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Yellowcard is one of those once-in-generation type bands that grabs a hold of you and won’t let go, even after their break-up in 2016, and their subsequent final show in 2017, at The House Of Blues, in California.
For many fans, it was the release of genre staple, Ocean Avenue, that captured the hearts of millions, and propelled Yellowcard forward unto an unsuspecting music scene, where they would tour the world for over a decade, including the gone but not forgotten Vans Warped Tour shows.
Although Yellowcard is done and over, with no plans for a reunion, you can still find the former members working on their own respective projects. Today, we’ve got original founding, and former lead guitarist Benjamin Harper!
Anthony:
Benjamin, how have these past couple of years been for you?
Benjamin:
The past few years have been great for me. Recently, I was in a new city, with a new business (recording studio) in Orange County, California. I worked on some really cool projects and did some great live streams during the pandemic. I’m already on to new business endeavors as of this new year. Good times!
Anthony:
Can you take us a bit through the formation of Yellowcard?
Benjamin:
The majority of Yellowcard met in high school, in Jacksonville Florida, with Todd Clary being the only one not from the school. We grew up on Fat Wreck Chords, and Epitaph bands, thus the fast Punk influence. It sort of rounded out when Ryan Key’s songwriting came in to play.
Anthony:
Was Ben Dobson leaving the catalyst for the sonic shift?
Benjamin:
We had Ben and Todd, but, to be honest, Todd’s instrumental writing was a big part of early Yellowcard’s sound, and when Ryan Key joined, he became the main songwriter, which also fitted in the violin more. It was just sort of a natural progression when he joined…nothing planned per se.
Anthony:
You mentioned Fat Wreck and Epitaph. In that vein, who were some of Yellowcard’s greatest influences?
Benjamin:
We listened to a lot of Lagwagon, NOFX, Bad Religion, Millencolin, Face To Face, as well as some Ben Folds Five, Pearl Jam, and Slipknot. Definitely Blink-182, and Green Day as well!
Anthony:
With a fresh lineup in place for the Still Standing EP, was it a challenge to record, or was it seamless?
Benjamin:
It was very seamless! Still Standing was our first demo/ep with Ryan as our frontman, so it was quite refreshing at the time!
Anthony:
This brings us to One for the Kids, which was reissued on December 17th, 2022. How does it feel to be back in the scene, even if just for a re-release?
Benjamin:
It feels great! I am doing a lot of the customer service for the online ordering, so it’s been cool interacting with all the Yellowcard fans again.
Anthony:
Going back again, after The Underdog EP, Yellowcard was signed to Capitol Records and put out Ocean Avenue. What was it like getting signed to Capitol Records?
Benjamin:
It was pretty amazing. I think Capitol came out to four or five shows before actually giving us a contract. We were kinda a part of the whole CD dying thing. [Laughs]. We were lucky to sell a lot of them before it all crashed.
Anthony:
Ocean Avenue was when many fans discovered Yellowcard. What was it like touring for that album, especially playing the Vans Warped Tours?
Benjamin:
The Warped Tours were amazing, and touring was all we did! We loved it, and pretty much, we were gone from home for two years after the release of Ocean Avenue.
Anthony:
During the early to mid-2000s, Yellowcard contributed to quite a few soundtracks. Which ones were your favorites to be a part of?
Benjamin:
Spider-Man 2! The song was called “Gifts And Curses.” I think that was my favorite movie soundtrack we did.
Anthony:
Lights and Sounds was another commercial success for the band, but the album also prompted another lineup change, with you leaving the band. Take me through what happened there.
Benjamin:
I was actually asked to leave the band, contrary to what’s in the press from back in the day! After I left, Yellowcard put out a rad record called Paper Walls, and then took a three-year break shortly after that.
Anthony:
What is your favorite equipment to work with both live, and recording?
Benjamin:
I am a Les Paul guy. I use Mesa Boogie/Bogner/Matchless/Orange Amps live. In the studio…maybe a Boss Phaser, Small Stone, and Wah-Wah Pedals…nothing to fancy.
Anthony:
Can you take us through your songwriting process? Pop-punk is a very personal style of music that usually tells stories of real-life occurrences. Was a lot of your music inspired by your personal lives?
Benjamin:
It was a group process, with Ryan usually starting the song ideas, writing the lyrics, and the majority of the vocal melody. Yes, it was inspired by our personal lives.
Anthony:
What were some of your favorite places you had the opportunity to play to see while touring?
Benjamin:
I’d have to say New Zealand and Japan.
Anthony:
Do you collect any music on vinyl, CD, cassettes, tapes? Who are some of your favorite artists you’re into right now?
Benjamin:
Nope! I am not a collector! My favorite artist right now is “Conway The Machine,” but he is not much of an influence on my music. [Laughs].
Anthony:
With the 20th anniversary release coming out for One For The Kids, can hope for a reunion in the future?
Benjamin:
Nope, no reunion. But you can check out the bands called “Flag On Fire,” “This Legend,” and “William Ryan Key.”
Interested in learning more about Yellowcard? Check out the link below:
Dig this? Check out the full archives of A.M. Radio, by Anthony Montalbano, here: https://vwmusicrocks.com/a-m-radio-archives/
