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Say Anything (band)

May 13, 2024

Say Anything is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 2000 by Max Bemis and his friends, and within two years, they had self-released two EPs and a full-length album.

Say Anything
Vocalist Max Bemis and bassist Garron DuPree performing in concert
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2000–2018, 2022–present
Labels
MembersMax Bemis
Coby Linder
Alex Kent
Parker Case
Brian Warren
Fred Mascherino
Past membersEvan Span
Michael Levin
Josh Eichenstein
Alex Hedric
Kevin Seaton
Jake Turner
Jeff Turner
Adam Siska
Casper Adams
Dan DeLauro
Reed Murray
Garron DuPree
Remington DuPree
Kenny Bridges
Karl Kuehn
Gregory Dunn
WebsiteOfficial website

In 2003, the band signed with their first label, Doghouse Records. A year later, they released their second album, ...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, re-released ...Is a Real Boy with their new label. They went on co-headlining tours with Saves the Day in 2006 and Hellogoodbye in 2007. In 2008, Say Anything went on a headlining tour across the US and UK and appeared on every date of Warped Tour.

Bemis announced Say Anything’s disbandment in 2018, months before the 2019 release of their eighth LP, Oliver Appropriate. The band reunited in 2022.

History edit

Early years (2000–2004) edit

The band was formed in 2000 by Max Bemis and four of his friends as Sayanything. Within two years, they self-released two EPs, Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams, and the full-length Baseball: An Album by Sayanything.

In 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.[1] By this point, Say Anything's releases had generated "a major bidding war". Drive-Thru Records pursued the band and called Max Bemis "the next Bob Dylan."[2][3] 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."[4][5]

After signing with the label, Bemis began writing songs for his band's Doghouse debut. Bemis went into the studio with Florida producer Paul Trust. They recorded 3 songs that were not released although one of the songs entitled "Spider Song" would later appear on a Doghouse compilation. 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.[5][6]

"I literally lost my mind while we were recording," stated Bemis regarding the breakdown. The breakdown was precipitated by 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).[7] After recovering, Bemis decided to focus solely on the music and dropped the idea of a script.[5] 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."[7] 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.[8] The band also worked with ECA Records to record a promotional album that was never released.[6]

...Is a Real Boy was released August 3, 2004.[9] The album featured Linder on drums and Bemis on vocals, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard.[10] ...Is a Real Boy received positive reviews, including a 99% from AbsolutePunk.net and four and a half stars (out of five) from AllMusic.[11][12] When the band began touring in support of ...Is a Real Boy, they picked up Dan DeLauro, Casper Adams, and Kevin Seaton.[4]

 
Say Anything at Syracuse University in 2007

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]."[13] 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.[14][15] 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.[16]

On October 3, 2005, Bemis had another breakdown; this time, it involved depressive behaviour, 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.[4][17]

...Is a Real Boy (2005–2007) edit

Under J Records, 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).[14] 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 to the album's liner notes, ...Was a Real Boy was originally intended as charity record and 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."[18] Around this time, the band also released "Alive with the Glory of Love" as a single.[4]

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.[5][13][19][20]

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.[21]

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.[4] In February 2007, Say Anything performed on Last Call with Carson Daly.[22] 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.[23][24] 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.[25][26]

 
Bemis and Linder at Warped Tour, 2008-07-24

In Defense of the Genre (2007–2008) edit

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 Blur", on October 2, 2007.[27][28] 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."[13] 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."[29]

Andy Jackson, a former member of the band and close friend of Bemis, along with Liam Ortmeier 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.[30][31][32] Chris Conley and several others also provided guest vocals.[33] 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."[34][35][36]

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.[37] 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.[38]

Say Anything released the video for "Shiksa (Girlfriend)" on April 9, 2008.[39] On April 25, Say Anything performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[40] During summer 2008, Say Anything joined the Warped Tour for the first time, appearing on all dates.[21] On August 1, 2008, Say Anything announced the Max Bemis Song Shop, through which users could pay 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."[41][42] The Song Shop has reopened semi-annually 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) edit

In an online chat 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."[43] AbsolutePunk.net reported on August 1, 2008, that J Records "picked up the option for Say Anything's next release."[44] 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."[45]

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."[46]

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."[46]

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",[47] the album's first single. "Hate Everyone" was officially released on August 25, 2009,[48] after WBRU FM in Providence, RI became the first radio station to debut the single on the 17th.[49] Lead singer Max Bemis also premiered the song "Crush'd," performing the song acoustic in WBRU's studio.[50] 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.

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, 2010, 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, 2011, it was announced that Adam Siska was officially joining Say Anything.

