Their music features a rare contribution to the genre, incorporating the use of a violin. Formed in 1997, the final line up consisted of Ryan Key (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ryan Mendez (lead guitar, vocals), Sean Mackin (violin, vocals), Nathan Young on drums, and Josh Portman on bass.
Yellowcard was formed in 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA after meeting at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. The band was made up of six members back then:
Ben Dobson (1997 - 2000) : vocals, Todd Clarry (1997 - 2001) : guitar, vocals, Sean Mackin (1997 - 2017) : violin, vocals, Warren Cooke (1997 - 2002) : bass, Ben Harper (not the same as Ben Harper) (1997 - 2005) : guitar, Longineu W. Parsons III (1997 - 2014) : drums.
Former members: Ben Dobson (1997 - 2000) : vocals, Todd Clarry (1997 - 2001) : guitar, vocals, Warren Cooke (1997 - 2002) : bass, Alex Lewis (2003 - 2004) : bass, backing vocals, Ben Harper (1997 - 2005) : lead guitar, Peter Mosely (2002 - 2003, 2004 - 2007) : bass, vocals, Sean O'Donnell of Reeve Oliver(2010–2012) : bass guitar, backing vocals
The band released their first album, Midget Tossing, in 1997 but with not much success.
Around that time their lead singer was replaced by Ryan Key who convinced the band that they couldn't be successful in Florida, so they decided to move to Southern California.
The new group released their debut album, One for the Kids (Lobster Records), in 2001, and followed up with The Underdog EP (Fueled by Ramen Records) in 2002.
Yellowcard signed with Capitol Records in 2003 and released Ocean Avenue, which is their most successful album to date.
Soon after, bassist Alex Lewis was let go by the band. Pete Mosely who had produced and played bass on most of the songs on Ocean Avenue took over on bass.
The Yellowcard popularity "skyrocketed" after this period, with a song from Ocean Avenue, Breathing appearing in the game Burnout 3: Takedown.
Lights and Sounds was released in January 2006. The title track, Lights and Sounds, was the first single released off the album. It is also featured on the game Burnout Revenge. How I Go features Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks.
In 2005 the guitarist Ben Harper left the band. He chose to work with his record label TAKEOVER RECORDS and has signed bands since his departure. He was replaced by Ryan Mendez (formerly of Staring Back) shortly before the Lights & Sounds tour began.
Paper Walls released on July 17th, 2007. Light Up the Sky was the first single released off this album. The album debuted at No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard 200 selling about 40,000 copies in its first week. After their tour for Paper Walls in 2008, the band went on hiatus for almost 2 years.
While touring for Paper Walls, Peter Mosely announced in a MySpace blog message that he would be leaving Yellowcard. . Josh Portman took over on bass until the reformation of Yellowcard in 2010, upon which Sean O'Donnell became the bass player.
Yellowcard's official Facebook page announced on August 1, 2010, that the band has reformed and will be working on a new record. When You're Through With Thinking, Say Yes released on March 22, 2011. On October 24, 2011, the band released an acoustic version of the album.
Sean O'Donnell left the band in early 2012, replaced by Josh Portman.
Southern Air was released on August 14, 2012. It debuted at 10 on the US Billboard top 200, making this their second album to debut in the top 10 and their second-highest debut. The album's first single, Always Summer, was released May 22, 2012. Here I Am Alive was released July 31 as the second single.
An acoustic version of Ocean Avenue was recorded for the album's tenth anniversary. The album was released on August 13, 2013.
On March 13, 2014, the band announced that drummer and founding member Longineu Parsons III had left the band. Parson's departure left Sean Mackin as the only remaining original member of the band.
On August 4, 2014, Yellowcard announced that the next album would be titled Lift a Sail. On August 19, 2014, the band released the first single, One Bedroom. Lift a Sail released October 7, 2014. The album is a notable change of sound for the band, moving away from pop-punk.
On June 7, 2016, the band announced on Facebook that its next album would be a self-titled album. Yellowcard was released on September 30, 2016. On June 24, 2016, the band released the lead single titled Rest in Peace.
On June 25, 2016, the band announced on via its website that the group would be breaking up after a final tour, stating: "Please come and join us on our last trip around the globe. We hope to share this final record and tour with each and every one of you." The band's final show was on March 25, 2017 in Anaheim, CA.
In 2019, it was reported that they were suing American rapper Juice WRLD over his hit song 'Lucid Dreams'.
Rock Star Land
Yellowcard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One coast out to the other, following the sound
Headed west to get the best of what we all knew then
One ocean to another, waves come crashing down
Carrying just me Aunt Stephanie, she held my hand
Told me why, I, was
Blazing down that highway on my way to Rock Star Land
I wanna go there and never come back home.
Staring up at freeway sings in dreams that make me sad
One coast out to the other
One ocean to another
We cruised out to the other side
Loved us in Nebraska how they cheered us in Mattane
Told me why if, I, was
Blazing down that highway on my way to Rock Star Land
The lyrics to Yellowcard's "Rock Star Land" tell a story about a journey from one coast of America to the other, with the aim of reaching California, the home of Hollywood and many famous musicians. The journey is both physical and emotional, as the singer reflects on his dreams of becoming a rock star and leaving behind his mundane life in Nebraska.
The song begins with a reference to Christmas break of 1998, a time when the singer's life was turned upside down. He decides to head west to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star, accompanied only by his Aunt Stephanie. The journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty, as they travel across the country, from one ocean to another, with waves crashing around them.
As they get closer to their destination, the singer reflects on why he is taking this journey and what it means to him. He is drawn to California because it is a place that "glistens gold" and represents the ultimate destination for anyone who wants to make it in the music industry. Along the way, he remembers the support he has received from people in Nebraska and Matane, who have cheered him on and helped him to believe in himself.
Overall, "Rock Star Land" is a song about hope, determination, and the power of dreams. It reminds us that sometimes we have to take risks and leave behind the familiar in order to follow our passions and achieve our goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas break of ninety eight just flipped me upside down
The singer's life was turned around during Christmas break of ninety eight.
One coast out to the other, following the sound
The singer traveled from one coast to another, chasing the music.
Headed west to get the best of what we all knew then
The singer went west to experience the best of the music scene at the time.
One ocean to another, waves come crashing down
The artist traveled across oceans and encountered difficult times.
Carrying just me Aunt Stephanie, she held my hand
The artist's aunt accompanied them on the journey and provided support.
Told me why, I, was
The singer's aunt helped them understand their passion for music.
Blazing down that highway on my way to Rock Star Land
The singer was determined to reach their goal of becoming a rock star.
California, a place they say glistens gold.
California is often seen as a place of opportunity and success.
I wanna go there and never come back home.
The artist desires to leave their current life behind and start anew in California.
Staring up at freeway sings in dreams that make me sad
The artist has dreams about traveling on freeways, but the dreams often leave them feeling melancholy.
We cruised out to the other side
The singer continued to travel and explore new places.
Loved us in Nebraska how they cheered us in Mattane
The artist received support and admiration in both Nebraska and Mattane.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN ERIC HARPER, LONGINEU PARSONS III, SEAN MICHAEL WELLMAN-MACKIN, WARREN MYERS COOKE, WILLIAM RYAN KEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind