The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids |
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The Get Up Kids were an American indie rock band. Forming in Kansas City, Missouri in 1995, the band opened for bands such as Green Day and Weezer before becoming headliners themselves, including tours in Japan and Europe.[1] They released most of their albums on their own Heroes & Villains label, under Vagrant Records.[2] Like many early emo bands, the Get Up Kids came to dissociate themselves with that label, as it came to be seen as insult to be known as an "emo band."[3] The Get Up Kids were viewed throughout their existence as an archetypal 'indie' band.[4]
History
Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Pryor had been writing songs since he was a teenager.[5] The band originally planned on calling themselves The Suburban Get Up Kids, until reasoning that there were fewer band names beginning with the letter 'G' than there are with the letter 'S', and that therefore they were more likely to be noticed in a record store if their name began with a 'G'.[1] When the Get Up Kids formed in 1995, the lineup consisted of Matthew Pryor (guitar/vocals), Jim Suptic (guitar/backup vocals and occasional lead vocals), Robert Pope (bass), and Nathan Shay (drums). Pryor and Suptic met playing shows in different bands in the Kansas City area. In 1995, Pryor, Suptic, and friend Kevin Zelko saved to put out their very first 7" on Huey Proudhon Records. However, due to a reluctance to tour, Shay was replaced by Robert's younger brother Ryan in April of 1996. Soon afterward, the band was signed to Doghouse Records, where they put out their first EP, Woodson.
Four Minute Mile
In 1997, TGUK released their debut full-length, Four Minute Mile on Doghouse. Recorded in two days by Bob Weston of Shellac, Four Minute Mile created enormous buzz with a hooky immediacy and DIY aesthetic that was becoming the signature of Midwest emo.[6] They spent the following two years touring with like-minded bands The Promise Ring, Braid and Jimmy Eat World.
Something to Write Home About
In September 1999, after recruiting keyboardist James Dewees and declining a contract with Mojo Records, the band released Something to Write Home About on Vagrant Records (under their own imprint, Heroes & Villains). The album streamlined the scrappy indie sound of the band's debut into concise, visceral and downright loud synth-driven power pop while retaining the signature drama that constituted Four Minute Mile's lyrics. Something to Write Home About has been singled out as the band's only 'true' emo album.[7] Furthermore, the album single-handedly turned the struggling Vagrant label into one of the top Indie labels.[7]
Not only did the album make TGUK the standard-bearers for emo, but it also launched the genre into a public consciousness broader than the local scenes that had previously embraced it. Further, the album made Vagrant Records a household name amongst indie connoisseurs. At the same time, the addition of Dewees alienated some fans, as the implementation of keyboards moved the band away from the DIY ethic of many in the punk scene.[2]
As a result of their newly increased profile, The Get Up Kids toured relentlessly to promote the record. As well as touring Europe, Japan, and Australia, they toured with such acts as Green Day, The Anniversary, Koufax, Hot Rod Circuit, Jebediah, Weezer, Ozma, and many others. Their 2000 tour with Face to Face was sponsored by Napster.[8]
To capitalize on anticipation for their next album, The Get Up Kids released a rarities compilation Eudora in 2001. Eudora consisted of alternate takes, covers and B-sides released since the band's formation.
On a Wire and Guilt Show
May 2002 marked the release of the band's third studio album, On a Wire, produced by Scott Litt (best known for his work with R.E.M. and Nirvana).[9] The album saw the band take on a new style, with spare arrangements and a tightly-locked rhythm section. On a Wire's lyrics show the band taking a turn for the obscure, relying on vague memories and moods in place of the hyper-sincere relationship drama that made up their earlier work. Just as Something to Write Home About alienated fans with its more produced sound, On a Wire was criticized by those fans who were disappointed with the softer musical direction of the album.[10]
In March 2004, the band released their fourth and what would be their final studio album, Guilt Show, produced by Ed Rose. The album marked a return to their earlier punk-influenced sound,[11] as well as a move in a more adult direction at a time when bands such as Dashboard Confessional and Blink-182 were releasing similarly mature material.[9]
Breakup
On Tuesday, March 8, 2005, the Get Up Kids announced that after ten years they were calling it quits. Also announced was a short tour ending on July 2, 2005 in their native Kansas City and a retrospective live album entitled Live! @ The Granada Theater. The group disbanded after their sold-out July 2, 2005 farewell show at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City.
