How a 2009 tour transformed a solo artist into a ska punk force
In short: In 2011, a chance meeting between a solo vocalist and three brothers sparked a new era for ska punk. From Los Angeles to international festival stages, The Interrupters have built a career defined by high-energy rhythms and deep collaborations with punk legends.
The origins of The Interrupters trace back to 2009, when solo artist Aimee Allen met the Bivona brothers—twins Jesse and Justin, and guitarist Kevin—while touring with the band Telacasters. Supporting acts for Sugar Ray and The Dirty Heads, the group eventually coalesced into a formal band in 2011, centered around the songwriting partnership of Aimee and Kevin Bivona.
Before even releasing their first full-length record, the band established themselves through rigorous touring. They performed at major events like Chicago's Riot Fest and Canada's Amnesia Rockfest, sharing stages with established names like Rancid and The Transplants. This early momentum led to their self-titled debut on Hellcat/Epitaph Records in August 2014, supported by a massive touring schedule featuring bands like Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
The band's sound and success have been closely linked to producer Tim Armstrong, who has worked on multiple releases, including their 2016 album Say It Out Loud and 2018's Fight the Good Fight. The latter saw the single "She's Kerosene" reach number 4 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. As they evolved, the lineup expanded in early 2019 to include Billy Kottage, formerly of Reel Big Fish, on organ and trombone.
Today, the band's reach extends from alternative radio to mainstream media, with their track "Take Back the Power" used as intro music for the 2020 Hillary Clinton docuseries, Hillary. Their discography continues to grow, with their fourth studio album, In the Wild, released in August 2022.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Interrupters (band)
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