garage. Bemis said that "it was J Records' idea to reissue ...Is a Real Boy. They believe it has a mainstream appeal that wasn't really reached when Doghouse released the record." Around this time, the band also released "Alive with the Glory of Love
" as a single.
Alex Kent joined the band to play bass guitar after the band met him while touring with Lance's Hero. Jake
and Jeff Turner joined to play guitar and help with backup vocals after Adams and Jackson left. Parker Case completed the sextet when he joined to play guitar and keyboard
after his previous band JamisonParker
broke up. At the time, JamisonParker and Say Anything shared the same manager, Randy Nichols; the band met Case while at a train station on the way to Nichols' wedding..
In summer 2006, Say Anything toured with Dashboard Confessional
; Ben Lee
was with the tour in the US, while John Ralston
joined the tour in Canada. The band was asked to be a part of the Warped Tour 2006, but instead opted for the Dashboard tour. Bemis later made statements implying he did not feel he was emotionally ready for a Warped Tour.
Say Anything completed one of their first headlining tours in fall 2006, when they toured with Piebald
and mewithoutYou
. Days Away
, Brazil
and Forgive Durden
opened for the band on select dates. In February 2007, Say Anything performed on Last Call with Carson Daly
. The band also released their second single, "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
," which was from the ...Was a Real Boy bonus disc. Also in that month, the band announced a co-headlining tour with Saves the Day
and The Almost
, John Ralston
, The Dear Hunter
, and Manchester Orchestra
as openers on select dates. The band completed the tour successfully during April and May of that year. In August, Say Anything announced a co-headlining tour with Hellogoodbye
sponsored by MySpace
. The tour took place during fall of the same year with shows in the US and Europe.
", on October 2, 2007. In Defense of the Genre
was released on October 23, 2007. It was released in a dual-disc format complete with 27 songs and contained many guest vocals. When asked about the name of the record, Bemis said, "Whatever 'genre' (or music) one loves needs a defense, because half the world is too ignorant to really understand something before they dismiss it." Before recording the record, Bemis stated, "I hope that [In Defense] will be more inspiring and uplifting. I want [the record] to be The Joshua Tree
with balls on laughing gas."
Andy Jackson, a former member of the band and close friend of Bemis, was responsible for recording many of the cameo appearances. He recorded some cameos while at the Warped Tour 2007 with Hot Rod Circuit
and others in his home studio. Jackson recorded vocals from several musicians, such as Gerard Way
, Adam Lazzara
, Anthony Raneri, Anthony Green
, Hayley Williams
, Aaron Gillespie
, Jordan Pundik
, and Chad Gilbert
. Chris Conley
and several others also provided guest vocals. Alternative Press called the record "a truly magnificent sophomore effort" and gave it a 4.5/5, while Spin
gave the album four stars and Corey Schmidt of PastePunk said, "There are a few really great songs here."
In January 2008, Say Anything announced a US headlining tour with Manchester Orchestra
, Biffy Clyro
and Weatherbox
. The tour took place in March and April of that year. After finishing this tour, Say Anything announced a headlining tour in the UK that took place in June. The tour was in support of In Defense of the Genre, which was released in the UK on June 23, 2008.
Say Anything released the video for "Shiksa (Girlfriend)
" on April 9, 2008. On April 25, Say Anything performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
. During summer 2008, Say Anything joined the Warped Tour
for the first time, appearing on all dates. On August 1, 2008, Say Anything announced the Max Bemis Song Shop, through which users could pay $150 for Max Bemis to write a song based on a short writing by the customer. However, by the end of the night, the item was no longer available with the following text displayed on the item listing: "We're sorry but Max can't write songs as fast as you are requesting them. As soon as he catches up we will start again. Thank you so much for believing in our crazy idea." The Song Shop has reopened a few times since its initial launch, and taken down after about a week each time. This aforementioned message has been displayed each time the Song Shop was discontinued.
with fans on March 14, 2008, Max Bemis stated that the band has plans to record a new record called This Is Forever. He said it will be "about God and how we relate to Him." AbsolutePunk.net
reported on August 1, 2008, that J Records
"picked up the option for Say Anything's next release." On November 10, Bemis announced that the focus of the fourth album changed and the new record will be self-titled. He noted that the album, which will be released in 2009, will ask "what the point of all of it was."
Though Max has explained that he was very proud of In Defense of the Genre
, he described it as being more of an "homage to sort of a lot of the bands that we liked and, like, a style that we respected." He then explained that the new album would be "more concise and would be a bit more original, I want to say, and sort of pop out like Is a Real Boy did." He also explained that this CD has both the catchiest and most mature songs they've ever recorded and called it a "step forward."
During a concert at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York on April 25, 2009, Max Bemis proclaimed to the crowd that the newest album titled "Say Anything" is complete, and will be released "early summer," after stating that he was married three weeks prior to the event on April 4, 2009.
According to Say Anything's In Studio website, on May 21, 2009, Max posted a blog stating "I just wanted to let you guys know we’re done recording our new record, entitled "Say Anything", and we’re moving into the mixing phase. It should be out this fall. This record is kind of a new start, or at least a new phase in the Say Anything story."
