FEATURE: Say Anything

Three years after their debut album …Is A Real Boy, Say Anything finally released their anticipated follow-up In Defense of the Genre this past fall. The patience and dedication of Say Anything fans was more than compensated for, as the new album is a double-disc release featuring 27 tracks. With the support of major label J Records, Say Anything were able to the time to perfect the album alongside producer Brad Wood, known for his work with Sunny Day Real Estate and The Smashing Pumpkins.
“It was a lot easier to do the newer one than the older one due to the fact that it was more organized. The process was more relaxed, the producer was more relaxed, so it was just easier that way,” said guitarist Jake Turner.
In addition to the vast amount of songs on the album, In Defense of the Genre also features 23 notable guest musicians/vocalists. The assortment of talented artists chosen to defend the innovation of their emo genre include Adam Lazarra (Taking Back Sunday), Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional), Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Aaron Gillespie (Underoath), Anthony Green (Circa Survive), among others.
“A lot of the people were friends of ours or people we have met over the years. There’s a couple other people that are really cool that we were excited about working with, like Trevor Keith from Face to Face and Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio,” said Turner. “We were all big fans of these guys and we were really fortunate to have them on the record.”
After filling rooms across Canada and the United States through January and February with headliner Thrice, Say Anything are going on the road with Manchester Orchestra, Biffy Clyro and Weatherbox across the States this spring. This tour will be their first headlining tour for In Defense of the Genre, and will certainly please fans with their wide selection of hits.
“I’m pretty stoked because we are all big fans of the bands we’re working with. There’s going to be a lot more smaller venues than the last few tours we have done, so we hope to just pack the rooms and let everyone have a good time!” said Turner. “It will definitely be a more intimate tour.”
Jake Turner, along with his twin brother Jeff, are also in a band together called XO. Before leaving for tour this winter, they spent some time in the studio recording an EP with producer Matt Malpass. Although 2008 is going to be dedicated to touring with Say Anything, XO hopes to be on the road in 2009.
“We definitely want to do some touring. We might tour with Max and Coby, since they have a side project with Chris and Dave from Saves the Day,” said Turner.
With only a few Canadian dates on their tour with Thrice, Say Anything wish to be back in Canada before the end of the year.
“I hope we will be back soon. There is talk of doing Warped Tour, so hopefully if we do that we will be back by the summer!”
- Marshal Hignett