Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots

Josh Dun (left) and Tyler Joseph in Bangkok in 2015
Background information
Origin Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Years active 2009–present
Labels Fueled by Ramen, WEA International, Atlantic
Website twentyonepilots.com
Members
Past members
  • Nick Thomas
  • Chris Salih

Twenty One Pilots (stylized as TWENTY ØNE PILØTS, short TØP) is an American musical duo originating from Columbus, Ohio. The band was formed in 2009 by lead vocalist and keyboardist Tyler Joseph along with former members Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, who eventually left in 2011, and currently consists of Joseph and drummer Josh Dun. The duo rose to fame in the mid-2010s, after several years of touring and independent releases.

They put out two self-released albums, Twenty One Pilots in 2009 and Regional at Best in 2011, before being signed by Fueled by Ramen in 2012. Their label debut, Vessel, was released in 2013. The duo achieved breakthrough success with their fourth album, Blurryface (2015), which produced the singles "Stressed Out" and "Ride". In addition, the single "Heathens", recorded for the soundtrack of the film Suicide Squad, made the group the first alternative artist to have two concurrent top ten singles in the U.S.

History

2009–11: Formation and Twenty One Pilots

The band was formed in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio by college friends Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas and Chris Salih.[13][14] Joseph came up with the band's name while studying All My Sons by Arthur Miller, a play about a man who must decide what is best for his family after causing the death of twenty-one pilots during World War II because he knowingly sent them faulty plane parts for the economic good of his business. Joseph explains that the story's moral dilemma of choosing between the easy and the right decision inspired the name and formation of the band.[15][16] On December 29, 2009, they released their debut, self-titled album, Twenty One Pilots, and began touring Ohio.

In 2010, the band released two officially unreleased tracks to their SoundCloud account.[17] These included an original spinoff of "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman and a cover of "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri. They were originally available for free download, though the option has since been removed.

Salih left on May 8, 2011 and Thomas left about a month later on June 3, 2011, both posting farewell notes on the band's official Facebook page.[18][19] Joseph was then joined by Josh Dun, former live drummer of House of Heroes.[14][20]

2011–12: Regional at Best and Fueled by Ramen record deal

Twenty One Pilots performing in 2012

Their second self-release, Regional at Best, was released July 8, 2011 with the new lineup consisting of only Joseph and Dun. The album was accompanied by a free CD release show on the grounds of New Albany High School. In November 2011, they played a sold out show at Columbus' Newport Music Hall attracting the attention of a dozen record labels.[21] Although many labels fought over the band, it was ultimately decided that they would sign to the Atlantic Records subsidiary label Fueled by Ramen, the same label responsible for the commercial success of bands like Panic! at the Disco, Paramore, Young the Giant, and multiple other alternative acts.

During the same year, the duo also gave fans two free, otherwise unreleased, songs via their email newsletter: the original version of "House of Gold" and a song entitled "Two".

On February 11, 2012, the band released a music video on YouTube for an unreleased song called "Goner".[22] "Goner" was rewritten and re-recorded for its release on Blurryface in 2015.[23]

2012–14: Vessel, television debut and Quiet Is Violent World Tour

Lead vocalist Tyler Joseph in 2014

In April 2012, at a sold out show at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, they announced their signing to Atlantic Records subsidiary label Fueled by Ramen.[14] On July 17, 2012, they released their debut Fueled by Ramen recording in the form of a three song EP, entitled Three Songs. In August 2012, they embarked on a short tour with Neon Trees and Walk the Moon.[21] They worked with Greg Wells, producer of Adele and Katy Perry, on their first full-length album on the record label Fueled by Ramen, Vessel.[12] It was released January 8, 2013 and reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200, No. 9 on the Digital Albums chart, No. 17 on the Internet Albums chart, No. 15 on the Rock Albums Chart and No. 10 on the Alternative Albums Chart.

The group had their first charting single on radio charts in America with "Holding On to You", which reached 11 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart; additionally, the singles "Guns for Hands" and "Lovely" reached No. 21 and No. 67, respectively, on the Japan Hot 100 after "Lovely" was released as a promotional single for the band's trip to Japan.

