Beyond their exceptional musicianship and stage presence, these guys write great pop songs: melodic, smart and edgy. Zach and Nathan do most of the writing (though Cameron and Michael weigh in). Moreover, they wield a mature craftsmanship beyond their years."I’m a kid," says lyricist Zach, "so I feel issues a kid my age would listen to. I try not to write every song about a girl." Adds Nathan, "When we first came to this band, we just felt we had to write all the time. That’s all we did. We just developed this cool writing process, and people started liking it." Currently Allstar Weekend is in the studio working the likes of Howard Benson, Eddie Galan, Charlotte Caffey, John Feldman and Dave Bassett.
But long before that, San Diego band’s homegrown demos were good enough to wow siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines, founders of Drive-Thru Records, and now managers of the band. "We don't freak out about bands too often, and we never insist every band we work with is destined for Top 40 success," says Stefanie. "Allstar Weekend is one of those rare instances where we just know they’re going to be huge."Nathan credits his dad for teaching him the finer points of music appreciation. Zach was raised on a steady diet of Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, artists he credits for inspiring his artful approach to songwriting. Cameron fell in love with his parents’ 80's pop classics, from Prince and Michael Jackson to Duran Duran, later graduating to Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King.
Zach and Cameron had been friends since middle school, but the makings of Allstar Weekend didn’t begin until Nathan met Zach later in high school. Though a year apart, they saw in each other kindred musical spirits, and began a string of garage bands. "Then Zach and I decided to take our abilities somewhere else," remembers Nathan. "We wrote songs and recorded in our bedroom, then put the music up on Myspace."
Not long after, first Cameron, then Michael came aboard and the line-up was complete. With key influences like the music of Queen and Blink-182 at their back, the band wasted no time getting serious about developing their careers. "It wasn’t just the artists who inspired us," recalls Zach, "but the producers. We tried to figure out how they made things sound the way they did. It was a trial and error process, and when we first met, it was our entire life. We’d sit there all day figuring out how to get certain tones out of the guitars, how producers tracked vocals, how drums were mixed."
The Walt Disney Company sure noticed. The band was selected to participate in Radio Disney's "Next Big Thing" program, and the reaction was so positive, Hollywood Records grabbed them. So far, they've racked up more than 2.5 million Myspace plays and 50,000 You Tube plays for their video of "Journey To The End Of My Life." In concert, Allstar Weekend has shared the stage with bands like Justin Beiber, Maine, Forever The Sickest Kids, Selena Gomez and Savanna. Typically their live shows turn into a picture-and-autograph frenzy. "A few months ago we didn’t have a single fan," laughs Cameron. "Now we love hanging out with them and getting to know them."
With their new 24/7 whirlwind existence, the members of Allstar Weekend have mastered the art of chilling, and do not take themselves too seriously. Which is a good thing, considering the frenzy is only just beginning. "We never clash and we’re always on the same page," says Nathan. "That’s because we have music in common."
EDIT: Nathan Darmody has since left the band and the boys have left their label Hollywood Records
Discography:
Suddenly (EP) (June 22 2010)
Suddenly Yours (Album) (October 19 2010)
All the Way (Album) (September 27 2011)
The American Dream (EP) (July 3 2012)
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/Allstarweekend
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/allstarweekend
Offical page:
www.allstarweekendrocks.com
Catching Up
Allstar Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear the same thing
My alarm rings
Screamin' the same time
In the same place
I'm walking the same way
I'm afraid
It's always Groundhogs Day
I always say
I should do something about it?
Why not?
Today could be the day
I'm done hanging out
Talking 'bout what I want
No fun sitting here
Thinking maybe next year
I don't wanna be
Lookin' back at twenty-three
Sayin' to myself,
I've got a lot of catching up to do
I've got big dreams
Dreaming big things
Interrupted
My alarm rings
Until now 'cause
I won't hear it
I won't take it
I can't stay anymore
I always say
I should do something about it?
Why not?
Today could be the day
I'm done hanging out
Talking 'bout what I want
No fun sitting here
Thinking maybe next year
I don't wanna be
Looking back at twenty-three
Sayin' to myself
I've got a lot of catching up to do
Say goodbye to the could've been
Say goodbye to the should've made that one work
Say goodbye to just sittin' around
I always say it
This time I'm gonna do it
I always say
I should do something about it?
Why not?
Today could be the day
I'm done hanging out
Talking 'bout what I want
No fun sitting here
Thinking maybe next year
I don't wanna be
Lookin' back at twenty-three
Sayin' to myself
There's so much left to do
(I've got a lot of catching up to do)
There's so much left for me to do
(I've got a lot of catching up to do)
There's so much left for me to do
(I've got a lot of catching up to do)
I've got a thousand things I know I'm gonna do
"Catching Up" by Allstar Weekend is a song about self-motivation and realizing that time is fleeting. The song begins with a description of the monotony of everyday life, with the alarm going off at the same time and walking the same way every day. The singer expresses fear that life has become predictable and may remain that way forever. However, the song's tone changes when the singer realizes that they have control over their life, and today could be the day they make a change.
The chorus is the climax of the song, as the singer declares their desire to stop just talking about their dreams and start working towards them. They no longer want to sit around and wait for success to come to them on a silver platter, but instead, they want to actively pursue their goals. The singer's use of the phrase "catching up" implies that they are behind in their ambitions and need to work hard to make up for lost time.
Throughout the song, the theme of taking control of one's life and pursuing one's dreams is emphasized. The lyrics are meant to inspire listeners to take action and seize the day, instead of waiting for fate to intervene. The song is punctuated by a sense of urgency and a desire to make the most of one's time.
Overall, "Catching Up" by Allstar Weekend is an uplifting and motivational song about taking control of one's life and working hard to pursue one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up
The start of a new day
Hear the same thing
The same routine every day
My alarm rings
The signal to wake up and start the day
Screamin' the same time
The sound that triggers the start of the day
In the same place
The familiarity of surroundings
I'm walking the same way
The ease of following a routine
I'm afraid
The fear of getting stuck in a rut
It's always Groundhogs Day
The same day repeating over and over again
I always say
An acknowledgement of wanting to change
I should do something about it?
Asking the question of why things haven't changed yet
Why not?
An encouragement to take action
Today could be the day
An opportunity to make a change
I'm done hanging out
An end to procrastination
Talking 'bout what I want
Discussing desires without taking action
No fun sitting here
An acknowledgment that inaction is not enjoyable
Thinking maybe next year
Pushing things off further into the future
I don't wanna be
A desire for change
Lookin' back at twenty-three
Reflecting on missed opportunities
Sayin' to myself
An acknowledgement of self-disappointment
I've got a lot of catching up to do
A realization of the need to take action
I've got big dreams
Acknowledging having aspirations
Dreaming big things
Imagining great achievements
Interrupted
Distractions getting in the way of dreams
Until now 'cause
An end to allowing distractions
I won't hear it
Ignoring things that hold back progress
I won't take it
Refusal to accept the status quo
I can't stay anymore
A desire for change and progress
Say goodbye to the could've been
Acknowledging missed opportunities
Say goodbye to the should've made that one work
Acknowledging past failures
Say goodbye to just sittin' around
An end to inaction and procrastination
This time I'm gonna do it
A commitment to taking action
There's so much left to do
A realization that there is still much that can be achieved
I've got a lot of catching up to do
A realization of the need to take action
I've got a thousand things I know I'm gonna do
A list of aspirations and goals
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE BASSETT, NATHAN DARMODY, ZACHARY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind