All Time Low: Pop Punk Pioneers from Baltimore

All Time Low is an American pop punk band that formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 2003. The quartet achieved mainstream success in the late 2000s, becoming a defining voice for a generation of pop punk and emo fans with their energetic hooks and self-aware lyrics.

Early career

Formed by high school friends Alex Gaskarth (vocals/guitar), Jack Barakat (guitar), Zack Merrick (bass), and Rian Dawson (drums), the band took its name from lyrics in the song "Head on Collision" by New Found Glory. They began by playing local shows and self-releasing their debut EP, The Three Words to Remember in Dealing with the End, in 2004. Their independent hustle caught the attention of Hopeless Records, which signed the band and released their first full-length album, The Party Scene, in 2005.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2007 with their second studio album, So Wrong, It's Right. Fueled by the smash single "Dear Maria, Count Me In," the album captured the spirit of pop punk's mid-2000s resurgence. It reached No. 62 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified Gold by the RIAA, solidifying their status as scene leaders.

Key tracks

Dear Maria, Count Me In — This anthemic single from 2007 became the band's signature song and a perennial fan favorite at live shows.

Weightless — The lead single from 2009's Nothing Personal marked a more polished, radio-ready sound and became a top 10 hit on the Alternative Songs chart.

Monsters — Featuring blackbear, this 2020 track from Wake Up, Sunshine became their biggest commercial hit, topping the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart for 18 weeks.

Somewhere in Neverland — A standout from 2012's Don't Panic, this track exemplifies their knack for crafting soaring, nostalgic pop punk choruses.

The band continued to evolve, releasing albums like Dirty Work (2011) on Interscope Records before returning to Hopeless. Their 2023 album, Tell Me I'm Alive, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, proving their enduring relevance. Notable collaborations include working with artists like Demi Lovato, Tegan and Sara, and The Band CAMINO.

Fans of All Time Low's brand of catchy, guitar-driven pop punk often enjoy similar artists. Fall Out Boy shares a flair for massive pop-infused hooks and witty lyricism. Mayday Parade delivers a similarly emotive and anthemic style rooted in the 2000s pop punk scene. The Maine offers a parallel journey from pop punk origins into more mature, alternative rock territory. Waterparks represents a newer generation of genre-blending pop rock with high-energy performances.

All Time Low's catalog is a staple on modern rock and alternative radio stations, frequently featured on playlists alongside contemporary pop punk and emo revival acts. Their hits maintain strong rotation on alternative rock radio stations and dedicated online rock radio streams that celebrate the genre's legacy and future.

Listeners can discover the energetic discography of All Time Low, from their early pop punk anthems to their latest alternative rock explorations, by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.