Max posted a blog on Myspace.com saying that the new album will be released October 13, 2009, and will be titled Say Anything
. The self-titled album will be released by RCA Records
and will have 13 tracks, including "Hate Everyone
", the album's first single. "Hate Everyone" was officially released on August 25, 2009, after WBRU FM in Providence, RI
became the first radio station to debut the single on the 17th. Lead singer Max Bemis also premiered the song "Crush'd," performing the song acoustic in WBRU's studio. The corresponding video for Hate Everyone was released on MySpace Music on September 1, 2009. The new album's release date had been delayed by three weeks and was officially released on November 3, 2009, after being posted to the band's myspace page on October 28.
Max also posted on twitter on 2/14/10 that the band plans to release "Do Better" as the next single off of the album.
On August 19, 2010 it was confirmed that Say Anything and RCA Records
had parted ways. Max Bemis also announced via his twitter account that big changes were to be announced during the following week.
On September 29 it was announced via Say Anything's official website that Alex Kent would be leaving the band, and that Kenny Vasoli
of The Starting Line
would be temporarily taking over as bassist for their upcoming tour. On October 24, it was announced that Adam Siska was officially joining Say Anything.
, 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 group features Bemis and Conley sharing lead vocals and guitar duties with Soloway on bass guitar and Linder on drums. Thirteen songs were recorded in Electric Ladybug Studio, Conley's home studio in Chico, California
. Bemis, Conley, and Linder 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. The group's self-titled debut
was released on February 3, 2009.
Say Anything band members Jake and Jeff Turner self-released their six-track EP Some Day in May 2008 under the name XO. They recorded it with Matt Malpass in Atlanta in January 2008 at Monsters and Marigolds Studio. The album features both brothers on vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboard, with Jeff also playing drums. Around the same time, Parker Case embarked on a solo project named I and the Universe, while Alex Kent started a record label, Gnome Records and began work on his own solo effort under the name Alexander T. Kent. Alex also has a side project with members of Japandi and Witt called Qwermicide.
In 2008, Say Anything featured on the Punk Goes Crunk
album covering Ol' Dirty Bastard
's "Got Your Money
".
In 2009, Max and his wife, Sherri DuPree
(From the band Eisley
) formed a small side project named "Perma" and were selling the demo during the 2009 tour.
In early 2010, the band announced that they will be opening for Angels and Airwaves on their LOVE tour which kicked off on April 5.
In August 2010, Max announced that he will be releasing a "lo-fi" post-punk album in Fall 2010 under the name "Max Bemis and The Painful Splits."
Say Anything also toured with the bands Motion City Soundtrack
and Saves the Day
in the fall of 2010. Bemis commented on it on his Twitter, claiming that Say Anything's fans might want to come up with their favorite Two Tongues
songs, insinuating that the group will play a few songs on the tour.
, he also stated that Tim O'Heir, who produced their second record ...Is a Real Boy
will be producing Say Anything's forthcoming record. Max also said that the band will be going into the studio in August 2011. Additionally, Bemis stated Equal Vision had acquired the rights to Say Anything's past releases, as he cited the proposed re-release of Baseball.
Bemis announced via a October 6th interview with AltPress.com that the name of the new record is "Anarchy, My Dear", and this was later confirmed by Bemis and the rest of the band via Twitter.
In the January 2012 issue of AP Magazine, Say Anything was listed as one of the most anticipated artists of 2012. It also stated that Anarchy, My Dear is expected to be released in March.
, and punk revival genres. They can most easily be identified by their sardonic, literary sense of humor balanced out with a sense of intense catharsis. The band, as well as certain artists within the post-punk/ indie scene such as Cursive
, MewithoutYou
, Brand New
, Bright Eyes, Motion City Soundtrack
, and Manchester Orchestra
tend to straddle the line between older, wizened fans and a youth oriented audience. Their style incorporates pieces of hardcore, bombastic arena rock and post-punk. Bemis, the primary songwriter of Say Anything, stated, "I believe that an artist should let his art be appreciated by anyone who's interested and not 'play favourites'." He also said that lyrics are "based on experience." However, due to Bemis' bipolar disorder and strange, dark mentality, the themes of the songs are often bleak, irreverent, hyper-personal and awkwardly autobiographical. Other themes include distaste with snobbery and hypocrisy. Drugs and mankind's relationship with drugs are also a popular subject in Say Anything's songs, especially on In Defense of the Genre
, which was written and recorded after Bemis' several drug-fueled breakdowns. Specifically, "Admit It!!!" and "Sorry, Dudes, My Bad" include references to Bemis' drug usage. In general, Say Anything tends to draw inspiration from alienation from a flawed society but infers a sense of hope.
Max Bemis was raised "in a strong Jewish environment." Many of Bemis' lyrics borrow from his Jewish roots. While most of band's earlier songs are free of any such inspiration, the songs of ...Is a Real Boy
and In Defense of the Genre include references to Jewish heritage. "Alive with the Glory of Love
," Say Anything's first single, has a main subject of a relationship affected by World War II
and the Holocaust
, based on Bemis's grandparents, while "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
" includes mentions of "the old shul" and a rabbi's teachings. A strong example from In Defense comes from the lyrics of "Died a Jew". The song includes several references to the Jewish race and its history
along with mentions of "the murder of God" and Bemis' departures from kosher. References to religion come again in "Fed to Death" on Say Anything, referring to a 'man from Nazareth' who would one day 'spring to life to smile and clear your name' but until then 'nail yourself upon the cross and hang your head in shame.'
