We Demand Parachutes check in on their friends and themselves on ‘29’
Boston alt-rock trio address struggles with mental health on anthemic new single set for release on Friday, October 7
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We Demand Parachutes debut EP ‘Outside The Null Field’ out November 11
NOW PLAYING: Listen to September single ‘Hungover You’ via Spotify
Photo Credit: Alexandra Pires
BOSTON, MA [October 7 , 2022] – Every record tells a story, and every good story has various chapters that emit a spectrum of emotions or feelings. Last month We Demand Parachutes raised a glass to their friends and community on party anthem “Hungover You,” a powder keg of a single that earned the Maine-born, Boston-based alt-rock trio global radio play and widespread blog affection. But on record and in life, every party eventually comes to an end; and when everyone goes home and we’re left to clean up the messy spaces left behind, our own feelings of loss, confusion, and loneliness creep in. On We Demand Parachutes’ new single “29,” streaming Friday, October 7, a concern for mental health quickly takes center stage – and now the trio is checking in on the friends they just spent the night partying with. “29” is the latest energetic and animated track to appear on We Demand Parachutes’ debut EP Outside The Null Field, and produced, engineered, and mixed by Alan Day of Worcester pop-punk heroes Four Year Strong and set for release November 11. The good-times party vibes of “Hungover You” are quickly replaced by some real-world issues, ones the band – vocalist and guitarist Kevin McCord; bassist and programmer Seth Richardson; and drummer and percussionist Ben Shumaker – all experienced personally on their path to crafting this defining record.
“‘29’ is a song about coping with mental health,” the band states. “Kevin’s initial focus when writing the lyrics was to try to relate the feeling of being 29 years old and feeling like he hadn’t achieved any of the things he had hoped to by his 30s. At the time of writing, Kevin had just left the military and his Special Forces team and after years of building that very difficult path, he was starting from scratch in a new city. There was a general feeling for all of us in We Demand Parachutes at that time that the traditional metrics of success didn’t define our current positions in life. ‘29’ addresses the anxiety and dread associated with obsessing with everyone else’s expectations of who you are.”
Selected to lead off the four-track EP, “29” came together fairly quickly with McCord’s lyrics and the band’s music solidifying over a single writing session – and the band performing it live on stage that very same weekend. The band shared the track in the studio with Day, and together they shaped it into the sonic force that it is on record; complete with the ultra-polished sheen that defines We Demand Parachutes’ music, a modern-day take on pop-punk and emo, complete with an abundance of sonic Easter eggs: The clean bridge guitars, a reflective build-up echo intro, that first big chorus drop, and a chromatic vocal run paired with a Weezer-inspired organ sound in the post-chorus. It’s a song that demands repeated listens, unearthing kinetic jolts of energetic pop-rock majesty that personifies the blossoming creative relationship between the band and Day.
But they’re not alone. This track, like “Hungover You” as well as We Demand Parachutes’ previous six singles dating back to 2019 debut “Cameraman” and last year’s “Lost Her Mind” collab with Olivia Castriota, was mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering in Maine, a key figure in the band’s creative efforts located not far from where each member grew up as kids. And despite its darker lyrical nature, “29” blasts out a sing-along, shout-along chorus that’s catchier than a New England Patriots wide receiver. It’s become a staple of the We Demand Parachutes live sets – including their recent performance at Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Virginia.
“For all of us in We Demand Parachutes we feel as if music is what we were meant to do, but such a difficult road to build as a career,” the band adds. “At some point we all became sick of living with a backup plan. It took time and some therapy to realize, being fixated on what others expect from you and how they perceive you isn’t a compass that leads anywhere productive. Our light at the end is finding relief and happiness in who we are and what we are doing in this moment. The song is a rush and the juxtaposition of the darker lyrical content and doing exactly what we love has made ‘29’ quite special to us.”
