Paramore by Valeska Thomas
Overnight success, as the saying goes, took about three years for alt-rock heroes Paramore. Formed in 2004 and signed to a record deal in 2005, the teenagers from suburban Nashville who made up the now-iconic band in 2007 released their second album, Riot!, and what is to this day, like it or not, their defining song: “Misery Business.”
Oscillating between emocore and pop, with alt-rebel frontgirl Hayley Williams narrating the fiery emotions and unmatched confidence of high-school romance, “Misery Business” was an absolute smash. The song spread like wildfire in the early days of organic streaming, amassing fans from hardcore kids to the MTV mainstream, and resonating with the passionate emo living inside of every millennial.
Since that breakthrough summer, Paramore have stayed aloft by producing music that ceaselessly adapts to the life phases of their base while speaking to younger listeners navigating their own teen angst. Williams is now like America’s cool older sister, a best friend to those who learned by watching her to never fear being “the weird girl.”
Paramore have followed their muse through almost two decades of albums, EPs, singles, tours and interpersonal drama. A trio today consisting of original members Williams, guitarist Taylor York and drummer Zac Farro, they approach their 20th anniversary — to their own astonishment, as expressed on Farro’s Instagram — as a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum phenomenon. Their sixth studio album, This Is Why, came out in February to wide critical acclaim, led off by the jittery funk and wry chorus of the title track: “This is why/I don’t leave this house/You say the coast is clear/But you won’t catch me out.”
Their enduring fame may amaze and sometimes scare them, but it’s no surprise to the devoted fans who always “Crave” more. (Sorry!) A must-see live band, Paramore’s performances draw raves not just from their loyal followers but admirers including Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. A 2022 mini-tour found Paramore in great post-pandemic form and, after years of banishment from the set list, reconciled with the inescapable “Misery Business.”
Paramore perform 7 pm Wednesday, June 14 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood with special guests Bloc Party and Genesis Owusu. www.paramore.net ~ Amanda E Moore.
