Attack Attack!
| Attack Attack! | |
|---|---|
 Attack Attack! performing in 2010. From left to right: John Holgado, Caleb Shomo, Andrew Wetzel and Sean Mackowski. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Westerville, Ohio |
| Genres | Metalcore, electronicore, post-hardcore |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Rise (2008-2012) Oxide Entertainment (2012-present) |
| Associated acts | For All We Know, Of Mice & Men, CLASS, Lakeland, The March Ahead, DJ Club, I Am Abomination, Beartooth |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Phil Druyor Andrew Wetzel Andrew Whiting Tyler Sapp |
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| Past members | |
| Austin Carlile Johnny Franck John Holgado Caleb Shomo Nick Barham Nick White Ricky Lortz |
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Contents |
History
Formation and Someday Came Suddenly (2005–2008)
Attack Attack! was founded in 2007 by members Austin Carlile, Ricky Lortz, Andrew Whiting, Nick White,Andrew Wetzel. Several months later, Ricky Lortz announced his departure and was soon replaced by Johnny Franck as the new vocalist/rhythm guitarist at the time. Later, Nick White also announced his departure from the group and John Holgado was added on bass and in 2007, Caleb Shomo joined the band on keyboard in 2008. In early 2008, they self-released their debut EP titled If Guns Are Outlawed, Can We Use Swords?. Later they signed to Rise Records in June 2008 and released their debut album, Someday Came Suddenly, on the label late that year.[2] Upon the release of Someday Came Suddenly, it peaked on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and number 193 on the Billboard 200,[3] with sales of more than 3,600 in its first week despite its mediocre to overwhelmingly negative reviews.[4]Carlile's departure and a year with Barham (2008–2010)
Later, halfway through a tour supporting Maylene and the Sons of Disaster,[5] vocalist Austin Carlile was fired by the group due to personal differences and health issues. Carlile was replaced by Nick Barham, former vocalist of For All We Know. In 2009 for Fearless Records' eighth Punk Goes... album, Punk Goes Pop 2, Attack Attack! covered Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" with Austin Carlile performing the lead vocals, before his departure from the band. Attack Attack! then toured with Escape the Fate, William Control, Black Tide and Burn Halo early in 2009.[6] Attack Attack! was included on Warped Tour 2009 and did signings for the non-profit organization Music Saves Lives where they met with fans who gained special access to the band by donating blood.[7]Attack Attack! released a music video for their highly criticized song "Stick Stickly", and made its premiere on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. Two music videos were created for the song, the other one made (which was recorded before the "official") is usually referred to as the "unofficial video", due to the band having another idea in mind after production for the first video was completed. The "Stick Stickly" video has led to a number of criticisms, including lengthy pieces by Buddyhead and the British newspaper The Guardian.[8][9] The band also has a "live" video for the song "Dr. Shavargo Pt. 3".[10]
On October 19, 2009, lead vocalist Nick Barham announced his departure from Attack Attack! just two days short of their headliner tour. He stated in his blog on MySpace that "It was just time for change," and that there was no conflict between him and the other band members.[11] The band then made the decision of Caleb Shomo to be moved as the band's primary vocalist but still remaining at his place as the keyboardist as well.[12]
Near the end of 2009, Attack Attack! toured with I Set My Friends On Fire, Miss May I, Our Last Night, and The Color Morale as part of the "Shred Til You're Dead" tour. Attack Attack! started playing "Sexual Man Chocolate", which was the first song leaked from their self-titled album.
Self-titled album and Franck's departure (2010-2011)
The group performed on the Altec Lansing Stage during Warped Tour 2010 for the entire tour. They headlined the This Is a Family Tour in November 2010.[14]
On November 10, 2010 Johnny Franck announced he had departed from the band to focus on his relationship with God. He has started a new project called The March Ahead.[15][16] With this news also came a clip of a new song featuring Caleb Shomo doing both clean, and unclean vocals.[17] Sean Mackowski of My Ticket Home is now a touring member of the band, singing the clean parts of songs from the first two albums and playing guitar. The music video for "Smokahontas" was released on January 21, 2011 and was directed by Thunder Down Country films.[18] The music video featured Sean Mackowski of My Ticket Home and Cody Anderson, the former unclean vocalist of In Fear and Faith.[19] Attack Attack! performed on the main stage at the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.
