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Paramore

Paramore (pronounced "Per-a-mour" (IPA: /pɛɹ.ə.moʊɹ/)) is an American pop[1] band that formed in Franklin, Tennessee in 2002. Despite several lineup changes, Paramore primarily consists of Hayley Williams (lead vocals), Josh Farro (lead guitar/backing vocals), Jeremy Davis (bass), and Zac Farro (drums) for the records in their career.

Influenced by the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate,[2] the band has developed thier own pop punk[3] and power pop[4] sound. Frontwoman Hayley Williams and lead guitarist Josh Farro are the group's primary songwriters — the duo's songwriting has been called "contrastly cliched and weak at points"[5], while others have said the songs are "ridiculously catchy" and "sing-a-long worthy".[6] Williams' vocals have often been cited as "completely top notch" enough to accompany those lyrics; the same has been said of Farro's guitar.[7][6]

Paramore released their debut All We Know Is Falling in 2005, gaining a fanbase through touring and internet promotion. However, in 2007, the band gained mainstream notoriety with their second album release Riot!. The first single "Misery Business" had received wide radio airplay and the video was widely shown on television channels such as MTV and Fuse, where MTV had also featured the band in Artist of the Week segments during August 2007. With their early success, much attention is paid to the young age of the band members; their ages ranging from 17 to 22.[8]

History

Formation and All We Know Is Falling (2002-2005)

At the age of 13, vocalist Hayley Williams moved from her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi to Franklin, Tennessee where she met brothers Josh and Zac Farro.[9] Shortly after arriving, she began taking vocal lessons with Brett Manning and had also participated in school productions.[10] Previous to forming Paramore, however, members of the group took part in a funk cover band.[11] The other members of what was soon to be Paramore had been "edgy about the whole female thing" of having Williams as vocalist, but, because they were "really good friends", she "started writing for them" and it eventually "worked out".[12] The band was later officially formed by Josh Farro (lead guitar/backing vocals), Zac Farro (drums), Jeremy Davis (bass) and Williams (lead vocals) in 2004, with the later addition of Jason Bynum (Rhythm Guitar). They took the name Paramore, which is derived from a friend's mother's maiden name; once the group learned the meaning of the identically-sounding word paramour ("secret lover"), they decided to adopt the name, using the Paramore spelling.[12] The band's first song written together was "Conspiracy", which was later used on their debut album.[3]

In 2005, Paramore consisted of (l-r): Jason Bynum, Josh Farro, Hayley Williams and Zac Farro. This line up was used during promotion for All We Know is Falling, however, Bynum was later replaced by Hunter Lamb.

Over the following years, Paramore performed at venues outside the greater Nashville area, including the concert festivals Purple Door and Warped Tour. John Janick, CEO and co-founder of the music label Fueled by Ramen, got ahold of Paramore's demos and went to a Taste of Chaos performance in Orlando, Florida to see the band perform live. After a smaller private performance at a warehouse, the band was signed to the label in April 2005.[13]

Paramore traveled back to Orlando to record their debut album All We Know Is Falling, but, shortly after arriving, Davis opted to leave the band citing personal reasons. The remaining four members of Paramore continued with the album, writing "All We Know" about his departure, and later deciding to base All We Know Is Falling around the concept. The album artwork also reflected Paramore's grief as Williams explains, "The couch [on the cover of All We Know is Falling] with no one there and the shadow walking away; it's all about Jeremy leaving us and us feeling like there's an empty space."[13] Recording for All We Know is Falling had taken three weeks, and promotional material for the album had only featured the four of the remaining members. Before touring, the band added John Hembree (bass) to their line up.[14] After being asked by the band, Davis returned to Paramore, after five months apart, as Hembree left.[15] All We Know Is Falling was released on July 24, 2005 and reached #30 on the Billboard's Heatseekers Chart. Paramore released "Pressure" as its first single, with a video directed by Shane Drake, but the song had failed to place on the charts. The video featured the band performing in a warehouse, eventually getting sprayed with water sprinklers as the storyline of a conflicted couple occurs. In July, "Emergency" was released as the second single, the video again reuniting the band with director Shane Drake and featuring Hunter Lamb, who replaced Bynum on guitar.[9] The video for "Emergency" showcased Paramore in another performence, this time fixing the members bloody and in worn costumes. The third single "All We Know", was released with limited airtime, and the video consisting of a collection of live performences and backstage footage. During that summer, Paramore was featured on the Shira Girl Stage of the 2005 Warped Tour.[13]