On November 12, 2012, the official music video for "Holding On to You" was released on YouTube.[24] Sequentially in 2013, music videos for "Guns for Hands" and "Car Radio" were uploaded on January 7 and April 19.[25][26]

In May 2013, Fall Out Boy announced that Twenty One Pilots would be touring as opening acts on the Save Rock and Roll Arena Tour the following fall.[27]

On August 8, 2013, Twenty One Pilots performed "House of Gold" on Conan in their late night debut. On October 2, the music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube.[28]

On March 17, the band performed a set at the mtvU Woodie Awards during SXSW.[29]

The updated version of the song "Lovely" from Regional at Best was included as a bonus track on the UK and Japan versions of the Vessel CD.

Twenty One Pilots performing in 2013

In 2014, Twenty One Pilots played a number of music festivals and other events all around the country, such as Lollapalooza,[30] Bonnaroo,[31] Boston Calling, and Firefly.[32] As a result, they took the show requests from different cities and blended them into the Quiet Is Violent World Tour, which began in September 2014, and ended the same year.[33]

On April 13, Twenty One Pilots performed "Car Radio" at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards.[34] On April 28, the band performed "Car Radio" on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[35]

On December 31, 2014, the band released a music video for the song "Ode to Sleep".[36]

2015–present: Blurryface and Emotional Roadshow World Tour

Main article: Blurryface
Twenty One Pilots performing at Shepherds Bush Empire in late 2015

On March 16, 2015, the band announced that Blurryface was to be released on May 19.[37][38] They also released the first single, called "Fairly Local".[39] Their second single of the album, "Tear in My Heart", and its music video were released on April 5, 2015.[40] On April 28, "Stressed Out", the third single from the album, was released[41] along with a music video.[42] "Stressed Out" peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one on both Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs.[43]

Blurryface was released two days early on May 17, 2015 and sold 134,000 copies in the first week in the United States, becoming the band's first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.[44] On May 22, 2016, Blurryface went on to win the category of "Top Rock Album" at the Billboard Music Awards, and the band also won the category of "Top Rock Artist".[45]

The band began the Blurryface World Tour on May 11, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland. The U.S. part of their tour started on September 8 in Washington, D.C. The tour went to in the United States, Australia, South East Asia, Japan and Europe.[46] They toured with Echosmith and Finish Ticket.

Twenty One Pilots performed "Stressed Out" on Late Night with Seth Meyers on September 14, 2015.[47]

The band announced a London show in February of 2016, and later announced a run of UK dates, with a second London date added. They toured with Transviolet.[48] This run of UK dates ended the Blurryface tour, with The Emotional Roadshow being announced soon after.

The band began its Emotional Roadshow World Tour, which started in Cincinnati on May 31, 2016.[49] The tour will go through the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia.[50][51] It was announced that Chef'Special and Mutemath would be joining them on the tour.[52] Irish singer Bry joined the tour for its European leg.[53]

Twenty One Pilots performing in London in 2016

On June 16, 2016, the band released the song "Heathens" as the first single from the Suicide Squad soundtrack, earlier than the expected release date of June 24 after the song leaked early onto the Internet on June 15.[54][55][56] A music video for the song was released on June 21, 2016.[57] The song was played during the ending credits of the film.

Twenty One Pilots became only the third musical act to have two singles simultaneously chart in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, joining The Beatles and Elvis Presley, in addition to becoming the third duo to accomplish this feat, after OutKast in 2003 and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ten years later.[58]

On September 14, 2016, the band released a cover of the piano ballad "Cancer" by My Chemical Romance as a part of the tribute album Rock Sound Presents: The Black Parade. An animated music video followed the release of the song.[59]

On October 8, 2016, Twenty One Pilots was featured as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. They performed toned-down, orchestra-accompanied versions of "Heathens" and "Ride" in what Rolling Stone called their "most high profile performance yet".[60] The band later performed a medley of "Heathens" and "Stressed Out" on the American Music Awards of 2016, where they also accepted their first awards on American television for Favorite Pop/Rock Duo and Favorite Alternative Rock Artist.[61]

