Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties

Last updated
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - July 2, 2022 (cropped).jpg
West performing in 2022
Background information
Also known asAaron West
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

Asbury Park, New Jersey

Brooklyn, New York City (fictional biography)
Genres Folk rock, indie rock
Years active2014 (2014)–present
Labels Hopeless Records
Members
Website www.aaronwestandtheroaringtwenties.com

Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties is the solo project of The Wonder Years frontman Dan Campbell. According to the project's Facebook page, it is defined as "a character study conducted through music", with Campbell taking on the persona of Aaron West in each song's lyrics. The project's debut album, We Don't Have Each Other , was released in July 2014; a follow-up EP Bittersweet was released on May 20, 2016. Occasional singles were released by the group in-between albums. The project released its second album, entitled Routine Maintenance, on May 10, 2019. On January 10th 2024, a third album was announced named In Lieu of Flowers, set to be released on April 12th 2024.

Contents

History

We Don't Have Each Other (2014–15)

The Wonder Years frontman Dan Campbell began the project on May 22, 2014, via a video released by Hopeless Records titled "Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties - An Introduction To Aaron West". [1] With this project, Campbell pushed himself "to make a piece of fiction feel just as raw and personal as songs about my life". [1] Campbell released the projects debut song, "Divorce and the American South", via The A.V. Club . [2] "You Ain't No Saint" was released as a single on May 27. [3] "Divorce and the American South" was released as a single on June 10. [4] The project's first album, We Don't Have Each Other , was released on July 8 through Hopeless. [5] The album received primarily positive reviews, with Alternative Press giving it a rating of 4.5/5. [6] On November 19, West released a music video for the song "Our Apartment" via Billboard . [7] Campbell performed his project on five of the 2014 Vans Warped Tour dates. [1] On March 4, 2015, it was announced that Campbell would be performing his project on all of the 2015 Warped Tour dates, on the acoustic basement stage. [8]

The album is a concept record detailing the worst year of Aaron's life from start to finish. The album consists of 9 original songs and 1 cover song, "Going to Georgia" by The Mountain Goats. Campbell is said to have added the song to the album not because the song continued the story, but simply because he liked the song.

Bittersweet and Orchard Park (2016–18)

On March 25, 2016, it was announced that an EP, titled Bittersweet, would be released on May 20. [9] The EP's cover art and track listing was revealed, and one song on the EP, "'67, Cherry Red", was made available for streaming. [9] The release of the EP features vinyl pressings on three different colors, Green, Blue, and Red, attributing to the songs "Green Like the G Train, Green Like Sea Foam", "Goodbye, Carolina Blues", and "'67, Cherry Red" respectively. [10]

"Orchard Park" was released on October 5, 2017 as a non-album single. The song visualizes Aaron driving with his mother to spread his father's ashes at Orchard Park.

Routine Maintenance and live album (2019–20)

The project's second LP, titled Routine Maintenance, was officially announced on March 18, 2019 and was given a projected release date of May 10. [11]

In January 2020, Campbell announced a UK tour that was scheduled to begin in May of that year. [12] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was rescheduled for August 2021 but later cancelled and rebooked for May 2022. [13] When the tour happened in 2022, Nick caught COVID-19 after 4 shows which resulted in the band except Dan to go home resulting in the remaining 3 shows to be solo shows.

On July 31, 2020, the project released Live From Asbury Park, created from recordings of two December 2019 live performances. [14]

In Lieu of Flowers (2024–present)

The project's third LP, titled In Lieu of Flowers, was officially announced on the projects Facebook page on January 11th, 2024 and given a projected release date of April 12th. On January 24th the project announced a tour spanning the United States and the United Kingdom, with a record release show on April 11th in Asbury Park, NJ. [15] [16]

Style and influences

Timothy Monger of AllMusic wrote that the project "blended the passion and aggression of pop punk with more of an Americana and roots aesthetic." [17]

Campbell said in an interview with Rock Sound that he was inspired by The Mountain Goats' All Hail West Texas and The Weakerthans' Reunion Tour , and the artists' ability to create "such real, whole characters that I found myself invested in their lives and their stories." [18]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart
positions
US
[19]
We Don't Have Each Other 101
Routine Maintenance
  • Release: May 10, 2019
  • Label: Hopeless
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
—
In Lieu of Flowers
  • To be released: April 12, 2024
  • Label: Hopeless
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
TBA

