Yellowcard violinist talks about tour, new EP ahead of July 16 Chicago show

Photo credit: Jason Hackett / design: Mara Bearcat

 

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

After not playing together since 2017, beloved pop-punk band Yellowcard reunited during last year's Riot Fest in Chicago.

Yellowcard is headed back to Chicago to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its album "Ocean Avenue" along with this month's release of the band new's EP, "Childhood Eyes."

The band will play at 7 p.m. July 16 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. 

I had the chance to talk to Yellowcard violinist Sean Mackin about the upcoming show and the new EP.

Q – Great talking to you. Of course, Yellowcard headlined last year’s Riot Fest in Chicago and it was the first time you guys had played together since 2017. What was that experience like? Did the experience lead you to decide to go on tour this year?

Yellowcard’s return and performance at Riot Fest was unbelievable. "Ocean Avenue" is a collection of songs that forever changed my life. And to be able to play them again was something I never thought I'd get to do. 

It definitely was the fuel to the fire for a full return. I'd actually give most credit to our fans for showing us so much love.

Q – During your appearance at Riot Fest, you played "Ocean Avenue" in its entirety along with other songs. This is the 20th anniversary of the album. Do you have any favorite songs off the album and why do you think the album has stood the test of time?

There definitely are a couple stand outs for me. "Believe" has always been a favorite for me, with so much meaning behind it. But a sleeper pick off this record was "Inside Out."

It's fun revisiting some of these songs and thinking, “Oh that's neat, can't believe I wrote that 20 years ago.”

Our fans are the reason this album is getting a second life. They embraced it then, as they are now.

Q – The band’s new EP, "Childhood Eyes," will be released on July 21. In sitting down to make the EP, what were your goals and do you think you exceeded them?

"Childhood Eyes" was a fun concept because we discussed, for the first time ever in a YC release, “Hey, we will probably never get to play these songs live, what do you want to do?" Which is great fun.

It was a great way to write YC songs for the first time in seven years.

Q – The EP features appearances by Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil and Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba. What do you think they bring to the table?

Anytime you get a chance to have talents like Vic and Christ to lend over some vocals, you do it. We are so lucky that they agreed to jump on our little project, and really transformed these songs. Thanks men!!

Q – What made you want to pick Jordan Phoenix to direct the music video for “Childhood Eyes”? What was your vision for the video and how do you think it turned out? 

His relationship and work with "Story of the Year." Jordan is a powerhouse with an imagination as big as ours.

When we came to him with the idea of search and rescue, he ran with it. We are so happy with how it came out and ranks among the top for YC cinematic releases.

Q – After the tour wraps up later this year, what is next for the band?

We are so focused on this moment of celebration for "Ocean Avenue," I think just some rest and relaxation. Time to reflect on how wonderful this has all been.

We have the When We Were Young Festival ready in October, and might be working on some more shows in 2024, but right now we are soaking in this moment.