Say Anything was formed in 2000 by singer/songwriter Max Bemis. The band was originally made up of Bemis' high-school friends, but the line-up has changed over the years. Currently, Bemis and Coby Linder (drums) are the only two original members.
The band's first EP, Junior Varsity, was released in 2000. In 2001, Baseball, the band's first official full-length was recorded and self-released. In 2002, Bemis enrolled in college and recorded an EP, entitled Dormroom Demos, which was never officially released. At the same time, the band, originally known as "Sayanything" became Say Anything and recorded the Menorah/Majora EP and released it online. After catching the attention of many labels, Say Anything signed with Doghouse Records in early 2003.
During the recording of their Doghouse debut, which Max Bemis originally wanted to turn into a full rock opera concept record, Bemis suffered a mental breakdown and was forced to take time away from Say Anything and recover. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Max returned to Say Anything and the band recorded the For Sale EP with Hellogoodbye's Forrest Kline. Both For Sale and the band's critically acclaimed album, ...Is A Real Boy, were released in 2004. Without an official full line-up, Max Bemis played every instrument on the album except drums. Say Anything began touring off of ...Is A Real Boy and guitar players and a bassist were added to the line-up.
In 2005, Say Anything signed to J Records. The band's success grew rapidly, and Say Anything began touring with Armor For Sleep, and was offered a tour with Saves the Day. Max Bemis' drug use aggravated his bipolar disorder and he suffered another breakdown in New York City. After spending time in rehab, Bemis returned to the band, and has not suffered a relapse since
2005.
Alex Kent (bass), Jeff and Jake Turner (guitars), and Parker Kent (keyboard), all joined Say Anything in 2005 and the band's line-up solidified. ...Is A Real Boy was re-released on J Records and major tours with bands such as Dashboard Confessional, Saves the Day, and Hellogoodbye followed.
In October of 2007, Say Anything released In Defense of the Genre, an epic 27-song record featuring cameos from Anthony Green, Hayley Williams, Gerard Way, Adam Lazzara, Chris Conley, and many others. In early 2008, Say Anything headlined a tour with Manchester Orchestra, Biffy Clyro and Weatherbox in support of the album.
Say Anything has already announced the title of their next album, This is Forever, and Bemis even debuted one of the songs at a solo acoustic show at the Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA. Say Anything is headlining all of the 2008 Warped Tour, while most of the band members are also working on side-projects. Two Tongues is a band that Max, Coby Linder, Chris Conley (Saves the Day) and David Soloway (Saves the Day) have formed. The album is
scheduled to be released in 2009. Alexander Kent is the owner of Gnome
Records and has released an album/book of poetry set to music entitled "Hey
god, it's me Alex. I have some questions and i want some god-damned
answers." The Turner brothers have released an EP, Some Day, for their
band XO.
[Biography written by Sarah.]
