Since their 2000 formations, Queens punk rock icons Bayside — Anthony Raneri (vocals, guitar), Jack O’Shea (guitar, vocals), Nick Ghanbarian (bass, vocals), and Chris Guglielmo (drums) — have been the purveyors of heartbreak that you can sing along and sink your teeth into. The Queens’ 4-piece consistently craft perfect blends of gritty punk energy and razor-sharp pop hooks, giving the alternative world emotionally raw storytelling wrapped up in punchy catchiness that mirrors the chaotic world we live in.
This summer, the band has been issuing EPs curated and selected by a specific band member, complete with artwork designed by said member. Each collection also features a B-side from 2011’s ‘Killing Time’ that has never been digitally released and was only available via vinyl.
The fourth and final B-side is ‘Saddest Song’, which lives on the ‘Premium Selections’ collection, assembled by O’Shea.
‘Saddest Song’ is painfully gorgeous and begins with delicate acoustic guitar and Raneri’s rich, immediately recognizable voice as he delivers a deeply personal story with the conviction of someone unafraid to put their emotions on full display. The song steadily builds before erupting into a powerful full-band crescendo, transforming its melancholy into something expansive, visceral, and cathartic.
“I remember the song being one that we had a hard time establishing an identity for on the record and it really just became a vibe or a mood,” says O’Shea “Having a very intimate controlled verse followed by big crushing wall-of-sound part filled with dozens of layered parts gave this one its life.”
Upcoming tour dates:
September 18th — Riot Fest — Chicago, IL
September 19th — Concord Music Hall — Chicago, IL
September 20th — Elevation — Grand Rapids, MI
September 22nd — Anthology — Rochester, NY
September 23rd — Fete Ballroom — Providence, RI
September 25th — Four Chord Music Festival — Pittsburgh, PA
September 26th — The Canal Club — Richmond, VA
September 27th — Toad’s Place — New Haven, CT
September 29th — The Orange Peel — Asheville, NC
September 30th — Charleston Music Hall — Charleston, SC
October 2nd — House of Blues New Orleans — New Orleans, LA
October 3rd — Workplay Soundstage — Birmingham, AL
October 4th — George’s Majestic Lounge — Fayetteville, AR
October 6th — Rock Box — San Antonio, TX
October 8th — Liberty Hall — Lawrence, KS
October 9th — Hi-Fi Annex — Indianapolis, IN
October 10th — Mercury Ballroom — Louisville, KY