Side projects (2008–2011) edit

After recording In Defense of the Genre, 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.[51] 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.[52][53] 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.[53][54]

Say Anything band members Jake and Jeff Turner self-released their six-track EP Some Day in February 2009 under the name XO.[55] 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.[56] 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.[19] 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."[57]

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.

Anarchy, My Dear (2011–2013) edit

On 13 July 2011, Max Bemis posted a video on the band's website announcing that the band has officially signed with Equal Vision Records, he also stated that Tim O'Heir, who produced their second record ...Is a Real Boy would be producing Say Anything's fifth studio record. 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 an October 6 interview with AltPress.com that the name of the new record was Anarchy, My Dear, and this was later confirmed by Bemis and the rest of the band via Twitter. Anarchy, My Dear was released on March 13, 2012. On April 20, 2012, the music video for the song "Say Anything" premiered on mtvU.[58]

On November 9, 2012, Equal Vision announced a statement that confirms the release of the re-release of the Say Anything record Baseball, the Menora/Mejora EP, the "Dormroom Demos", Junior Varsity, and other various rarities in a triple-CD box set that are limited to 5000 physical copies. A citation and more information can be found at Equal Vision's website.[59]

On December 28, 2012, it was announced via Say Anything's Facebook page that Coby had left the band on good terms. Max Bemis stated the following in regards to seeking a new drummer "Say Anything will continue on without Coby but we will not be seeking a replacement drummer to play on the records we put out, as Coby and his style of drumming is, in many senses, irreplaceable; rather we plan on having a multitude of drummers play on our material. Say Anything on record will now be identified in the same way Nine Inch Nails is, in that it’s pretty much me and whoever I choose to play with at the time. Live shows will continue to have their own identity including Jake, Jeff, Parker, Adam, and whoever plays drums for us live. The band couldn’t be further from breaking up, and as I’ve said recently, we plan on releasing music as Say Anything forever, and already have a lot in the works."[60]

All My Friends Are Enemies: Early Rarities (2013–2014) edit

On January 22, 2013, Say Anything released All My Friends Are Enemies: Early Rarities, a three-disc compilation consisting of all of the material recorded by Say Anything prior to the release of ...Is a Real Boy. Disc one of this compilation is a copy of Baseball: An Album by Sayanything; disc two is Menorah/Majora EP and the Dormroom Demos; and disc three is titled Junior Varsity and includes all the songs from the first Junior Varsity (in Your Dreams) EP, in addition to other tracks. Overall, the album contains 45 remastered B-side tracks from the early days of Say Anything.

The band toured from June 6, 2013 to late summer to promote this album.

Hebrews (2014–2015) edit

On January 13, 2014, wife of Max Bemis, Sherri DuPree-Bemis published an Instagram photo stating that the new Say Anything album is almost mixed. The band's record, Hebrews, was released June 10, 2014 on Equal Vision Records.[61] The album was the first album that was self-produced by front-man Max Bemis. Bemis worked in the studio with audio engineer Garron DuPree for many months while recording the album at Bemis and Dupree's own studio in Tyler, TX. The album was mixed by mix engineer Brad Wood, and mastered by Emily Lazar. It returned to the collaborative nature of the band's earlier material, with guest vocals including Jon Simmons of Balance and Composure, Tom Delonge of Blink 182 and Angels and Airwaves, Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, Brian Sella of The Front Bottoms and Jeremy Bolm of Touche Amore. The album was met with positive reception by fans and critics upon its release, and the group embarked on a successful headlining tour in support of the album in the summer of 2014.

I Don't Think It Is (2016–2017) edit

At about midnight EST on February 4, 2016, Say Anything released I Don't Think It Is without any prior announcement besides several teaser posts the day before.[62] The album was co-produced by Bemis and Darren King of Mutemath, who also played drums and percussion, as well as Liam Ortmeier, who briefly appeared in previous works on guitar. The record was mixed by Will Yip and featured contributions by members of The Hotelier, Tiny Moving Parts, Eisley, Japanese Breakfast and others.

In 2017 it was announced drummer Reed Murray would be leaving the band. He was then replaced by Remington DuPree of Eisley for the band's In Defense of the Genre tenth anniversary tour.

The band announced their signing to Dine Alone Records at South by Southwest 2018 and revealed the existence of a forthcoming LP produced by Will Yip.

Oliver Appropriate and hiatus (2018) edit

On August 16, 2018, Bemis released a nine-page letter to fans detailing the band's forthcoming record, his future plans for Say Anything, and struggles with his own sexuality and drug use.[63] Say Anything's final LP for the time being, Oliver Appropriate, was released on January 25, 2019, via Dine Alone Records. The album is a purported sequel to ...Is a Real Boy, featuring an adult version of the narrator fictionalized on that record who struggles with his own sexuality, leading to a violent conclusion. Bemis stated his intention to "sort of, kind of end" the band, but that the project would also likely return in the future to record and perform again. As for now, Bemis is finished with "the traditional music thing" and there will be no tour in support of the new album, nor any scheduled live performances in the near future. However, he went on a solo tour in 2019 where he played acoustic versions of Say Anything and Perma songs. During the tour, he confirmed that Say Anything would eventually return.

