The Underdog EP
Encyclopedia
The Underdog EP is an extended play
(EP) by Yellowcard
that was released in 2002
. Although publicized very little, it tried new styles in Yellowcard's music, making the transition between One for the Kids and Ocean Avenue
and was overall well-accepted by fans. It is often mentioned by listeners that during The Underdog EP Yellowcard's style was "maturing". Note the fact that they only have five songs on this album which is because, until Lights and Sounds
, Yellowcard was moving along very quickly and rushing their work. They have been quoted as saying "up until Lights and Sounds we pretty much had no time to listen to what we were releasing".
The Underdog EP consists of only five songs: "Underdog," about the struggles of a high school
underdog
football player
; "Avondale," about backstabbing (it was specifically written in expression of a now-resolved fight between Yellowcard singer Ryan Key and Inspection 12
singer Dan McLintock, paraphrasing lyrics from his song "Doppelganger" aimed at Ryan); "The Finish Line," seemingly about nostalgia
(but also more deeply about the band's friendship with another band, The Starting Line
); "Powder," about the more frightening downsides of using drugs recreationally, including abuse
and addiction
(it specifically is meant to refer to oxycodone
); and "Rocket," a sort of "punk lullaby
."
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(EP) by Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
that was released in 2002
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
. Although publicized very little, it tried new styles in Yellowcard's music, making the transition between One for the Kids and Ocean Avenue
Ocean Avenue
Ocean Avenue is the fourth studio album by the American pop punk band Yellowcard. It was produced by Neal Avron, and was released on July 22, 2003 through Capitol Records. The album is the major-label debut for the band...
and was overall well-accepted by fans. It is often mentioned by listeners that during The Underdog EP Yellowcard's style was "maturing". Note the fact that they only have five songs on this album which is because, until Lights and Sounds
Lights and Sounds
Lights and Sounds is the fifth studio album by American pop punk band Yellowcard, released on January 24, 2006 in the United States through Capitol Records. Lights and Sounds is Yellowcard's first concept album, which was inspired to reflect what the band was feeling at the time of production and...
, Yellowcard was moving along very quickly and rushing their work. They have been quoted as saying "up until Lights and Sounds we pretty much had no time to listen to what we were releasing".
The Underdog EP consists of only five songs: "Underdog," about the struggles of a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
underdog
Underdog (competition)
An underdog is a person or group in a competition, frequently in electoral politics, sports and creative works, who is popularly expected to lose. The party, team or individual expected to win is called the favorite or top dog. In the rare case where an underdog wins, the outcome is an upset. These...
football player
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
; "Avondale," about backstabbing (it was specifically written in expression of a now-resolved fight between Yellowcard singer Ryan Key and Inspection 12
Inspection 12
Inspection 12 is an American pop punk band from Jacksonville, Florida, founded by Robert Reid, Dan McLintock, John Comee and Scott Shad. They have released two full length recordings internationally, one on Honest Don's Records and one on Suburban Home Records and Takeover Records...
singer Dan McLintock, paraphrasing lyrics from his song "Doppelganger" aimed at Ryan); "The Finish Line," seemingly about nostalgia
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
(but also more deeply about the band's friendship with another band, The Starting Line
The Starting Line
The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that formed in 1999.- Formation and history :In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an e-mail from guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli...
); "Powder," about the more frightening downsides of using drugs recreationally, including abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
and addiction
Substance dependence
The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...
(it specifically is meant to refer to oxycodone
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from opium-derived thebaine. It was developed in 1916 in Germany, as one of several new semi-synthetic opioids in an attempt to improve on the existing opioids: morphine, diacetylmorphine , and codeine.Oxycodone oral medications are generally...
); and "Rocket," a sort of "punk lullaby
Lullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
."
Personnel
- Ryan KeyRyan KeyRyan Key is an American rock musician. He is best known for being the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the American pop punk band Yellowcard, and one of the two lead singers in his side project Big If.-Early life:...
- Vocals, Guitar - Ben HarperBen Harper (musician)Not to be confused with Ben HarperBenjamin Eric Harper is an American rock musician. He is best known for being the former lead guitarist for the American pop punk band Yellowcard, as well as for the bands Amber Pacific and HeyMike!. Harper is co-owner of Takeover Records.-Yellowcard :Harper formed...
- Guitar - Warren Cooke - Bass
- Sean MackinSean Mackin (musician)Sean Mackin is an American rock musician. He is best known as the violinist and backing vocalist for the American pop punk band Yellowcard and is now one of the two remaining full-time members of the band from its original line-up, along with bandmate Longineu W. Parsons III.-Early life:Mackin was...
- Violin - Longineu W. Parsons IIILongineu W. Parsons IIILongineu W. "LP" Parsons III is a French-born American rock musician. He is best known for being the drummer for the American pop punk band Yellowcard and is now one of the two remaining full-time members of the band from its original line-up along with bandmate Sean Mackin.-Early life:Longineu...
- Drums