There’s always that one band in a person’s life that has influenced them like no other, that shape them into who they are and give them the courage to be who they want to be. It doesn’t matter what the genre is, what the bands reputation is like, and whether or not their songs get air time, what matters is how they make you feel.
Tonight Alive, a group of Aussies who are signed to Fearless Records, have released three LPs, an acoustic LP, an EP and two singles. The band has gained popularity through their music as well as their connection to their fans; but isn’t that the same for every band? It seems to be different for this five piece, which consist of guitarists Jake Hardy and Whakaio, bassist Cam Adler, drummer Matt Best, and vocalist Jenna McDougall.
So why are we discussing this band? What exactly makes them who they are? The band has always seemed to have a message for their fans, whether it’s positivity, self-love, fearlessness, creativity, etc., and their albums throughout the years have shown each of those messages and more. In 2011, the band released their first EP, Consider This, which consisted of five songs. Full of powerhouse tunes and lyrics that you just couldn’t help but relate too, it was easy to compare them to the Riot! era of Paramore. And how couldn’t you? A female fronted rock band was making their way slowly but surely into America and all over the world. Their debut LP, What Are You So Scared Of?, released in 2012, was similar to Consider This, with the same kind of sound and representation. Songs like “Starlight” and “Listening” were constant head bangers, and “Thank You & Goodnight” featured one of the kings of pop punk himself: Mark Hoppus. What’s not to love?!
I saw Tonight Alive live for the first time at the Vans Warped Tour in 2013. I had recently discovered them, falling in love with their music, and McDougall became a huge role model for me. Right before the date of the concert, McDougall did an interview with Alternative Press magazine about her struggle with eczema, which is something I struggle with as well. After reading it, I ended up feeling more of a connection towards her and their new song “The Ocean” which was about her battle with the skin condition. The day I saw them live and they played the song, I had tears in my eyes, and I thanked McDougall when I met them at a meet and greet after their set.
“The Ocean” was featured on their sophomore album The Other Side, which still stuck to their roots of the punk-like style, but there were some changes. McDougall’s vocals were stronger, the lyrics had a deeper meaning and each song told a story. The change wasn’t a bad thing, it was wonderful, and their fan base grew. They toured with bands like You Me At Six, All Time Low, Mayday Parade and more, in America and all over the world. Within a short amount of time, Tonight Alive were gaining more and more popularity.
What does this mean from a fans point of view? Of course most fans would be scared that their favorite band is going to become so big that they forget their roots, but think about the genre we’re talking about here. Not many bands in the rock/punk and all of the subgenres inbetween get much air time. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, it was a prime time for the genre and the bands that we loved like Green Day and Blink 182, but now, all you hear is 5 Seconds of Summer, and it’s always that one song.
Like every band though, there’s a change at some point. Take All Time Low for example, because let’s be honest, Dirty Work was not their best album, and it’s because they went onto bigger and better things. Ultimately, I think All Time Low learned their lesson, since 2012’s Don’t Panic put them back where they belonged, but this is a normal phase for bands. Tonight Alive have recently released their third LP, Limitless, and there were multiple mixed feelings, from an album reviewer’s point of view to a fan's.
The first single off of the album “Human Interaction” was a wakeup call for fans. There was a mellow vibe coming from it, but McDougall’s voice was like no other. It was like she had conjured up this new being inside of her. Four more singles were released after that, “To Be Free,” “Drive," and “How Does It Feel?” all reminding us about the bands original sound, although “Drive” was a little more on the pop side I suppose, but nevertheless still enjoyable. This year, the band played at the 2016 Vans Warped Tour once again, where they played songs off of their recent album, as well as some fan favorites. McDougall had the crowd repeat “my reality, my expectation,” and gave a short speech about not letting people oppress their creativity, and to be whom they are, which seems to always be the bands moto of some sorts. It’s bands like Tonight Alive that keep music going: they give music a meaning and an understanding, and most importantly, they keep it alive.
