Attack Attack!
| Attack Attack! | |
|---|---|
 Attack Attack! performing in 2010. From left to right: John Holgado, Caleb Shomo, Andrew Wetzel and Sean Mackowski. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Westerville, Ohio |
| Genres | Post hardcore, metalcore, electronicore, groove metal (later) |
| Years active | 2007–2013 |
| Labels | Oxide, Rise |
| Associated acts | For All We Know, Of Mice & Men, CLASS, Lakeland, The March Ahead, DJ Club, I Am Abomination, Beartooth, For Varsity, Danger! Captain, Danger!, Addictions, Get Scared |
| Website | Official website |
| Past members | Andrew Wetzel Andrew Whiting Tyler Sapp Phil Druyor Austin Carlile Johnny Franck Austin Richards John Holgado Caleb Shomo Nick Barham Nick White Ricky Lortz |
Attack Attack! was an American metalcore band from Westerville, Ohio, formed in March 2007. Attack Attack!'s first release, an independent EP titled If Guns Are Outlawed, Can We Use Swords?, was released in 2008, which led to the signing of the band to Rise Records the same year. They then released their three full-length albums, Someday Came Suddenly, a self-titled album, This Means War all through Rise. The band left Rise in 2012 and never signed to a record label since.
Although some of the group's earlier songs contain Christian-based lyrics, not all members of Attack Attack! were Christian, and they didn't consider themselves a Christian band.[1] On 22 April 2013, the band announced they would be disbanding after their Back In Action tour.
Contents |
History [edit]
Formation and Someday Came Suddenly (2005–2008) [edit]
Attack Attack! was founded in 2005 by members Austin Carlile, Ricky Lortz, Andrew Whiting, Nick White, Andrew Wetzel. Several months later, Ricky Lortz announced his departure and was soon replaced by Johnny Franck as the new vocalist/rhythm guitarist at the time. Later, Nick White also kicked out of the group and John Holgado was added on bass and in 2005, Caleb Shomo joined the band on keyboard in 2008. In early 2008, they self-released their debut EP titled If Guns Are Outlawed, Can We Use Swords?. Later they signed to Rise Records in June 2008 and released their debut album, Someday Came Suddenly, on the label late that year.[2] Upon the release of Someday Came Suddenly, it peaked on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and number 193 on the Billboard 200,[3] with sales of more than 3,600 in its first week despite its mediocre to overwhelmingly negative reviews.[4]
Carlile's departure and a year with Barham (2008–2010) [edit]
Later, halfway through a tour supporting Maylene and the Sons of Disaster,[5] vocalist Austin Carlile was fired by the group due to personal differences and health issues. Carlile was replaced by Nick Barham, former vocalist of For All We Know. In 2009 for Fearless Records' eighth Punk Goes... album, Punk Goes Pop 2, Attack Attack! covered Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" with Austin Carlile performing the lead vocals, before his departure from the band. Attack Attack! then toured with Escape the Fate, William Control, Black Tide and Burn Halo early in 2009.[6] Attack Attack! was included on Warped Tour 2009 and did signings for the non-profit organization Music Saves Lives where they met with fans who gained special access to the band by donating blood.[7]
Attack Attack! released a music video for their highly criticized song "Stick Stickly", and made its premiere on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. Two music videos were created for the song, the other one made (which was recorded before the "official") is usually referred to as the "unofficial video", due to the band having another idea in mind after production for the first video was completed. The "Stick Stickly" video has led to a number of criticisms, including lengthy pieces by Buddyhead and the British newspaper The Guardian.[8][9] The band also has a "live" video for the song "Dr. Shavargo Pt. 3".[10]
On October 19, 2009, lead vocalist Nick Barham announced his departure from Attack Attack! just two days short of their headliner tour. He stated in his blog on MySpace that "It was just time for change," and that there was no conflict between him and the other band members.[11] The band then made the decision of Caleb Shomo to be moved as the band's primary vocalist but still remaining at his place as the keyboardist as well.[12]
Near the end of 2009, Attack Attack! toured with I Set My Friends On Fire, Miss May I, Our Last Night, and The Color Morale as part of the "Shred Til You're Dead" tour. Attack Attack! started playing "Sexual Man Chocolate", which was the first song leaked from their self-titled album.
Self-titled album and Franck's departure (2010-2011) [edit]
Attack Attack! headlined the 2010 Artery Across the Nation Tour with support from Asking Alexandria, I See Stars, Breathe Carolina and Bury Tomorrow in early 2010. The group performed three songs off their self-titled album live during the tour before its release. The songs performed were "Sexual Man Chocolate", "AC-130", and "A for Andrew".[13] The self-titled album was released on June 8, 2010. The working title for it was intended to be "Shazam!", but was changed due to copyright issues.