On October 11, 2022, Max Bemis announced via Instagram that Say Anything would be reuniting in 2023 to play the When We Were Young festival.

...Is Committed (2024) edit

On March 21, 2024, the band announced via Instagram that their ninth studio album, titled "...Is Committed" will be released digitally on May 24, 2024.

Style edit

Themes and influences edit

Say Anything's music falls into the indie rock, emo and pop-punk genres. They can most easily be identified by their sardonic, literary sense of humor balanced out with a sense of intense catharsis.[64] The band, as well as certain artists within the indie/punk scene such as Cursive, MewithoutYou, Brand New, Bright Eyes and Manchester Orchestra tend to straddle the line between older 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'."[18] He also said that lyrics are "based on experience."[65] However, due to Bemis' bipolar disorder and his resulting mentality, the themes of the songs are often surreal, bleak, irreverent, personal, and 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 Is a Real Boy, which was written and recorded after Bemis' several drug-fueled breakdowns. Specifically, "Admit It!!!", "Yellow Cat (Slash) Red Cat", "Try To Remember, Forget", "The Writhing South", 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 confers a sense of hope.

Max Bemis was raised "in a strong Jewish environment." Many of Bemis' lyrics borrow from his Jewish roots, and contain elements of Jewish humor. 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 people and its history along with mentions of "the murder of God" and Bemis' departures from kosher.[66] 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" although it adheres more closely to the original song "Juicy Fruit" from which the sample for the Notorious B.I.G. song was taken), 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").[5][17][67]

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.[13]

Live shows edit

During live shows, some members of the group (other than Bemis) sing backing vocals. Bemis often sings parts he wrote, but which were sung by guest vocalists on studio recordings. In recent years, Bemis has switched up the lineup of performing musicians, using some permanent members of the groups, while rotating other musicians in and out of the live lineup. Beginning on the "All My Friends Are Enemies – Rarities Tour," Bemis added drummer Reed Murray, and bassist Garron DuPree. In summer of 2014 on the Hebrews tour, Bemis recruited ex-Taking Back Sunday member Fred Mascherino, Moneen guitarist Kenny Bridges, and Moving Mountains vocalist Greg Dunn to replace Jake and Jeff Turner and Parker Case, who were at the time performing with their band XO.

In the midst of the "Me Too" movement and accusations of sexual harassment against numerous prominent musicians, Bemis announced that the band would no longer perform "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" during live shows in 2017. His Twitter post stated that the song portrayed a "sarcastic caricature of someone I’ve never been at all and is no longer appropriate during this crisis."[68]

On September 8, 2020, frontman Max Bemis performed an online acoustic performance of the bands debut album, "...Is a Real Boy" in its entirety on an online livestream. During the livestream, Bemis stated that if the turnout for the livestream went well, the remaining Say Anything albums may also be performed online by livestream.[69]

Members edit

Current Members edit

Final lineup
  • Max Bemis – vocals, occasional guitar and keyboards (2000–2018)(2023)
  • Parker Case – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (2005–2018)(2023)
  • Garron DuPree – bass (2013–2018)(2023)
  • Kenny Bridges – guitar, backing vocals (2014–2018)(2023)
  • Karl Kuehn - drums (2018) (2023)
  • Coby Linder – drums, backing vocals (2000–2012)(2023)
Previous members
  • Evan Span – guitar (2000–2001)
  • Michael Levin – bass (2000–2002)
  • Josh Eichenstein (2000)
  • Dan DeLauro – bass (2003–2004)
  • Casper Adams – guitar (2003–2005)
  • Alex Hedrick — guitar (2004)
  • Kevin Seaton – bass, guitar (2004–2005)
  • Alex Kent – bass guitar, backing vocals (2004–2010, 2016)
  • Jake Turner – guitar, backing vocals (2005–2014)
  • Jeff Turner – guitar, backing vocals (2005–2014)
  • Adam Siska – bass guitar (2011–2013)
  • Reed Murray – drums, backing vocals (2013–2017)
  • Remington DuPree – drums (2017–2018)