In an interview with Alternative Press in November of 2016, they stated that after their last show in April of 2017, they will be "going dark" to focus on new music. Joseph stated that he would like to focus on lyrical content of the music, and bring the music back to the "authenticity, lyrics, delivery, and fearlessness of songwriting" similar to that of the self-titled album.[62]

The band have recently been announced to headline Hangout Festival in May 2017.[63]

Musical style and influence

Alternative logo used on the cover of Blurryface
Twenty One Pilots' previous band logo
Twenty One Pilots' official band logo as of 2015

Twenty One Pilots bring a mix of piano (sometimes an electronic keyboard or a keytar), synthesizer, drums (sometimes mixed with electronic drums), vocals, and occasionally the ukulele. Their songs are usually poetry-based (written by Joseph and Dun);[64] Joseph has stated that when poetry is too long, he needs to start rapping to fit the lyrics in.[65]

People typically have trouble affiliating the band to a specific genre to describe them, since they bridge so many.[66] However, many fans (and themselves to a degree) have labeled their genre as "Schizophrenic pop" (also known as Schizoid pop), a technically unofficial subgenre of pop.[15]

Although many of their songs contain allusions to Christian theology and have messages (even if implied) about God, and all members of the band (past and present) are Christians, Twenty One Pilots is not considered a Christian band.[14][67]

In regard to their logo, Joseph stated in an interview that:

It means Twenty One Pilots, the logo does. Why it means Twenty One Pilots, is it really goes along with one of our songs called "Kitchen Sink". The whole concept of that song is that I feel that humans are always struggling all the time when it comes to purpose, trying to figure out their purpose is, what purpose even is, what's the point, justifying your own existence. A lot of kids and people my age struggle with "what's the point," and with the logo, what it really means is it's an encouragement. When someone asks me what the logo means to me, the logo means something to me because I made it mean something to me. That's the point. The point is that I created something that only I understand and whether or not I decide to disclose the meaning of it, that's the beginning of purpose for me. The meaning of purpose for me, is by creating something, if it be by writing lyrics, painting a picture, by expressing yourself through art if it's photography or music or theater, or whatever it is. It doesn't have to be artistic, but if you create something and only you know the meaning of it, that's the beginning of purpose for you. When you're in the room by yourself trying to decide whether to stay alive, you can tell yourself "I should probably stay alive because I'm the only one who knows the meaning of that thing," so the logo is an encouragement for people to create. That's what it means.
— Tyler Joseph explaining the band's logo.[68]
Skeleton Clique logos

The band has dubbed their fanbase as the "Skeleton Clique".

According to the band, their purpose for making music is "to make people think", as well as encourage them to find joy in what they come to believe in life.[15]

Discography

Band members

Current

Former

Concert tours

Headlining

Opening act

Accolades

Year Ceremony Award Nominated Result Ref.
2013 MTV Video Music Award Artist to Watch "Holding On to You" Nominated [69]
MTV Europe Music Award Best Push Act Twenty One Pilots Nominated [70]
2014 Alternative Press Music Awards Best Live Band Nominated [71]
Album of the Year Vessel Nominated
Breakthrough Band Twenty One Pilots Nominated
Best Drummer Josh Dun Nominated
2015 Best Live Band Twenty One Pilots Nominated
Most Dedicated Fans Nominated
Tumblr Fandom of the Year Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Rock Song "Tear in My Heart" Nominated [72]
2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards Alternative Rock Artist of the Year Twenty One Pilots Won [73]
Alternative Rock Song of the Year "Stressed Out" Won
Billboard Music Awards Top Duo/Group Twenty One Pilots Nominated [74]
Top Rock Artist Won
Top Rock Song "Stressed Out" Nominated
Top Rock Album Blurryface Won
Alternative Press Music Awards Artist of the Year Twenty One Pilots Won [75]
Album of the Year Blurryface Won
Best Music Video "Stressed Out" Nominated
Kerrang! Awards Best Live Band Twenty One Pilots Nominated [76]
Best Fanbase Won
Underground Interviews Music Awards Best Hit Single "Stressed Out" Nominated [77]
Teen Choice Award Choice Rock Song "Stressed Out" Nominated [78]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Rock Video "Heathens" Won [79]
MTV Europe Music Award Best Alternative Twenty One Pilots Won
Best Live Act Won
Best US Act Nominated
Billboard Touring Awards Breakthrough Nominated [80]
NRJ Music Award International Revelation of the Year Won [81]
American Music Award Artist of the Year Nominated
Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Won [82]
Favorite Alternative Artist Won
2017 People's Choice Awards Favorite Group Pending [83]