Extended plays

List of extended plays
TitleAlbum details
Bittersweet
  • Released: May 20, 2016
  • Label: Hopeless
  • Format: DL, 7" vinyl

Live albums

List of live albums
TitleAlbum details
Live From Asbury Park
  • Released: July 31, 2020
  • Label: Hopeless
  • Format: DL, LP

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
TitleYearAlbum
"You Ain't No Saint" [3] 2014 We Don't Have Each Other
"Divorce and the American South" [4]
"'67, Cherry Red" [20] 2016 Bittersweet
"Orchard Park" [21] 2017Non-album single
"Runnin' Toward the Light" [22] 2019 Routine Maintenance
"Just Sign the Papers" [23]
"Bury Me Anywhere Else" [24]
"In Lieu of Flowers" [25] 2024In Lieu of Flowers

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Early November</span> American rock band

The Early November is an American rock band from New Jersey, United States. The group formed in 2001 and signed with Drive-Thru Records in 2002. As of 2024, they have released two EPs: For All of This (2002) and The Acoustic EP (2002), and six full-length albums: The Room's Too Cold (2003), triple album The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path (2006), In Currents (2012), Imbue (2015), Lilac (2019), and Twenty (2022). The band's seventh full-length album Self-Titled, will be released on June 14th, 2024 via Pure Noise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ace Enders</span> American musician

Arthur Carl "Ace" Enders III is an American musician. Enders is the lead singer and guitarist of the band The Early November. He is also the lead musician, songwriter and co-producer in his band, I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business. He has also released music under the name Ace Enders and a Million Different People.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four Year Strong</span> American pop punk band

Four Year Strong is an American pop-punk band from Worcester, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. The group consists of vocalists and guitarists Dan O'Connor and Alan Day, bassist Joe Weiss, and drummer Jake Massucco. They have released seven studio albums; their most recent album, Brain Pain, was released on February 28, 2020, through Pure Noise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ghost Inside (band)</span> American metalcore band

The Ghost Inside, formerly known as A Dying Dream, is an American metalcore band from El Segundo, California. Formed in 2004, the band currently consists of vocalist Jonathan Vigil, guitarists Zach Johnson and Chris Davis, bassist Jim Riley and drummer Andrew Tkaczyk. They have released one EP and six studio albums, with their fifth album, The Ghost Inside, released on June 5, 2020, via Epitaph Records as a return from their hiatus with their latest album, Searching for Solace, released on April 19, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wonder Years (band)</span> American rock band

The Wonder Years is an American rock band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, formed in July 2005. The band currently consists of Dan "Soupy" Campbell, Casey Cavaliere, Matt Brasch, Josh Martin, Nick Steinborn and Mike Kennedy. They have released seven full-length albums, two EPs, and several splits/compilations. The group is currently signed to Hopeless Records. Their name originates from a paper that Campbell read that was written by one of his after-school educators titled "The Wonder Years."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set It Off (band)</span> American rock band

Set It Off is an American rock band formed in 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The band consists of lead vocalist Cody Carson, guitarist and bassist Zach Dewall, and drummer Maxx Danziger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Wild Life</span>

This Wild Life is an acoustic rock duo from Long Beach, California consisting of Kevin Jordan on vocals and guitar and Anthony Del Grosso on guitar. Jordan and Del Grosso were originally pianist and drummers, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neck Deep</span> Welsh pop-punk band

Neck Deep are a Welsh pop-punk band from Wrexham, formed in 2012. They released a pair of EPs, Rain in July (2012) and A History of Bad Decisions (2013), before signing with Hopeless in August 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Champs</span> American pop-punk band

State Champs is an American pop-punk band from Albany, New York, formed in 2010. They are currently signed to Pure Noise Records and have released three EPs and four full-length albums. Their 2013 debut album The Finer Things debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. They released an acoustic EP titled The Acoustic Things in October 2014 and their second studio album Around the World and Back one year later, in October 2015. In May 2017, they released a deluxe version of the album. Their third album, Living Proof, was released in 2018. In May 2022, the band released their fourth studio album, Kings of the New Age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real Friends (band)</span> American pop punk band

Real Friends is an American pop punk band from Tinley Park, Illinois. To date, the band has released seven EPs and three studio albums. Previously signed to Fearless Records, the band is currently signed to Pure Noise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knuckle Puck</span> American rock band

Knuckle Puck is an American rock band, formed in 2010 in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The band's name comes from the "knucklepuck" shot in ice hockey, which was popularized by the 1994 film D2: The Mighty Ducks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As It Is (band)</span> British-American rock band

As It Is were a British-American rock band based in Brighton, England. The band was formed in 2012, and signed to Fearless Records in 2014. The group at the time of departure consisted of lead vocalist Patty Walters and lead guitarist Ronnie Ish.