Notable touring members edit

Timeline edit

Discography edit

Main article: Say Anything discography

Studio albums

References edit

  1. ^ Bemis, Max (2003-02-05). . Say Anything. Archived from the original on 2003-02-05. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  2. ^ Kelley, Trevor (December 2007). "Live Through This". Alternative Press (233): 164.
  3. ^ Staddon, Tristan (March 2006). "Mad Max". Alternative Press (212): 58.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Say Anything biography". The Tab World. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  5. ^ a b c d e Bemis, Max. . The Official Say Anything Site. Archived from the original on 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  6. ^ a b Bemis, Max (2003-04-24). . Say Anything. Archived from the original on 2003-04-24. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  7. ^ a b Kelley, Trevor (September 2004). "Crazy Days". Alternative Press (194): 104.
  8. ^ For Sale... (Media notes). Say Anything. Doghouse Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ . Doghouse Records. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  10. ^ ...Is a Real Boy (Media notes). Say Anything. Doghouse Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Tate, Jason (2005-11-20). "Say Anything – ...Is a Real Boy – Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  12. ^ Apar, Corey. "AllMusic ((( ...Is a Real Boy > Overview )))". AllMusic. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  13. ^ a b c d Tate, Jason (2007-06-19). "Interview with Max Bemis". AbsolutePunk.com. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  14. ^ a b "Say Anything Guy Goes Nuts". Aversion. 2005-07-13. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  15. ^ Kelley, Trevor (December 2007). "Live Through This". Alternative Press (233): 166.
  16. ^ Kelley, Trevor (December 2007). "Live Through This". Alternative Press (233): 168.
  17. ^ a b Kelley, Trevor (December 2007). "Live Through This". Alternative Press (233): 164, 167–168.
  18. ^ a b Henderson, Steve (2006-05-04). "Mammoth press interviews Max Bemis". Mammoth Press. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  19. ^ a b Metzger, Chloe (2008-04-23). "Interview with Say Anything". Driven Far Off. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  20. ^ Speer, Deborah. . PollStar. Archived from the original on 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  21. ^ a b Pettigrew, Jason (August 2008). "Warped 2K8". Alternative Press (241): 136.
  22. ^ Bemis, Max (2007-02-06). . The Official Say Anything Site. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  23. ^ Bemis, Max (2007-02-26). . The Official Say Anything Site. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  24. ^ Bemis, Max (2007-02-02). . The Official Say Anything Site. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  25. ^ Bemis, Max (2007-08-30). . The Official Say Anything Site. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  26. ^ Bemis, Max (2007-10-01). . The Official Say Anything Site. Archived from the original on October 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
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External links edit