The road to what led We Demand Parachutes to this moment is paved with pieces of themselves that influenced “29,” which the band describes as the most highly anticipated song they’ve ever released, mostly because it’s become such a familiar standout of their live performances. From McCord’s time deployed overseas as a green beret in the United States Military – where the band derives its moniker – to Richardson’s Bipolar Type 2 diagnosis, mental health is at the forefront of their daily focus. The lyrics of “29” are heavy, introspective, and visceral, but the playfulness of the music and explosiveness of the melodies cascading down across a kaleidoscope of colorful sounds allow for enjoyment without diving too deep into its subject matter. “This is the quintessential We Demand Parachutes,” the band adds. “We are storytellers but we’re also just a group of friends that love to create.”
And what they’re creating here is a personal soundtrack, but a theme that’s likely to be reflected by the listener – a group of people they consider friends and fans, a bond that grows stronger with each release.
“For ‘29’, the material is a little darker but we feel it’s a ubiquitous theme,” the band concludes. “How many of us are on the grind daily and still feeling inadequate and measuring ourselves unfairly against our peers? This song is describing the weight of what a lot of folks carry these days and we think that description of a constant struggle to keep your head above water will resonate. Whether it is chasing mental health or just being in a world that's full of bad news. We are in unprecedented times and we’re collectively carrying a lot. Our hope is that ‘29’ feels like a deep breath followed by an exhale. The end of the song lyrically suggests a note of positivity and a light at the end of the tunnel. To us this is our way of saying we can get through this and we encourage every single person that is experiencing anxiety or depression to seek help. We also constantly advocate the mantra ‘check on your friends’. Everybody is going through something.”
Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to We Demand Parachutes at wedemandparachutes@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
‘29’ single artwork:
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We Demand Parachutes are:
Kevin McCord: Vocals and guitars
Seth Richardson: Bass and programming
Ben Shumaker: Drums and percussion
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‘29’ production credits:
Written by Kevin McCord, Seth Richardson, Ben Shumaker and Alan Day
Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Alan Day
Mastered by Adam Ayan (Gateway Mastering)
Artwork by Hannah McCord
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We Demand Parachutes short bio:
We Demand Parachutes are an alternative rock and pop-punk band hailing from Boston and Brooklyn. This year We Demand Parachutes play Virginia’s Blue Ridge Rock Festival, one of the largest rock festivals in the country, and release their debut record, produced by Alan Day of Four Year Strong.
For We Demand Parachutes, the ideology is simple; work with purpose, be grateful, be humble and play every show like it’s the last. The group was incepted originally when guitarist and vocalist Kevin McCord was deployed overseas with the United States Military, while bassist and programmer Seth Richardson and drummer Ben Shumaker were working in live sound. In late 2016 Kevin started sending ideas from a deployment in Africa back to Seth and Ben. After a few demos were passed back and forth it was clear We Demand Parachutes were meant to be writing and producing music together. The group met in North Carolina for two weeks following that deployment and set their sights on creating a sound that could capture their individual stories and experiences. For the first two years, We Demand Parachutes existed over Google Drive and group messages. Everyone lived in separate states and countries. The name "We Demand Parachutes" originated as a tongue-in-cheek conversation when Kevin was attending military free-fall school. Despite the creative limitations of those early years, We Demand Parachutes never stopped writing.
In 2019, the group began releasing music and garnered a tight-knit following based on dynamic live performances, high-energy singles, and outlandish music videos. While COVID put a damper on live music, it didn’t slow the band’s resolve. We Demand Parachutes focused on writing and expanding their following, it became a mantra to “SEND IT” and keep driving forward despite the obstacles. When live concerts reopened in 2021, We Demand Parachutes celebrated the first show back by selling out the Middle East in Cambridge, MA with friends Driveways and Cherie Amour. We Demand Parachutes began playing actively across the Northeast, with shows in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Maine, and Pennsylvania. This included the first festival appearance for the group at LAUNCH in Lancaster, PA in April 2022.
Moving from a complete DIY construct in 2022 was a significant departure for the band. Having the ability to write, edit, mix, direct and record all within the team opened doors for We Demand Parachutes in the beginning. However, always searching for improvement and growth, the group knew they needed the editorial perspective and experience of a producer of caliber. Serendipitously, Alan Day reached out to the group, interested in working together. We Demand Parachutes have individually found inspiration in so many of the records Alan has worked on in the past and the prospect of working together elated the group. Everything felt right about bringing Alan on to produce, co-write, and mix a record.