In regards to writing songs for ...Is a Real Boy, Bemis stated, "The songs were jam packed with fairly blatant nods to bands I dig (Queen
, Saves the Day
, Pavement
, Faith No More
, Fugazi, etc)." These can be considered some of Say Anything's influences. Other influences at some point cited by the band include Botch
, Weezer
, The Stooges
, Neutral Milk Hotel
, Sunny Day Real Estate
, Wilco
, and the Foo Fighters
. Also of note, the band has covered songs by Ol' Dirty Bastard
("Got Your Money
"), Notorious B.I.G. ("No Soul" contains the same hook as the sample in "Juicy
"), The Four Tops ("Sure, Baby...Hold Back" features a chorus lifted from "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch"), Safety in Numbers ("Dealer"), Saves the Day
("Jessie and My Whetstone"), and Bob Dylan
("The Man in Me
").
Max Bemis expounded upon the story of In Defense of the Genre as well as the differences between that album and ...Is a Real Boy in an interview with AbsolutePunk.net on June 19, 2007.
often sings parts he wrote, but which were sung by guest vocalists on studio recordings. Linder provides counter melodies and call and response with Bemis, as well as melodies of his own. Jeff Turner sings the higher
parts, Jake Turner
sings mostly harmonies, and Case sings the remaining parts. The band has been known to play cover songs.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
-punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, fronted by Max Bemis
Max Bemis
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.-The Early Years:...
. The band was formed in 2000 with Bemis and four of his friends. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity
Junior Varsity (Say Anything album)
Junior Varsity is a self-produced EP by Say Anything.-Original release:Junior Varsity was the first album released by Say Anything and it is one of their rarer CDs with only 200 to 300 copies made. Fans of the band have purchased the CD through eBay-In Your Dreams:In Your Dreams is the second...
and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything
Baseball (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,...
.
In 2003, the band signed with their first label, 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....
. A year later, they 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...
. To support the album, they picked up new members and began touring; however, despite rapidly growing critical and fan acclaim, Bemis' health problems, including 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...
and drug addictions, sidelined the band in 2005 as five band members left during the year.
Say Anything signed with J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
in 2005 and, following Bemis' successful rehabilitation, released ...Is a Real Boy on J Records. They went on co-headlining tours 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....
in 2006 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. On October 23, 2007, the band released their third full-length album, 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...
. In 2008, Say Anything went on a headlining tour across the US and UK and appeared on every date of 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...
. Their fourth album, entitled Say Anything
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 on November 3, 2009.
Currently, Say Anything consists of Max Bemis
Max Bemis
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.-The Early Years:...
(vocals), 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...
(drums), Jake Turner
Jake Turner
-History:Jake Turner is the guitarist/vocalist of the band Say Anything. He was the singer/guitarist in the now defunct bands Parkside View and Safety In Numbers. He has a side-project with his twin brother called XO and also a solo side-project called TesT...
(guitar, vocals), Jeff Turner (guitar, vocals), Parker Case
Parker Case
Parker Case is an American musician, mostly known from his involvement in the bands JamisonParker and Say Anything.-External links:*...
(keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
), and Adam Siska (bass guitar).
Early Years (2002–2004)
Sometime around 2002, Sayanything added a space to their name to become Say Anything. In late 2002, Bemis and Linder recorded the Menorah/Majora EP and released the album online. By this point, Say Anything's releases had generated "a major bidding war." Drive-Thru RecordsDrive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
pursued the band and called Max Bemis "the next 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...
." Brett Gurewitz
Brett Gurewitz
Brett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
of Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
recorded "A Boston Peace," one of the dorm-room demos, with the band. In early 2003, Say Anything signed with 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....
stating sarcastically that Doghouse "put out such obscure, borderline D.I.Y.
Do it yourself
Do it yourself is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals...
records as The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects (album)
-Chart performance:AlbumSingles-Certifications and sales:After The All-American Rejects major label debut on February 4, 2003, the album sold steadily in the United States. By March 24, 2003 The All-American Rejects had sold around 217,000 copies. On April 21, 2003, the RIAA awarded the album with...
."
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 sound, incorporating elements of math-rock, indie-pop and theatrical pomp. He and Linder also started the search for a producer. The two met several producers but eventually decided on Tim O'Heir and Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask
Stephen Trask is an American musician and composer, who graduated from Wesleyan University.He was the music director and house band member at the New York club Squeezebox, where he performed with stars such as Debbie Harry, Lene Lovich and Joey Ramone.Trask composed the music and lyrics for the...
. Bemis struggled with different ideas for the record and decided the album should focus on "the artistic struggle, the fact that every creative person has this sick ambition to affect some sort of change in society with their art, to be more than just a guy in a band or a poet or a sculptor." Bemis originally intended the album to be a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
with a full script, narration, and a cast of characters. It was tentatively titled Zona! Zona! However, Bemis became overwhelmed by the entire process of writing and playing most of the instruments and had a breakdown.