  • Official website
  • Official MySpace

May 13, 2024
anything, band, anything, american, rock, band, from, angeles, california, band, formed, 2000, bemis, friends, within, years, they, self, released, full, length, album, anythingvocalist, bemis, bassist, garron, dupree, performing, concertbackground, informatio. Say Anything is an American rock band from Los Angeles California The band was formed in 2000 by Max Bemis and his friends and within two years they had self released two EPs and a full length album Say AnythingVocalist Max Bemis and bassist Garron DuPree performing in concertBackground informationOriginLos Angeles California U S GenresEmo pop punk indie rock alternative rockYears active2000 2018 2022 presentLabelsDoghouseJRCAEqual VisionDine AloneMembersMax Bemis Coby Linder Alex Kent Parker Case Brian Warren Fred MascherinoPast membersEvan SpanMichael LevinJosh Eichenstein Alex HedricKevin SeatonJake Turner Jeff TurnerAdam SiskaCasper Adams Dan DeLauroReed Murray Garron DuPreeRemington DuPreeKenny Bridges Karl Kuehn Gregory DunnWebsiteOfficial website In 2003 the band signed with their first label Doghouse Records A year later they released their second album 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 re released Is a Real Boy with their new label They went on co headlining tours with Saves the Day in 2006 and Hellogoodbye in 2007 In 2008 Say Anything went on a headlining tour across the US and UK and appeared on every date of Warped Tour Bemis announced Say Anything s disbandment in 2018 months before the 2019 release of their eighth LP Oliver Appropriate The band reunited in 2022 Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 2000 2004 1 2 Is a Real Boy 2005 2007 1 3 In Defense of the Genre 2007 2008 1 4 Say Anything 2008 2009 1 5 Side projects 2008 2011 1 6 Anarchy My Dear 2011 2013 1 7 All My Friends Are Enemies Early Rarities 2013 2014 1 8 Hebrews 2014 2015 1 9 I Don t Think It Is 2016 2017 1 10 Oliver Appropriate and hiatus 2018 1 11 Is Committed 2024 2 Style 2 1 Themes and influences 2 2 Live shows 3 Members 3 1 Current Members 3 2 Notable touring members 3 3 Timeline 4 Discography 5 References 6 External linksHistory editEarly years 2000 2004 edit The band was formed in 2000 by Max Bemis and four of his friends as Sayanything Within two years they self released two EPs Junior Varsity and In Your Dreams and the full length Baseball An Album by Sayanything In 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 1 By this point Say Anything s releases had generated a major bidding war Drive Thru Records pursued the band and called Max Bemis the next Bob Dylan 2 3 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 4 5 After signing with the label Bemis began writing songs for his band s Doghouse debut Bemis went into the studio with Florida producer Paul Trust They recorded 3 songs that were not released although one of the songs entitled Spider Song would later appear on a Doghouse compilation 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 5 6 I literally lost my mind while we were recording stated Bemis regarding the breakdown The breakdown was precipitated by 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 7 After recovering Bemis decided to focus solely on the music and dropped the idea of a script 5 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 7 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 8 The band also worked with ECA Records to record a promotional album that was never released 6 Is a Real Boy was released August 3 2004 9 The album featured Linder on drums and Bemis on vocals guitar bass guitar and keyboard 10 Is a Real Boy received positive reviews including a 99 from AbsolutePunk net and four and a half stars out of five from AllMusic 11 12 When the band began touring in support of Is a Real Boy they picked up Dan DeLauro Casper Adams and Kevin Seaton 4 nbsp Say Anything at Syracuse University in 2007 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 13 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 14 15 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 16 On October 3 2005 Bemis had another breakdown this time it involved depressive behaviour 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 4 17 Is a Real Boy 2005 2007 edit Under J Records 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 14 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 to the album s liner notes Was a Real Boy was originally intended as charity record and 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 18 Around this time the band also released Alive with the Glory of Love as a single 4 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 5 13 19 20 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 21 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 4 In February 2007 Say Anything performed on Last Call with Carson Daly 22 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 23 24 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 25 26 nbsp Bemis and Linder at Warped Tour 2008 07 24 In Defense of the Genre 2007 2008 edit 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 Blur on October 2 2007 27 28 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 13 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 29 Andy Jackson a former member of the band and close friend of Bemis along with Liam Ortmeier 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 30 31 32 Chris Conley and several others also provided guest vocals 33 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 34 35 36 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 37 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 38 Say Anything released the video for Shiksa Girlfriend on April 9 2008 39 On April 25 Say Anything performed on Late Night with Conan O Brien 40 During summer 2008 Say Anything joined the Warped Tour for the first time appearing on all dates 21 On August 1 2008 Say Anything announced the Max Bemis Song Shop through which users could pay 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 41 42 The Song Shop has reopened semi annually 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 edit In an online chat 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 43 AbsolutePunk net reported on August 1 2008 that J Records picked up the option for Say Anything s next release 44 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 45 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 