The Get Up ‘ kids’ are here

Tahir Alhamzah finds out what motivates the American alternative and emo band, which is performing here on Wednesday

THE Get Up Kids, formed in 1995, is a pioneering American alternative and emo band from Kansas City, Missouri, the United States.

Prior to The Get Up Kids, members Ryan Pope, Rob Pope and Jim Suptic had been in a band called Kingpin, and Matt Pryor was the frontman in the Secret Decoder Ring band.

After both bands were disbanded, The Get Up Kids was formed with Pryor on guitar and lead vocals, Suptic (guitar), Rob Pope (bass) and Ryan Pope (drums).

The band’s debut release was a single titled Shortly/The Breathing Method. Before long, the group became staples in the underground Midwestern music scene alongside Rocket Fuel Is The Key and Braid.

The Get Up Kids subsequently released the single A Newfound Interest In Massachusetts, and the EP Woodson.

With the success of the releases, the label Doghouse signed the band for a twoalbum contract, the result of which was Four Minute Mile in 1997.

In a collaboration with the band Coalesce’s drummer James Dewees, Pryor and Rob Pope released the album Greatest Hits 1984-1987 under the moniker Reggie And The Full Effect, before returning to the studio as The Get Up Kids.

The band broke up in 2005, only to reunite three years later.

“We reunited in 2008 and put out our fifth album in 2011. We did a full world tour in 2011 and then took a break starting in 2012,” says Pryor via an email interview.

“We learnt from the 2005 break up that sometimes we need space and to spend time outside the band. So, for about three years, that’s what we did.”

Pryor also believes that the band is a much better unit after the reunion.

“I think I’m a better singer, the Popes are a tighter rhythm section and Jim’s a better guitar soloist now.”

The Get Up Kids finds that the music scene is still vibrant and exciting, with many more good bands making music right now.

While making music comes naturally to them, it is time and scheduling that have become their biggest challenge.

Pryor adds: “We have to carve out time months in advance to get together and write.”

Since their return to the music scene, the members are happy that they still have a strong following, some new ones too.

“Lately, we’ve noticed fans who are now parents bringing their kids to our shows,” says Pryor.

The band is currently on tour to promote its new album, Problems. Besides Malaysia, it has also scheduled performances in Australia, Japan and Hawaii.

Problems, its first full-length in eight years, examines everything from lifechanging loss to loneliness to the inevitable anxiety of existing.

Through the years, The Get Up Kids has purposely pushed itself toward previously unexplored songwriting material.

“I’m 41 now. I could never write a song like when I was 19 — all those ‘I miss my girlfriend’ kind of songs,” Suptic says before adding, “It’s always important to write about wherever we are right now.”

As shown on Problems, the resulting output both preserves the beloved spirit of The Get Up Kids and creates an entirely new context for its music.

“A big part of why we started writing new songs in the first place is that we have things we want to say about this moment in time,” says Pryor.

“We’re still so connected to our past and where this all came from. It’s definitely a celebration of the fact that we still get to do this,” he says.

The band is excited to play for its Malaysian fans on Wednesday.

“We played in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago and had a blast. We’ve been wanting to get back ever since,” shares Pryor, who promises a very high energy performance and a lot of fun.

The Get Up Kids live in Kuala Lumpur is scheduled at The Bee, Publika, at 7pm on Oct 2

Tickets are priced at RM187.50. Visit www.galactix.asia/tguk2019