Scream Out Loud's Live It Up Album Anniversary Celebration Show

Calling all seasoned emo souls! Grab your walking canes or compression socks and join us for an awesome night as Scream Out Loud takes the spotlight at The Handlebar on January 27th to celebrate 12 years since the release of their debut album, Live It Up with supporting acts GLSNR, Losing Cadence (reunion comeback), and The Autumn Descent (reunion comeback). I know! Two names you probably haven't heard recently that will stir up nostalgia of $5 shows at Sluggos and The Red Door. Sorry for potentially causing you to realize just how old you might be!

For those of us in the elder emo club in the gulf coast, memories flood back of the days when we rocked out at iconic venues like Sluggos, The Daily Grind, Van Goghs (now End Of The Line), The Red Door, The Big Easy Tavern, and The Handlebar. Those were the times when lineups featured unforgettable bands like Drayton Sawyer, This Day Will Tell, Serra Velle, Losing Cadence, The Autumn Descent, When Amber Sleeps, Scream Out Loud, Captions, and even Sky Tells All. Ah, the golden era of 2008 to 2014, when the post-hardcore and pop-punk scene in the Gulf Coast was thriving.

But, as life unfolded—with members embarking on careers and families, venues shutting their doors, and new music trends taking the stage—the bands we knew and loved began to disperse. They mixed, split, and birthed new musical off springs, carrying the torch of what was once a glorious scene. Fast forward to the present, and Pensacola is experiencing a resurgence in its music scene. The triumphant return of metalcore, post-hardcore, and progressive metalcore has our champions making comebacks, celebrating milestones, or simply letting fans know they still love and appreciate them.

The music scene has come full circle, proving that the spirit of those unforgettable days lives on, as our beloved bands rise once again to rock Pensacola's stage at The Handlebar. So let's dive in and talk about this line up!

The Autumn Descent

Emerging in the fall of 2009, The Autumn Descent is a Post-Hardcore band that carried a positive message. Their songs intricately wove together to narrate a collective story, drawing inspiration from the band members' personal experiences and those around them. Each song bore its unique message, serving a distinct purpose in reflecting upon the human condition and spirit.

Comprising six best friends who cherished both their craft and a good time, The Autumn Descent actively promoted brotherhood and love within their circle. The band marked their presence with the release of their inaugural 7-track self-titled album in 2011. Subsequently, they unveiled singles like Homecoming (2012) and A Shot of Regret (2014) before entering a prolonged hiatus. In a surprising turn of events, an acoustic edition of Olympus Won't Crumble from their original 2011 album was released in 2020.

The Autumn Descent's single, Fairytales Are Overrated, achieved chart success in The Netherlands, reaching #102 on the rock iTunes charts in 2012. Despite hailing from the small town of Flomaton with a population of less than 2000, The Autumn Descent garnered a widespread audience, particularly in countries like Finland and the Netherlands. It's impressive how their music resonated with listeners beyond their local scene.

As the narrative unfolded, Shannon and Dylan, key members of The Autumn Descent, ventured to co-create Rise Up Lights. While Dylan continues to be part of Rise Up Lights, Shannon has taken a different path, parting ways with the band and even joined Scream Out Loud for some time. The journey of The Autumn Descent, marked by camaraderie, creativity, and growth, leaves a musical legacy that resonates with the spirit of their positive message.

I'm to looking forward to what the future of The Autumn Descent may hold even if it just leaves things open ended, but regardless I'm here for it.

Losing Cadence

Losing Cadence, the post-hardcore/pop-punk band hailing from Pensacola, Florida, officially took its roots in early 2011. The band's debut EP, released on March 8th, 2012, marked the beginning of their musical journey. The lineup consisted of lead vocalist Alex Arcari (Rise Up Lights), guitarists Jacob Palmer (Nobius), bassist Nik Lee (Brave New World), and drummer Brandon Mckendrick (Rise Up Lights).

The band's origins intertwine with other musical endeavors, notably Never Too Soon (formed in 2008) and My Friend The Giant (formed in 2010). These precursors laid the groundwork, with members crossing paths and musical styles evolving. Eventually, Marigold Drive emerged in January 2011, a blend of both bands, featuring Alex Arcari, Jacob Palmer, Joey Alverson, Nik Lee, and Robert Smith. The lineup underwent changes, and in February 2011, Brandon Mckendrick joined as the bassist.

February 2011 marked the inception of Losing Cadence, comprising Alex, Jacob, Brandon, and Robert. After deciding on a fresh start and the band name Losing Cadence, they commenced work on a new project. The band strategically held off on promotion until they had everything in place, releasing their first single, Fate Worse Than Death, as they gained exposure.

