Worriers are an American melodic punk band from Brooklyn, New York.[1] The band’s music is centered on the songwriting of Lauren Denitzio, the former vocalist/guitarist of The Measure (SA). Primarily a solo project, Worriers has also featured a rotating line-up of both touring musicians and in-studio contributors. The live iteration of Worriers currently includes drummer Atom Willard, lead guitarist Frank Piegaro and bassist Allegra Anka. Alumni of the group includes Rachel Rubino, Audrey Zee Whitesides, Nick Psillas, John McLean, JP Flexner and Denitzio's ex-wife Lou Hanman, among others.[2] They have released records on Don Giovanni, No Idea, SideOneDummy, 6131 Records, Yo-Yo Records, and Ernest Jenning Record Co.[3]
Worriers | |
|---|---|
 Worriers in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Years active | 2011 – Present |
| Labels | Don Giovanni SideOneDummy Records Ernest Jenning Record Co. |
| Members | Lauren Denitzio with: Atom Willard Frank Piegaro Allegra Anka |
| Past members | Mikey Erg John McLean Rachel Rubino Lou Hanman Audrey Zee Whitesides Nick Psillas JP Flexner |
In 2015 Worriers enlisted Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! to produce their album Imaginary Life.[4] The band signed with SideOneDummy Records in June 2017, and released their second album Survival Pop in September of that year. Their newest record, Warm Blanket, was released on Ernest Jenning April 2023.
History
editWorriers was formed by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Lauren Denitzio in 2011, following the end of The Measure [SA]. Denitzio had also found work as a visual artist, graphic designer and author – work that they continue to this day.[5] The band released their first single "Past Lives" on No Idea Records in May 2011. It served as the title track to a three-track 7-inch EP released that September, which featured the digital bonus track "Made to Mend". Denitzio was joined on this recording by lead guitarist Mike Hunchback, bassist Dan Oestreich and drummer Jonathan Johansen.[6]
2013 saw the release of two EPs from the project: Cruel Optimist via Don Giovanni Records in October,[7] and Sinead O'Rebellion via Yo-Yo Records in November.[8] For these recordings, Denitzio was joined by guitarist Rachel Rubino, bassist Tim Burke and drummer Mike Yannich (Mikey Erg). In 2015, Worriers released their debut studio album Imaginary Life. All songs were written solely by Denitzio, and produced by Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! For this record, the Worriers lineup included Denitzio, Rubino, Yannich, guitarist John McLean and bassist Audrey Zee Whitesides, with Lou Hanman of UK punk band Caves guesting on backing vocals.[5]
The band signed with SideOneDummy Records in June 2017, and released their second album Survival Pop in September of that year. For this record Denitzio was backed by Hanman on guitar, Nick Psillas on bass, and Mikey Erg on drums.[9] With the scaling back of SideOneDummy's operations in early 2018, the band re-released the album with 6131 Records with the addition of two new songs.
On December 12, 2019 Worriers announced they would be releasing a third album titled You or Someone You Know, again with 6131 Records, on March 6, 2020. For this record the lineup beyond Denitzio again included Psillas and Erg, with the addition of Frank Piegaro (ex-Ensign) on guitar. The record was produced by John Agnello.[10] On May 21, 2021, it was announced the band contributed a cover of the Rancid song "Old Friend" to Lavasock Records' tribute to Rancid's album ...And Out Come the Wolves titled ...And Out Come the Lawsuits.[11]
On January 19, 2023, Worriers announced a new full-length album, Warm Blanket, would be released by Ernest Jenning Record Co. on April 7. It was entirely recorded and mixed by Denitzio at home – other than drums contributed remotely by Atom Willard, formerly of bands such as Against Me! and Social Distortion. Along with the announcement was the release of lead single "Pollen In The Air", co-written with David Combs of Bad Moves and The Max Levine Ensemble.[12]
On June 26, 2023, roughly six months after the announcement of Warm Blanket, Denitzio revealed that a second Worriers album would be released that year on September 15 entitled Trust Your Gut. In contrast to Warm Blanket's solo homemade recording process, Trust Your Gut was recorded in a studio with the current touring band line-up, in addition to The Hold Steady keyboardist Franz Nicolay. The title track of the album was released to coincide with the album announcement, with a music video inspired by the film Empire Records.[13]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Imaginary Life | Don Giovanni Records |
| 2017 | Survival Pop | SideOneDummy Records / 6131 Records |
| 2020 | You or Someone You Know | 6131 Records |
| 2023 | Warm Blanket | Ernest Jenning Record Co. |
| Trust Your Gut |
EPs
edit| Year | Title | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Past Lives | No Idea Records | 7" vinyl |
| 2013 | Sinead O'Rebellion | Yo-Yo Records | 7" vinyl |
| 2013 | Cruel Optimist | Don Giovanni Records | 12" vinyl, Digital |
| 2021 | The Old Friends EP | Bruiser Worldwide | Digital |
References
edit- ^ Tyler-Amen, Daoud (29 July 2015). "Review: Worriers, 'Imaginary Life'". Npr.org. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ Pelly, Jenn (11 October 2013). "Down Is Up 04: A Q&A With Lauren Denitzio of Worriers". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Voyce, MacEagon. Worriers: Finding Agency in Punk". Frontrunnermagazine.com. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ Hilton, Robin (7 August 2015). "All Songs 1: Laura Jane Grace And Lauren Denitzio On Surviving In Punk". Npr.org. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ a b Deming, Mark. "Worriers Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ^ "Worriers – Past Lives". Discogs. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Pelly, Liz. "Worriers – "Cruel Optimist" (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Baines, Huw. "Worriers - Cruel Optimist (Album Review)". stereoboard.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Worriers Survival Pop Credits". Allmusic.
- ^ Rettig, James (10 December 2019). "Worriers – "PWR CPLE"". Stereogum. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Stream Link 80's "Junkie Man" cover from upcoming Rancid 'And Out Come the Wolves' tribute LP". brooklynvegan.com. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ^ Brodksy, Rachel (19 January 2023). "Worriers – "Pollen In The Air"". Stereogum. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (26 June 2023). "Worriers – "Trust Your Gut"". Stereogum. Retrieved 27 June 2023.