"I literally lost my mind while we were recording," stated Bemis regarding the breakdown. 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 O'Heir. Bemis' condition 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). After recovering, Bemis decided to focus solely on the music and dropped the idea of a script. Around July 2003, the band began recording ...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...
, their first album with Doghouse Records. Bemis said the two people he wanted to "outdo with ...Is a Real Boy were Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
and Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
." In addition to working with O'Heir and Trask, Say Anything worked with Forrest Kline
Forrest Kline
Forrest Scott Kline is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the power pop band Hellogoodbye. He is of German descent and spent most of his childhood in Huntington Beach, California and in Palm Desert, California, and attended Huntington Beach High School, along with bandmate Jesse Kurvink,...
(of power pop band 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...
) to record the For Sale...
For Sale...
For Sale... is a tour EP by Say Anything. It contains 3 songs from …Is a Real Boy and 2 additional b-sides that were left off the album.-Track listing:† Recorded, mixed, and produced by Tim O'Heir...
EP, released in 2004. The band also worked with ECA Records to record a promotional album that was never released.
...Is a Real Boy was released August 3, 2004. The album featured Linder on drums and Bemis on vocals, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
. ...Is a Real Boy received positive reviews, including a 99% from AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
and four and a half stars (out of five) from Allmusic. When the band began touring in support of ...Is a Real Boy, they picked up Dan DeLauro, Casper Adams, and Kevin Seaton.
Say Anything signed with J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
in 2005, owned by Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...
, one of the "big four" record labels. When asked why he signed with a major label, Bemis stated, "We were looking to expand our fan base as well as have more money to tour comfortably. I also wanted enough money to work with an awesome producer for [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...
]." 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 health problems with Bemis, 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...
. At this point, Bemis' bipolar disorder and drug addictions were wreaking havoc on the band. Bassists DeLauro and Seaton had already parted ways with the band. Andy Jackson left in September after only a few months of touring with Say Anything. Casper Adams, who was clashing personally with Bemis despite a close friendship, was fired after a show.
On October 3, 2005, Bemis had another breakdown; this time, it involved harassing children, spitting in 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 another tour, this time with Bemis' personal idols 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....
, along with 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...
. The band was replaced by Emanuel. 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 rehab Bemis. Eventually, Bemis approved of their decision, admitted himself to the Menninger clinic, and has reportedly not had a relapse since.
...Is a Real Boy (2005–2007)
Under J RecordsJ Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
, Say Anything re-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...
with a bonus CD entitled ...Was a Real Boy on February 28, 2006 (although the album was originally slated for release on October 18, 2005 and later January 17, 2006). However, copies were leaked before the release by Tower Records
Tower Records
Tower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
and His Master's Voice, with some copies selling on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
at inflated prices. According the album's liner notes, ...Was a Real Boy was originally intended as a charity album, but the band dropped the project. This charity project was to be called Vs. AIDS and was recorded in Kevin Seaton's garage. Bemis said that "it was J Records' idea to reissue ...Is a Real Boy. They believe it has a mainstream appeal that wasn't really reached when Doghouse released the record." Around this time, the band also released "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:...
" as a single.
Alex Kent joined the band to play bass guitar after the band met him while touring with Lance's Hero. Jake
Jake Turner
-History:Jake Turner is the guitarist/vocalist of the band Say Anything. He was the singer/guitarist in the now defunct bands Parkside View and Safety In Numbers. He has a side-project with his twin brother called XO and also a solo side-project called TesT...
and Jeff Turner joined to play guitar and help with backup vocals after Adams and Jackson left. Parker Case completed the sextet when he joined to play guitar and keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
after his previous band JamisonParker
JamisonParker
JamisonParker was an American Alternative Rock duo in the early to mid 2000s, consisting of singer/guitarist Jamison Covington and guitarist/bassist/drummer Parker Case...
broke up. At the time, JamisonParker and Say Anything shared the same manager, Randy Nichols; the band met Case while at a train station on the way to Nichols' wedding..
In summer 2006, Say Anything toured with Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
; Ben Lee
Ben Lee
Benjamin Michael "Ben" Lee is an ARIA Award winning musician and actor. Lee began his career as a musician at the age of 14 with the Sydney band Noise Addict, but focused on his solo career when the band broke up in 1995. He appeared as the protagonist in the Australian film The Rage in Placid Lake...
was with the tour in the US, while John Ralston
John Ralston (musician)
John Ralston is an American acoustic/electric guitarist singer and songwriter. He is originally from Lake Worth, Florida, and is a member of the band Legends Of Rodeo , which is currently on an indefinite hiatus. He has released two full length albums, two EPs, and just released his third solo...
joined the tour in Canada. The band was asked to be a part of the Warped Tour 2006, but instead opted for the Dashboard tour. Bemis later made statements implying he did not feel he was emotionally ready for a Warped Tour.
