Allstar Weekend

Allstar Weekend
Playing Journey To The End Of My Life during the Glamour Kills Tour in 2011. (L-R) Anderson, Darmody, Porter, Quiseng, and Martinez.
Background information
Also known as	AW, A-Dub, ASW, Allstar
Origin	Poway, California, United States
Genres	Pop rock, pop punk, dance, dance-rock, dance-punk
Years active	2008 (2008)–present (present)
Labels	Hollywood (Universal) (2009-2011), Diggit Records (2012-)
Associated acts	Selena Gomez & the Scene, Action Item, Hollywood Ending, Before You Exit, The After Party, Hot Chelle Rae
Website	http://www.allstarweekendrocks.com
Members
Zachary Porter Cameron Quiseng Michael Allen Martinez
Past members
Nathan Darmody Tom Norris

Allstar Weekend is a pop rock band based in Poway, California.^[1] The band gained its popularity from the Disney Channel television network. The band originally consisted of lead singer Zachary Porter, bassist Cameron Quiseng, guitarist Nathan Darmody, and drummer Michael Martinez but as of September 16, 2011 Darmody is no longer in the band.

Their debut album Suddenly Yours was released in October 2010 and peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200. In September 2011, Zach, Cameron and Michael released their second studio album entitled All the Way. All the Way peaked at 49 on the Billboard 200, a considerable improvement from their first album.

History

2008-10: Formation & rise to fame

After meeting in a geology class at Poway High School, Nathan Darmody and Tom Norris began to write music together in the spring of 2007. Darmody's friend Zach Porter later joined as their bass player, and the three formed Outerspace Politicians in June 2007. The band wrote and recorded early demos in Darmody's bedroom in the ensuing months using FL Studio. Several completed songs were then posted to the group's Myspace page. This resulted in little attention, although it prompted a local drummer, Michael Martinez, to contact the band and audition to join. In an effort to begin practicing live, Porter recruited friend Cameron Quiseng. At Darmody's suggestion, Quiseng, whom Porter met in middle school, became bassist, while Porter switched to lead vocals. Shortly before signing with Hollywood Records, Norris left the band to pursue college, and is often not considered to have ever been a part of the band.

The band first rose to fame when they were contestants on Radio Disney's special, Next Big Thing or N.B.T.,^[2] under their former name, ALLSTAR. Despite being a fan favorite, the band lost, coming second to Jonnie and Brookie. However, a few months later, the band signed a contract with Hollywood Records and immediately began work on their debut album, Suddenly.

Prior to becoming contestants on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing, they contributed songs (one of which was an early, more synthesized version of "Dance Forever") as part of a digital split album titled Chicken Finger Fingers on Drive-Thru Records with Dino Club. Soon after, they signed with Hollywood Records and released their debut extended play, Suddenly. After signing with Hollywood Records, the band changed their name from Allstar to Allstar Weekend, citing legal issues as the catalyst. According to interviews, they added 'Weekend' because it made a better connection with the fans.

2010-11: Suddenly Yours and other projects

On March, 13, 2010, the band released their debut single, "A Different Side of Me", for digital download and radio airplay. The song peaked at the top of Radio Disney singles chart.

Allstar Weekend was one of many bands who recorded remakes of popular Disney songs on the compilation album, Disneymania 7, which was released on April 17, 2010. The band recorded their version of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King. Shortly after the release of their debut single, the band announced their debut EP, Suddenly, would be released on June 17, 2010. They also announced plans to release a second single before the release of the album.

On June 7, 2010 the band released "Dance Forever", the second single from their EP. The music video was released June 12, 2010 and takes place in the backyard of a house where a pool party is being thrown and the band is performing. Porter and Darmody have said that the "Dance Forever" video represents not just one, but all the members of the band's personalities. The song debuted on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart at number 16. It peaked at number 45 on the Canadian Hot 100, making it their first song to chart on a major singles chart.

Suddenly was released on June 22, 2010 to generally positive reviews from critics. The album was somewhat successful in its first week, debuting at number 62 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. On August 30, 2010, Allstar Weekend performed "A Different Side of Me" and "The Weekend" on Good Morning America. After the performance, they confirmed that their debut album, Suddenly Yours, would be released on October 19, 2010. The album's lead single, "Come Down with Love", was released on September 17, 2010.

Allstar Weekend's fall tour in 2010 included other acts: Action Item, The Scene Aesthetic, and Stephen Jerzak. The tour started November 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada and ended in December 17 at The House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. In February 2011, they were on the Glamour Kills Tour with The Ready Set.

"Not Your Birthday" was released as a single on February 25, 2011 premiering that night on Radio Disney. The song was recorded for the soundtrack of Disney's movie Prom. The single was delayed on being released for purchase, and eventually became available on iTunes on March 22, 2011.

2011-12: All the Way and Darmody's departure

On May 20, 2011, they announced their new album, All the Way, would be released on July 19, but it was moved to September 27, 2011. On July 25, 2011 they announced that their second single from All the Way would be "Blame It on September" and it will be released on August 16, 2011.

It was announced on June 20 via the band's Facebook that Darmody would not be touring with the band on their tour with Selena Gomez & The Scene, due to personal issues. On July 13, Allstar Weekend stated that a guitarist named Eric Nicolau would be filling in for Nathan Darmody on their tour with Selena Gomez & the Scene.