Riot! (2006-Present)

In January of 2006 they were a part of the Winter Go West Tour where they played alongside Seattle bands Amber Pacific and The Lashes, and in February, Williams' vocals were featured on "Keep Dreaming Upside Down" by October Fall.[16] In the spring 2006, Paramore was an opening act on headlining tours for both Bayside and soon afterwards, The Rocket Summer. They toured the United Kingdom from October 5 to October 15, 2006, where they ended in London at The Mean Fiddler. The band then covered Foo Fighters' "My Hero" for the Sound of Superman soundtrack which was released on June 26, 2006.[17] During the summer of 2006, Paramore played a portion of Warped Tour, primarily on the Volcom and Hurley Stages, and their first night on the Main Stage was at a date in their hometown of Nashville. Paramore's first United States headlining tour began on August 2, 2006 to a sold-out audience[18] with support from This Providence, Cute Is What We Aim For, and Hit the Lights with the final show in Nashville. That year they were voted "Best New Band", and Williams as #2 "Sexiest Female", by readers of the British magazine Kerrang!.[19]

In 2007, Paramore was named by British magazine NME as one of ten bands to watch out for in their "New Noise 2007" feature.[19] In January, the band played an acoustic set for the grand opening of a Warped Tour exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,[20] and the dress Williams wore in the video for "Emergency" was also put onto display in the exhibit.[21] Paramore was featured in Kerrang! magazine once more, however, Williams believed the article was an untrue portrayal of the band, particularly because it focused on her as the main component. Afterwards, Williams addressed the issue in the band's LiveJournal, with a post saying, "we could’ve done without a cover piece. sorry, if it offends anyone at kerrang! but i don’t think there was one bit of truth in that article."[22] In April, Williams' vocals were featured in "Then Came To Kill" by The Chariot.[23]

Paramore began recording their second album Riot! in January 2007, ending production in March, without the guitar of Hunter Lamb (who left the band early in 2007 to get married);[9] without Lamb, lead guitarist Farro was required to play both guitar parts on the album.[24] Lamb has since been replaced by guitarist Taylor York as temporary member for the duration of touring.[18] After being courted by producers Neal Avron and Howard Benson,[25], Paramore opted to record Riot! with New Jersey producer David Bendeth, releasing the album on June 12, 2007. Riot! entered the Billboard 200 at number 20, the UK charts at number 24, and sold 44,000 its first week in the United States.[18] The name Riot! had been chosen because it meant "a sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotion", and it was a word that "summed it all up".[25] The first single off of the album, released June 21, 2007, "Misery Business," is, according to Williams, "more honest than anything I've ever written, and the guys matched that emotion musically."[19] Williams wrote the song about a past experience involving a male friend who she felt was being manipulated by a girl, and later on when Williams and her friend began to date, she penned the lyrics to "finally explain my side of the story and feel freed of it all".[26] Later, Williams addressed the lyrics in the chorus:

File:Paramore Misery.jpg
Paramore's current line-up consists of (l-r): Josh Farro, Jeremy Davis, Hayley Williams and Zac Farro. In the music video for "Misery Business", the four confront a superficial girl.

But God does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him right now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause God it just feels so
It just feels so good

Williams felt that some might find the use of God "casually. in vain, to be blunt" as blasphemy, and as a Christian, she doesn't want "to be held responsible for causing a lot of people to use my God's name in vain."[26] She posted an explaination and apology on the band's LiveJournal. Paramore's video for the song featured the band performing in a room with the words 'Riot!' covering all surfaces, all intertwined with the storyline of a superficial girl who acts cruely to other students before being confronted by Williams. "Misery Business" was the third Paramore video to be directed by Shane Drake, and was nominated for the "Best Video" award at the Kerrang! Awards 2007, but lost to Fall Out Boy's "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race".[27] "Misery Business" is also featured on the soundtrack to the EA Sports video game NHL 08.