Say Anything completed one of their first headlining tours in fall 2006, when they toured with Piebald
Piebald (band)
Piebald is an American alternative rock band. Piebald started as a hardcore band in Andover, Massachusetts, out of the same scene that produced legends Converge. They later moved to the Boston suburb of Somerville and became a staple of the Greater Boston indie rock scene. Two members still live in...
and mewithoutYou
MewithoutYou
Me Without You, stylized as mewithoutYou and abbreviated as mwY, is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band consists of vocalist Aaron Weiss, guitarist Michael Weiss, bassist Greg Jehanian and drummer Rickie Mazzotta. MewithoutYou's music is generally dominated by...
. Days Away
Days Away
Days Away was a five piece progressive rock band based in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, formed in 1998.-Biography:Days Away formed in 1998 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. When first formed, the group consisted of Keith Goodwin , Matt Austin , Matt Haines , and Chris Frangicetto...
, Brazil
Brazil (band)
Brazil was an Indiana rock band. Although the band eschews labels and are often categorized with the punk and post-hardcore music scenes, that is mostly due to association. The music itself is more akin to progressive rock with indie rock roots. The line-up as of 2006 release is Jonathon Newby,...
and 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...
opened for the band on select dates. In February 2007, Say Anything performed on Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly
Last Call with Carson Daly is an American late night talk show that is broadcast on NBC. The show is hosted by Carson Daly, the half-hour show featuring celebrity interviews, documentary-style coverage of a topic, and musical performances. Last Call airs weeknights at 1:35 a.m. Eastern / 12:35 a.m....
. The band also released their second single, "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
"Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" is the first single from Say Anything's 7-track bonus disc ...Was a Real Boy which was released with the 2006 reissue of their 2004 second album …Is a Real Boy.-Song meaing:...
," which was from the ...Was a Real Boy bonus disc. Also in that month, the band announced a co-headlining 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....
and The Almost
The Almost
The Almost is an American alternative rock band from Clearwater, Florida, formed in 2005, and is most notable for being the side project of former Underoath drummer, Aaron Gillespie.-History:...
, John Ralston
John Ralston (musician)
John Ralston is an American acoustic/electric guitarist singer and songwriter. He is originally from Lake Worth, Florida, and is a member of the band Legends Of Rodeo , which is currently on an indefinite hiatus. He has released two full length albums, two EPs, and just released his third solo...
, The Dear Hunter
The Dear Hunter
The Dear Hunter is an indie rock band originating in Providence, Rhode Island. It began as a side project of Casey Crescenzo, formerly of post-hardcore band The Receiving End of Sirens...
, and Manchester Orchestra
Manchester orchestra
Manchester Orchestra is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2005. The group is currently composed of rhythm guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathan Corley, and drummer Tim Very...
as openers on select dates. The band completed the tour successfully during April and May of that year. In August, Say Anything announced a co-headlining tour with 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...
sponsored by 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....
. The tour took place during fall of the same year with shows in the US and Europe.
In Defense of the Genre (2007–2008)
In the weeks before the release of their third album, Say Anything released several songs from the album on MySpace. They also announced pre-ordered copies could be ordered with a signed CD booklet. The band released their first single from the new album, "Baby Girl, I'm a BlurBaby Girl, I'm a Blur
"Baby Girl, I'm a Blur" is the first single from Say Anything's album, In Defense of the Genre. It was released on iTunes on October 2, 2007. This song was written in Central Park by Max Bemis. He was quoted as saying...
", on October 2, 2007. 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...
was released on October 23, 2007. It was released in a dual-disc format complete with 27 songs and contained many guest vocals. When asked about the name of the record, Bemis said, "Whatever 'genre' (or music) one loves needs a defense, because half the world is too ignorant to really understand something before they dismiss it." Before recording the record, Bemis stated, "I hope that [In Defense] will be more inspiring and uplifting. I want [the record] to be The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree is the fifth studio album by rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 9 March 1987 on Island Records. In contrast to the ambient experimentation of their 1984 release The Unforgettable Fire, U2 aimed for a harder-hitting sound on The Joshua...
with balls on laughing gas."
Andy Jackson, a former member of the band and close friend of Bemis, was responsible for recording many of the cameo appearances. He recorded some cameos while at the Warped Tour 2007 with Hot Rod Circuit
Hot 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...
and others in his home studio. Jackson recorded vocals from several musicians, such as Gerard Way
Gerard Way
Gerard Arthur Way is an American musician and comic book writer who has served as lead vocalist and co-founder of the band My Chemical Romance since its formation in 2001...
, Adam Lazzara
Adam Lazzara
Adam Burbank Lazzara , is the lead singer of the American rock band, Taking Back Sunday. Along with singing lead vocals, Adam Lazzara occasionally plays guitar and harmonica.-Biography:...
, Anthony Raneri, Anthony Green
Anthony Green (musician)
Anthony Green is a musician from Holland, PA. He is currently the lead singer of Circa Survive, previously in the bands Saosin, The Sound of Animals Fighting, Audience of One, Jeer at Rome, High and Driving, and Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer.-Circa Survive:Anthony Green joined California rock...
, Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams
Hayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist of the band Paramore.- Life and career :...
, Aaron Gillespie
Aaron Gillespie
Aaron Roderick Gillespie is an American musician, best known for being the former drummer and clean vocalist for the metalcore band Underoath, and the current lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the alternative rock band The Almost...
