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Hey Mercedes

From Alfawiki
Hey Mercedes
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1999
Headquarters
Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs
Websitewww.heymercedes.com

Hey Mercedes is an alternative rock group originating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, United States. The band was formed by former members of Braid—Bob Nanna, Todd Bell, and Damon Atkinson—following that band's breakup.

Formation and Everynight Fire Works Era (1999–2002)

In June 1999, Braid announced their disbandment,[1] concluding with final performances in August.[2] While guitarist Chris Broach directed his efforts toward the Firebird Band, the remaining trio—Bob Nanna, Damon Atkinson, and Todd Bell—reassembled in late 1999 to create Hey Mercedes, taking on the roles of lead vocalist, drummer, and bassist respectively.[3] After auditioning a couple of guitarists,[4] they welcomed former Alligator Gun guitarist Mark Dawursk in April 2000,[3] and commenced rehearsals.[5] Band members were based in both Chicago and Milwaukee; Nanna traveled regularly for practice sessions while continuing his employment.[4]

Shortly after Dawursk's addition, the band recorded a four-song EP.[3] Although they initially planned to release it independently but lacked sufficient funding,[4] they eventually signed with Matt Lunsford of Polyvinyl Record Co..[4] Prior to the release, drummer Atkinson was approached by the independent label Vagrant Records.[4] Their debut live performance occurred in August,[6] with the self-titled EP launching in September 2000.[7][8] The EP showcased a blend of Braid’s intricate drum patterns paired with more melodic arrangements and Nanna’s refined vocal style.[3] Their connections within the American emo community enabled tours alongside Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, and Jets to Brazil.[3]

In December 2000, during a California tour, Hey Mercedes met Vagrant founder Rich Egan and signed with Vagrant Records by the end of that month.[9] On March 2, 2001, the band demoed fifteen tracks intended for their first full-length album,[10] followed by a U.S. tour supporting Dashboard Confessional, with support from The Anniversary and Hot Rod Circuit.[10] Recording sessions took place from April 13 to April 27 under producer J. Robbins of Burning Airlines, who had previously produced Braid’s final album Frame & Canvas (1998). With increased resources,[4] they devoted more time to refining the production.

Although initially slated for a July release,[11] legal complications delayed the album’s launch; Vagrant encountered trademark disputes impacting distribution.[12] Ultimately named Everynight Fire Works, it was released on October 23, 2001 through Vagrant Records.[7] Later that year, the band toured alongside Saves the Day and Thursday,[13] performing over one hundred fourteen shows throughout 2001.[14]

Unhappy with Dawursk's compatibility,[4] Hey Mercedes parted ways with him in February 2002;[15] Sean O'Brien filled in temporarily on guitar.[16] Atkinson briefly joined Saves the Day on tour before rejoining Hey Mercedes in March.[16] That spring featured intermittent U.S. dates as well as a performance in Japan.[15] In May, Michael Shumaker from Sheilbound was brought on as a permanent guitarist.[17] The band released The Weekend, an EP containing leftover tracks from Everynight Fire Works, in July.[18][19] Plans to film a music video for "Our Weekend Starts on Wednesday" were canceled; however, an alternate version later emerged.[20] Beginning in July, they embarked on a six-week U.S. tour with support from Piebald, Audio Learning Center, and Koufax.[21] In October they appeared at Grand Rapids Skate Fest.[22] Everynight Fire Works was supported by more than two hundred live performances.[6]

Later period: Loses Control and dissolution (2002–2005)

Between April and May 2002, Hey Mercedes concentrated on crafting new songs. Following the conclusion of the Everynight Fire Works tour in October, they dedicated two weeks in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin to songwriting. Early in 2003, the group led a US headlining tour supported by Armor for Sleep, Breaking Pangaea, and Panic in Detroit, where they introduced several fresh compositions.