46 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 46 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 47 the album s first single Hate Everyone was officially released on August 25 2009 48 after WBRU FM in Providence RI became the first radio station to debut the single on the 17th 49 Lead singer Max Bemis also premiered the song Crush d performing the song acoustic in WBRU s studio 50 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 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 2010 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 2011 it was announced that Adam Siska was officially joining Say Anything Side projects 2008 2011 edit After recording In Defense of the Genre 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 51 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 52 53 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 amp Kings The Songs of Bob Dylan released by Doghouse Records in 2006 The group s self titled debut was released on February 3 2009 53 54 Say Anything band members Jake and Jeff Turner self released their six track EP Some Day in February 2009 under the name XO 55 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 56 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 19 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 57 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 Anarchy My Dear 2011 2013 edit On 13 July 2011 Max Bemis posted a video on the band s website announcing that the band has officially signed with Equal Vision Records he also stated that Tim O Heir who produced their second record Is a Real Boy would be producing Say Anything s fifth studio record 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 an October 6 interview with AltPress com that the name of the new record was Anarchy My Dear and this was later confirmed by Bemis and the rest of the band via Twitter Anarchy My Dear was released on March 13 2012 On April 20 2012 the music video for the song Say Anything premiered on mtvU 58 On November 9 2012 Equal Vision announced a statement that confirms the release of the re release of the Say Anything record Baseball the Menora Mejora EP the Dormroom Demos Junior Varsity and other various rarities in a triple CD box set that are limited to 5000 physical copies A citation and more information can be found at Equal Vision s website 59 On December 28 2012 it was announced via Say Anything s Facebook page that Coby had left the band on good terms Max Bemis stated the following in regards to seeking a new drummer Say Anything will continue on without Coby but we will not be seeking a replacement drummer to play on the records we put out as Coby and his style of drumming is in many senses irreplaceable rather we plan on having a multitude of drummers play on our material Say Anything on record will now be identified in the same way Nine Inch Nails is in that it s pretty much me and whoever I choose to play with at the time Live shows will continue to have their own identity including Jake Jeff Parker Adam and whoever plays drums for us live The band couldn t be further from breaking up and as I ve said recently we plan on releasing music as Say Anything forever and already have a lot in the works 60 All My Friends Are Enemies Early Rarities 2013 2014 edit On January 22 2013 Say Anything released All My Friends Are Enemies Early Rarities a three disc compilation consisting of all of the material recorded by Say Anything prior to the release of Is a Real Boy Disc one of this compilation is a copy of Baseball An Album by Sayanything disc two is Menorah Majora EP and the Dormroom Demos and disc three is titled Junior Varsity and includes all the songs from the first Junior Varsity in Your Dreams EP in addition to other tracks Overall the album contains 45 remastered B side tracks from the early days of Say Anything The band toured from June 6 2013 to late summer to promote this album Hebrews 2014 2015 edit On January 13 2014 wife of Max Bemis Sherri DuPree Bemis published an Instagram photo stating that the new Say Anything album is almost mixed The band s record Hebrews was released June 10 2014 on Equal Vision Records 61 The album was the first album that was self produced by front man Max Bemis Bemis worked in the studio with audio engineer Garron DuPree for many months while recording the album at Bemis and Dupree s own studio in Tyler TX The album was mixed by mix engineer Brad Wood and mastered by Emily Lazar It returned to the collaborative nature of the band s earlier material with guest vocals including Jon Simmons of Balance and Composure Tom Delonge of Blink 182 and Angels and Airwaves Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra Brian Sella of The Front Bottoms and Jeremy Bolm of Touche Amore The album was met with positive reception by fans and critics upon its release and the group embarked on a successful headlining tour in support of the album in the summer of 2014 I Don t Think It Is 2016 2017 edit At about midnight EST on February 4 2016 Say Anything released I Don t Think It Is without any prior announcement besides several teaser posts the day before 62 The album was co produced by Bemis and Darren King of Mutemath who also played drums and percussion as well as Liam Ortmeier who briefly appeared in previous works on guitar The record was mixed by Will Yip and featured contributions by members of The Hotelier Tiny Moving Parts Eisley Japanese Breakfast and others In 2017 it was announced drummer Reed Murray would be leaving the band He was then replaced by Remington DuPree of Eisley for the band s In Defense of the Genre tenth anniversary tour The band announced their signing to Dine Alone Records at South by Southwest 2018 and revealed the existence of a forthcoming LP produced by Will Yip Oliver Appropriate and hiatus 2018 edit On August 16 2018 Bemis released a nine page letter to fans detailing the band s forthcoming record his future plans for Say Anything and struggles with his own sexuality and drug use 63 Say Anything s final LP for the time being Oliver Appropriate was released on January 25 2019 via Dine Alone Records The album is a purported sequel to Is a Real Boy featuring an adult version of the narrator fictionalized on that record who struggles with his own sexuality leading to a violent conclusion Bemis stated his intention to sort of kind of end the band but that the project would also likely return in the