, Jordan Pundik
Jordan Pundik
Jordan Izaak Pundik is an American musician and songwriter.Pundik is a founding member and the frontman of rock band New Found Glory, for whom he sings lead vocals and contributes lyrics...
, and Chad Gilbert
Chad Gilbert
Chad Everett Gilbert is an American musician and record producer. He is a founding member of the rock band New Found Glory, for whom he plays lead guitar, composes music and provides backing vocals...
. 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 several others also provided guest vocals. Alternative Press called the record "a truly magnificent sophomore effort" and gave it a 4.5/5, while Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
gave the album four stars and Corey Schmidt of PastePunk said, "There are a few really great songs here."
In January 2008, Say Anything announced a US headlining tour with Manchester Orchestra
Manchester orchestra
Manchester Orchestra is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2005. The group is currently composed of rhythm guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathan Corley, and drummer Tim Very...
, Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
and Weatherbox
Weatherbox
Weatherbox is a band from San Diego, California, led by ex-Mister Valentine and My American Heart member Brian Warren.-Discography:Weatherbox was signed to Doghouse Records, on which they released their debut album American Art on May 8, 2007 and is now signed to Youth Conspiracy Records, which...
. The tour took place in March and April of that year. After finishing this tour, Say Anything announced a headlining tour in the UK that took place in June. The tour was in support of In Defense of the Genre, which was released in the UK on June 23, 2008.
Say Anything released the video for "Shiksa (Girlfriend)
Shiksa (Girlfriend)
"Shiksa " is the second single from Say Anything's album, In Defense of the Genre. It was released on iTunes on October 15, 2007, less than two weeks after the first single Baby Girl, I'm a Blur. Caithlin De Marrais performs backing vocals on the song....
" on April 9, 2008. On April 25, Say Anything performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
. During summer 2008, Say Anything joined the 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...
for the first time, appearing on all dates. On August 1, 2008, Say Anything announced the Max Bemis Song Shop, through which users could pay $150 for Max Bemis to write a song based on a short writing by the customer. However, by the end of the night, the item was no longer available with the following text displayed on the item listing: "We're sorry but Max can't write songs as fast as you are requesting them. As soon as he catches up we will start again. Thank you so much for believing in our crazy idea." The Song Shop has reopened a few times since its initial launch, and taken down after about a week each time. This aforementioned message has been displayed each time the Song Shop was discontinued.
Say Anything (2008-2009)
In an online chatChat room
The term chat room, or chatroom, is primarily used by mass media to describe any form of synchronous conferencing, occasionally even asynchronous conferencing...
with fans on March 14, 2008, Max Bemis stated that the band has plans to record a new record called This Is Forever. He said it will be "about God and how we relate to Him." AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk.net
AbsolutePunk is a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate . The website mainly focuses on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it has been known to feature artists who have eventually achieved crossover success, including Fall...
reported on August 1, 2008, that J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
"picked up the option for Say Anything's next release." On November 10, Bemis announced that the focus of the fourth album changed and the new record will be self-titled. He noted that the album, which will be released in 2009, will ask "what the point of all of it was."
Though Max has explained that he was very proud of 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...
, he described it as being more of an "homage to sort of a lot of the bands that we liked and, like, a style that we respected." He then explained that the new album would be "more concise and would be a bit more original, I want to say, and sort of pop out like Is a Real Boy did." He also explained that this CD has both the catchiest and most mature songs they've ever recorded and called it a "step forward."
During a concert at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York on April 25, 2009, Max Bemis proclaimed to the crowd that the newest album titled "Say Anything" is complete, and will be released "early summer," after stating that he was married three weeks prior to the event on April 4, 2009.
According to Say Anything's In Studio website, on May 21, 2009, Max posted a blog stating "I just wanted to let you guys know we’re done recording our new record, entitled "Say Anything", and we’re moving into the mixing phase. It should be out this fall. This record is kind of a new start, or at least a new phase in the Say Anything story."
Max posted a blog on Myspace.com saying that the new album will be released October 13, 2009, and will be titled Say Anything
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...
. The self-titled album will be released by RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
and will have 13 tracks, including "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:...
", the album's first single. "Hate Everyone" was officially released on August 25, 2009, after WBRU FM in Providence, RI
WBRU
WBRU is a commercial alternative rock radio station in Providence, Rhode Island that broadcasts on 95.5 FM. It was the first student-owned-and-operated campus radio station in the United States when it started as the Brown Network at Brown University in 1936...
became the first radio station to debut the single on the 17th. Lead singer Max Bemis also premiered the song "Crush'd," performing the song acoustic in WBRU's studio. The corresponding video for Hate Everyone was released on MySpace Music on September 1, 2009. The new album's release date had been delayed by three weeks and was officially released on November 3, 2009, after being posted to the band's myspace page on October 28.
Max also posted on twitter on 2/14/10 that the band plans to release "Do Better" as the next single off of the album.
On August 19, 2010 it was confirmed that Say Anything and RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
had parted ways. Max Bemis also announced via his twitter account that big changes were to be announced during the following week.