As the band delved into songwriting and pre-production for their debut EP at Rock House Recording Studio in Destin, Florida, financial constraints temporarily halted the recording process. A few months later, bassist Brandon left the band, paving the way for Julian Askew's brief stint. Despite the challenges, the band regrouped with Julian departing in July, replaced by Nik Lee.

Despite lineup changes, Losing Cadence persevered, entering The Satellite Studio to record The City Knows How as a trio. The band later welcomed Cody Fortag as their drummer, but after a brief tenure, they reconnected with Brandon Mckendrick. With this renewed lineup, the band recorded additional songs for their debut EP, released on March 8th, 2012.

As time marched on, members of the band embarked on diverse paths, venturing into careers, building families, and exploring new musical endeavors. Notably, Losing Cadence members Alex and Brandon found common ground with members of The Autumn Descent, namely Dylan and Shannon. Together, they converged to create the vibrant musical entity known as Rise Up Lights.

GLSNR

Glsnr describes itself as a dynamic 4-piece band, presenting a unique fusion where Shoegaze meets Post-Hardcore. While the band is relatively new to the scene only recently forming in the last few years, its members bring a wealth of experience. Each member has previously played in various local bands that originated in Pensacola and its surrounding areas. Micah, in particular, had a stint with Scream Out Loud and is visible in some of their music videos. Tony, the drummer, was a longstanding member of Losing Cadence.

With these connections, it's evident that Glsnr seamlessly fits into the event lineup, as their roots are intricately linked with others on the bill. Glsnr has rapidly gained popularity in the Gulf Coast scene, emerging as a local favorite in the heavygaze genre by effortlessly blending elements of post-hardcore with indie and grunge influences. Despite having only three singles available on streaming platforms currently, there is a collective eagerness in Pensacola to witness the release of a full album from Glsnr.

Scream Out Loud

Previously, we briefly touched on Scream Out Loud when they reunited for the Tiny Moving Parts show after a multi-year hiatus. However, we haven't delved into their history or discography until now.

Scream Out Loud came together in 2008 following the disbandment of the local group Among Them. Members Hunter, Keith, and Tony Johnson from Among Them would recruit me as their bassist. Soon after, they welcomed Joseph Kirkland, the brother of Jacob Kirkland from This Day Will Tell. With a shared love for Screamo and Post-Hardcore, influenced by their punk roots, the band decided to rebrand as Scream Out Loud.

Their initial original songs included The Fear of Letting Go and In Memory Of, carried over prior to me joining. Live It Up and Not Like the Movies were brought to the table by myself, and Hunter added Lying In Wait, followed by Danger, Beauty Is So Ugly on the Inside, and It's Funny They Can't See Us From Here to complete the album.

As life unfolded, I left the band in 2010 to pursue my career and support my new family. Micah (GLSNR) stepped in to fill my shoes. In 2011, Scream Out Loud signed with Indianola Records and recorded the 8-song album, Live It Up. Tony Johnson would eventually depart, making way for Jeff Peacock to join and the band toured in support of their first album.

Despite lineup changes throughout the years, Scream Out Loud maintained their passion and released notable covers, such as Jessie J's Price Tag (with 1.5 million views on YouTube) and Zedd ft Hayley Williams' Stay The Night. Later, Ethan would join in 2013 and become a core member of the band throughout the years. They signed with Luxor Records and recorded their 11-song self-titled album in 2016.

After recording two new singles, Who Turned Out The Lights and Walk Away, along with a cover of Watermelon Sugar at Konkrete Studios, the band went on hiatus. Today, we celebrate the 12-year anniversary of the original Scream Out Loud album, Live It Up, recorded with Indianola Records. This 8-song album propelled Scream Out Loud into the spotlight, gaining national and international recognition.

In conclusion, let's set aside the backstory and dive into the excitement of celebrating the 12-year anniversary of the album Live It Up. Witness the electrifying performance as Scream Out Loud takes the stage to play the entire album. With members from iconic bands of that era, the night promises a nostalgic journey into the OG glory days of pop-punk and screamo. Don't miss out on this unforgettable show! Secure your tickets by following the link below; it's a moment in time you wouldn't want to pass up.

Band Socials
Scream Out Loud: facebook.com/screamoutloudfl
Glsnr: scenepensacola.com/glsnr
Losing Cadence: facebook.com/losingcadence
The Autumn Descent: scenepensacola.com/the-autumn-descent