Summer of 2007 saw Paramore participating on their third Warped Tour and posting journals of their experiences on yourhereblog for MTV. In June they were declared by Rolling Stone as "Ones to Watch".[28] The second single off of Riot!, "Hallelujah", was released on July 30, 2007, and is currently only available online and on UK television. The video, much like "All We Know", features backstage footage and live performences. In August 2007, Paramore had been featured in television spots on MTV, performing acoustic versions of their songs or acting in short accompaniments to MTV program commercials. As "MTV Artists of the Week", the band filmed the faux camping themed spots in Queens, New York, all written and directed by Evan Silver and Gina Fortunato.[29] Mtv.com also has a collection of short videos with the band to promote Riot as well. For weeks in August 2007, the "Misery Business" video was the number one streamed video at MTV.com.[30] On October 8, Paramore played "Misery Business" live on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, a booking made possible due the friendship struck between the band and Max Weinberg during the 2007 Warped Tour.[31] In August, Paramore participated in the band New Found Glory's music video for their cover of Sixpence None the Richer's song "Kiss Me"

On October 11th, "Crushcrushcrush" was released as the next single off of Riot!. The official video for "Crushcrushcrush" featured the band playing a performance in a barren desert, being spied upon, and later destroying their equipment. The single will be available in the United Kingdom for download from November 5 and purchase on November 12, 2007.[32] Williams recorded guest vocals for the tracks "Church Channel" and "Plea" for the upcoming Say Anything concept album In Defense of the Genre set for release on October 23, 2007. [33]

Musical style and influences

The majority of Paramore's recordings come from collaborations between lead vocalist Hayley Williams and lead guitarist Josh Farro — Farro firsts writes the music, afterwords taking it to Williams for a melody and lyrics, and from that point the song worked out between the two.[13] Once the foundation is laid out, the remaining band members help to work on sound and arrangement. Joshua Martin had written after an interview with Williams, "The band isn't just a short pop-punk girl with red hair and a spunky attitude. Their music is like them, it's aged differently. It's sped up, and slowed down. It's emo without being whiney, or bratty. Almost a very literal anti-Avril Lavinge."[11] Alternative Press magazine had commented that the band was "young sounding", yet "honest".[34] Paramore's first album All We Know is Falling had an arguably more "formulaic pop-punk" sound that was "delivered particularly well"[35] and the combination of the two had created a "refined rock infused pop/punk album".[36] The band's second release, Riot!, had shown Paramore in their development as a band, "exploring a diverse range of styles", however, not straying far from "their signature sound".[35]

Alternative Press and various other reviewers have noted that the band's stage performences have helped boost them to larger fame. Alternative Press states that Williams "has more charisma than singers twice her age, and her band aren't far behind in their chops, either."[37] Because of the female fronted aspect of the band, Paramore has gained comparisions to Kelly Clarkson and the afore mentioned Avril Lavigne, to which one reviewer said was "sorely unfounded".[38][39] Williams has gone on to comment about the female aspect of the band saying that Paramore isn't "this girl-fronted band" and it makes "music for people to enjoy music, not so people can talk about my sexuality."[25]

Reviewer Jonathan Bradley noted that the band's music had a sound derivative from that of early emo band Rites of Spring, sharing with its predecessors' "unabashed sincerity", however, "notably omit[ing] much of the neurotic self-examination."[40] A reviewer at NME had likened Paramore's sound to that of "No Doubt (stripped of all the ska bollocks)" and "Kelly Clarkson's wildest dreams".[41]

Although they believe themselves to be considered a pop music band by others, they were influenced by various rock music artists. Paramore has expressed their influence for creating the band and their music had come from appreciation for Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, Rush, Chicago, Death Cab for Cutie and Failure; Williams citing her personal influences as Robert Smith of The Cure and Etta James.[42] Williams explained that bands such as U2, "who are massive, and do whatever they want, write whatever they want and they stand for something", Jimmy Eat World, "who I don’t think ever disappoint their fans", and No Doubt, who "have done amazing things", act as a pattern for the path in which Paramore would like to take their career.[2]

Band Members

Current Members

Former Band Members

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak Chart Positions
Billboard 200 Top Heatseekers UK Albums Chart Australia
2005 All We Know Is Falling 12 30 200 -
2006 The Summer Tic EP - - - -
2007 Riot! 15 - 24 69

