Way back in 2003, pop punk was reaching the pinnacle of its popularity. Good Charlotte, Simple Plan and Sum 41 were gaining momentum, and Blink 182 and Green Day were sitting comfortably on their established thrones.
It was during those perfect conditions that relative unknowns Yellowcard released their album Ocean Avenue. Suddenly, Yellowcard and their hit single “Ocean Avenue” were everywhere.
Fast forward to 2013 and the band are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Ocean Avenue with an Australian tour. Selling out their entire run of Australian shows in 2012, Yellowcard are back to play Ocean Avenue in its entirety, totally acoustically.
Catching up with frontman Ryan Key, he is well aware of the huge contingent of Yellowcard fans Down Under. “I guess I would say Australia is a sunny, happy place and we try to be a sunny, happy band” he laughs.
A sunny, happy place that has left the band itching to come back, as Key quickly adds, “The tour last year was one of the most exhilarating experiences in my time in Yellowcard. The energy was so incredible; it was mind-blowing so we have been looking forward to coming back ever since we left. Those shows were total pandemonium, they were total chaos.”
“Some of the most influential rock music of all time has originated [in Australia] and I think it will have a place in the culture there.”The conversation turns to Australia’s rich rock ‘n’ roll history as Key gushes about AC/DC, his favourite Australian band and one he rates alongside “The Stones or Led Zeppelin”.
When asked for his opinion about Yellowcard’s continued popularity with Australian audiences, he answers thoughtfully. “Rock music and certainly some of the most influential rock music of all time has originated there and I think it has and always will have a place in the culture there.
“It’s lucky for us,” he continues, “because there are not a lot of places left in the world where people are still as hungry for rock music. It’s one of the places we can always rely on our old fans and new fans.”
Yellowcard’s anniversary tour certainly caters for both sets of fans, new and old alike, with Key confirming that the band will “play another electric set” after Ocean Avenue, containing selections from their extensive back catalogue.
The decision to play acoustically was nothing new explains Key, with the idea being tested out on US audiences several years ago. “We did a full acoustic tour in 2008 in the states and it was awesome.”
He adds, “We just thought that the obvious choice was to go and play the whole record through and we thought if we did something like this that it would be something that fans would really enjoy.
“At some point in our career we played every song on that record. We thought this was a way to breathe new life into it. We’ve enjoyed doing more stripped down, acoustic versions of songs and cover songs or whatever it may be.
“We just wanted it to be something that people got excited about and something that they were interested in coming to see. We all just thought that this was something that gave it a little more.”
With a reputation for being one of the most energetic touring bands around, their tour photos are packed with shots of swinging guitars and flying band members. Does Key worry about the stripped back atmosphere that goes with an acoustic show?
Not so much, according to the frontman: “There is a whole different connection with the crowd, we can get much more conversational I think.
“We’ve enjoyed doing more stripped down, acoustic versions of songs. We thought this was a way to breathe new life into it.”“The vibe of really being able to hear everyone singing is pretty incredible. I mean everyone is singing at the electric shows but the clarity, whether it is 500 or 2000 people, hearing all those people sing that clearly and being that emotionally invested in their own performance of the song , it is totally different in a good way.”
Above all, this tour is very much a thank you to Yellowcard’s fans; fans who have been a huge personal support for Key during his recent difficult circumstances.
When the singer’s then girlfriend, now wife – snowboarder Aloyona Alekhina – was involved in a life altering snowboarding accident that left her paralysed just prior to their wedding, Key’s world was turned upside down.
Checking Yellowcard’s official Twitter page, Key stumbled on a get well soon video put together by his fans. “They put together a video for my wife and it was literally just everywhere – Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Holland, Germany, Japan – I could go on and on.
“I’m not afraid to admit that I took that for granted for so long and that I wasn’t really paying attention to it, I am much more considerate of that now and much more grateful. It is truly a gift” he says, his voice cracking with emotion and gratitude.
While embracing the love being sent his way from fans far and wide, the vocalist freely admits that during the early days of Yellowcard’s fame he was unprepared for the demands of life in the spotlight.
“I think I was pretty insecure and closed off when the record blew up and everything was happening,” he reflects.
“I don’t feel that I was prepared very well for that so instead of being smart and learning about the right choices to make with all that happening in my life, I just went off into my own dark little corner and the following record was written entirely about that.”
Now, ten years later, Key is singing a different, more upbeat tune.
“Since then I have spent all this time learning how to be more secure in what I do and love what I do, and realise how incredible this opportunity is.”
Ocean Avenue Acoustic is out August 16th through Hopeless Records/ UNFD.
Yellowcard 2013 Australian Tour & Dates
Fri 25 Oct – Brisbane | The Tivoli (18+)
www.ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
Sat 26 Oct – Sydney | Enmore Theatre (All Ages)
www.ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
Tue 29 Oct – Melbourne | Palace Theatre (18+)
www.ticketmaster.com.au | Ph: 136 100
Thu 31 Oct – Perth | Capitol (18+)
www.oztix.com.au | Ph: 1300 762 545
