The Menzingers
The Menzingers | |
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The Menzingers in 2012 (Left to right: Greg Barnett, Joe Godino, Tom May, Eric Keen.) | |
Background information | |
Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
Genres | Punk rock[1] |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels | Go-Kart, Red Scare, Epitaph |
Website | Official website |
Members |
Greg Barnett Tom May Eric Keen Joe Godino |
The Menzingers is an American punk rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
History
The Menzingers formed in the wake of Scranton ska-punk/pop punk bands "Bob and the Sagets" (featuring Tom May, Joe Godino, Eric Keen, and non-Menzinger members Lee Hartney & Curtis Irie, currently of Irie Idea) and Kos Mos (featuring Greg Barnett, Adam Mcilwee of Tigers Jaw and Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, and Leo Vergnetti of Captain, We're Sinking). Their first release was a self-titled demo tape made in 2006, which made its way onto many top ten lists of that year.[2]
Their debut full length, "A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology" (released on Go-Kart Records), was produced by Jesse Cannon. According to Cannon, "I record bands every day and almost all of them are missing something. The Menzingers have it all — the songs, the aggression, the heart, and the passion that most only dream of."
In 2009, the band released a 4-song EP titled "Hold On Dodge" through Red Scare Industries, their first vinyl release (including a 600-run olive edition.)[3] A bonus track for the EP titled "Kentucky Gentleman" is available through iTunes.
Early in 2010, the band did a brief stint with Anti-Flag. April 13 saw the release of their second full length, "Chamberlain Waits", through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011 they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band:
"These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."[4]
They released On the Impossible Past on February 20, 2012, and it was met with critical acclaim. A music video was shot and released for the song "Nice Things."
On the Impossible Past went on to be voted "Album Of The Year" 2012 for both Absolutepunk.net and Punknews.org. It was also voted "Album Of The Year" by RockZone magazine in Spain.
The Menzingers released a split 7" EP with The Bouncing Souls in November 2013. Both bands released a new original song on the split, along with a cover of one of the other band's songs. The Menzingers covered Kate is Great from The Bouncing Souls, and The Bouncing Souls covered Burn After Writing from On the Impossible Past.
On Nov 29, 2013, while performing at the Bowery Ballroom, Greg Barnett said that the band had just come out of the studio. The new album, Rented World, was released on April 22, 2014. A music video for a song from the new album, "In Remission", was released on February 18, 2014[5]
The band spent 2014 and 2015 touring North America, Europe, and Australia with a variety of acts as both support and a headline act, including The Smith Street Band, Off With Their Heads, Lemuria, Chumped, Taking Back Sunday, mewithoutYou, Pianos Become the Teeth, letlive., and others.
Members
- Greg Barnett - Guitar/Vocals
- Tom May - Guitar/Vocals
- Eric Keen - Bass
- Joe Godino - Drums
Discography
Albums
- A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology (2007)
- Chamberlain Waits (2010)
- On the Impossible Past (2012)
- Rented World (2014)
- After the Party (2017)
EPs and singles
- Hold on, Dodge! (2009)
- "I Was Born" (2010)
- "The Obituaries" (2011)
- "Gates" (2012)
- Electric Split (2013) (split with The Bouncing Souls)
- "Lookers" (2016)
Demos
- Demo (2006)
- On the Possible Past (2012)
Music Videos
- "Richard Coury" (2008)[6]
- "I Was Born" (2010)
- "Irish Goodbyes" (2011)
- "Nice Things" (2012)
- "In Remission" (2014)
- "I Don't Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore" (2014)
- "Bad Catholics" (2016)
References
- ↑ http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/286
- ↑ "About the Menzingers". 2009-05-16. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ↑ "The Menzingers: Episode 1". 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ↑ http://www.punknews.org/article/42660
- ↑ Ozzi, Dan. "Check Out the First Song from the Menzingers' New Album, 'Rented World'". Noisey. Retrieved 2014-02-18.
- ↑ "Richard Coury". 2010-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-23.