References

  1. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Release New Single "Fairly Local"". samusicscene.co.za. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ xxivmagazine. "INTERVIEW: Twenty One Pilots". XXIV Magazine. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots projected to top Billboard charts". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Concert Review: Twenty One Pilots w/ Misterwives and Vinyl Theatre at Rio Theatre - October 13th, 2014". thepermanentrainpress.com. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ Von Einem, Johnny (January 20, 2014). "INTERVIEW: Twenty One Pilots". XXIV Magazine. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ Yi, Catherine (January 8, 2013). "twenty - one - pilots – Vessel: Album Review". idobi.com. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ Lamb, Bill (May 29, 2015). "US Pop Music Charts May 28, 2015". About.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015.
  8. ↑ Hartshorn, Kristel (September 19, 2014). "Twenty One Pilots talk music, 'Quiet is Violent' tour and keeping fans entertained". Cleveland. Advance Ohio. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  9. ↑ Carter, Emily (February 14, 2016). "22 Artists Shaping the Future of Rock". Kerrang!. Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  10. ↑ Etchison, Amanda (September 4, 2014). "Twenty One Pilots comes home to two full houses". The Lantern. The Lantern. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  11. ↑ Greene, Andy (January 14, 2016). "Twenty One Pilots: Inside the Biggest New Band of the Past Year". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Twenty One Pilots - Music, biography, Credits and Discography: AllMusic". Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Biography Billboard". Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "With debut album set for release, Columbus duo Twenty One Pilots poised to break out". Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 "About twenty one pilots". Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  16. ↑ Tolentino, Jia. "The Slippery Appeal of the Biggest New Band in America". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ "twentonepilots". SoundCloud. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  18. ↑ Salih, Chris (May 9, 2011). "Member Change: Chris' Farewell". Facebook. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  19. ↑ Thomas, Nick (June 3, 2011). "Nick Thomas' Farewell". Facebook. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Interview: Twenty One Pilots, part 1". columbusalive.com. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  21. 1 2 "Review twenty one pilots Regional at Best". Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  22. ↑ "twenty one pilots: Goner". YouTube. February 11, 2012.
  23. ↑ twenty one pilots (2012-02-11), twenty one pilots: Goner, retrieved 2016-10-29
  24. ↑ "twenty one pilots: Holding on to You". YouTube. November 14, 2012.
  25. ↑ "twenty one pilots: Guns For Hands". YouTube. January 7, 2013.
  26. ↑ "twenty one pilots: Car Radio". YouTube. April 19, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots added to Fall Out Boy arena tour". Alternative Press. May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  28. ↑ "twenty one pilots: House of Gold". YouTube. October 2, 2013.
  29. ↑ "twenty one pilots Perform 'Guns For Hands' At mtvU Woodie Awards". Fueled by Ramen. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots". Lollapalooza. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots". bonnaroo.com. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Firefly Music Festival". twentyonepilots.com. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Tour". twentyonepilots.com. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  34. ↑ "twenty one pilots live at the MTV Movie Awards 2014". MTV. April 13, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Watch twenty one pilots perform "Car Radio" on 'Late Night With Seth Meyers'". altpress.com. Alternative Press. April 29, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  36. ↑ Haskoor, Michael. "Watch Twenty One Pilots' Music Video for 'Ode to Sleep,' Three Years in the Making Read More: Watch Twenty One Pilots' Music Video for 'Ode to Sleep'". diffuser.fm. Loudwire Network. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  37. ↑ Pierangelo, Hannah (March 17, 2015). "Twenty One Pilots Announce New Album + Tour Dates". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Twitter status". Twitter. March 16, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Hear twenty one pilots' eerie new single "Fairly Local" from impending album 'Blurryface'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  40. ↑ twenty one pilots: Tear In My Heart [Official Video]; YouTube, April 6, 2015
