Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy is a pop-punk band that has been entertaining music lovers for over two decades. The band was formed in 2001 in Wilmette, Illinois, by Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman, who both backed the band with their talent as bassist and guitarist, respectively. Patrick Stump later joined as the band’s vocalist. Andy Hurley was added as a replacement touring drummer soon after. Their music is fiery and energetic, perfect for getting fans up on their feet and dancing. The name of their band is a reference to the character Fall Out Boy from The Simpsons.

About Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy was founded by Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman, who were both members of the metalcore band Arma Angelus. They later decided to form their own band and recruited Patrick Stump, who had initially tried out as a drummer, to be the lead vocalist. The band played their first show in Chicago in 2001 and quickly gained a reputation for their unique pop-punk sound.

After releasing the Project Rocket/Fall Out Boy split EP, Fall Out Boy signed with the independent label Fueled By Ramen. The label personally called the band to record a full-length record after hearing one of their demos online. This album became their 2003 debut, Take This To Your Grave, and was a tipping point between the band’s underground success to success in the mainstream. It was the band’s last album to feature Stump as the lead lyricist.

The band’s 2004 acoustic EP, My Heart Will Always Be the B-Side to My Tongue, became their first charting release and gave fans a taste of what to expect on their sophomore album From Under The Cork Tree. The album creation was set back in February 2005 after Wentz’s suicide attempt, which influenced songs such as “7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen).” The album was released in May 2005 through Island Records, featuring guest vocals from William Beckett of The Academy Is… and Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco. From Under The Cork Tree became the band’s breakthrough album, selling over double-platinum status in the United States and becoming a defining record of the early 2000s pop-punk era.

Fall Out Boy’s third album, Infinity on High, was released in 2007. The album saw the band subtly separate themselves from their pop-punk sound, featuring unexpected guests like rapper Jay-Z. The album was a huge mainstream success, being certified platinum in six countries and cementing Fall Out Boy as one of the biggest pop-punk bands of the time.

The band continued on their experimental tangent for their 2008 LP Folie à Deux, breaking away almost entirely from their pop-punk sound. The group had a lengthy promotion process, which included the release of mixtape CitizensFOB: Welcome To The New Administration. Lyrically focusing mainly on themes like decaying relationships and fame, the album received a mixed response from fans and critics.

In 2009, the band announced a hiatus to allow the members to focus on their own projects. Among other things, this break spawned Stump’s solo album Soul Punk, Wentz’s EDM project Black Cards, and Trohman and Hurley’s band The Damned Things.

Fall Out Boy reunited in 2013 with the release of their album Save Rock & Roll, which was recorded entirely in secret. The record generally received positive reviews, and featured several all-star guests, including Elton John and Courtney Love. The band later released PAX AM Days, a punk-influenced EP that is described as the antithesis of Save Rock & Roll. The 2015 release of American Beauty/American Psycho saw the band continue to push for a radio-friendly sound while also experimenting with samples on many tracks. The single “Immortals” appeared on the soundtrack of Disney’s Big Hero 6.

Fall Out Boy’s seventh studio album, M A N I A, was first teased in early 2017 and initially slated for a September 2017 release. The album leaned into a more EDM inspired sound, which was quite different from their previous albums. After almost completely scrapping the material for the album, the release date was pushed back to January. The album was shortly followed up with a limited demo EP titled LLAMANIA, which consisted of demo tracks that were scrapped from M A N I A.

Before the band’s major project, “The MANIA Experience,” had taken into effect, Pete announced that a three-tracked EP would be released. This would include a studio version of the 2008 mixtape demo from “Welcome to the New Administration,” Lake Effect Kid, a semi-new song, and a really new song. On August 22, the Lake Effect Kid EP was released at midnight. In its release, every song was heavily influenced by Chicago, the band’s hometown.

Perplexity and Burstiness

Fall Out Boy has always been known for their distinct sound, which incorporates elements of pop punk, alternative rock, and emo. Their music has evolved over the years, with each album showcasing a different side of the band’s musical style. From Under the Cork Tree, for example, was an album that saw the band perfecting their pop-punk sound, while Infinity on High was a more experimental album that included elements of hip-hop and R&B.

The band’s lyrics are often introspective and deal with themes like love, heartache, and the pressures of fame. Their music is both perplexing and bursting with energy, with catchy hooks and powerful guitar riffs that make fans want to sing and dance along.

Wrapping Up

Fall Out Boy is a band that has been able to stay relevant for more than two decades by constantly evolving and experimenting with their sound. They have become one of the defining bands of the pop-punk era and have influenced countless other artists in the genre. With catchy hooks, introspective lyrics, and a unique sound, Fall Out Boy continues to be one of the most beloved bands in the music industry today.