Singles

Year Title Peak Chart Positions Album
US Hot 100 US Pop 100 US Modern Rock Hot Digital Songs UK Singles Chart Australian Singles Chart
2005 "All We Know" - - - - - - All We Know Is Falling
"Pressure" - - - 62 - -
2006 "Emergency" - - - - - -
2007 "Misery Business" 34 30 4 11 31 65 Riot!
"Hallelujah" - - - - 139 -
"Crushcrushcrush" - - - - - -

See also

References

  1. ^ "Paramore". mp3.com. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  2. ^ a b "Paramore in prog shock rock?". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  3. ^ a b "Paramore: All We Know Is Falling". hitherson.com. 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2007-09-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Reviews". rhapsody.com. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  5. ^ "Riot! Review". musicmissions.com. 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2007-10-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Paramore Riot! Review". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  7. ^ "Paramore - Live". caughtinthecrossfire.com. 2006-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Mandia, Delia Rosa (2007-06-24). "Paramore rocks at a young age". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved 2007-09-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b c "Biography". All Music. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  10. ^ Hayley Williams (2007-10-17). "Youth Gone Wild" (Interview). Interviewed by David Walter. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b Hayley Williams; Josh Farro (2007-06-26). "ASL's Exclusive Interview With Paramore" (Interview). Interviewed by Joshua Martin. Retrieved 2007-10-12. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b Josh Farro; Hayley Williams; Jeremy Davis (2007-07-14). "Interview With Paramore" (Interview). Interviewed by cathyreay. Retrieved 2007-08-17. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b c d Hayley Williams; Josh Farro (2005-08-08). "Interview: Hayley Williams and Josh Farro of Paramore" (Interview). Interviewed by Tony Pascarella. Retrieved 2007-08-16. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Hayley Williams (2005-07-14). "Paramore Interview" (Interview). Interviewed by Jason Schleweis. Retrieved 2007-10-12. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Paramore Kerrang! Article, Kerrang!, 2006-11-05, retrieved 2007-10-13 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "October Fall - A Season in Hell". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  17. ^ "IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE™, IT'S SOUND OF SUPERMAN" (Press release). Rhino. 2006-03-23. Retrieved 2007-08-18. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b c "Paramore". mtv.com. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  19. ^ a b c Fletcher, Alex (2007-09-24). "Paramore". fueledbyramen.com. Retrieved 2007-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ "Warped adds Agent Orange, video from Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame exhibit". punknews.org. 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2007-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Moseley, Brittany (2007-01-31). "Warped Tour: Thirteen years of memorabilia to Cleveland". Stater Online. Retrieved 2007-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Paramore Not Happy About Kerrang Article". drivenfaroff.com. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "God Makes Real Noise". PopMatters.com. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  24. ^ Josh Farro (2007-05-01). "Paramore: They're Looking for a Riot!" (Interview). Interviewed by Stephanie Keller. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ a b c Hayley Williams; Josh Farro (2007-05-25). "Paramore" (Interview). Interviewed by Julia Conny. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite interview}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ a b "redemption. it's a long story". livejournal.com. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  27. ^ "Kerrang Awards 2007: The Winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
  28. ^ "Paramore". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  29. ^ "Behind the Scenes: Paramore's TV Spots". mtv.com. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  30. ^ "MTV Doesn't Care About Black People, Either". mollygood.com. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-08-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "i forgot to tell you guys. i'm such a jerk!". livejournal.com. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-10-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Paramore <Paramore>". bebo.com. 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "Say Anything To Post New Song". absolutepunk.net. 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2007-10-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Josh Farro; Jeremy Davis. "Interview: Paramore" (Interview). Interviewed by Charlotte Otter. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  35. ^ a b Davies, Alex. "Paramore - Riot!". decoymusic.com. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  36. ^ Schleweis, Jason (2005-07-26). "Paramore". Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "Bamboozle Recap: Day 1". altpress.com. 2007-05-06. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ Pascarella, Tony (2007-07-20). "Music Review: Paramore, "All We Know Is Falling"". the-trades.com. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ Drumm, Alex. "Paramore". emotionalpunk.com. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  40. ^ Bradley, Jonathan (2007-08-13). "Paramore - Riot! - Review". stylusmagazine.com. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "Review". nme.com. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
  42. ^ "Questions and Answers with Paramore". paramore-fans.com. 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)


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