The group performed on the Altec Lansing Stage during Warped Tour 2010 for the entire tour. They headlined the This Is a Family Tour in November 2010.[14]
On November 10, 2010 Johnny Franck announced he had departed from the band to focus on his relationship with God. He has started a new project called The March Ahead.[15][16] With this news also came a clip of a new song featuring Caleb Shomo doing both clean, and unclean vocals.[17] Sean Mackowski of My Ticket Home started touring with the band, singing the clean parts of songs from the first two albums and playing guitar. The music video for "Smokahontas" was released on January 21, 2011 and was directed by Thunder Down Country films.[18] The music video featured Sean Mackowski of My Ticket Home and Cody Anderson, the former unclean vocalist of In Fear and Faith.[19] Attack Attack! performed on the main stage at the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.
The band has announced that they are set to re-issue their self-titled album on July 19, 2011 with four new songs, two acoustic songs, and two remixes. A new track entitled "Last Breath" was released on June 7, 2011, to promote the album's re-issue. It is the first song by the band to feature Caleb Shomo on both clean and screamed vocals, and was produced by John Feldmann.
This Means War (2011-2012) [edit]
On November 14, 2011 it was announced that the band's third full-length, This Means War would be released on January 17, 2012. The entire album was produced by Caleb Shomo at his home studio.[20] Along with this news, they also posted dates for the "This Means War Tour" with supporting acts from The Ghost Inside, Sleeping with Sirens, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, and Dream On, Dreamer. More news and the album artwork was released in the Hot Topic website "News."[21] On December 13, 2011, they premiered a song from the album entitled "The Motivation". 30 seconds of the whole track list were released on Amazon.com and pre-orders were also opened in many stores. On January 12, 2012. the band debuted the music video for the first single off the album, "The Wretched".[22] On July 1, they released a music video for This Means War's third single, "The Revolution".
Departure from Rise, new line-up, and farewell tour (2012-2013) [edit]
The band recently announced their departure from Rise Records, simultaneous with an announcement that they have completed ten songs, produced by John Feldmann, for another album, although Wetzel said on his formspring "they are gone forever" for they "would be too much work legally to get them released" The band stated that they "don’t have another record label or anything lined up and [are] probably not planning on going to another one.", also that Wetzel "has [his] own label now [Oxide Entertainment] and will probably just use that"[23] The band headlined the This World Is Ours Tour with Escape The Fate and The Word Alive, but had to reschedule the South American This World Is Ours Tour as their drummer Andrew Wetzel was suffering from pneumonia. The band had also co-headlined the Scream It Like You Mean It tour in 2012.
Sean Mackowski, Caleb Shomo, and John Holgado all left the band on October 30, 2012.
In December 2012, John Holgado announced on Instagram that he would be selling his bass guitars, and is leaving Attack Attack! due to depression and anxiety issues. Holgado has stated that he left on good terms. Caleb Shomo tweeted about John's departure "What a crazy day. Real proud of John and his bravery. Love that man, been my best friend since I was 14." Shortly after John left he deactivated his Instagram and Twitter account.
On December 18, 2012, Caleb Shomo officially announced his departure from Attack Attack!, along with confirming the new vocalist of the band to be Phil Druyor of I Am Abomination.[24] In an interview Caleb announced that he had "technically" left Attack Attack! in July 2012. Sean Mackowski confirming that "they had all quit about 3 months ago" and that they stuck around because they "already had the shows booked and didn't want to cancel them".
On December 19, 2012, the band released a new song titled "No Defeat" through Alternative Press. The song features the brand new line-up. This is the first song to feature Phil Druyor on vocals and Tyler Sapp on bass.[25] After which they recorded a entirely new album with Nick Sampson.
Early 2013 Attack Attack! starting touring in Europe again with the new members. Phil Druyor made the decision to not scream live during this tour.
On April 22, 2013, Attack Attack! said that the Back in Action tour is going to be their last tour and the band would be "[laid] to rest" .[26] Wetzel commented "No one knows" on the status of if the recorded full length will ever be released, and fans are confused at why they would record it to just shelve it before its release.
It was announced on April 24 that Caleb Shomo would be featured at some Attack Attack! shows in the "Back In Action Tour" as a farewell to fans.
On May 2, Johnny Franck announced he would be playing with the band on their last show of the tour.
Andrew Wetzel confirmed that the album they had just worked on would not be released under Attack Attack!, and that the members are most likely going to stay together.
Musical style [edit]
Attack Attack! have been described as metalcore,[27] screamo[27][28] and post-hardcore[8] combined with electronica influences.[29] This combination is commonly referred to as 'crabcore,' and usually features distinct traits into Attack Attack!'s music. Songs usually have but are not limited to synth breakdowns, keyboard solos, basic rock song structures, and minor key tonality.