Side projects
Every member of The Get Up Kids has been involved in a side project.
Reggie and the Full Effect
In 1998, prior to joining The Get Up Kids, James Dewees, who was still in Coalesce, started writing his own songs. Matt Pryor urged James to release his campy new songs, and thus Reggie and the Full Effect was born.[12] For the most part, these songs parodied the sound of the emo genre, as well as other genres like nu-metal and synth pop. Reggie and the Full Effect, released the debut album Greatest Hits 1984-1987, in 1999 on Second Nature. Over the years and through several line-up changes, they have since released four other albums on Vagrant Records: Promotional Copy (2000), Under the Tray (2003), Songs Not to Get Married To (2005) and Last Stop: Crappy Town (2008).
The New Amsterdams
In 2000 Matthew Pryor formed his acoustic side project, The New Amsterdams, with fellow Get Up Kids member Rob Pope, producer Alex Brahl and Jake Cardwell from the band Reflector. The New Amsterdams began as the mellow, folky counterpart to The Get Up Kids' hard-hitting emotional punk. All on Vagrant Records, they have released Never You Mind, Para Toda Vida, Worse for the Wear, Killed or Cured EP, and Story Like a Scar. Like Reggie and the Full Effect, The New Amsterdams have had several line-up changes over the years. However, Pryor is always the creative driving-force behind the band. Currently the band is deviating from its original acoustic format and consists of Kansas City-area musicians Bill Belzer, Eric McCann, and Dustin Kinsey.
Blackpool Lights
Jim Suptic's new band, Blackpool Lights formed in 2004 with members of Creature Comforts and Ultimate Fakebook. In June of 2006, they released their debut album This Town's Disaster on Curb Appeal Records.
Terrible Twos
Matt Pryor's other band, Terrible Twos, records children's music. For a 2006 release he has been working on a series of children's songs, to be accompanied by a story book for children with art from artist Travis Millard. The line-up of the band is the same as the current line-up of The New Amsterdams.
White Whale
Rob Pope helped found the indie rock band White Whale, which released their debut album WW1 on July 25, 2006.
Tijuana Crime Scene
Rob Pope and Get Up Kids' producer Ed Rose were in the band Tijuana Crime Scene which was fronted by New Amsterdams member Alex Brahl. Tijuana Crime Scene made a single release in 2001 entitled Change of Venue.
Other projects
Rob and Ryan Pope have played bass and drums off-and-on in Koufax in 2004 and 2005. Rob is currently playing in Spoon.
James Dewees (who with New Found Glory had previously provided keyboards for the song "Failure's Not Flattering" on Catalyst and toured with them as a sixth member for about ten months) did not permanently join New Found Glory, due to his busy schedule with his own band, Reggie and the Full Effect. He has also toured with My Chemical Romance.
Ryan Pope also currently plays drums in Cavaliers.
Influence
Mark Hoppus
Blink-182 bassist and singer Mark Hoppus is a vocal fan, having proposed to his wife to The Get Up Kids song "I'll Catch You."[13] The Get Up Kids were offered to join a Blink-182 tour after Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, but they declined. [14]
Fall Out Boy
The members of Fall Out Boy were all heavily influenced by the band, particularly Four Minute Mile. In a 2005 interview with AP Magazine, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz stated that "Fall Out Boy would not be a band if it were not for The Get Up Kids" [15]
Midtown
New Jersey based act Midtown has stated in influence that they were heavily influenced by The Get Up Kids, amongst other groups. [16]
The Early November
The Early November band members were all fans, and influenced by, The Get Up Kids. The Early November song "Baby Blue" includes the line "I don't want you to love me anymore." This line is taken directly from the Get Up Kids song "No Love", not only lyrically but melodically as well.[17]
Hellogoodbye
The band Hellogoodbye have been vocal fans of the band, an while on tour with Reggie and the Full Effect in 2007, two years after the breakup of The Get Up Kids, Hellogoodbye invited James Dewees and Matt Pryor onstage with them, and proceeded to back them in a cover of The Get Up Kids' song Action & Action. [18]
Discography
Albums & EPs
