After breaking out in 2003 with its fourth studio album
Ocean Avenue
, Yellowcard established itself as an authority in the pop-punk genre.
Ocean Avenue
sold more than 1.8 million copies, earning it a platinum certification by RCAA. Yellowcard released two more albums before going on hiatus in 2008. It reformed in 2011 before going on hiatus again in 2017. Along with contemporaries
Blink-182
,
Sum 41
and
New Found Glory
, Yellowcard helped define the 2000s pop-punk sound.
Formed in Jacksonville in 1997, Yellowcard began as a punk band heavily influenced by
The Offspring
,
Pennywise
and
No Use for a Name
. The group went through several lineup changes over the next three years before forming its classic lineup in 2000. The classic lineup consisted of Ryan Key on vocals/rhythm guitar, Sean Mackin on violin/backing vocals, Longineu W. Parsons III on drums, Benjamin Harper on lead guitar and Warren Cooke on bass. Around this time, the five-piece band left Jacksonville for California to join the thriving west coast pop-punk scene. The band transitioned to a more punk-inspired sound and released its third studio album
One for the Kids
in 2001. Punk magazines and newsletters gave
One for the Kids
glowing praise. Reviewers praised the band's melodic punk sound that seamlessly used a violin. Rockzone.com was highly impressed by the quality of the musicianship for an indie release. The band's reputation for its unique sound and high-energy shows helped get it noticed by a major label. The five-piece group signed with Capitol Records and released its most successful album
Ocean Avenue
in 2003. The album spawned three successful singles, Only One, Way Away and Ocean Avenue, which became the band's signature song. In 2006, the band released the successful album
Lights and Sounds
. The album featured a more experimental sound with lyrics that explored themes such as the darker side of LA and stardom. The title track Lights and Sounds quickly became a fan favorite for its raw energy and aggressive sound. In 2007, Yellowcard released
Paper Walls
, another experimental album that explored a slightly heavier and more traditional punk sound. The album contained the single Light Up the Sky and the fan favorite Fighting. The band went on hiatus from 2008 to 2010 before reforming in 2011. From 2011 to 2016, the band released four more albums:
When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes,
Southern Air,
Lift a Sail
and its final album
Yellowcard
.
If you still air drum to Way Away and sing along to Ocean Avenue at the top of your lungs, you can grab tickets to Yellowcard's show at StubHub. Whether you want VIP backstage passes or standing room only, StubHub will transport you back to the 2000s when pop-punk ruled the airwaves.
Since its 2008 hiatus, Yellowcard has gone through many lineup changes. Longtime vocalist Ryan Key and violinist Sean Mackin have remained with the band. New members include Ryan Mendez on lead guitar, Josh Portman on bass and Nate Young on drums.
In Yellowcard's heyday, it was famous for its incredible live shows, which involved plenty of energy and violinist Sean Mackin backflipping while playing. Though the band is older, it still brings the same energy and passion as it did back in the 2000s.
If you are lucky enough to catch a Yellowcard show, expect to hear songs from
Ocean Avenue
as well as
One for the Kids
,
Lights and Sounds
,
Paper Walls
and even its newer stuff. You are almost guaranteed to hear Ocean Avenue, Only One, Breathing, Lights and Sounds, Rough Landing Holly, Fighting and more.
A Yellowcard set is typically one to two hours in length.
Currently, Yellowcard is on hiatus but may tour again in the near future. If it does tour again, StubHub will have tickets for you.