What is it that
makes a band successful? Some say that it is how many records they sell or how
quickly their shows become sold out. Others might say it is the number of
followers they have on Facebook
or Twitter; For Paramore, it’s not about the
glitz and glam of fame but more of the raw talent that comes from within them.
It is the energy they have every time they go out on stage
and perform, whether it is a room of 20 people, or twenty thousand people.
Paramore has achieved great success in the past few years and they are currently
working on their fourth album, but right now we are going to travel back to the
beginning of the band, from their humble beginnings in Franklin, Tennessee to
where they fit in to the music industry today.
The group, which
originally consisted of vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis,
guitarist Taylor York, and the Farro brothers, drummer Zach and guitarist josh,
was formed in Tennessee back in 2004. Jeremy Davis, who was good friends with
both Hayley and the Farro brothers, was the one that introduced everyone in the
beginning. The group started hanging out after school and started to realize
that they all had a talent and a love for music. The boys were unsure at first
about welcoming Hayley into their group because they didn’t know about having a
female lead vocalist. Soon Hayley started writing some songs for the group and
the boys quickly caught on to the idea of having her lead the group. Hayley
said of the guys when she first met them, “They were the first people I met who
were as passionate about music as I was.”[1]
Hayley was originally signed to Atlantic
Records as a solo artist with the labels hopes of turning her into a chart
toping pop princess, however, Hayley refused to be a single artist claiming
that her vision was always to be part of a group. Hayley once stated in an
interview to HitQuarter’s, “She wanted to
make sure that she and her band got the chance to show what they can do as a rock
band writing their own songs."[2]
After
being signed to the record label Fueled by Ramen,
Paramore started working on their first full length album titled All We Know is Falling. During
this time, band member Jeremy Davis decided to leave the band for personal
reasons; the remaining members decided to write the album around his departure
from the group.[3] Even the album artwork was based on his departure with the empty couch and the
shadow of a figure walking away representing Jeremy leaving. After
five months of being gone, Jeremy was asked by the band to return…He agreed.
The band released “Pressure” as the first single of the album with a video
directed by Shane Drake.
In 2007,
Paramore started on their second album Riot. The name had been chosen because it meant a
sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotion and it was a word that summed it all
up. [4] This
album definitely had and outburst of emotion ranging from lyrics written from
personal encounters that the band members had gone through in their personal
lives to how the band was coping as a band, to the emotions that they wanted to
share with their fans. Musicomh.com interviewed the band about all things Paramore
and Hayley had this to say about the Riot
album, “I think our goal was to
put more energy into this, to put more youth into this record, but at the same
time to show how much we've grown, and to show what we can do if we spend time
on a record."[5] 
In January of 2009, Josh Farro talked about the
bands third album Brand New Eyes. In early 2008, the band announced the cancellation of
several shows and a looming hiatus due to issues within the band. Fortunately, the
band eventually decided to remain together and record a follow-up to their
breakthrough album, Riot! Out of that inner turmoil came most of
the inspiration for their third album, which has been described by the band as
heavier and more emotional, with the lyric writing process being especially
difficult for Hayley Williams who had to write about her feelings with tensions
in the group still flourishing. [6] In early December of 2010, Josh Farro sent out a
statement taking about his and his brother Zac’s plans to leave the band, he
claimed the band had become a manufactured product of a major label and also
claimed that Hayley had been manipulated by the label and now saw the other
members as nothing more than back up to her stardom. The three remaining
members posted a response to all of the turmoil on their website saying that
for almost a year it seemed like the brothers had lost interest in the band and
the importance of their music. Even with the news of the brothers leaving, they
wanted to make sure the fans knew Paramore is still going to be a band and will
not give up for the fans. [7]
Today the three
remaining members, Hayley, Jeremy, and Taylor, are still going strong creating
music that is more powerful lyrically and emotionally than ever before. They
are winning awards left and right and are still staying connected to the fans
that got them here in the first place. They said that no matter what happens;
they will stay together and keep doing what they love to do.
[1]
Wikipedia contributors, “Paramore.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramore
(accessed Feb. 20, 2012)
[3]
Tony Pascarella, “The Trades-Interview with Hayley Williams and Josh Farro,”
Published August 8, 2005, http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=3440
[5]
Alex Nunn, “Paramore Interview” 6-2007, http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/paramore_0607.htm
[6]
Ivan Mitchell, Accessed February 20, 2012, http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/paramore/brand-new-eyes/30046/
[7]
Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis, Taylor York, “Announcement” Posted December 18,
2008, http://www.paramore.net/blog/announcement/
Nice collection of information and layed out nicely. My only complaint would be the header "Paramore Nation." You have such a big red space that the title and font choice looks so small and empty almost. Font choice or if you have power over how big the red bar is can help with that first impression. Other than that good job overall.
ReplyDeleteYour topic is quite interesting. Although I know who Paramore is I didn't know much about them. I was somewhat disappointed, however, that you didn't take Paramore's artistic style and use it for your blog design. The color compliments the topic, but the font does not. If you were trying to make the blog design somewhat benign to show off Paramore's artistic style, then I would use more pictures. You have quite the interesting topic. I do wish there was just a little bit more added to the posts visually.
ReplyDeleteYou really seem to know your stuff about this band. I'm not too familiar with them or their music, but it was still really interesting to read about. I think the design layout you chose is very effective. It's simple yet goes along with your topic. I like that it's easy to read and not too garish. Very well done!
ReplyDeleteParamore is an awesome band, I listen to them quite often. Like Kelsey I did not know much about them so it was good to hear story. I especially like the title of your blog. Paramore Nation caught my attention really quick. I honestly do not have much to critique. Really great blog!
ReplyDelete