The band has announced that they are set to re-issue their self-titled album on July 19, 2011 with four new songs, two acoustic songs, and two remixes. A new track entitled "Last Breath" was released on June 7, 2011, to promote the album's re-issue. It is the first song by the band to feature Caleb Shomo on both clean and screamed vocals, and was produced by John Feldmann.
This Means War (2011-2012)
On November 14, 2011 it was announced that the band's third full-length, This Means War would be released on January 17, 2012. The entire album was produced by Caleb Shomo at his home studio.[20] Along with this news, they also posted dates for the "This Means War Tour" with supporting acts from The Ghost Inside, Sleeping with Sirens, Chunk! No Captain Chunk, and Dream On, Dreamer. More news and the album artwork was released in the Hot Topic website "News."[21] On December 13, 2011, they premiered a song from the album entitled "The Motivation". 30 seconds of the whole track list were released on Amazon.com and pre-orders were also opened in many stores. On January 12, 2012. the band debuted the music video for the first single off the album, "The Wretched".[22] On July 1, they released a music video for This Means War's third single, "The Revolution".Departure from Rise & New Lineup (2012-present)
The band recently announced their departure from Rise Records, simultaneous with an announcement that they have completed ten songs, produced by John Feldmann, for another album, although Wetzel said on his formspring the chances of releasing them are "slim to nil". The band stated that they "don’t have another record label or anything lined up and [are] probably not planning on going to another one."[23] The band headlined the This World Is Ours Tour with Escape The Fate and The Word Alive, but had to reschedule the South American This World Is Ours Tour as their drummer Andrew Wetzel was suffering from pneumonia. The band had also co-headlined the Scream It Like You Mean It tour in 2012. By the end of 2012 Attack Attack! will be releasing a DVD where they talk about Warped Tour and the real reason why Austin left the band in 2008.Sean Mackowski left the band as a touring member at the end of October 2012.
In December 2012, John Holgado announced on Instagram that he would be selling his bass guitars, and is leaving Attack Attack! due to depression and anxiety issues. Holgado has stated that he left on good terms. Caleb Shomo tweeted about John's departure "What a crazy day. Real proud of John and his bravery. Love that man, been my best friend since I was 14."
On December 18, 2012, Caleb Shomo officially announced his departure from Attack Attack!, along with confirming the new vocalist of the band to be Phil Druyor of I Am Abomination.[24]
On December 19, 2012, the band released a new song titled "No Defeat" through Alternative Press. The song features the brand new line-up.[25]
Attack Attack! is currently working on their next studio album.
Musical style
Attack Attack! have been described as metalcore,[26] screamo[26][27] and post-hardcore[8] combined with electronica influences.[28] This combination usually features distinct traits into Attack Attack!'s music. Songs usually have but are not limited to synth breakdowns, keyboard solos, basic rock song structures, and minor key tonalityBand members
- Current members
- Phil Druyor - vocals (2012–present)
- Tyler Sapp - bass (2012–present)
- Andrew Whiting - lead guitar (2007–present)
- Andrew Wetzel - drums (2007–present)
- Former members
- Austin Carlile - vocals (2007–2008, currently in Of Mice & Men)
- Nick Barham - vocals (2008–2009, currently in Addictions)
- Caleb Shomo - vocals (2009–2012), keyboards, synthesizers (2008–2012, currently in Beartooth)
- Ricky Lortz - rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2007)
- Johnny Franck - rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2007–2010, currently in The March Ahead)
- Nick White - bass guitar (2007)
- John Holgado - bass, backing vocals (live) (2007–2012)
- Touring members
- Sean Mackowski - rhythm guitar, clean vocals (2010–2012, currently in The March Ahead)
