MISSING YOU: A look at All Time Low’s Past, Present, and Future BY: ANGELA KASTRUNES
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ewind to ten years ago: PunkRock is in its prime (even considered mainstream), Switchfoot, AFI, and Brand New had just released amazing albums, and most importantly, All Time Low was making their way onto the music scene. Alex, Jack, Rian, and Zack formed their band in 2003, while attending high school in Towson, MD. At this point, they were playing shows at a local venue called The Recher. In order for smaller bands like All Time Low (at the time) to be able to perform, they were required to sell a set amount of tickets to fill the place. The guys would sell to classmates, random mall patrons, and people waiting in line for
other concerts at local venues. The punk-rock industry was filled with so many talented bands at this time, making it almost impossible to stand out, but that wasn’t the case for All Time Low. Was it their good looks, amazing personalities, or the ability to make every show feel like a “Project X” type of party which made them favorable of among teens/young adults everywhere? ATL concerts got fans everywhere talking. After completing a summer tour before the end of their high school careers, something HUGE happened. The band was signed to Hopeless Records. They released their first EP titled Put Up or Shut Up in 2006 which includes some
of the band’s most notable tracks. Five albums later, and 10 years of basically non-stop touring, the guys of ATL have come a long way since their days of playing in church basements, and their yearly Baltimore Holiday show. MTV appearances, making it onto the Now That’s What I Call Music CDs,
“I thought it was awesome to see my best friends host, as well as Rian and I winning our awards”
and an ABC Family movie deal are only a few of the great accomplishments the band has received over the past decade. But one of ATL’s most memorable accomplishments was hosting/ opening the Alternative Press Music Awards last summer. “We couldn’t believe Alt Pres asked Jack and me to host the award show” Alex Gaskarth, the lead singer of ATL said while swishing his drink around in his glass. Rian, ATL’s drummer intervened saying, “I’m pretty sure they were backups. I mean, who wants to hear them talk that long?” I thought it was awesome to see my best friends host, as well as Rian and I winning our awards, Zack, the bassist said with a shy grin, while sitting on the edge of a black leather couch. Though being a musician seems to have its perks, there are obviously some disadvantages. One in particular being their intense schedule. As stated above, All Time Low has essentially been touring/recording new music non-stop for a decade. This
“Jason was such a great musician. He actually play all of the piano and strings for our acoustic version of Cinderblock Garden. We’re so thankful to have had him create such beautiful music with us”
can come with some complications. In November 2015, the guys were wrapping up part two of their U.S. Future Hearts Tour. During the last few shows, Jason Gaviati (also known as Gavi), best friend/collaborator to the band passes away after battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Though heartbroken over the news, the guys knew they couldn’t let down their fans. “We know he would have wanted us to continue with the tour, and that’s exactly what we did” Alex said while gripping his acoustic guitar. He continued, “Jason was such a great musician. He actually play all of the piano and strings for our acoustic version of Cinderblock Garden. We’re so thankful to have had him create such beautiful music with us.” The day after Gavi’s death, the boys had a special show planned in Sayreville, NJ which not only included the regular tunes of the
tour, but also their entirety of their first record. Jack Barakat, lead guitarist said, “It was one of the best shows we’ve played in such a long time, and it was definitely needed after the recent tragedy.” With such an intense 10 year schedule, you would think the band would be going on hiatus for a bit. However, it seems to be
the total opposite, Alex Gaskarth will be marrying his high school sweetheart, and when asked about the possibility of a new album, the guys looked at one another, and responded, “You’ll have to stay tuned for that one, or follow Jack on twitter. He spoils all of our surprises on social media.