The original pact sadly did not last and the glue became unstuck, but the residues remained. Four Year Strong, whose first foundations only last with three out of the five members of today, went through a number of line up changes in their beginning years. Not through disagreement or conflict, but simply through the search for perfection; which is something they clearly have with Dan O'Connor and Alan Day on guitar and vocals, Joe Weiss on bass, Jake Massucco on the drums and Josh Lyford doing synths.

This band may be one of the biggest success stories of 2008, but their tale didn’t begin there. For years they stepped their way up the industry ladder, perfecting their sound, sewing the seams of their live show, taking all their musical passions, putting them into a large pot and stirring up something fantastic.

Four Year Strong mix melodic pop punk with basey hardcore

Dan We grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts and we listened to a lot of hardcore bands from around the area. We were all into hardcore growing up, then got into the pop punk thing with bands like Saves the Day, New Found Glory and Midtown. We were interested in writing stuff with melody and when writing the pop stuff it just naturally came out a little more aggressive because of the music we were into.

 

To listen to this band on CD is fantastic; their latest full length release Rise or Die Trying is line by line and track by track brilliance. It is a record that should be played at top volume with the bass turned up high. Every intro is flawless; each breakdown is precisely timed and expertly balanced. It is a record that should be on repeat until you’re singing, shouting and growling every lyric in your sleep. But it is when you see this band live that they truly stand out.

They play in perfect unison with a tightness that only comes with extensive touring, and a true passion that bubbles in every single member. Their instruments are an extension of their bodies, extra limbs they’ve grown into and made their own, with movements unique to themselves. Each time they play their broad grins gleam behind their now famous beards.

Alan It was never really a planned thing. Everyone thinks it’s some kind of gimmick and it really just started out because it’s a lot easier not to shave on tour. Now we’ve made it a rule that you can’t shave on tour, not even our manager. Our merch guy just grows this little bit of hair, it’s pitiful. No one’s gone against it yet; maybe we’ll just send them home.

 

It does not stop at just music for this band, for their creation is not something that they are willing to let go of easily. In 2007 the band signed to I Surrender records with whom they released their latest album, but, then in the early months of this year their breakdowns caught the attention of Pete Wentz.

Dan Decaydance is so different to what we thought. We actually went in and sat down with Pete and a bunch of people and told them that we were a bit scared of working with them. They asked what we were scared of and we just turned around and pointed to a picture of Panic at the Disco - THAT.

Alan We’re not those dudes. We’re not going put on make up, wear clown costumes, get on stage and make fools of ourselves.

Dan The label just said that Panic do that because they want to do it. They don’t make them do that.

With Decaydance they just give you the platform for what you want to do. You get a lot of perks because you’re on a big Indie, but you don’t necessarily have to deal with anybody there. You still have that freedom.

Alan We’re also signed with ISurrender; it’s run by the old drummer of Midtown. The reason we’re also with Decaydance is because they decided to do this Co-op thing where we’re on both labels at the same time. They work together. It’s just like having two people working extra hard for you.

Dan I don’t want some random 45 year old guy in a suit who sits behind a desk making all the decisions. These are people that I consider friends. They are all still young people who worked hard to get where they are.

Alan They want the same thing that we do.

Dan There is a level of trust because we know they’re not going to make stupid decisions. They understand where we want to go and where we’re coming from. It’s a lot easier to take them seriously when they have ideas.

 

Four Year Strong are far beyond their young years, they are far more aware of the senseless industry they are apart of than many other bands they so often share stages with. Backstage on the Give It A Name Introducing Tour they plan their following tour dates, for after conquering the UK they head off to Japan and Australia. They talk of merchandise costs, figures, contacts, managers, agents, and all the other aspects of their band that they are never willing to let go of.

Alan With him [Pete Wentz] it’s more just in the name. The label is run almost like a Hip Hop label where all the bands help each other out. Other than that you just do your own thing.

He’s involved in all the big decisions. Not really in making them, but he knows about them. We still really make the choice on everything; we’re all control freaks so we don’t like to give control to anyone else. We’ve been a band for so long it’s hard to give that away.

The band knows what they want, they always have, and they will always work to get it. They know what’s right for them, and they know what isn’t.

Dan We’re pretty scared of Major Labels.

Alan We know people that are signed to Major Labels who hate it. It causes problems more than anything. You hear so many horror stories about some labels from bands who are on the label, or who used to be. It just makes you wonder why people still sign to these labels.

Dan Victory Records. I don’t know why bands sign to that god damn label.

Alan All bands hate it on that label. They hate how their treated. I mean no ones money hounds but they don’t see a Cent, they don’t see any money. They pick up bands that are really small, who are just taken in by the fact they’re Victory and they sign them to these ridiculous six record deals. That’s too many.

Dan Starry eyed kids. Where do I sign?

For a band to see the reality of their situation and their world is a rare thing. When faced with fame and possible fortune it is easy to see how even the strongest of minds could fall. Four Year Strong have consciously avoided this, they are not willing to sell their hearts and souls to anyone. They have not been taken in by the bright lights and have kept their heads strong throughout their break in America, and now through their assault on the UK scene. They also recognise the difference between these two industry worlds.

Alan At Give It A Name I walked out and kids just started taking pictures and asking for autographs. I even called someone’s friend. They just kept coming up and people just seemed so excited to talk to me. I’m not that cool. I don’t know why you want to talk to me! It’s not like that in America. Kids just don’t care as much there. A band will tour in your area every couple of months but here its not as often.

Dan Bands are appreciated here much more.

Alan They support the music and the scene in general. I’m not saying kids in America don’t do that, but in a way I think kids may take it for granted. Especially seeing this now, being in a different country where bands don’t go to often.

Dan I think if you put the same line up, in the same venue in America you wouldn’t have even half as many kids.

 

Four Year Strong are not trying to be anything but themselves. They don’t appear to take any direct influence from any other artist and there is nothing fake about them. This band with their passion, honesty, and energy are the epitome of what music and bands should but aren’t always about.

It will always remain a mystery why no band before Four Year Strong have managed to discover, or perfect the brilliant combination of Pop Punk and Hardcore that this band create. Their aftershock has begun a wave of sounds, recipes and hybrid genres that have given reason to get excited about the music scene again.