future to record and perform again As for now Bemis is finished with the traditional music thing and there will be no tour in support of the new album nor any scheduled live performances in the near future However he went on a solo tour in 2019 where he played acoustic versions of Say Anything and Perma songs During the tour he confirmed that Say Anything would eventually return On October 11 2022 Max Bemis announced via Instagram that Say Anything would be reuniting in 2023 to play the When We Were Young festival Is Committed 2024 edit On March 21 2024 the band announced via Instagram that their ninth studio album titled Is Committed will be released digitally on May 24 2024 Style editThemes and influences edit Say Anything s music falls into the indie rock emo and pop punk genres They can most easily be identified by their sardonic literary sense of humor balanced out with a sense of intense catharsis 64 The band as well as certain artists within the indie punk scene such as Cursive MewithoutYou Brand New Bright Eyes and Manchester Orchestra tend to straddle the line between older 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 18 He also said that lyrics are based on experience 65 However due to Bemis bipolar disorder and his resulting mentality the themes of the songs are often surreal bleak irreverent personal and 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 Is a Real Boy which was written and recorded after Bemis several drug fueled breakdowns Specifically Admit It Yellow Cat Slash Red Cat Try To Remember Forget The Writhing South 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 confers a sense of hope Max Bemis was raised in a strong Jewish environment Many of Bemis lyrics borrow from his Jewish roots and contain elements of Jewish humor 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 people and its history along with mentions of the murder of God and Bemis departures from kosher 66 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 although it adheres more closely to the original song Juicy Fruit from which the sample for the Notorious B I G song was taken 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 5 17 67 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 13 Live shows edit During live shows some members of the group other than Bemis sing backing vocals Bemis often sings parts he wrote but which were sung by guest vocalists on studio recordings In recent years Bemis has switched up the lineup of performing musicians using some permanent members of the groups while rotating other musicians in and out of the live lineup Beginning on the All My Friends Are Enemies Rarities Tour Bemis added drummer Reed Murray and bassist Garron DuPree In summer of 2014 on the Hebrews tour Bemis recruited ex Taking Back Sunday member Fred Mascherino Moneen guitarist Kenny Bridges and Moving Mountains vocalist Greg Dunn to replace Jake and Jeff Turner and Parker Case who were at the time performing with their band XO In the midst of the Me Too movement and accusations of sexual harassment against numerous prominent musicians Bemis announced that the band would no longer perform Wow I Can Get Sexual Too during live shows in 2017 His Twitter post stated that the song portrayed a sarcastic caricature of someone I ve never been at all and is no longer appropriate during this crisis 68 On September 8 2020 frontman Max Bemis performed an online acoustic performance of the bands debut album Is a Real Boy in its entirety on an online livestream During the livestream Bemis stated that if the turnout for the livestream went well the remaining Say Anything albums may also be performed online by livestream 69 Members editCurrent Members edit Final lineup Max Bemis vocals occasional guitar and keyboards 2000 2018 2023 Parker Case keyboards guitar backing vocals 2005 2018 2023 Garron DuPree bass 2013 2018 2023 Kenny Bridges guitar backing vocals 2014 2018 2023 Karl Kuehn drums 2018 2023 Coby Linder drums backing vocals 2000 2012 2023 Previous members Evan Span guitar 2000 2001 Michael Levin bass 2000 2002 Josh Eichenstein 2000 Dan DeLauro bass 2003 2004 Casper Adams guitar 2003 2005 Alex Hedrick guitar 2004 Kevin Seaton bass guitar 2004 2005 Alex Kent bass guitar backing vocals 2004 2010 2016 Jake Turner guitar backing vocals 2005 2014 Jeff Turner guitar backing vocals 2005 2014 Adam Siska bass guitar 2011 2013 Reed Murray drums backing vocals 2013 2017 Remington DuPree drums 2017 2018 Notable touring members edit Andy Jackson Hot Rod Circuit Terrible Things guitar 2005 Kenny Vasoli The Starting Line Person L Vacationer bass guitar backing vocals 2010 2011 Fred Mascherino Taking Back Sunday The Color Fred Terrible Things guitar backing vocals 2014 2023 Chris Conley Saves the Day Two Tongues guitar backing vocals 2014 Greg Dunn Moving Mountains guitar keyboards backing vocals 2014 2016 Ryan Pope The Get Up Kids drums 2024 Timeline editDiscography editMain article Say Anything discography Studio albums Baseball An Album by Say Anything 2001 Is a Real Boy 2004 In Defense of the Genre 2007 Say Anything 2009 Anarchy My Dear 2012 Hebrews 2014 I Don t Think It Is 2016 Oliver Appropriate 2019 Is Committed 2024 References edit Bemis Max 2003 02 05 Archive org SayAnythingMusic com Say Anything Archived from the original on 2003 02 05 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Kelley Trevor December 2007 Live Through This Alternative Press 233 164 Staddon Tristan March 2006 Mad Max Alternative Press 212 58 a b c d e Say Anything biography The Tab World Retrieved 2008 07 21 a b c d e Bemis Max Say Anything biography by Max Bemis The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on 2008 05 26 Retrieved 2008 08 02 a b Bemis Max 2003 04 24 Archive org SayAnythingMusic com Say Anything Archived from the original on 2003 04 24 Retrieved 2008 08 02 a b Kelley Trevor September 2004 Crazy Days Alternative Press 194 104 For Sale Media notes Say Anything Doghouse Records 2004 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Doghouse Records page on Is a Real Boy Doghouse Records Archived from the original on December 10 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Is a Real Boy Media notes Say Anything Doghouse Records 2004 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Tate Jason 2005 11 20 Say Anything Is a Real Boy Album Review AbsolutePunk net Retrieved 2008 08 02 Apar Corey AllMusic Is a Real Boy gt Overview AllMusic Retrieved 2008 