Forever the Sickest Kids
Forever the Sickest Kids (sometimes abbreviated as FTSK) is an American pop punk band from Dallas, Texas. The band first signed with Universal Motown Records and released its debut album, Underdog Alma Mater, on April 29, 2008. The band's second album, Forever the Sickest Kids, was released on March 1, 2011. Universal Motown Records was later shut down in 2011 and the band was left unsigned for over a year until signing to Fearless Records in late 2012. The band released its third studio album, J.A.C.K., on June 25, 2013. In an Alternative Press article, the band was placed number one underground band of the "22 Best Underground Bands".[1]
Forever the Sickest Kids
FTSK
Dallas, Texas, United States
2006–2013
2017–present
- Jonathan Cook
- Austin Bello
- Caleb Turman
- Kyle Burns
- Rico Andradi
- Marc Stewart
- Kent Garrison
History[edit]
2001–2006: Early projects and formation[edit]
In 2001–2004, the members of Forever the Sickest Kids were brought together from separate paths. From Burleson, Texas, Jonathan Cook and Kyle Burns were in a band together in high school, Good Day Josif.[2] About the same time in Hurst, Texas, Marc Stewart and Kent Garrison were in a band together called Triumph Over Tragedy,[3] with friends from their high school. In Rockwall, Texas, Turman and Bello were in an acoustic pop band, Committed.[4]
The three bands all played local clubs around Dallas/Fort Worth, and on occasion, at the same events and concerts. Burns and Stewart are step-brothers,[5] resulting in Good Day Josif and Triumph Over Tragedy sharing a practice space in their parents' garage.
In 2004, upon the break up of Good Day Josif and Triumph over Tragedy, Cook, Stewart and Burns formed the band the Flipside, along with their friend Chris Hill.[6] Craig Calloway (from Triumph over Tragedy) was added to the Flipside's lineup, and Garrison replaced Chris Hill on bass guitar. The band went on to play at local shows and released an independent eponymous EP.[5]
Around the same time, Committed broke up, and childhood friends Austin Bello and Caleb Turman formed an acoustic/electronic project called Been Bradley.[5] They never released any albums or EPs, but many of the band's songs were released online through the group's MySpace profile, such as "All for Angela" and "X Me Out."
When both bands, the Flipside and Been Bradley, ended in late 2006,[6] Cook and Stewart came into contact with Bello and Turman, and it was suggested that the remaining members from both bands could form in a new band. Their new band, Forever the Sickest Kids, was formed. Cook remained on vocals, Turman took on rhythm guitar and vocals, Bello was on bass guitar and vocals, Stewart was on lead guitar, Burns was on drums, and Garrison switched to keyboard. Calloway (of the Flipside) did not take part in the band, but would later be a part of the band Artist vs. Poet as a guitarist.[5]
2006–2009: Underdog Alma Mater[edit]
Days after the formation of Forever the Sickest Kids, Cook accidentally spent $350 that the band did not have on PureVolume to receive a front-page placement of a song.[6] The band also did not have any songs written yet. The band wrote the song "Hey Brittany" and recorded it in two days.[6] The band landed a record deal with Universal Motown Records in April 2007[6] and released their first EP, Television Off, Party On on July 3, 2007. The EP was recorded within four months of the group's formation.[6] Two more EPs, The Sickest Warped Tour EP and Hot Party Jamz followed, months afterward.[7][8] After these releases, the group toured across America and appeared on that year's Warped Tour.[6][9]
On March 18, 2008, the group released the song, "Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)" on their MySpace page.[10] The song was released as the lead single on April 1, 2008 from their debut studio album[11] The music video for the song premiered on April 10 and was directed by Shane Drake.[12] and reached number 38 on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart.[13] The song also peaked at number one on the Japan Hot 100 Airplay chart.[14] Their debut studio album, Underdog Alma Mater was released on April 29.[15] The album peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard 200.[16] The album's second single, "She's a Lady", was released on July 11, 2008.[17] The music video for "She's a Lady" was released on September 13, 2008.[18] The band covered the song, "Men in Black" by Will Smith for the compilation album Punk Goes Crunk.[19]
In support of the album, the band went on the 2008 Alternative Press tour along with All Time Low, The Rocket Summer, The Matches and Sonny.[20] They went on a US tour alongside Metro Station, the Maine, the Cab and Danger Radio in May 2008.[15] The band also performed on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour.[21] The band appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on June 12, performing "Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)".[22] The band performed in Tokyo, Japan at the annual Summer Sonic Festival in 2008.[23] In October and November, the band supported Cobra Starship on their Sassy Back (Tour) in the US.[24]
In February 2009, the band toured across Europe, Australia and Japan with support from Artist vs. Poet.[25] In April, the band performed on the Bamboozle Roadshow[26] and appeared at The Bamboozle festival in early May.[27] A duet version of "Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)" featuring Selena Gomez was released on May 26, 2009.[28] The deluxe edition of Underdog Alma Mater was released on July 7, 2009 and features the original twelve songs from the album, seventeen additional tracks that were mainly demos and acoustics from the band's earlier days, and a DVD that included recorded live shows of the band and music videos.[29] The band performed at the 2009 Vans Warped Tour in late June and late August.[30]
Musical style and influences[edit]
Forever the Sickest Kids' main genres consist of pop punk,[5] pop rock,[5] emo pop[98] and power pop.[5] Many of the band's songs feature synthesizers and have dance and electronic based influences, along with the piano and keyboard often being included. Acoustic and hip hop have also been utilized in the group's music. The band mainly has positive, upbeat sounds in its songs, which are typically structured with pop based hooks, both electronic and regular drum beats, and catchy guitar riffs that still maintain rock and punk elements to the music.[5] A primary example that displays the band's structure, sound, and vocal arrangement is the song "I Don't Know About You, But I Came to Dance", found on the band's first release, Television Off, Party On.
Before his departure, Stewart stated, "Ultimately, when you hear the music, we want it to make you want to dance in your car while you're driving. We want it to be easy to sing along to but so catchy you don't wanna stop."[5]
In nearly every song by the band, Cook, Bello, and Turman share lead vocals. Cook usually sings the chorus of the song, while Bello and Turman take on the verses, although it is not limited to this routine. Cook generally sings with a powerful, screeching voice and frequently ranges from a low to high pitch. Bello's vocals are similar to Cook's; however, Bello usually sings with a higher pitch and has a more distinct voice. Turman is known for taking the lead in the band's acoustic songs, such as "Coffee Break" and "Forever Girl", due to having a much softer voice than Cook and Bello. He also sang prominently in "What Happened to Emotion? (Killing Me)", with Cook and Bello only singing the bridge of the song.
Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Bowling for Soup, New Found Glory, and Fountains of Wayne have served as some of the main influences for the band.[99]