In January, the group met Alan at Ghost Hit Recording in West Springfield, MA and began working on a record together, a new EP titled Outside The Null Field, set for November release The first single, titled “Hungover You,” arrived in early September, just before the band played Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Virginia. It was followed by October’s “29,” with plenty more to come for fans in New England and beyond.
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The music of We Demand Parachutes can be found on:
570 Press, 617 Music Reviews, Area Code 207 Radio Hour, Bad Copy, Banks Radio Australia, Bay State Rock, Belter Radio UK, Boston Globe, Christian’s Cosmic Corner (Mark Skin Radio), Code Zero Radio, Emo Night Boston, Enigma Online, Everything You Know Is Wrong (Salem State WMWM), For The Punks, GBH Boston, Gigradar, Goldie’s Garage on SiriusXM, Good Music Radio, Hive Magazine, Idobi Radio, Keep It Posi, Laura Beth’s Mixtape Show (Reclaimed Radio UK), Marc’s Alt Rock Playground (Mark Skin Radio), On The Town With Mikey Dee (WMFO), Original Music Showcase (Mark Skin Radio), PapaPop, Popternative, Punk Rocks, Radio Wigwam, Rising with Skybar (WMFO), Rolling Stone India, Steve Garnett’s New Music Radio, Sunshine Music iRadio, Susse Magazine, The Attic Show (KPISS), The Honey Pop, The Menace's House of Music on Fun Rock Radio UKThe Music Bugle, Tinnitist, WHSN 89.3 FM and other fine publications, podcasts, and programs.
Media praise for We Demand Parachutes:
“New rock trio alert!! If you’re into rock/pop-punk-esque music, We Demand Parachutes is for you! ‘Hungover You’ sounds like the exact song we want to be at a live show screaming the words to immediately. If you’re a fan of bands like We The Kings, or With Confidence, we think you will love this trio.” _The Honey Pop
“‘Hungover You’ has a very noughties pop punk sound which is akin to the likes Simple Plan & New Found Glory, there is somewhat of a renaissance of this style of punk which has been aided through the help of TikTok and it must be said, We Demand Parachutes nail this sound with their latest single.” _Hive Magazine
“We Demand Parachutes are the cool kids and the life of the party with their latest energetic pop-punk single… The production element here is top-tier professional, and this track absolutely rips at high volumes with all musical voices finding their own frequency-space within the dense instrumentation. What’s really impressive is how the band effectively modernizes the early-‘00s pop-punk formula by using a strong dose of synths to play out the sections normally reserved for the lead guitar. [They] have lightning in a bottle with this brilliant, post-summer anthem.” _617 Music Reviews
“A slick release was presented by a band called We Demand Parachutes, with a strong pop punk spirit they introduced their newest song, ‘Hungover You’. This Boston-based band presents a bold single with a powerful riff. ‘Hungover You’ feels full of flavor and is strong with the lively pop punk guitar pull and drum beats that spread regularly throughout the song… The spirit of indie bands like this always gives a breath of fresh air that there are still many talented musical bands out there, and WDP should be on our radar, hopefully more releases will come from them.” _ParaPop
“On their first release of the year, Boston indie rockers We Demand Parachutes team up with powerhouse vocalist Olivia Castriota for a shimmering, spacey song called ‘Lost Her Mind’. Seemingly inspired by bands like Angels & Airwaves, there’s a visceral sound enveloped within layers of dreamy guitar melodies …” _Rolling Stone India
“We Demand Parachutes have honed an engaging nostalgic pop-punk sound injected with the band’s own modern take on a wide range of genres. The result offers up a fusion of punk, rock, synthwave, pop, EDM and more in a sound they describe as ‘energetic, reflective and cathartic.’” _Gigradar
“The trio work seamlessly to create a unique sound that mixes elements of big pop hooks and nostalgic 2000’s rock roots.” _The Music Bugle
“The band cites this as a story of nostalgia and resolution… a relationship/breakup song that shares a bit of a positive message. This is just fantastic emo music. The lyrics are poetic, interesting, and the music is dynamic and driving.” _Independent Music Reviews
Press Contact: michael@publisist.co or wedemandparachutes@gmail.com
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