<i>We Dont Have Each Other</i> 2014 studio album by Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties

We Don't Have Each Other is the debut studio album from American folk rock project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, released on July 8, 2014, through Hopeless Records.

<i>No Closer to Heaven</i> 2015 studio album by the Wonder Years

No Closer to Heaven is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Wonder Years. Struggling with writer's block, vocalist Daniel Campbell spoke with several friends who were in bands for inspiration. No Closer to Heaven is a concept album, detailing the loss of a loved one. The album was recorded between March and April 2015. It was produced by Steve Evetts at The Omen Room. "Cardinals" was released as a single in June, followed by "Cigarettes & Saints" a month later. "I Don't Like Who I Was Then" was made available for streaming in August. "Thanks for the Ride" was made available for streaming in early September. No Closer to Heaven was released through Hopeless on September 4. The Target edition featured two additional tracks.

<i>Bittersweet</i> (Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties EP) 2016 EP by Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties

Bittersweet is the first EP from American folk rock project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, released on May 20, 2016 through Hopeless Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wage War</span> American metalcore band

Wage War is an American metalcore band formed in Ocala, Florida in 2010 under the name Empires. The band consists of lead vocalist Briton Bond, lead guitarist Seth Blake, rhythm guitarist and clean vocalist Cody Quistad, bassist Chris Gaylord, and drummer Stephen Kluesener.

<i>Routine Maintenance</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties

Routine Maintenance is the second full-length studio album by American folk rock project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. Released on May 10, 2019 via Hopeless Records, the album follows the concept begun with We Don't Have Each Other (2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchard Park (song)</span> 2017 single by Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties

"Orchard Park" is the first non-album single from American folk rock project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, released on October 5, 2017, through Loneliest Place on Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Campbell (singer)</span> American rock musician

Daniel Jason "Soupy" Campbell is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer from Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He is best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter for American pop punk band The Wonder Years, as well as the creator of folk punk project Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rock Sound (May 23, 2014). "The Wonder Years' Dan Campbell Announces Side-Project". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ Anthony, David (10 June 2014). "Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties take a southern approach to divorce in new video". A.V. Club. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 "You Ain't No Saint - Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - Release Information, Reviews and Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Divorce and the American South - Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - Release Information, Reviews and Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Now Streaming: Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - We Don't Have Each Other". Rock Sound. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Manley, Brendan (4 July 2014). "Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - We Don't Have Each Other". Alternative Press. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Payne, Chris (19 November 2014). "Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties (Wonder Years' Dan Campbell) Premieres 'Our Apartment' Video (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (5 March 2015). "Acoustic Basement performers announced for Warped Tour 2015". Alternative Press. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  9. 1 2 Ralph, Caitlyn (March 25, 2016). "Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties stream new song, announce new EP". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties "Bittersweet" 7"". Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "Aaron West & the Roaring Twenties announce new album & tour". BrooklynVegan. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
  12. ↑ Wilson-Taylor, James (29 January 2020). "Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties have announced a UK tour". Rock Sound. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Dan Campbell [@ThisIsAaronWest] (August 26, 2020). "We aren't giving up on bringing the full band AW20 experience to the UK!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ Jay, Melannie (22 July 2020). "Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties release bonus cover of Springsteen's "Thunder Road"". The Key. WXPN. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  16. ↑ Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - In Lieu Of Flowers (Official Visual) , retrieved 2024-03-06
  17. ↑ Monger, Timothy. "Aaron West & the Roaring Twenties | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  18. ↑ "The Wonder Years' Dan Campbell Announces Side-Project". Rock Sound. 23 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  19. ↑ "Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  20. ↑ "'67, Cherry Red (2016) | Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties". 7digital. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties "Orchard Park" 7" Flexi – Cold Cuts Merch". Archived from the original on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  22. ↑ "Dan Campbell on the next chapter of Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties". Radio 104.5.
  23. ↑ LaPlante, Brad (17 April 2019). "Listen To A New Aaron West Song, "Just Sign The Papers"". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  24. ↑ "9 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  25. ↑ Carter, Emily (12 January 2024). "Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties announce new album, In Lieu Of Flowers". Kerrang!. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.