On September 16, it was announced via Twitter that Darmody had left the band.^[3] The band announced that they would not release the details of Darmody's departure in a statement made to their fans. In the same statement, they also announced that they would be beginning their search for the next member of Allstar Weekend.^[4] Darmody has continued his career as a solo artist, named IWXO. His debut solo single, "Touch Her Fire", along with his self-titled extended play were released on iTunes in May 2012.

With a successful first week, All the Way debuted at number 49 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

2012-present: Departure from record label and third studio album

On January 8, 2012, the band announced via Stickam their departure from former label Hollywood Records. They cited the reason as being that Hollywood restricted them from what they wanted to do (touring internationally, maturer themes in songs, etc.) All the Way, their second studio album, has since been removed from iTunes.

On March 16, 2012, Allstar Weekend announced they would release a 5-song extended play on July 3, 2012.^[5].

On May 31, 2012, it was announced they Allstar Weekend would go on tour from July 24 through August 20, 2012. Tour dates are expected to be announced in early June 2012. The band has founded their own record label, Diggit Records, which they intend to release a full-length album through in early 2013.

Guest appearances

The band guest starred on Sonny with a Chance in the episode "A So Random Halloween Special". They performed "Come Down with Love" which is also featured on the show's soundtrack.

They have appeared on Lopez Tonight and Rachel Ray, also performing "Come Down with Love".

On February 26, 2012, they were featured on MTV's 10 on Top. They were the "One to Watch". They talked about their days when they were a garage band compared to their lives now and how they're living the dream. They also talked about pre-show rituals. On March 19, 2011, they were again in 10 on Top, ranking number 4 due to their new music video "Not Your Birthday". The song is featured in Disney's feature film Prom. They have also been on MTV's The Seven twice. The second time was on May 13, 2011 and they ranked in at number two.

The very first time they performed "Not Your Birthday" live on television was on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live. in Toronto, Canada. They again performed it on Live with Regis and Kelly on May 30, 2011.

On August 7, Allstar Weekend was seen on 2011's Teen Choice Awards presenting for the dance crew Poreotics.

On September 25, Allstar Weekend performed live at The Next Star Finale in Toronto, playing "Blame It On September" and "Mr.Wonderful". On the following day, they performed their single "Blame it On September" Live on Reigis and Kelly. On the release day of All The Way, September 27, they played on Good Morning America with "Blame It On September", and "Mr.Wonderful".

Members

• Zachary David Porter - lead vocals
• Cameron Michael Quiseng - bass guitar, backing vocals
• Michael Allen Martinez - drums

Past members

• Nathan Darmody – lead guitar, backup vocals (2008–2011)
• Tom Norris - keyboard, rhythm guitar (2008-2009)

Live members

• Dillon Anderson – keyboard, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
• Brent Schneiders - lead guitar, backing vocals (2011-present)

Discography

Singles

• A Different Side of Me (March 2nd, 2010)
• Dance Forever (June 7th, 2010)
• Come Down With Love (September 19th, 2010)
• Not Your Birthday (February 25, 2011)
• Blame it on September (August 16th, 2011)
• Christmas Kisses (December 10, 2011)
• Wanna Dance with Somebody (Allstar Weekend 2012) (February 13th, 2012)
• Life As We Know It (May 30, 2012)

Studio albums

• Suddenly Yours (2010)
• All the Way (2011)
• Untitled Third Album (January 2013)^[6]

Extended plays

• Suddenly (2010)
• Untitled EP (July 3, 2012)^[7]

Soundtrack appearances

• Disneymania 7 (2010)
• The Last Song (2010)
• Sonny with a Chance (2010)
• Prom (2011)
• Punk Goes Pop 4 (2011)
• Geek Charming (2011)

Tours

This is a list of tours that Allstar Weekend have participated on, or will be participating on; individual concerts are not included.

Tour name	Participating bands	Continent	Participating from–to
Verizon Experience the Magic Tour (Acoustic)	Allstar Weekend, Emily Osment	North America	February–March, 2010
Suddenly Tour	Allstar Weekend, Days Difference, Action Item	North America	Summer 2010
Suddenly Yours Tour	Allstar Weekend, The Scene Aesthetic, Stephen Jerzak, Action Item	North America	November–December, 2010
Military Tour	Allstar Weekend	Europe	January 2011
The Glamour Kills Tour	The Ready Set, Allstar Weekend, The Downtown Fiction, We Are the In Crowd, You, Me, and Everyone We Know, Marianas Trench	North America	February 23–April 9, 2011
Canadian Tour	Allstar Weekend, Action Item, Done with Dolls	North America	May 14–29, 2011
We Own the Night Tour	Allstar Weekend, Selena Gomez & the Scene, Christina Grimmie	North America	July 28–September 10, 2011
All The Way Tour	Allstar Weekend, Hollywood Ending, The After Party, Before You Exit, Megan & Liz, Just Left, The Composure, The Stellar Life	North America	January 13-February 26 2012

References

External links

• Official website
• Official Facebook page
• Allstar Weekend Twitter
• Official Tumblr