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Fall Out Boy falls back in
By John Benson
At some point in the last three years, Fall Out Boy’s music went from forgettable emo-tinged anthems to instant classics.
Further, the band that got its start during the ’00s pop-punk zeitgeist now boasts the ultimate compliment in that its music is instantly recognizable for its sound, tenor and musicality.
Very few – including band members Patrick Stump (vocals/guitar), Pete Wentz (bass), Joe Trohman (guitar) and Andy Hurley (drums) – figured the band would exist in 2015, let alone still be relevant. Add in the fact that Fall Out Boy is enjoying a second act unlike anyone else, and the group’s story is amazing.
No one knew what to expect when Fall Out Boy reconvened from a hiatus in 2012 with the release of its tongue-in-cheek titled “Save Rock and Roll,” which not only debuted at No. 1 but featured hits “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark [Light Em Up]” and hit “Alone Together.”
Then this year, Fall Out Boy returned with its latest effort “American Beauty/American Psycho,” which also debuted at No. 1 and boasts hit singles “Centuries” and “Uma Thurman.”
Now the band has announced the “Boys of Zummer Tour,” a co-headlining tour with Wiz Khalifa that includes a Tuesday show at Blossom Music Center and a July 2 show at First Niagara Pavilion.
The Vindicator talked to Stump about the unlikely resurgence of Fall Out Boy, the summer tour and which of the ’90s movies referenced in album title “American Beauty/American Psycho” is his favorite.
Q. First of all, what is it about the Fall Out Boy sound that is so unique?
A. I used to work in a used record store. The used part is very important, actually, because you’re only getting records that people didn’t want. And a lot of times without question the band would have a big hit and then they’d put out some new, weird experimental record and no one would like it. I feel like that left an impression on me not because of record sales but because of the idea that people get comfortable with something and they want to know what it is. We’re one of those bands who were always kind of just who we were, warts and all. And so when we put out new records, no matter what we want to do, no matter what crazy idea we have, we have to make sure it feels honest to what we’ve always been. I think that’s the way to kind of keep a common thread.
Q. Coming off “Save Rock and Roll,” how did Fall Out Boy approach what would become “American Beauty/American Psycho?”
A. We had a really big run at radio and record sales about 10 years ago, and we put out “Save Rock and Roll” and we may have actually exceeded in modern terms what we had done before, which is crazy. When you think about that, bands don’t usually get a second act. Then we have to do the sophomore-slump record to our second big record. That’s crazy. We decided to just roll with it. We had a couple clear themes and visions going into making the record. We were just like, ‘Follow that.’ We wanted to try some samples. We wanted to kind of make a record quickly. I’m very happy with how the record happened.
Q. Considering both “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark [Light Em Up]” and “Centuries” received nonstop airplay on ESPN’s “Sportscenter,” are you now purposely writing sports anthems?
A. It’s crazy. Look, you don’t get into music because you’re great at sports, so it’s really hilarious to me when now after these last couple of records, for the first time in my life I get, “Will you sign this baseball?” And I’m like, “Are you sure you’re not going to ruin the baseball?” It’s fun. It’s cool. It’s a crazy experience, and it’s weird because you get to see music in a completely different way.
Q. Why does it makes sense to tour with rapper Wiz Khalifa?
A. Wiz is somebody that I think has a lot of common history to us in the way he came up in Pittsburgh kind of by himself. He wasn’t really part of a scene. He wasn’t the thing that everyone was betting on. And he wasn’t this big thing from the big city. He was off the beaten path and in a lot of ways, I feel like that’s kind of how we came up, too.
Q. Do you feel Fall Out Boy shares the same audience with Wiz Khalifa?
A. There’s a lot more crossover than a lot of people expect. I feel like younger kids going to shows now don’t care about genres. It’s just not a thing. So there’s definitely more crossover than I think would be immediately obvious. And it will be a little bit of a challenge for us every night. You have to win some new fans.
Q. Finally, which is a better movie, “American Beauty” or “American Psycho?”
A. Ooh, I’ll say “American Beauty.” Not because it’s a better movie. I think I like “American Psycho” better, but it makes me real uncomfortable to watch. “American Beauty” makes me uncomfortable, and “American Psycho” makes me even more uncomfortable.