08 02 a b c d Tate Jason 2007 06 19 Interview with Max Bemis AbsolutePunk com Retrieved 2008 08 02 a b Say Anything Guy Goes Nuts Aversion 2005 07 13 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Kelley Trevor December 2007 Live Through This Alternative Press 233 166 Kelley Trevor December 2007 Live Through This Alternative Press 233 168 a b Kelley Trevor December 2007 Live Through This Alternative Press 233 164 167 168 a b Henderson Steve 2006 05 04 Mammoth press interviews Max Bemis Mammoth Press Retrieved 2008 08 15 a b Metzger Chloe 2008 04 23 Interview with Say Anything Driven Far Off Retrieved 2008 08 15 Speer Deborah HotStar Say Anything PollStar Archived from the original on 2007 02 26 Retrieved 2008 08 15 a b Pettigrew Jason August 2008 Warped 2K8 Alternative Press 241 136 Bemis Max 2007 02 06 Say Anything Last Call Studio Audience Ticket Info The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2007 02 26 WOW I Can Get Sexual Too Debuts The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2007 02 02 Say Anything and Saves the Day Announce Tour The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2007 08 30 MySpace Co headline tour with Hellogoodbye The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2007 10 01 New UK Dates The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2007 09 24 New Song on MySpace The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2007 09 28 More New Songs The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Walter David 2006 05 31 Interview with Max Bemis Sound the Sirens Archived from the original on October 13 2007 Retrieved 2008 08 15 Bemis Max 2007 10 23 New Record Out Today The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 25 2007 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Kelley Trevor December 2007 Live Through This Alternative Press 233 164 168 Organised Sound www organised sound com Archived from the original on 31 October 2008 Retrieved 17 January 2022 In Defense of the Genre Media notes Say Anything J Records 2007 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link A truly magnificent sophomore effort Guilty as charged Alternative Press 2008 02 26 Retrieved 2008 08 20 Wood Mikael December 2007 Maxl Rose Spin 120 Schmidt Corey In Defense of the Genre Album Review PastePunk Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2008 01 15 Say Anything to Headline Nationwide Club Tour in Support of New Album The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on May 1 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2008 04 21 Say Anything Headline Tour in June The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on 2008 07 20 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2008 04 03 Say Anything Video Update The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on October 19 2008 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2008 04 22 Say Anything on Conan this Friday The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on 2008 07 23 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Bemis Max 2008 08 01 Buy Your Very Own Say Anything Song Written for you about you by Max The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on 2008 08 13 Retrieved 2008 08 01 Max Bemis Song Shop Say Anything Official Online Store Retrieved 2008 08 01 DeAndrea Joe 2008 03 14 Fans Report In Say Anything AbsolutePunk net Retrieved 2008 08 03 Tate Jason 2008 08 01 New Say Anything Next Year AbsolutePunk net Retrieved 2008 08 03 Tate Jason 2008 11 10 Say Anything to Release Self Titled Album Next Year AbsolutePunk net Retrieved 2008 11 10 a b Say Anything In the Studio Archived from the original on 2010 01 01 Retrieved 2011 04 29 Alternative Press News Alternative Press Archived from the original on 2012 03 23 FMQB Radio Industry News Music Industry Updates Arbitron Ratings Music News and more Archived from the original on 2012 06 20 Retrieved 2013 06 16 Bemis Max maxbemis November 4 2010 That s 3 30 east coast Time And it s www wbru com Tweet via Twitter SupJustin com Supjustin Dog Blog SupJustin com Retrieved 2020 03 26 Futterman Erica 2008 05 08 Say Anything Saves the Day Side Project to Debut Summer 08 Rock amp Roll Daily Rolling Stone Archived from the original on 2008 06 02 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Zemler Emily September 2008 Two Tongues Alternative Press 242 136 a b Bemis Max 2008 11 07 Two Tongues Release date The Official Say Anything Site Archived from the original on December 23 2008 Retrieved 2008 11 07 Two Tongues on Vagrant Vagrant 2008 11 06 Archived from the original on January 3 2009 Retrieved 2008 11 11 Paul Aubin January 30 2009 XO members of Say Anything plan debut Punknews org Retrieved October 3 2022 Some Day Media notes XO 2008 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Altpress com New Music Videos Reality TV Shows Celebrity News Pop Culture Mtvu com Retrieved 2020 03 26 Say Anything to release All My Friends Are Enemies Early Rarities in January 2013 Equal Vision Records November 28 2012 Archived from the original on November 28 2012 Retrieved 2020 03 26 Say Anything Sayanythingmusic com Retrieved 2020 03 26 Equal Vision Records Blog equalvision com Retrieved 2020 03 26 Haskoor Michael 4 February 2016 Say Anything Streams Surprise Album I Don t Think It Is Ahead of Friday Release Music Times Retrieved 4 February 2016 Say Anything A Goodbye Summation PDF Eisley com Retrieved 2020 03 26 Apar Corey Leahey Andrew Say Anything Overview Allmusic Retrieved 2008 02 01 Meyle Alli 2006 07 22 Interview with Max Bemis ThePunkSite com Archived from the original on 2008 10 19 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Garrett Jonathan 2008 02 25 A Jewish Kind of Pop Song World Jewish Digest Archived from the original on March 6 2008 Retrieved 2008 11 08 Say Anything Forum It s the Download Thread Fools Say Anything Archived from the original on 2008 08 04 Retrieved 2008 08 02 Say Anything Will Retire Wow I Can Get Sexual Too from Shows Saying it s No Longer Appropriate Spin 2017 11 12 Retrieved 2020 08 31 Livestream Performance of Is a Real Boy SayAnythingMusic 2020 08 25 Archived from the original on 2020 09 29 Retrieved 2020 09 24 External links editOfficial website Official MySpace Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Say Anything band amp oldid 1223520410 Early years 2000 2004, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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