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Say Anything
Anarchy, My Dear
Say Anything, the ingenious indie punk brainchild of Max Bemis, perhaps best known for their provocative lyrics, quirky music and eccentric live shows, has been making their odd, ever-changing and simply unclassifiable music for over ten years, with no signs of slowing down. In fact, the band – who has been described as stunning, artful intriguing, and downright genius – will release their fourth studio album on March 13th, 2012 through Albany, NY-based Equal Vision Records.
In August 2011, shortly after the announcement of signing to the independent label, Bemis, and Say Anything counterpart/drummer Coby Linder, entered Golden Ear Studios in Brooklyn, NY to reconnect with producer Tim O’Heir [Say Anything, Sebadoh, Superdrag, All-American Rejects] and record the anthemic, energetic, and thought provoking album, Anarchy, My Dear.
“Once we found our label, [Equal Vision Records], we knew there was only one producer who could bring the kind of ambitious, freethinking, over-the-top approach to the recording process that we were looking for,” Bemis explains.
O’Heir elaborates, “… I received a phone call. Yeah, that phone call, the one that you long for and fear at the same time. I was asked if I wanted to work with Say Anything again. Of course I said yes, an emphatic yes! It’s been seven years and for all we went through the first time around, we made something that all artists strive for – history. Get ready, we’re about to do it again.”
The history that O’Heir speaks of begins with Say Anything’s breakthrough studio debut and critically acclaimed 2004 release …Is A Real Boy. The no holds barred, in-your-face qualities of the album earned praises from the likes of SPIN, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Blender and more; thus turning all eyes on the fresh-faced duo. Naturally, Bemis (just 20 years-old at the time) grabbed a few more of his friends and began touring relentlessly, bringing his tongue-in-cheek outbursts and animated live show around the world.
Three years after the release of …Is A Real Boy, Say Anything followed up with the greatly anticipated and highly ambitious, In Defense of the Genre: A double-disc album featuring 27 songs, 21 guest vocalists and standout tracks “Baby Girl, I’m A Blur” and “Shiksa (Girlfriend)”. The equally powerful, self-titled follow-up in 2009 revealed a crisper, more pop-driven sound with radio-friendly single “Hate Everyone”. The success of all three albums, fueled countless North American tours, as well as dates in Australia and Europe. With a growing cult-like international fan base, a lovely new wife (Eisley vocalist Sherri DuPree-Bemis), and three full-length albums, Say Anything has successfully grown out of an era of emo angst into a band that transcends the limitations of genres and trends, simply appealing to fans of honest music and passion.
Anarchy, My Dear brings that honesty to a new level and is, in its purest sense, a form of propaganda—and an intense expression of Bemis’ love for the idea of anarchy. He explains, “Anarchy, My Dear is our first attempt to write a true ‘punk’ record; thematically speaking, it’s a collection of songs about subverting society and destroying the boundaries humankind has placed upon ourselves both physically and in our minds. Coincidentally, it also happens to be the first record we’ve made in years where we had total freedom to explore our ‘edgier’ side and present a raw picture of what the band is truly about onstage.”
Filled with an urgent sense of aggression and Say Anything’s signature style of idiosyncratic lyrics, Anarchy, My Dear once again reveals the raw energy, dynamism and exuberance that sparked the band’s early success. Already hailed by Alternative Press as one of the most anticipated albums of 2012, the music has a newfound vintage-rock feel, complete with an urgent punch of chaos fueled choruses and ferocious explosions of energy. SPIN Magazine declared that the first single, “Burn A Miracle,” is “one of the more schizophrenic and toothsome pop-punk outbursts frontman Max Bemis (or maybe anyone for that matter) has shared to date.” And candidly concluded, “It’s a beast. Have a listen.”
“Admit It Again,” a take-no-prisoners critique on contemporary “indie” culture is a follow-up to fan-favorite track “Admit It,” off of …Is A Real Boy. “So Good”, “Night’s Song”, and “Overbiter” feature guest vocals from the aforementioned DuPree-Bemis, with her haunting, ethereal voice providing a contrast to Bemis’ snarling onslaught, while the hammered dulcimer-backed ballad “Peace Out” touches on the album’s theme of self-empowerment and rebellion amidst a contradiction-filled society. Linder too offers distinctive vocals throughout the album, adding further depth and musical complexity.
