| Paramore chose a hard-hitting track to introduce fans to their sophomore effort, RIOT!, due out June 12. The first single, “Misery Business,” is upbeat and hard-rocking, and it details a girl the Nashville-based band knew who used her body to manipulate a guy. Singer Haley Williams sings, “She’s got a body like an hourglass that’s tickin’ like a clock…when I thought he was mine, she caught him by the mouth.” “We just all agreed that was the song we wanted to go out there with at first, just make a statement with our record and say, ‘This is what we’re all about, this is us now,’ and it’s a very bold and aggressive song,” said guitarist Josh Farro. “We saw the way (the situation) affected him, and it was really hard for all of us, especially for Haley, and she had kept that in for so long, and when it finally came out, it came out in the song, and she feels really good about it, and there are no regrets.” Farro said the album has both dark and uplifting sides to it, and lyrical themes center on frustration toward people who have let the band down but also on a feeling of hope to get through tough situations. “It’s not like anything out there right now,” Farro said. “I think it’s really authentic and original. There’s a song on it for everyone.” Farro said unlike their debut album, All We Know Is Falling, which was recorded in three weeks, this time around the band had three months to perfect the songs with producer David Bendeth. “When we recorded the first record, we definitely were rushed,” Farro said. “We all wish we could have spent a little more time on it… Making RIOT!, it definitely was a better experience because we had time to work through every little detail of every song, and we’re completely satisfied about everything.” The increase in studio time came after the band signed with Atlantic Records (they are still on independent label Fueled By Ramen Records.) Now the band’s music is being pushed to radio and television, and Farro said the band is looking forward to the new exposure they’ll receive through being a part of a major label. “We’re definitely excited, and I think we’re nervous as well because you never know what could happen,” Farro said. “Now that we’re going more mainstream and going on the radio, we’re hoping that more kids will latch on to our songs and really like it.” Without radio play, though, the band is already regularly seeing crowds larger than 1,000 people at their shows. “So many fans are coming out, and it’s been completely unexpected,” Farro said. “They’re all just bouncing off the walls and going crazy when we play. It just makes us feel really good.” They are currently on a headlining tour with This Providence and Quietdrive, which comes to Marquee Theatre May 14, and Farro said compared to past tours, this bout is more stripped-down. “It’s pretty raw and energetic,” Farro said. “Last tour, we had a pretty trendy backdrop, and we dressed up really nice. This tour, we decided to go back to our roots and how we first started and more casually dressed and just a more intimate time with the fans.” Part of the band’s relatability is the members’ young ages, which range from 16-22. Despite getting involved in the music business while they were young, Farro said the band has confidence within the industry. “Everyone you’re working with, they’re old enough where they could be your parents,” Farro said. “We’ve all learned to stand our ground, and I think people have developed a respect for us. We don’t let people force things on us. We have a vision, and we’re very adamant about it, and we won’t even let labels get in the way of that.” They’ll also be playing the main stage on the Vans Warped Tour, which comes to Cricket Pavilion July 11. “We just love the whole lifestyle to it,” Farro said. “As cheesy as it sounds, it’s just like a huge summer camp.” On the current tour, the band is playing three new songs, and Farro said the members hope people will check out RIOT! when it hits stores next month. “It’s a great record all around,” Farro said. “We have so many different styles of music on there, I think everyone will enjoy it.” |