| Year | Title | Type | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Woodson | EP | Doghouse Records |
| 1997 | Four Minute Mile | Album | Doghouse Records |
| 1999 | Red Letter Day | EP | Doghouse Records |
| 1999 | Something to Write Home About | Album | Vagrant Records |
| 2001 | Eudora | B-Sides | Vagrant Records |
| 2002 | On a Wire | Album | Vagrant Records |
| 2004 | Guilt Show | Album | Vagrant Records |
| 2004 | iTunes Sessions Acoustic EP | EP | Vagrant Records |
| 2005 | Live! @ The Granada Theater | Live Album | Vagrant Records |
Split 7"
| Year | Split With | Song featured | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Braid | "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel" | Tree Records |
| 1998 | Coalesce | "Burning Bridges" (Cover of Coalesce song "Harvest of Maturity") | Second Nature Recordings |
| 1999 | The Anniversary | "Central Standard Time" | Vagrant Records |
| 2001 | Rocket From the Crypt | "Up on the Roof" | Vagrant Records |
Singles
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Shorty | Huey Proudhon Recordings |
| 1997 | A Newfound Interest in Massachusetts | Contrast Records |
| 1999 | Ten Minutes | Sub Pop Records |
| 2000 | Action & Action | Epitaph Records |
| 2002 | Wouldn't Believe It | Victor Records |
Compilation appearances
| Year | Title | Song featured | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Post Marked Stamps | "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel" | Tree Records |
| 1999 | I Love Metal | "On With The Show" | Triple Crown Records |
| 1999 | Where Is My Mind?: A Tribute to The Pixies | "Alec Eiffel" | Glue Factory Records |
| 2000 | The Best Comp in The World | "Newfound Mass (2000) | Fadeaway Records |
| 2000 | Vagrant Summer Sampler | "Holiday" | Vagrant Records |
| 2000 | Another Year on The Streets | "Beer for Breakfast" and "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel" | Vagrant Records |
| 2001 | Another Year on The Streets Vol. 2 | "Central Standard Time" and "Newfound Mass (2000)" | Vagrant Records |
| 2004 | Another Year on The Streets Vol. 3 | "Like a Man Possessed" | Vagrant Records |
| 2004 | Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 | "Lion and the Lamb" | Fat Wreck Chords |
| 2005 | Blue Collar Distro Summer Sampler | "Lion and the Lamb" | Vagrant Records |
| 2005 | Music from the Television Series One Tree Hill, Volume 1 | "Overdue" | Maverick Records |
Samples
- Download sample of "Red Letter Day" from Something to Write Home About
References
- ^ a b Edwards, Gavin (2002-08-05), The Get Up Kids Get Up, Rolling Stone, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b Schild, Matt (1999-09-06), Get Up, Stand Up, Aversion.com, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Heller, Greg (2000-09-10), Bands Seek Emotional Rescue, San Francisco Chronicle, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ POP AND JAZZ GUIDE, New York Times, 1999-11-05, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ POP AND JAZZ GUIDE, New York Times, 2001-12-14, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Emo
- ^ a b Brackett, Nathan (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. p. 330. ISBN 0743201698.
- ^ Dansby, Andrew (2000-08-16), Really Randoms: Rush, Dixie Chicks, Rolling Stone, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show, Spin, 2004-04-19, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Jets to Brazil/Get Up Kids, Spin, 2003-07-21, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Caramanica, Jon (2004-03-01), New CDs: Cee-Lo, Get Up Kids, Rolling Stone, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Hoard, Christian (2005-04-20), Reggie Gets "Married", Rolling Stone, retrieved 2008-03-02
{{citation}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://media.www.loyolagreyhound.com/media/storage/paper665/news/2004/03/23/ArtsSociety/The-Get.Up.Kids.James.Dewees.Talks.Group.Dynamics-638577.shtml
- ^ KRBZ interview with Jim Suptic, 2005
- ^ AP Magazine Issue #204 "Say Goodnight, Mean Goodbye: The Oral History of 'The Get Up Kids'" Trevor Kelley
- ^ http://www.ink19.com/issues/february2002/interviews/midtown.html
- ^ http://www.emotionalpunk.com/interview/19/
- ^ http://thephoenix.com/TourBlog/CommentView,guid,fc17bc78-d5c5-4be0-be29-d935bdf64bd6.aspx
External links
Official sites
Interviews
Media
- Transmission3000: The Get Up Kids (live performances)