Paramore- A Different Brand of Pop Punk
Places outside the US, UK and Australia probably saw the monumental increase in Paramore merch after the movie release of Twilight. The songs Decode and I Caught Myself became prominently featured in the film’s soundtrack. Undoubtedly though, with the band member’s intense passion for music, they would probably take offense at being known only as the band that sang for Twilight.
The group’s sound is primarily grouped under either emo or pop punk. This is almost ironic considering that the group has shown signs of veering away from the traditions of pop punk that previous artists like Avril Lavigne have established. There is no shallow angst in the band’s music. In some tracks, there are indications of enthusiasm, albeit a bit moving and confrontational.
The level of maturity of the group’s music is surprising considering that they can perhaps be regarded as kids on stage. Although the members have aged in the six years that they have been around, they started when they were barely teens. Before there were Paramore albums that sold like hotcakes, there were only these kids practicing in a garage. Lead vocalist Hayley Williams was only 14 and drummer Zac Farro was only 12 when the group first came together. They were joined by Josh Farro on lead guitars, Jeremy Davis on bass guitar and Jason Bynum on rhythm guitar. Although there was an initial hesitation over Williams’ gender, she has stayed on consistently as lead vocals.
In 2005, the band finally made their work public through their first album release, All We Know is Falling. This was a fitting release for an emo band considering that it communicated what members felt when Jeremy Davis left. The album is the closest the group has come to conventional punk but it did not lead to overwhelming success for them. Davis jumped right back into the group after only a few months but other changes took place. Hunter Lamb took over Bynum’s role but also eventually left.
At the beginning of 2007, the creation of more Paramore albums seemed obvious. It was on this year that Riot! came out and entered the Billboard 200 at 20. Although it didn’t debut with a bang, the album did reach platinum in the U.S. At around the same time the band tasted their first success, Taylor York came in as rhythm guitarist to replace Lamb.
The group saw greater visibility and recognition in 2008 when they hit the February cover of Alternative Press after having been voted by readers as Best Band of 2007. On the same month, they received a nomination for Best New Artist in the Grammy Awards. By May 2008, the group had embarked on a tour called The Final Riot. Shortly after the end of the tour in September, two of their songs were released for Twilight. In September 2009, the group released Brand New Eyes which to date is the band’s most chart topping release.
There is no stopping the deluge of Paramore merchandise like music clothing. This is despite the rift rumors that have haunted and continue to haunt the group. Past rumored conflict revolved around the media’s focus on Hayley Williams. By all current appearances though, the group is as solid as platinum.
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