Sunny Day Real Estate is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, that formed in 1992. The band is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and influencers of the emo genre, which emerged in the mid-1990s as a fusion of indie rock, post-hardcore, and pop punk. The band’s emotional and introspective lyrics, dynamic and melodic music, and passionate and energetic performances have earned them a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The band has released five studio albums, one live album, and several singles and EPs, and has sold over one million records worldwide.
History
Sunny Day Real Estate was founded by Jeremy Enigk (vocals, guitar), Dan Hoerner (guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), and William Goldsmith (drums) in 1992. The band originally went by the name Chewbacca Kaboom, but later changed it to Sunny Day Real Estate after seeing a sign for a real estate company on a sunny day. The band recorded their debut album Diary in 1994, which was released by Sub Pop Records. The album received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, and is considered one of the landmark albums of the emo genre. The album spawned the singles “In Circles”, “Seven”, and “Song About an Angel”, which became anthems for the emo scene.
However, shortly after recording their second album LP2 (also known as The Pink Album), the band broke up in 1995 due to personal and creative differences. Enigk became a born-again Christian and pursued a solo career, while Mendel and Goldsmith joined Dave Grohl’s new band Foo Fighters. LP2 was released posthumously by Sub Pop in 1995, featuring unfinished songs and minimal artwork. The album was less cohesive and polished than Diary, but still showcased the band’s raw talent and potential.
In 1997, the band unexpectedly reunited after Enigk contacted his former bandmates and expressed his desire to play music with them again. The band recorded their third album How It Feels to Be Something On in 1998, which was also released by Sub Pop. The album marked a departure from the band’s previous sound, incorporating more acoustic elements, orchestral arrangements, and experimental influences. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised the band’s maturity and evolution. The album featured the singles “How It Feels to Be Something On”, “Every Shining Time You Arrive”, and “Guitar and Video Games”.
The band then signed with Time Bomb Recordings, a subsidiary of Arista Records, for their fourth album The Rising Tide in 2000. The album was produced by Lou Giordano, who had worked with bands such as Goo Goo Dolls, Sugar, and Husker Du. The album continued the band’s musical progression, adding more pop sensibilities, electronic elements, and diverse influences. The album received mixed reviews from critics and fans, who either praised or criticized the band’s departure from their emo roots. The album featured the singles “One”, “Killed by an Angel”, and “The Rising Tide”.
However, the band faced several problems with their new label, which failed to promote the album properly and delayed its release in Europe. The band also had internal conflicts over their musical direction and artistic vision. As a result, the band broke up again in 2001, cancelling their planned tour and leaving several unreleased songs behind.
The band remained inactive for eight years, until they announced their reunion in 2009. The band reissued their first two albums on vinyl and CD with bonus tracks and remastered sound quality. They also embarked on a nationwide tour to perform their first two albums in their entirety. The tour was a success, selling out most of the venues and attracting new and old fans alike. The band also played at several festivals, such as Coachella, Sasquatch!, Reading and Leeds.
The band then announced that they were working on new material for a possible fifth album. They recorded several demos in 2009 and 2010, but did not release them to the public. In 2013, they released their first live album Live in 2010 through Sub Pop Records. The album featured recordings from their 2009 tour.
However, in 2014, the band revealed that they had scrapped their plans for a fifth album due to creative differences and lack of communication. They also stated that they had no plans to tour or record again as a band.
In 2022, the band surprised their fans by announcing another reunion tour for their 30th anniversary. They also announced that they had recruited Greg Suran (guitar), who had played with them briefly in 2000 and 2001, and Chris Jordan (bass), who had played with Enigk in his solo band. The band stated that they had resolved their issues and were excited to play together again. They also hinted that they might release some of their unreleased songs or even record new ones.
Musical Style and Legacy
Sunny Day Real Estate is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and influencers of the emo genre, which emerged in the mid-1990s as a fusion of indie rock, post-hardcore, and pop punk. The band’s emotional and introspective lyrics, dynamic and melodic music, and passionate and energetic performances have earned them a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The band has been cited as an inspiration by many bands and artists, such as Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, and The Used.
The band’s musical style has evolved over the years, from their early emo sound on Diary and LP2, to their more acoustic and experimental sound on How It Feels to Be Something On, to their more pop and electronic sound on The Rising Tide. The band has also incorporated various influences from other genres, such as folk, rock, punk, metal, jazz, classical, and ambient. The band’s main songwriter and vocalist Enigk has a distinctive voice that ranges from soft and delicate to powerful and soaring. The band’s guitarists Hoerner and Suran have a versatile style that blends distortion, melody, and harmony. The band’s rhythm section Mendel (later Jordan) and Goldsmith have a tight and solid style that provides the foundation and groove for the band’s songs.
Conclusion
Sunny Day Real Estate is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, that formed in 1992. The band is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and influencers of the emo genre, which emerged in the mid-1990s as a fusion of indie rock, post-hardcore, and pop punk. The band has released five studio albums, one live album, and several singles and EPs, and has sold over one million records worldwide. The band has broken up and reunited several times over the years, due to personal and creative differences. The band is currently on their 30th anniversary reunion tour in 2022. The band’s emotional and introspective lyrics, dynamic and melodic music, and passionate and energetic performances have earned them a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The band has also inspired many bands and artists in the emo scene and beyond.