Band members [edit]
- Final Lineup
- Andrew Whiting - guitars (2007–2013)
- Andrew Wetzel - drums (2007–2013)
- Tyler Sapp - bass guitar (2012–2013)
- Phil Druyor - lead vocals (2012–2013)
- Former members
- Austin Carlile - lead vocals (2005–2008) (currently in Of Mice & Men)
- Caleb Shomo - lead vocals (2009–2012) keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2008–2012) (currently in Beartooth and making electronic music under the name CLASS)
- Johnny Franck - rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2007–2010) (currently in The March Ahead)
- Nick Barham - lead vocals (2008–2009) (currently in Addictions)
- John Holgado - bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–2012)
- Ricky Lortz - rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2007)
- Nick White - bass guitar (2007)
- Touring members
- Sean Mackowski - rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2010–2012) (currently in The March Ahead and Truslow)
- Sean Bell - rhythm guitar (Farewell Tour 2013) (currently in In Fear and Faith)
- Caleb Shomo - unclean vocals (Farewell Tour 2013) (currently in Beartooth)
Discography [edit]
| Releases | |
|---|---|
| ↙Studio albums | 3 |
| ↙EPs | 1 |
| ↙Singles | 9 |
| ↙Music videos | 7 |
- Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 200 | US Indie | US Heat | |||
| 2008 | Someday Came Suddenly | Rise Records | 193 | 25 | 9 |
| 2010 | Attack Attack! | 26 | 1 | - | |
| 2012 | This Means War | 11 | 2 | - | |
- EPs
- Singles
| Song title | Release date | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Stick Stickly" | June 4, 2009 | Someday Came Suddenly |
| "Dr. Shavargo Pt. 3" | August 25, 2009 | |
| "Smokahontas" | January 11, 2011 | Attack Attack! |
| "Last Breath" | June 27, 2011 | Attack Attack! (deluxe edition re-issue) |
| "The Motivation" | December 20, 2011 | This Means War |
| "The Wretched" | January 12, 2012 | |
| "The Revolution" | July 1, 2012 | |
| "No Defeat" | December 20, 2012 |
Videography [edit]
- "Stick Stickly" (2009)
- "Dr. Shavargo Pt. 3" (2009)
- "Smokahontas" (2011)
- "Last Breath" (2011)
- "The Motivation" (2012)
- "The Wretched" (2012)
- "The Revolution" (2012)
References [edit]
- ^ "Attack Attack - hardtimes.ca". 13 July 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ^ Review, MusicEmissions.com
- ^ Charts, Allmusic
- ^ Taylor Swift Scores First No. 1 Debut with Fearless. MTV, November 19, 2008
- ^ Attack Attack! Maylene & the Sons of Disaster, A Static Lullaby, Showbread, Confide, Attack Attack! Chicago Reader
- ^ Escape the Fate Heading Out with Attack Attack!. Alternative Press, December 9, 2008.
- ^ Music Saves Lives Donation '09 The Dillinger Escape Plan, Attack Attack! Warped Tour
- ^ a b Guardian.co.uk
- ^ Buddyhead.com
- ^ http://www.noisecreep.com/2009/08/14/attack-attack-dr-shavargo-pt-3-live-video/
- ^ NEWS!!!! - Nick's MySpace Blog |
- ^ Regarding Member Change - ATTACK ATTACK!'s MySpace Blog |#
- ^ "Attack Attack! (Andrew W.) *interview w/ Punk World Views*". Punk World Views/YouTube. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
- ^ Artery Foundation Across The Nation Tour ft Attack Attack! Eventful
- ^ /Attack Attack! guitarist/vocalist Johnny Franck leaves band to “Refocus on God”
- ^ OH NOES ATTACK ATTACK LOSES ANOTHER MEMBER MetalSucks
- ^ Attack Attack! guitarist/vocalist Johnny Franck leaves band to “refocus on God” Alternative Press
- ^ Karan, Tim (21 January 2011). "Attack Attack! premiere "Smokahontas" video". Alternative Press. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ "ATTACK ATTACK Debut New Video For "Smokahontas"". The New Review. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
- ^ "Attack Attack! wrap recording "This Means War".". Indiestardw.tv. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- ^ "Attack Attack! announce new album, 2012 headlining tour dates". Alternative Press. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ "Attack Attack! Take No Prisoners on 'The Wretched' -- Video Premiere". Noisecreep. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ Tate, Jason (22 February 2012). "Attack Attack! No Longer on Rise Records". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ http://propertyofzack.com/post/38259476634/caleb-shomo-officially-leaves-attack-attack-confirm
- ^ Whitt, Cassie (19 December 2012). "Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Text " Features " ignored (help)
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/attackattackus/posts/10151364132616681
- ^ a b "allmusic ((( Attack Attack! > Overview )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (19 July 2009). "Screamers, Whiners and Synthesizers: There’s a Rave Going On". New York Times. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ Attack Attack! The Rolling Stone
External links [edit]
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