Upstanding Youth

Artist Information

Biography

It all started in famous North Shore O’ahu. It has nothing to do with surfing but with marching band geeks wanting to be more than band nerds. Since 1998 Upstanding Youth has been inspired by bands like Reel Big Fish, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Mustard Plug, Sublime, Bob Marley, NOFX, Lagwagon, and Less Than Jake while they marched around after school. With Marc and Tom being the main song writers U.Y. dreamt of proving that Hawaii has more to offer than grass skirts and reggae bands. They've spent years writing music, recording and distributing their own cds, and struggling to get the attention of the music industry all the way from the Pacific Ocean. Big breaks came when they opened for bands like SUM41, Papa Roach, Everclear, Ryan Cabrera, Reel Big Fish, and Buck-o-Nine. Now they’re older with college and Master Degrees, a few children, and a more mature look at making music a business since it is their passion and the one thing that they’ve all pursued together since their days of High School marching band.

Search for Upstanding Youth videos on youtube.com and visit www.myspace.com/upstandingyouth for more info also.

Instrumentation

Marc Allred - guitar and vocals
Thomas Robertson - drums
Demitri Marmash - bass
Tim Goshi - Alto Sax
Adam Eskaran - Tenor Sax
Aaron Eskaran - Trumpet

Discography

Trying To Stand - LP
Kam Highway Catharsis - EP
STILL - LP

Available on www.upstandingyouth.com, iTunes, CDbaby.com, and interpunk.com

Official Website

http://www.upstandingyouth.com

Audio

• 451
  Listen   Download
• Desperation
  Listen   Download
• Silver Lining
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• 451
• Desperation

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Rock on a Roll [+ Show ]
  

  by Kawehi Haug / 03-22-2006 The North Shore’s Upstanding Youth is on its way to being one of tho...by Kawehi Haug / 03-22-2006
  
  The North Shore’s Upstanding Youth is on its way to being one of those little rock bands that, in its lifetime, will probably make more albums than the Rolling Stones.
  
  Since it formed in 2001, the ska-punk outfit has cut two records, with a third on the way. Their first two albums, Trying to Stand (2002) and Kam Highway Catharsis (2003), both won Best Ska/Punk Album of the Year at the Hawaiian Music Awards. Can they do it again with their upcoming album Still? Probably. Will they? Probably. Should you bet on it? Probably.
  
  

• Kam Highway Catharsis [+ Show ]
  

  John Berger Friday, December 12, 2003 The open highway has represented freedom to small-town A...John Berger
  Friday, December 12, 2003
  
  The open highway has represented freedom to small-town Americans for several generations. The members of Upstanding Youth find their personal road to freedom in Kamehameha Highway. It's while traveling down that stretch of asphalt that problems are pondered, plans are made and inspiration for tight, original rock is found. The sextet's six-song EP is welcome proof that original ska-punk continues to thrive in Hawaii.
  
  A four-piece horn section gives the group a solid foundation for their more mainstream material. When Marc, the single-monickered trumpeter, switches to guitar, UY acquires a harder punk rock sound. A memorable keyboard intro by studio guest Chad Schumacher on "Paint By Numbers," and an unlisted acoustic version of "Jimmy," shows that these guys have broader musical ambitions as well. Upstanding Youth should be worth watching out for in 2004.
  
  

• STILL [+ Show ]
  

  John Berger 2006 It took several years, but Upstanding Youth has finally followed up its 2003 EP,...John Berger 2006
  
  It took several years, but Upstanding Youth has finally followed up its 2003 EP, "Kam Highway Catharsis," with a full-length album. "Still" proves worth the long wait and shows that original ska/punk music continues to thrive in Hawaii.
  The arrangements are tight and energetic, with the basic guitar/drums/bass lineup enhanced by a three-man horn section. Composers' credits aren't included, but the lyrics are worth a careful listen by anyone who shares the opinion that the world is a dark and depressing place. Two general themes are heartbreak and the need to "find mental liberation" while living in an oppressive society. There are a couple of songs, however, that express a guarded optimism, or at least the determination to survive another day.
  
  Vocalist Marc Allred breaks up potentially long lyrical lines into effective sound bites. They occasionally change perspective from first person to third person in midsong. Add the unconventional spellings in the printed lyrics, and there are some cryptic statements to consider.
  
  The final track revisits two of the songs in an acoustic approach. They work well in that format, too.
  
  

• Upstanding Youth [+ Show ]
  

  Interpunk.com customer review by Luke from Essex, England "I was really impressed with this CD. U...Interpunk.com customer review by Luke from Essex, England
  
  "I was really impressed with this CD. Upstanding Youth show potential to be an amazing Ska band. They havent just got the sound, they've got the talent. Great Horns, impressive bass lines and meaning full lyrics. We need to hear more from this band."
  

Setlist

Bar set list: (3hrs)
1 acoustic set 45 mins original music plus a few Sublime/Bob Marley covers.
2 full band set 45 mins all original music. (12 songs)
3 full band set 45 mins all original music. (12 songs)

Cover songs currently inculde Johnny B. Goode, Pupulas Lejanas by Los Pericos, Boss DJ and Don't Push by Sublime. We try to keep it all original if possible.

Basic Requirements

Calendar