In 2003 Fall Out Boy reached into our adolescent hearts with Take This to Your Grave. The band then took us on its musical evolution from From Under the Cork Tree to Infinty on High to the strongly debated Folie à Deux. Now, after a grueling four years, the band has returned with its newly rejoiced, long-awaited album, Save Rock and Roll, which is influenced much by the band’s desire to leave more room for the vocals and lyrics to shine through. With songs like “Young Volcanoes” screaming youth power, or the title track that preaches dedication to the legends and the force of real music (and also fittingly features the great Sir Elton John), the band enamors us once again with its metaphoric lyrics and intricate ariose melodies, treasured by the bands diverse, very passionate fan base of Diehards. And the name most definitely fits.
Before the band’s recent Atlanta performance, the back half of the stage was draped by a thin white sheet, leaving only three microphones on the front half. The lights go down, followed by an incredible roar from the crowd, and heavy strobing of colored lights revealing four familiar silhouettes. With a ready thud of bass, the curtain drops and the band opens with heavy guitar riffage. Jumping in to Infinity on High’s “Thriller”, front man Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz and guitarist Joe Trohman storm to the stage’s edge, with Andy Hurley striking the drums like a maniac. As always, the crowd goes barbaric, welcoming them back with open arms. The band performs a medley of hits fro its five albums, ending the encore with the ballad “Save Rock and Roll”, with Stump soulful on piano and the crowd chanting along with him as music legends flash across the screen behind him. “Thanks For The Memories” is next, then the show closes with “Saturday”, in which Wentz ritualistically ascends into the front row for the final chorus. With the band back on tour, Stump talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about the new album, his influences, and answers some fan questions.
The new album features all these new ideas to improve FOB’s sound. Why was now the time to change your sound instead of earlier?
I think we make a point to change up between every album. I never want to repeat myself as a writer/performer. It’s hard, too, because when you succeed one way, it’s even harder to surpass that success by doing the same thing. In that way I think I’d always prefer to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch every record.
Obviously your solo work influenced Save Rock and Roll. What else would you say influenced this album?
It’s very fascinating to hear people say that. I don’t think Save Rock and Roll was influenced by Soul Punk much at all. If anything Folie had more to do with it but Save Rock and Roll is pretty devoid of any funk influence or ’80s R&B influence. Even the synthesizers, I think people perceive the album to be more electronic than it is. Plus, the majority of the synth stuff was Joe or [producer] Butch [Walker]’s influence on this album. At it’s core this is basically a drums, bass and guitar record. I think we were trying to make something more simple. More built on leaving space for the vocals and lyrics to have their moment.
If you could be any superhero, who would it be and why?
Dark Claw because he barely exists. Look him up. Holy smokes.
What’s your favorite part about Atlanta?
My aunt Ginny lives here. She’s pretty much the coolest person I know.
What’s your favorite Save Rock and Roll song to perform?
I love playing the title track. I look forward to it every night. I feel like most of the show is me waiting to play that.
Do you think you’d be a Sith Lord or a Jedi?
Come on. Anyone who’s met me knows I’m, like, way Jedi. I think that’s probably my lot in life; I’m not cool and loner enough to be Han, or dark and brooding enough to be Anakin. I’d be like Luke – heart of gold, pretty good at what he does, but soooooo whiney. Seriously, Luke. Chill out, man.
What do you have to say to your Diehards?
It’s pretty awesome to be able to come back, but it’s even cooler to have an audience waiting for us when we did. So I’d just like to thank everybody for coming out and caring still. We love making music and we owe so much to you guys.