On September 29 it was announced via Say Anything's official website that Alex Kent would be leaving the band, and that 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...
would be temporarily taking over as bassist for their upcoming tour. On October 24, it was announced that Adam Siska was officially joining Say Anything.
Side projects (2008–present)
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
Max Bemis
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.-The Early Years:...
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 group features Bemis and Conley sharing lead vocals and guitar duties with Soloway on bass guitar and Linder on drums. 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 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. The group's self-titled debut
Two Tongues (album)
Two Tongues, the debut self-titled studio album by supergroup Two Tongues, released on February 3 2009. -Track listing:...
was released on February 3, 2009.
Say Anything band members Jake and Jeff Turner self-released their six-track EP Some Day in May 2008 under the name XO. They recorded it with Matt Malpass in Atlanta in January 2008 at Monsters and Marigolds Studio. The album features both brothers on vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboard, with Jeff also playing drums. Around the same time, Parker Case embarked on a solo project named I and the Universe, while Alex Kent started a record label, Gnome Records and began work on his own solo effort under the name Alexander T. Kent. Alex also has a side project with members of Japandi and Witt called Qwermicide.
In 2008, Say Anything 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 covering 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...
".
In 2009, Max and his wife, 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...
(From 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...
) formed a small side project named "Perma" and were selling the demo during the 2009 tour.
In early 2010, the band announced that they will be opening for Angels and Airwaves on their LOVE tour which kicked off on April 5.
In August 2010, Max announced that he will be releasing a "lo-fi" post-punk album in Fall 2010 under the name "Max Bemis and The Painful Splits."
Say Anything also toured with the bands 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...
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....
in the fall of 2010. Bemis commented on it on his Twitter, claiming that Say Anything's fans might want to come up with their favorite 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...
songs, insinuating that the group will play a few songs on the tour.
Anarchy, My Dear (2011–present)
On 13 July 2011, Max Bemis posted a video on the band's website announcing that the band has officially signed with Equal Vision RecordsEqual Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
, he also stated that Tim O'Heir, who produced their second 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...
will be producing Say Anything's forthcoming record. Max also said that the band will be going into the studio in August 2011. Additionally, Bemis stated Equal Vision had acquired the rights to Say Anything's past releases, as he cited the proposed re-release of Baseball.
Bemis announced via a October 6th interview with AltPress.com that the name of the new record is "Anarchy, My Dear", and this was later confirmed by Bemis and the rest of the band via Twitter.
In the January 2012 issue of AP Magazine, Say Anything was listed as one of the most anticipated artists of 2012. It also stated that Anarchy, My Dear is expected to be released in March.
Themes and influences
Say Anything's music falls in the indie rockIndie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
, and punk revival genres. They can most easily be identified by their sardonic, literary sense of humor balanced out with a sense of intense catharsis. The band, as well as certain artists within the post-punk/ indie scene such as Cursive
Cursive (band)
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on Saddle Creek Records.-History:The band was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen , and drummer Clint Schnase. In 1997, they released Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes. After a couple years of touring, the band...
, MewithoutYou
MewithoutYou
Me Without You, stylized as mewithoutYou and abbreviated as mwY, is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band consists of vocalist Aaron Weiss, guitarist Michael Weiss, bassist Greg Jehanian and drummer Rickie Mazzotta. MewithoutYou's music is generally dominated by...
, Brand New
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
, Bright Eyes, 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...
, and Manchester Orchestra
Manchester orchestra
Manchester Orchestra is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2005. The group is currently composed of rhythm guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathan Corley, and drummer Tim Very...
tend to straddle the line between older, wizened fans and a youth oriented audience. Their style incorporates pieces of hardcore, bombastic arena rock and post-punk. Bemis, the primary songwriter of Say Anything, stated, "I believe that an artist should let his art be appreciated by anyone who's interested and not 'play favourites'." He also said that lyrics are "based on experience." However, due to Bemis' bipolar disorder and strange, dark mentality, the themes of the songs are often bleak, irreverent, hyper-personal and awkwardly autobiographical. Other themes include distaste with snobbery and hypocrisy. Drugs and mankind's relationship with drugs are also a popular subject in Say Anything's songs, especially on 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...
, which was written and recorded after Bemis' several drug-fueled breakdowns. Specifically, "Admit It!!!" and "Sorry, Dudes, My Bad" include references to Bemis' drug usage. In general, Say Anything tends to draw inspiration from alienation from a flawed society but infers a sense of hope.
Max Bemis was raised "in a strong Jewish environment." Many of Bemis' lyrics borrow from his Jewish roots. While most of band's earlier songs are free of any such inspiration, the songs of ...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...
and In Defense of the Genre include references to Jewish heritage. "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:...
," Say Anything's first single, has a main subject of a relationship affected by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
, based on Bemis's grandparents, while "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
"Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" is the first single from Say Anything's 7-track bonus disc ...Was a Real Boy which was released with the 2006 reissue of their 2004 second album …Is a Real Boy.-Song meaing:...
