Defeater (band)

Defeater
Defeater performing in 2012
Background information
Origin	Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Genres	Melodic hardcore,[1] post-hardcore[2] emo[1][3]
Years active	2008 (2008)–present
Labels	Epitaph Bridge 9[4][5][6] Topshelf
Members	Derek Archambault Mike Poulin Jake Woodruff Joe Longobardi Adam Crowe
Past members	Max Barror Gus Pesce Andy Reitz Jay Maas

Defeater is an American melodic hardcore band from Massachusetts, formed in 2008. To date they have released five full-length albums, two EPs and three singles. The band lineup consists of Derek Archambault (vocals), Jake Woodruff (guitar), Joe Longobardi (drums) and Mike Poulin (bass). The band's earlier works have been released via Bridge 9 Records, aside from the album Travels, which was initially released via Topshelf Records, but was later reissued on Bridge 9 Records.^[7] Their studio album, Letters Home, was released on July 16, 2013, and debuted at number 72 on Billboard Top 200 chart, number 1 on the vinyl chart and number 13 on the Current Alternative Album chart. They released an album in 2015 titled, Abandoned and in 2019 they released their self-titled album, both on Epitaph Records.

Defeater has toured with the likes of La Dispute, Carpathian, Comeback Kid, Bane, Energy.^[8] and Miles Away.^{[9][10][11][12]} They supported August Burns Red in 2013. They played the second stage at Hevy Music Festival 2011^[13] and appeared on the second half of the 2013 Vans' Warped Tour, playing on the Monster Stage.

Musical style and lyrics

All of their music serves as narration over one overarching story, telling of the struggles of a working class New Jersey family in the Post-World War II Era. Vocalist Derek Archambault stated in a 2009 interview that all of Defeater's work would take place within this story.^[14]

In October 2015, just a few months after the release of their Epitaph Records debut, Abandoned, the band kicked Jay Maas out of the band citing "personal differences."^[15]

On March 5, 2019, the band released a music video for "Mother's Sons" and announced their self-titled album, produced by Will Yip, would be released May 10, 2019.^[16]

Members

Current Derek Archambault – lead vocals, guitars, piano, lyrics (2008–present) Mike Poulin – bass (2008–present) Jake Woodruff – guitars (2009–present) Joe Longobardi – drums (2011–present) Adam Crowe – guitars (2019–present)

Former Jason Maas – guitar, vocals (2008–2015) Max Barror – bass (2008) Gus Pesce – guitar (2008–2010), bass (2011) Andy Reitz – drums (2008–2011)

Discography

Studio albums

• Travels (2008, Topshelf/Bridge 9)
• Empty Days & Sleepless Nights (2011, Bridge 9)
• Letters Home (2013, Bridge 9)
• Abandoned (2015, Epitaph)
• Defeater (2019, Epitaph)

EPs

• Lost Ground (2009)
• Live on BBC Radio 1 (2012)
• Live at TIHC (2014)

Singles

• "Dear Father" (2011)
• "Still & True" (2016)^[17]
• "Where Eagles Dare" (2016) (originally by Misfits)

Compilation contributions

• "Blew" (originally by Nirvana; tribute album Doused in Mud, Soaked in Bleach) (2016, Robotic Empire)

Videography

• "Empty Glass" (2011)
• "Bastards" (2013)
• "Spared in Hell" (2015)
• "Unanswered" (2015)
• "Divination" (2015)

References

1. Kraus, Brian (22 June 2014). "16 Modern Precursors Of Melodic Hardcore". Alternative Press. Retrieved 27 April 2015. Before the likes of Defeater, Touché Amoré, the Ghost Inside, Counterparts, Being As An Ocean and many more became the new faces of melodic, emotional hardcore, there were upperclassmen who were setting the stage.
2. Cohen, Ian (December 30, 2014). "The Year In Post-Hardcore: Has the New Wave Crested?". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 15, 2016. [the] so-called ["New Wave of Post-Hardcore"] were some of the most exciting bands going; Touché Amoré, La Dispute, Defeater, Pianos Become the Teeth, and Make Do and Mend were considered the core...
3. Cohen, Ian (October 1, 2013). "Your New Favorite Emo Bands: The Best of Topshelf Records' 2013 Sampler". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 15, 2016. Defeater is a Boston hardcore beast three albums deep into the storyline of a dysfunctional, alcoholic family destroyed by the effects of World War II. Recommended for people who find Converge and Touche Amore a little too lighthearted.
4. "Bridge Nine Records signs Defeater". Lambgoat. November 11, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
5. Patashnik, Ben (October 14, 2010). "In The Studio With Defeater". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on March 27, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
6. Woodburn, Peter (31 January 2010). "Band Interview: Defeater". Redefine. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
7. "Defeater – Bridge Nine Records". Bridge9.com. 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
8. "Tours: Defeater/Energy". punknews.org. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
9. "Bane, Defeater, Miles Away Tour Dates". Ryan's Rock Show. 20 August 2011. Retrieved Aug 30, 2011.
10. "Comeback Kid, Defeater tour dates (Europe)". Lambgoat. Retrieved Aug 30, 2011.
11. "Tours: Defeater / Carpathian (UK and Europe)". Punknews.org. 26 November 2010. Retrieved Aug 30, 2011.
12. "Defeater announce tour with La Dispute, Native, Former Thieves". Alternative Press. Retrieved Aug 30, 2011.
13. [1] Archived July 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
14. "Interview: Defeater". Change The Record. Archived from the original on 6 July 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
15. "Defeater and guitarist Jay Maas part ways".
16. Tucknott, Janelle (11 March 2019). "DEFEATER // To Release New Album in May". Hysteria Mag. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
17. Ryken, Atreyue (January 7, 2015). "Defeater drop surprise seven-inch". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 7, 2015.

External links

• Biography Archived 2011-04-23 at the Wayback Machine on Topshelf Records' website.
• Biography on Bridge Nine Records website.
• Defeater on Myspace