| Allstar Weekend | |
|---|---|
Allstar Weekend Live |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Poway, California, United States |
| Genres | Pop Rock, Dance |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Universal, Hollywood Records |
| Associated acts | Selena Gomez & the Scene, Action Item, Hollywood Ending |
| Website | http://www.allstarweekendrocks.com |
| Members | |
| Zach Porter Cameron Quiseng Michael Martinez |
|
| Past members | |
| Nathan Darmody | |
Allstar Weekend is a pop rock band based in Poway, California.[1] The band gained its popularity from the Disney Channel television network. The band originally consisted of lead singer Zach Porter, bassist Cameron Quiseng, guitarist Nathan Darmody, and drummer Michael Martinez but as of September 16, 2011 Darmody is no longer in the band.
Their debut album Suddenly Yours was released in October 2010 and peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200. In September 2011, Zach, Cameron and Michael released their second studio album entitled All the Way. All the Way peaked at 49 on the Billboard 200, a considerable improvement from their first album.
Contents |
After meeting in a geology class at Poway High School, Nathan Darmody and Tom Norris began to write music together in the spring of 2007. Darmody's friend Zach Porter often expressed the desire to be the singer in a music group, so the three formed as the Outerspace Politicians in June 2007. The band wrote and recorded early demos in Darmody's bedroom in the ensuing months using FL Studio. Several completed songs were then posted to the group's Myspace page. This resulted in little attention, although it prompted a local drummer, Michael Martinez, to contact the band and audition to join. In effort to begin practicing live, Porter recruited friend Cameron Quiseng to play bass, whom he'd met in middle school. Shortly before signing with Hollywood Records, Norris left the band to pursue college.
The band first rose to fame when they were contestants on Radio Disney's special, Next Big Thing or N.B.T.,[2] under their former name, ALLSTAR. Despite being a fan favorite, the band lost, coming second to Jonnie and Brookie. However, a few months later, the band signed a contract with Hollywood Records and immediately began work on their debut album.
Prior to becoming contestants on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing, they contributed songs (one of which was an early, more synthesized version of "Dance Forever") as part of a digital split album titled Chicken Finger Fingers on Drive-Thru Records with Dino Club. Soon after, they signed with Hollywood Records and released their debut extended play, Suddenly. After signing with Hollywood Records, the band changed their name from Allstar to Allstar Weekend, citing legal issues as the catalyst. According to interviews, the word "Weekend" was appended as weekends are relished by many, and this idea helps to connect with fans.
On March, 13, 2010, the band released their debut single, "A Different Side of Me", for digital download and radio airplay. The song peaked at the top of Radio Disney singles chart.
Allstar Weekend was one of many bands who recorded remakes of popular Disney songs on the compilation album, Disneymania 7, which was released on April 17, 2010. The band recorded their version of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King. Shortly after the release of their debut single, the band announced their debut EP, Suddenly, would be released on June 17, 2010. They also announced plans to release a second single before the release of the album.
On June 7, 2010 the band released "Dance Forever", the second single from their EP. The music video was released June 12, 2010 and takes place in the backyard of a house where a pool party is being thrown and the band is performing. Lead vocalist Zachary Porter and guitarist Nathan Darmody have said that the "Dance Forever" video represents not just one, but all the members of the band's personalities. The song debuted on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart at number 16. It peaked at number 45 on the Canadian Hot 100, making it their first song to chart on a major singles chart.
Suddenly was released on June 22, 2010 to generally positive reviews from critics. The album was somewhat successful in its first week, debuting at number 62 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. On August 30, 2010, Allstar Weekend performed "A Different Side of Me" and "The Weekend" on Good Morning America. After the performance, they confirmed that their debut album, Suddenly Yours, would be released on October 19, 2010. The album's lead single, "Come Down with Love", released on September 17, 2010.
Allstar Weekend's fall tour in 2010 included other acts: Action Item, The Scene Aesthetic, and Stephen Jerzak. The tour started November 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada and ended in December 17 at The House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. In February 2011, they were on the Glamour Kills Tour with The Ready Set.
On May 20, 2011, they announced their new album, All the Way, would be released on July 19, but it was moved to September 27, 2011. On July 25, 2011 they announced that their second single from All the Way would be "Blame It on September" and it will be released on August 16, 2011.
It was announced on June 20 via the band's Facebook that Nathan Darmody would not be touring with the band on their tour with Selena Gomez due to personal issues. On July 13, Allstar Weekend stated that a guitarist named Eric Nicolau would be filling in for Nathan Darmody on their tour with Selena Gomez & the Scene.
On September 16, it was announced via Twitter that Nathan Darmody had left the band.[3] The band announced that they will not release the details of Darmondy's departure in a statement made to their fans. In the same statement, they also announced they will be beginning their search for the next member of Allstar Weekend.[4]
With a successful first week, All the Way debuted at number 49 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
The band guest starred on Sonny with a Chance in the episode "A So Random Halloween Special". They performed "Come Down with Love" which is also featured on the show's soundtrack.
They have appeared on Lopez Tonight and Rachel Ray, also performing "Come Down with Love".
On February 26, 2011, they were featured on MTV's 10 on Top. They were the "One to Watch". They talked about their days when they were a garage band compared to their lives now and how they're living the dream. They also talked about pre-show rituals. On March 19, 2011, they were again in 10 on Top, ranking number 4 due to their new music video "Not Your Birthday". The song is featured in Disney's feature film Prom. They have also been on MTV's The Seven twice. The second time was on May 13, 2011 and they ranked in at number two.
The very first time they performed "Not Your Birthday" live on television was on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live. in Toronto, Canada. They again performed it on Live with Regis and Kelly on May 30, 2011.
On August 7, Allstar Weekend was seen on 2011's Teen Choice Awards presenting for the dance crew Poreotics.
On September 25, Allstar Weekend performed live at The Next Star Finale in Toronto, playing "Blame It On September" and "Mr.Wonderful". On the following day, they performed their single "Blame it On September" Live on Reigis and Kelly. On the release day of All The Way, September 27, they played on Good Morning America with "Blame It On September", and "Mr.Wonderful".
This is a list of tours that Allstar Weekend have participated on, or will be participating on; individual concerts are not included.
| Tour name | Participating bands | Continent | Participating from–to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Experience the Magic Tour (Acoustic) | Allstar Weekend, Emily Osment | North America | February–March, 2010 |
| Suddenly Tour | Allstar Weekend, Days Difference, Action Item | North America | Summer 2010 |
| Suddenly Yours Tour | Allstar Weekend, The Scene Aesthetic, Stephen Jerzak, Action Item | North America | November–December, 2010 |
| Military Tour | Allstar Weekend | Europe | January 2011 |
| The Glamour Kills Tour | The Ready Set, Allstar Weekend, The Downtown Fiction, We Are the In Crowd, You, Me, and Everyone We Know | North America | February 23–April 9, 2011 |
| Canadian Tour | Allstar Weekend, Action Item, Done with Dolls | North America | May 14–29, 2011 |
| We Own the Night Tour | Allstar Weekend, Selena Gomez & the Scene, Christina Grimmie | North America | July 28–September 10, 2011 |
| An Evening with Allstar Weekend | Allstar Weekend, Hollywood Ending, The After Party, Before You Exit | North America | January 13-February 26 2012 |