Katana VentraIP

The Maine (band)

The Maine is an American rock band from Tempe, Arizona. Formed in 2007, the group consists of lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist John O'Callaghan, lead guitarist Jared Monaco, bass guitarist Garrett Nickelsen, drummer Patrick Kirch, and rhythm guitarist Kennedy Brock.[1] The band is joined by touring member Adam Simons, as of 2018, who plays keys, rhythm and lead guitar as well as percussion.

The Maine

2007–present

  • Alex Ross
  • Ryan Osterman

Their first release, the Stay Up, Get Down extended play, was released in 2007, followed by the five-song EP, The Way We Talk, on December 11, 2007. The band's first full-length studio album, Can't Stop Won't Stop, was released July 8, 2008, while their second full-length album, Black & White, was released on July 13, 2010. Since then, the band has independently released seven albums including Pioneer (2011), Forever Halloween (2013), American Candy (2015), Lovely Little Lonely (2017), You Are OK (2019), XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time (2021), and The Maine (2023).

History[edit]

Early years (2006–2007)[edit]

Bassist Garrett Nickelsen and drummer Patrick Kirch had been playing in a hardcore band called the Kerosene Kids.[2] When the lead singer of the group left, they opted to start over with a new name and sound.[2] In January 2007 when they were still in high school, Nickelsen and Kirch regrouped as the Maine.[3][4] The name came from the song "Coast of Maine" by Ivory.[5] Singer John O'Callaghan joined soon after auditions - with no prior vocal experience - along with guitarists Alex Ross and Ryan Osterman.[2][6] Together, they released their debut EP Stay Up, Get Down on May 8, 2007.[7] Months later, Osterman and Ross left the band and was replaced by Kennedy Brock and Jared Monaco.[4] In November 2007, The Maine signed to Fearless Records.[3] They released their debut single "The Way We Talk" on December 10, 2007.[8] On the following day, they released their second EP, The Way We Talk which was produced by Matt Grabe.[9] The EP peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and sold 50,000 copies.[10] The EP also peaked at number 45 on the US Independent Albums chart.[11]

Can't Stop Won't Stop (2008–2009)[edit]

Pre-production for their debut album was held at The Swing House in Hollywood, California.[12] The group recorded the album at The Lair in Los Angeles, California where it was produced by Matt Squire.[13] According to O'Callaghan, the group went for a "poppier direction than the EP," when describing their sound on their debut studio album.[11] The group premiered a new track, "Everything I Ask For" on their MySpace page on June 3, 2008.[14] The song was later released digitally on June 10.[15] The song peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[16] Their debut full-length studio album, Can't Stop Won't Stop was released on July 8, 2008. The album debuted at number 40 on the Billboard 200 and sold 12,000 copies first week.[17][18] The band toured with Good Charlotte, Boys Like Girls and Metro Station on the Soundtrack of Your Summer tour during the summer of 2008.[19] In the fall of 2008, The Maine joined All Time Low on the Compromising of Integrity, Morality & Principles in Exchange for Money tour along with Mayday Parade and Every Avenue.[20] The music video for "Everything I Ask For" premiered on MTV on November 19, 2008 and was directed by Matthew Stawski.[21] Alternative Press named the group one of the "100 Bands You Need to Know in 2008."[22]

Musical style and influences[edit]

The Maine's music style has generally been regarded as alternative rock,[152][153] pop punk,[154][4] pop rock,[155] emo pop,[154] and emo.[154] Magazine Alternative Press has referred to them as neon pop-punk.[156] The group cites major influences from Third Eye Blind, Death Cab for Cutie and Ivory.[5]


Their debut studio album Can't Stop Won't Stop has been described as a pop rock and pop punk record.[157][158] The album drew comparison to their pop punk peers such as Metro Station and All Time Low.[154] The group opted for a different sound and sees them "stepping out of their comfort zone" on their second studio album Black & White.[32] The album features influences of rock and roll while also incorporating the sounds of melodic pop rock.[32][159] Their third studio album, Pioneer sees the group depart from their pop punk roots and focus on the 90s' alternative rock sound, as well as continuing with their rock and roll sound.[160] Their fourth studio album, Forever Halloween continues with the 90s' alternative rock sound.[161] On their fifth studio album, American Candy, the group experiments with new sounds such as indie rock[86] and new wave,[162] while maintaining their alternative rock and pop rock sound.[163] Their sixth studio album, Lovely Little Lonely features themes of somber, sad and darker sounds with a counterbalance of pop arrangements.[164] Their eighth studio album, You Are OK has been described as alternative rock and sees the group experimenting with EDM and progressive rock sounds.[165]

(2008)

Can't Stop Won't Stop

(2010)

Black & White

(2011)

Pioneer

(2013)

Forever Halloween

(2015)

American Candy

(2017)

Lovely Little Lonely

(2019)[115]

You Are OK

(2021)

XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time

(2023)

The Maine

Studio albums

Other media[edit]

Aside from recording music, The Maine has other projects it undertakes for its fans. The band has released three books, This Is Real Life, Black & White Keepsake Book, and Roads. This Is Real Life is composed of photos taken by the band's friend and photographer Dirk Mai, as well as journal entries written by the band members during the 2009 Vans Warped Tour. Black & White Keepsake Book consists of photos and journals from the band members. Roads contains behind-the-scenes photos that Dirk Mai has captured as well as pieces of writing from the band members.[166] Later in 2010, lead singer John O'Callaghan collaborated with photographer Dirk Mai in the creation of Exaltation, a book containing 15 poems written by O'Callaghan complemented by nine accompanying photographs by Mai. John O'Callaghan released a book of poetry titled Sincerely, John The Ghost in 2016 to accompany his solo EP of the same name. In 2019, the band collaborated with the writer Evan Lucy on You Are Ok: Finding Your Way When Life Doesn't Feel Ok, a book featuring stories and lessons from the band's career that was released along the album of the same name.[167]

Official website