Citizen

Citizen: An Evolution of Modern Rock and Emo`s Fourth Wave

Hailing from the fertile musical nexus of Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio, Citizen ignited the alternative rock landscape in 2009. This powerhouse American rock band has consistently captivated audiences with their dynamic sound and poignant lyricism, firmly establishing themselves as a vital voice in contemporary rock and a pivotal act within the fourth wave emo revival.

The band’s enduring lineup showcases the formidable talents of Mat Kerekes on lead vocals, the inseparable brothers Nick Hamm commanding lead guitar and Eric Hamm anchoring the bass, Mason Mercer on rhythm guitar, and Ben Russin driving the drums. A proud fixture on the acclaimed Run for Cover Records roster, Citizen has sculpted an impressive discography of five full-length studio albums, each a testament to their artistic growth and genre-bending prowess:

• Youth (2013)
• Everybody Is Going to Heaven (2015)
• As You Please (2017)
• Life in Your Glass World (2021)
• Calling the Dogs (2023)

Renowned music publication Pitchfork perfectly encapsulates their profound connection with listeners, describing Citizen as "a band their fans can grow up with rather than out of" – a testament to their evolving sound and universally resonant themes that delve into angst, introspection, and identity.

History

Formation and Early Releases (2009–2012)

The genesis of Citizen began in 2009 when visionary frontman Mat Kerekes departed from his drumming duties with the locally revered metalcore outfit, The Sound of Glory. This earlier band had cultivated a significant local and regional following within the hardcore music scene, known for its intense sound and dedicated fanbase. Notably, The Sound of Glory featured future Citizen stalwarts Nick Hamm and Eric Hamm, who contributed their talents on guitar and bass, respectively, even in this previous heavy incarnation. The lineup was further bolstered by vocalist Josh Childress (also recognized as a guitarist for The Plot in You) and second guitarist Joey Chester.

Upon its formation, Citizen’s initial material boldly veered into the aggressive, yet melodic, realm of melodic hardcore – a stark sonic contrast to the textured, often atmospheric indie-rock and emo sound they would later master. This formative period quickly yielded their raw, impactful debut demo, laying the groundwork for the expansive musical journey that would soon define Citizen.