At this time, Hey Mercedes redesigned their website to promote their sophomore album, Loses Control, which was recorded during April and May 2003 at Camp Street Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The production was handled by Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie, known for their detailed production style that involved layering guitars to achieve a rich, full-bodied sound. Although the release was initially planned for September 2, it was postponed and officially came out on October 7 through Vagrant Records. Prior to the launch, songs such as "Quality Revenge at Last," "It's Been a Blast," and "Knowing When to Stop" surfaced online.

Though scheduled to participate in the November CMJ tour, Hey Mercedes instead headlined the Hurry Up Offense Tour across North America during November and December. The tour's first segment included JamisonParker and Jet by Day as opening acts; subsequent dates featured Hopesfall, Bear vs. Shark, Haste, and Jude the Obscure. In November, a split single was released with Favez via UK-based Sound Fiction, containing "Quality Revenge at Last" alongside "Warm Chords." The music video for "Quality Revenge at Last," directed by Matt Barry and Maureen Egan, debuted on MTV.com.

Early 2004 saw the band touring with Wheat, although two shows were canceled due to vehicle issues. March brought additional tours alongside The Early November, Spitalfield, and Limbeck, followed by support slots for Saves the Day and Grandaddy during their co-headlining tour. After The Fire Theft withdrew from supporting duties, Hey Mercedes extended their live performances.

Following these tours, members engaged in side ventures: Nanna embarked on a solo tour in May; Atkinson and Bell participated in Braid reunion concerts from May through July. After completing a European tour in October 2004, the band opted for a break that eventually became indefinite. On January 20, 2005, Hey Mercedes publicly announced their disbandment; their final concert took place in April. Subsequently, outtakes and demos from the Loses Control sessions were issued on the Unorchestrated EP in May through independent label Grand Theft Autumn.

After breakup (2006–present)

Hey Mercedes reunited briefly for two performances in September 2007, including an appearance at Chicago’s Threadless store. Their album Unorchestrated received a vinyl pressing from Hobbledehoy Record Co and Grand Theft Autumn in August 2008. While largely inactive as a band since then, they sporadically return for live shows.

In early 2009, frontman Nanna revealed via Twitter plans for a new group featuring drummer Atkinson that would preserve a sound akin to Hey Mercedes.

In 2016, Hey Mercedes appeared at Atlanta’s Wrecking Ball festival and embarked on a US tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of Everynight Fire Works, coinciding with its reissue. This was followed by a Japanese tour segment in early 2017.

Most recently, in March 2025, they announced their return to perform at the Best Friends Forever festival scheduled for October 10–12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Members

Final roster

  • Bob Nanna – rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1999–2005, 2007, 2016–2017)
  • Todd Bell – bass guitar (1999–2005, 2007, 2016–2017)
  • Damon Atkinson – drums (1999–2005, 2007, 2016–2017)
  • Michael Shumaker – lead guitar (2002–2005, 2007, 2016–2017)

Past members

  • Mark Dawursk – lead guitar (2000–2002)


Discography

Albums

Title Details
Everynight Fire Works
  • Release date: October 23, 2001
  • Record label: Vagrant
  • Available formats: CD, cassette, digital download, vinyl LP
Loses Control
  • Release date: October 7, 2003
  • Record label: Vagrant
  • Available formats: CD, digital download, vinyl LP

EPs

Title Details
Hey Mercedes
  • Release date: September 12, 2000
  • Record label: Polyvinyl
  • Available formats: CD, digital download, 12-inch vinyl
The Weekend
  • Release date: July 16, 2002
  • Record label: Vagrant
  • Available formats: CD, digital download
Hey Mercedes + Favez – A Split Seven Inch Release
  • Release date: November 19, 2002
  • Record label: Sound Fiction
  • Available format: 7-inch vinyl
Unorchestrated
  • Release date: May 10, 2005
  • Record label: Grand Theft Autumn
  • Available formats: CD, digital download, 12-inch vinyl

Videos

Title Year Director(s)
"Quality Revenge at Last" 2003 Matt Barry and Maureen Egan

References

Citations


Sources


External links

  1. ↑ CMJ 1999, p. 6
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  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named heymercedes.com
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named heymercedes1
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PNMark
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PNguitarist
  17. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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