Say Anything

The brainchild of Max Bemis, perhaps best known for provocative lyrics, quirky music and eccentric live shows, Say Anything have been making their odd, ever-changing and simply unclassifiable music for over a decade, with no signs of slowing down. Their breakthrough studio debut and critically acclaimed 2004 release ...Is A Real Boy garnered praise from media across the board, hurling them into the spotlight. With all eyes on the fresh‐faced duo, Bemis (just 20 years old at the time) took the natural next step. Grabbing a few more of his friends and diving into a relentless touring schedule, Bemis began building a loyal following through his tongue-in-cheek outbursts and animated live show.

Fast forward a few years and we’re met with the heralded release of Anarchy, My Dear (March 2012, via UNFD). When it came to recording studio album number four Bemis reconnected with producer Tim O’Heir [Sebadoh, Superdrag, All-American Rejects]. Fuelled by a sense of urgency and aggression, the product of the collaboration is a showcase of the raw energy, dynamism and exuberance that sparked the band’s early success.

In Bemis’ own words, “Anarchy, My Dear is our first attempt to write a true ‘punk’ record; thematically speaking, it’s a collection of songs about subverting society and destroying the boundaries humankind has placed upon ourselves both physically and in our minds. Coincidentally, it also happens to be the first record we’ve made in years where we had total freedom to explore our ‘edgier’ side and present a raw picture of what the band is truly about onstage”.