Punchline: Американская рок-группа

American rock band

Punchline is an American rock band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, United States, that was formed in 1998. The band released its seventh full length album, Thrilled, on December 4, 2015, on InVogue Records.

Punchline was formed in 1997 as a three piece band consisting of Steve Soboslai (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Fafalios (bass guitar) PJ Caruso (drums). At the time, Fafalios was a senior in high school and Caruso and Soboslai were juniors. They played local shows and recorded their first album, How to Get Kicked Out of the Mall, a blend of pop and ska influenced punk. In later recordings, the ska influence became less prominent. In 1999, the band self produced and self released the full length Punchline album. After being joined by Paul Menotiades (guitar, vocals), they recorded and co produced Major Motion Picture with Billy Rossi for an August 2001 release. The four collaborated with Rossi again in 2002 on The Rewind EP. The EP's four tracks marked a transition into what became their signature pop punk sound.

In 2003, the band signed to Fueled by Ramen Records. The Rewind EP was remixed and remastered by Shelly Yakus for its Fueled by Ramen re release. Early pressings included The Rewind Documentary DVD, a collection of footage of the band. In February 2004, Punchline released the album, Action, produced by Sean O'Keefe. Soboslai, Menotiades and Fafalios all sang on the disc and the first 10,000 pressings also included a DVD entitled The Action DVD. During a tour, Menotiades left the band. The remaining members enlisted Greg Wood, a long time friend, to fill in on guitar and vocals for the remaining shows. Wood, who also performed as a solo artist and was a member of the now defunct Connecticut band West Beverly, later joined as a permanent member, and played keyboards and piano in addition to guitar on Punchline's 2006 release 37 Everywhere. In 2005, TDR Records (formerly known as To Define Records) released an Over It/Punchline split 7 inch vinyl with two exclusive songs. The Over It side has an acoustic version of "Partner in Crime", and the Punchline side has a previously unreleased acoustic version of "Battlescars".

37 Everywhere, produced by Shep Goodman and Kenny Gioia, was released by Fueled by Ramen Records on April 11, 2006. The album is dedicated to the life and times of John "Beatz" Holohan (1974–2005), the former drummer of Bayside. The album's title refers to a theory suggesting that 37 is the most commonly seen number. The album's liner notes state: "The number 37 is everywhere. It is in your daily routine and it will surprise you. Look for it and it will look for you." Jason Sho Green, the artist/designer for the album, says the liner notes contain 37 instances of the number 37. The album has guest vocals by Anthony Raneri of the New York band Bayside and Vinnie Caruana of I Am the Avalanche and formerly The Movie Life on "Flashlight", John Johansen of the defunct Stryder on "Caller 10", and Josh Bonner of the defunct Unsung Zeroes on "Wars Will Always Happen", as well as guest guitar work by Ryan Mendez of Yellowcard on "Don't Try This at Home". On August 28, 2006, the band announced the departure of Wood. Wood is said to be in good standing with the band and left to pursue other interests, specifically a solo career and teaching guitar. He was replaced by Jon Belan, a long time Punchline friend and a former member of The Berlin Project and the lead singer of Gene The Werewolf. His first tour with Punchline was the "Better Than Knowing Where You Are Tour", headlined by Spitalfield, with support from Over It, Valencia, Peachcake and Boys Like Girls.

Punchline's follow up to 37 Everywhere was recorded in 2007 in two parts. Part 1 was recorded at Room Sound Studios in Tempe, Arizona, with the producer Jamie Woolford (formerly of The Stereo and now a member of the band Let Go). Part 2 was recorded at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin, with Sean O'Keefe, who had produced Punchline's Action album. On February 8, 2008, the band announced its departure from Fueled By Ramen in a brief statement:"After many years on fueled by ramen its time for us to move on, after fulfilling the obligations of our contract with FBR we decided that we wanted to look for a new home. Armed with a new record that's already recorded we are excited to move on to something new. Thanks to the people at the FBR that supported us and helped us it means closes and one opens." On July 11, 2008, Punchline created their independent label, Modern Short Stories, using the winnings ($25,000) from Heavy. com's Contraband Contest. On "37 day" (March 7) 2008, Punchline announced in their AIM chatroom that the new album would be called Just Say Yes. A four song bonus disc, Just Say Maybe, was included with the first 500 pre ordered copies.

Beginning in May, Punchline went to Ohio to record with Jamie Woolford at Innovation Studios. Somewhere around this time, Pat Dee was let go from the band. Drummer Cory Muro, of Paul Menotiades' other band The Composure, was brought into the band as a full time member. The official music video was released on July 23, 2010. It was directed by the Pittsburgh filmmaker and comedian Joe DeWitt. On June 24, Punchline revealed that the new album would be called Delightfully Pleased and it would be released on August 10, by Modern Short Stories and TDR Records. The artwork was also released and the first song, "21 Forever", was released on their newly relaunched web site, PunchKids. com, on July 18. According to the band, this was their best album yet.

Punchline has toured the United States extensively. In spring 2005, they embarked on their first proper headlining tour, "The Now or Never Tour". Notable acts they shared the stage with at this time include Catch 22, Allister, Spitalfield, Hidden In Plain View, The Fold, Audio Karate, Less Than Jake, Mest, Start Trouble, and MxPx. In June 2009, Punchline co headlined the Major/Minor Tour with Socratic. In September 2009, Punchline set out on the AbsolutePunk Next Favorite Band Tour with Farewell, Between The Trees, and Action Item.