Formed in Florida in 1997 the band took its name from their high school days when ‘yellow cards’ were handed out for party fouling. The year they formed they released their debut album ‘Midget Tossing’ and then followed up 2 years later with ‘Where we stand’.
At this point however, after a bit of line up shifting, the band ended up with a fresh start and radically changed its sound from hardcore leaning, to a more melodic, pop punk sound. With this new start they were able to build up enough buzz to sign with Capitol records who, in 2003, released ‘Ocean Avenue’ which would go on to become the band’s finest achievement.
When it spawned hit singles like ‘Way Away’ and ‘Ocean Avenue’, the band’s popularity sky rocketed and before they knew it they were experiencing successes they never could have imagined. The album went platinum and soon enough the band were doing everything from headlining the Warped tour to picking up MTV awards.
With newfound fame, the band continued forward releasing albums until in 2008 they went on hiatus for personal reasons leaving fans heartbroken however they needn’t have worried as in just a couple of years they were back together releasing albums and continuing to tour. So while many may write off Yellowcard as just ‘that band with a violinist’, to their fans they are so much more and that’s what counts.
Recently reformed alt-rockers Yellowcard are back on the live circuit to play to fans with their melodic rock, bringing sets made of old and new music to venues around the globe. Despite the several line up changes and numerous hiatuses, the fans have stuck by Yellowcard and as the lights go down in Coventry's Kasbah the cheers that erupt are evidence of the band's unwavering popularity.
Beginning with a number of tracks from 2012 LP 'Southern Air' the crowd remain enthusiastic as the energetic band tears through the new material with vigour. The violin is an unusual addition for a rock quartet but when watching the intensity in which Sean Mackin plays the instrument spurs the crowd on to cheer and shriek during his personal solos.
It didn't take long for the band to bring out the old singles such as 'Way Away' and 'Lights & Sounds' and they seem as excitable as the crowd during the intro to these cult favourites. The largest cheers of the night though are definitely reserved for the encore duo of 'Only One' and their most recognisable hit 'Ocean Avenue'. Despite some time away, Yellowcard seem refreshed and re-energised onstage.