  41. ↑ Stressed Out; Google Play Store, April 28, 2015
  42. ↑ twenty one pilots: Stressed Out [Official Video]; YouTube, April 28, 2015
  43. ↑ Trust, Gary (February 16, 2016). "Justin Bieber Retakes No. 1 Spot From Zayn on Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Earn First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2016: Complete Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots announce Blurryface World Tour". axs.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Perform New Single 'Stressed Out' on Late Night". Broadway World. September 15, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Uk tour". http://www.kerrang.com/35188/twenty-one-pilots-announce-huge-uk-tour-including-second-london-date/. External link in |website= (help)
  49. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Twenty One Pilots' Rock Dreams Come True at Emotional Roadshow Tour Kick-Off". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  50. ↑ "TWENTY ONE PILOTS: EMØTIØNALRØADSHØW". twentyonepilots.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Announces Emotional Roadshow World Tour: See Dates Here". billboard.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Chef'Special & Mutemath To Join twenty one pilots' Tour". Fueled by Ramen. Fueled by Ramen. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  53. ↑ "Bry Announces Tour With Twenty One Pilots and Album". teneightymagazine.com. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  54. ↑ "Record label wants Reddit to snitch on the user that leaked Suicide Squad soundtrack". Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Atlantic Records asks Reddit for user's IP address over Suicide Squad song leak". Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  56. ↑ "Who leaked that 'Suicide Squad' song? Reddit has answers, record label says". Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  57. ↑ "twenty one pilots: Heathens (from Suicide Squad: The Album) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". Youtube. Fueled By Ramen. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  58. ↑ McIntyre, Hugh (August 31, 2016). "Twenty One Pilots Match A Charting Feat That Only The Beatles And Elvis Have Managed". Forbes.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  59. ↑ "Hear Twenty One Pilots Cover My Chemical Romance's 'Cancer'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Watch Twenty One Pilots' Soaring 'SNL' Performance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  61. ↑ "Watch Twenty One Pilots Tear Up the 2016 AMAs With Torrid 'Heathens'-Meets-'Stressed Out' Medley". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  62. ↑ "Alternative Press".
  63. ↑ "hangout line up". http://hangoutmusicfest.com/lineup/. External link in |website= (help)
  64. ↑ Interview: twenty one pilots; The National Student, April 9, 2013
  65. ↑ Twenty One Pilots – More Than ‘Regional at Best’; Cornerstone, February 20, 2012
  66. ↑ Interview: Twenty One Pilots; WOUB, March 14, 2012
  67. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots: Masters of the Culture of Encounter". Word of Fire. January 7, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014. Twenty One Pilots is not a Christian band, but Joseph and Dun are both believers.
  68. ↑ Medina, John (7 March 2012). "Get to know our locals: Twenty One Pilots". Sound Scene Press.
  69. ↑ MTV artist to watch: TWENTY ONE PILOTS with FIVE KNIVES and KALEIDO at the Crofoot Ballroom; The Croofoot, October 5, 2013
  70. ↑ MTV - Best Push - Vote; MTV
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  72. ↑ "2015 Teen Choice Award Winners – Full List". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. August 16, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
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  75. ↑ "Here are the nominees for the 2016 AP Music Awards! - APTV - Alternative Press". Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  76. ↑ Kerrang.com
  77. ↑ Harris, Brandon (October 14, 2016). "Underground Interviews Music Awards 2016: See the full list of winners". UG Magazine. Time Inc. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  78. ↑ Goodman, Jessica (July 31, 2016). "Teen Choice Awards 2016: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  79. ↑ "VMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  80. ↑ "Bon Jovi, Scooter Braun Honored; Bruce Springsteen, Adele, Coldplay & Justin Bieber Big Winners at Billboard Touring Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
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  82. ↑ "AMAs on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  83. ↑ "People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Nominees". People's Choice. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.

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