" includes mentions of "the old shul" and a rabbi's teachings. A strong example from In Defense comes from the lyrics of "Died a Jew". The song includes several references to the Jewish race and its history
Jewish history
Jewish history is the history of the Jews, their religion and culture, as it developed and interacted with other peoples, religions and cultures. Since Jewish history is over 4000 years long and includes hundreds of different populations, any treatment can only be provided in broad strokes...
along with mentions of "the murder of God" and Bemis' departures from kosher. References to religion come again in "Fed to Death" on Say Anything, referring to a 'man from Nazareth' who would one day 'spring to life to smile and clear your name' but until then 'nail yourself upon the cross and hang your head in shame.'
In regards to writing songs for ...Is a Real Boy, Bemis stated, "The songs were jam packed with fairly blatant nods to bands I dig (Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, 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....
, Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
, Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
, Fugazi, etc)." These can be considered some of Say Anything's influences. Other influences at some point cited by the band include Botch
Botch (band)
Botch was a four-piece mathcore band from Tacoma, Washington, United States, that formed in 1993 and disbanded in 2002.-History:The band released two full-length albums and a handful of smaller releases including several singles and an EP. Its members went on an indefinite hiatus to form Roy,...
, Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
, Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
, Sunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate
Sunny Day Real Estate is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. In the 1990s, the group expanded upon the grunge style that was popular in the local scene to make a more melodic sound. While not the first band to be classified as emo, they were instrumental in establishing the genre. In...
, Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, and the Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
. Also of note, the band has covered songs by 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...
("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...
"), Notorious B.I.G. ("No Soul" contains the same hook as the sample in "Juicy
Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)
"Juicy" is a song by hip hop artist The Notorious B.I.G. and his solo debut single from his 1994 debut album Ready to Die. It was produced by Poke of Trackmasters & Sean "Puffy" Combs. Its melody is sampled from Mtume's "Juicy Fruit", and has an alternative chorus sung by R&B girl group Total...
"), The Four Tops ("Sure, Baby...Hold Back" features a chorus lifted from "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch"), Safety in Numbers ("Dealer"), 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....
("Jessie and My Whetstone"), and 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...
("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...
").
Max Bemis expounded upon the story of In Defense of the Genre as well as the differences between that album and ...Is a Real Boy in an interview with AbsolutePunk.net on June 19, 2007.
Live shows
During live shows, all members of the group (other than Bemis) sing backing vocals. BemisMax Bemis
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.-The Early Years:...
often sings parts he wrote, but which were sung by guest vocalists on studio recordings. Linder provides counter melodies and call and response with Bemis, as well as melodies of his own. Jeff Turner sings the higher
Range (music)
In music, the range of a musical instrument is the distance from the lowest to the highest pitch it can play. For a singing voice, the equivalent is vocal range...
parts, Jake Turner
Jake Turner
-History:Jake Turner is the guitarist/vocalist of the band Say Anything. He was the singer/guitarist in the now defunct bands Parkside View and Safety In Numbers. He has a side-project with his twin brother called XO and also a solo side-project called TesT...
sings mostly harmonies, and Case sings the remaining parts. The band has been known to play cover songs.
Discography
- 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 (2002)
- ...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)
Current members
- Max BemisMax BemisMax 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.-The Early Years:...
– lead vocalsSingingSinging 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...
, guitar (2000–present) - Jake TurnerJake Turner-History:Jake Turner is the guitarist/vocalist of the band Say Anything. He was the singer/guitarist in the now defunct bands Parkside View and Safety In Numbers. He has a side-project with his twin brother called XO and also a solo side-project called TesT...
– guitar, backing vocals (2005–present) - Parker Case – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
- Jeff Turner – guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
- Coby LinderCoby LinderJacob "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...
– drums, backing vocals (2000–present) - Adam Siska – bass guitar (2011-present)
Former members
- Evan Span – guitar (2000–2001)
- Michael Levin – bass (2000–2002)
- Josh Eichenstein (2000)
- Dan DeLauro – bass (2003–2004)
- Kevin Seaton – bass, guitar (2004–2005)
- Casper Adams – guitar (2004–2005)
- Andy Jackson – guitar; tours only (2005)
- Alex Kent – bass guitar (2004–2010)
- Kenny VasoliKenny VasoliKenneth 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...
- bass guitar; tours only (2010-2011)
Album personnel appearances
| Member | Album | Instrument | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball: An Album By Sayanything | ...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 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... |
Say Anything 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... |
Anarchy, My Dear | ||
| Max Bemis Max Bemis 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.-The Early Years:... |
Lead Vocals/Guitars/Keys/Programming | |||||
| 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... |
Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals | |||||
| Evan Span | Rhythm Guitar | |||||
| Michael Levin | Bass Guitar | |||||
| Jake Turner Jake Turner -History:Jake Turner is the guitarist/vocalist of the band Say Anything. He was the singer/guitarist in the now defunct bands Parkside View and Safety In Numbers. He has a side-project with his twin brother called XO and also a solo side-project called TesT... |
Guitars/Backing Vocals (Live Only) | |||||
| Jeff Turner | Guitars/Backing Vocals (Live Only) | |||||
| Alex Kent | Bass Guitar | |||||
| Parker Case | Guitars/Keys/Backing Vocals (Live Only) | |||||
| Adam Siska | Bass Guitar (Live Only) | |||||