Bayside is an American rock band from New York City which quickly developed a following with their melodic, moody, guitar-driven emo. Currently consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist Anthony Raneri, lead guitarist Jack O’Shea, bassist Nick Ghanbarian, and drummer Chris Guglielmo and since their formation, the group has released seven full-length albums. Their debut, Sirens and Condolences, in 2004, and the release of 2005’s self titled follow-up, Bayside, launched the band into mainstream success. The band released four more albums: The Walking Wounded (2007), Shudder (2008), Killing Time (2011), and Cult (2014), which peaked at #24 on the US Billboard charts. The group’s latest full-length album, Vacancy, was released on August 19, 2016. Produced by Tony-nominated Tim O’Heir, he helped the band branch out from the pop format to explore their “dramatic, whimsical side,” with positive reviews.
Over the years of Say Anything, lead vocalist and guitarist Max Bemis has become both a devout and mythic character in the alt-rock scene. He’s always strived to find a balance between truth and fantasy. Though, when he starts to lean too far to one side, the band’s ethos always brings him back to center: Do better. Be better. Or at least have the hope that better exists for you. “It’s a cycle of rebirth, renewal and destruction,” Max says about his life, musically and personally. “I do believe in hope and I do believe, at the core of everything, there’s a truth and a hope to our existence.”