Say Anything will begin showcasing their new material as an official performer at SXSW 2012 and has announced a North American headlining run in Spring 2012. Joining Bemis and Linder on the road are permanent touring bandmates, Jake and Jeff Turner (guitars), Parker Case (keyboards) and Adam T. Siska (bass), [formerly of The Academy Is…]. To date, Say Anything has sold nearly half a million copies of their releases and has performed on several late night shows, including Late Night With Conan O’Brien, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Last Call with Carson Daly and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
In addition to releasing Anarchy, My Dear, Equal Vision Records will also be releasing a wide variety of previously unreleased Say Anything material, vinyl, rarities collections and other forthcoming projects. Bemis concludes, “We want you to think of EVR when you think of Say Anything and the other way around, as they have become not just our partners but our friends and part of our team.”
SAY ANYTHING ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING TOUR
SECOND SINGLE ‘SAY ANYTHING’ OUT FEBRUARY 14th
NEW ALBUM ANARCHY, MY DEAR OUT MARCH 13th
Say Anything have confirmed headlining tour dates for March and April 2012, when they will hit the road in support of their upcoming full-length album, Anarchy, My Dear (out March 13th on Equal Vision Records). The 31-date tour will kick off on March 24th at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom, and will then make its way around the country, culminating with a performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on May 3rd. An exclusive presale will begin on Wednesday, January 18th at 12PM EST. Fans who buy their tickets through the presale will receive their tickets before anyone else and will receive a discount on service charges. There will also be exclusive bundling packages available. Tickets can be purchased here: http://sayanything.ducatking.com.
Thanks to years of constant touring, Say Anything have perfected their powerful live performance and are excited to debut the new songs off of Anarchy, My Dear. Their passionate, engaging shows leave their cult-like audience enthralled, with fans screaming along to every word throughout their energetic sets.
The second single from Anarchy, My Dear, titled “Say Anything,” will be released on February 14th. The music video, directed by Mutemath’s Darren King, will be shot in Texas at the end of February, and will be released in March. The track can be previewed and purchased HERE.
Anarchy, My Dear, produced by Tim O’Heir (Say Anything, Sebadoh, Superdrag), is in its purest sense, a form of propaganda—an intense expression of frontman Max Bemis’ love for the idea of anarchy. Says Bemis, “Anarchy, My Dear is our first attempt to write a true ‘punk’ record; thematically speaking, it’s a collection of songs about subverting society and destroying the boundaries humankind has placed upon ourselves both physically and in our minds. Coincidentally, it also happens to be the first record we’ve made in years where we had total freedom to explore our ‘edgier’ side and present a raw picture of what the band is truly about onstage.”
Filled with thought-provoking, idiosyncratic lyrics, Anarchy marks a breakthrough in Say Anything’s genre-defying evolution. Hailed by Alternative Press as one of the most anticipated albums of 2012, the music has a newfound vintage, glam-rock feel, complete with an urgent punch of anthemic choruses and ferocious energy. SPIN Magazine declared that the first single, “Burn A Miracle,” is “one of the more schizophrenic and toothsome pop-punk outbursts frontman Max Bemis (or maybe anyone for that matter) has shared to date. It’s a beast. Have a listen.”
Tour Dates:
3/24 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
3/25 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
3/27 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox @ The Market
3/29 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex-Grand Room
3/30 – Denver, CO – The Summit Music Hall
3/31 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
4/1 – St. Louis, MO – The Firebird
4/3 – St. Paul, MN – Station 4
4/4 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
4/5 – Pontiac, MI – Clutch Cargo’s
4/6 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
4/7 – Montreal, QC – Corona
4/9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre
4/10 – Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall
4/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre
4/13 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theatre
4/14 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
4/15 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
4/17 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
4/18 – Richmond, VA – The National
4/20 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
4/21 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
4/22 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
4/24 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
4/25 – Orlando, FL – Beacham Theatre
4/27 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
4/28 – Dallas, TX – Live @ Mokah
4/29 – Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa
5/1 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
5/2 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
5/3 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
* Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band, Fake Problems supporting all shows
* The Front Bottoms supporting on all shows from 3/24 to 4/11
* TALLHART (ex-Marksmen) supporting on all shows from 4/13 to 5/3
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Anarchy, My Dear - Album Art
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Max Bemis in the studio w/ Tim O'Heir
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Max Bemis in the studio
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Ryan Russell
L-R: Jeff Turner, Coby Linder, Adam T. Siska, Max Bemis, Jake Turner, Parker Case
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Ryan Russell
L-R: Parker Case, Adam T. Siska, Max Bemis, Jeff Turner, Coby Linder, Jake Turner