Hostage Calm
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Wallingford, Connecticut , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, Albums, EPs |
| Website | hostagecalm |
Hostage Calm was a punk rock group hailing from Wallingford, Connecticut, established in 2007. Throughout their career, they released two EPs, four studio albums, and a collaborative split with the punk band Anti-Flag. The band declared their dissolution on October 8, 2014, and held their concluding concert on March 6, 2015.
2007–2011: Demo, Lens and Hostage Calm
Following the disbandment of At All Costs in July 2007, Hostage Calm came together. That summer, they introduced their Demo 7" under Headcount Records and secured a deal with Redscroll Records by September 2007. Their debut album, Lens, was launched in 2008 through Redscroll. Later in December 2009, they signed with Run for Cover Records, which led to a re-release of Lens via Panic Records. In January 2010, they toured along the US East Coast alongside My Heart to Joy.
Their sophomore self-titled album garnered nationwide recognition for its inventive fusion of diverse genres such as world music, Latin beats, power pop, post-hardcore, and post-punk. In July 2010, Hostage Calm toured the East Coast with Make Do and Mend.
Renowned for their support of LGBT rights, the band offered their self-titled record at no cost in exchange for signatures on a petition backing marriage equality during New York’s successful Senate vote in 2011. The album included "Ballots/Stones," a protest track opposing bans on same-sex marriage. Hostage Calm actively engaged in various LGBT benefit events and charity projects while promoting their "I Support Same-Sex Marriage" apparel. In addition, guitarist Tom Chiari took on the role of label manager at Run For Cover Records in 2011.
2012–2013: Please Remain Calm
The release of Please Remain Calm in 2012 brought Hostage Calm widespread critical praise, being hailed as a "generation-defining" work and "the punk album of the Great Recession." The record reflects on the social turbulence caused by the American economic downturn. Caroline Vallejo of Alter the Press described it as "the culmination of everything Hostage Calm executes better than anyone else today," positioning the band as a representative voice for their audience and reinvigorating the American hardcore scene. Drew Beringer from AbsolutePunk referred to it as "the most sincere, authentic, and important album you’ll encounter all year." Musically, this release broadened contemporary punk by incorporating orchestral and a cappella components alongside their signature pop-punk style. It was recorded live in Baltimore and co-produced by indie producer J. Robbins together with Hostage Calm.
The group embarked on extensive international tours alongside bands such as Anti-Flag, Saves the Day, The Wonder Years, Streetlight Manifesto, Balance and Composure, and Rival Schools, also participating in the 2011 edition of the Vans Warped Tour.
2014: Die on Stage and disbandment
On July 22, 2014, Hostage Calm revealed their album Die on Stage, which was released on September 16, 2014, accompanied by a music video for its lead single "Your Head/Your Heart." The production was handled by Will Yip at Studio 4. Nevertheless, on October 7, 2014, the band pulled out from remaining tour dates supporting Citizen. The following day, they announced their breakup and canceled all future performances. Their farewell shows occurred between February 25 and March 6, 2015, across cities including Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Chicago, and New Haven.
Members
Final lineup:
- Tom Chiari – lead guitar (2007–2015)
- Tim Casey – bass guitar, vocals (2007–2015)
- Chris "Cmar" Martin – lead vocals, guitar, piano (2007–2015)
- Nick Balzano – guitar, backing vocals (2010–2015)
- Keith "K. Bot" Sidorowicz – drums (2013–2015)
Past members:
- Chris Paecht – guitar (2008–2010)
- Brett Pieper – drums (2007–2010)
- Fred Grave – drums (2010–2011)
- John Ross – drums (2011–2013)
Touring musicians:
- Alan Huck – drums (2010)
- Daniel Fang – drums (2011)
- Chris Mala – drums (2011; 2013)
- Joe Longobardi – drums (2013)
Studio albums
- Lens (Redscroll Records, 2008)
- Hostage Calm (Run For Cover Records, 2010)
- Please Remain Calm (Run For Cover Records, 2012)
- Die on Stage (Run For Cover Records, 2014)
EPs
- Demo (Headcount Records, 2007)
- Hostage Calm/Anti-Flag (Split with Anti-Flag) (Run For Cover Records, 2013)
Singles
- War On A Feeling / Donna Lee (Run For Cover Records, 2011)
Live recordings
- Hostage Calm: Audiotree Live (Audiotree, 2012)
Compilations
- Hostage Calm UK Sampler (Run For Cover Records, 2010)
- All Of Hostage Calm (Ice Grills Records, 2011)
- Tonight, They Won't Take Me Alive (Self-Released, 2013)
Compilation appearances
- Enough Is Enough: Volume 3 (Woodland Records, 2010) – "Ballots/Stones"
- 2010 Spring Sampler (Run For Cover Records, 2010) – "Jerry Rumspringer"
- Nervous Energies: Best Of Volume 1 (Nervous Energies, 2011) – "The 'M' Word"
- Mixed Signals (Run For Cover Records, 2011) – "The 'M' Word"
- Fuck Off All Nerds: A Benefit Compilation in Memory of Mitch Dubey (Topshelf Records, 2011) – "Ballots/Stones" & "A Mistrust Earned"
- 2011 Winter Sampler (Run For Cover Records, 2011) – "Young Professionals"
- Nervous Energies: Best Of Volume 2 (Nervous Energies, 2012) – "The 'M' Word"
- CT Sucks Compilation (Driftwood Records, 2012) – "Lacuna (Where Certainty Sleeps)"
- Warped Tour 2012 Tour Compilation (SideOneDummy, 2012) – "The 'M' Word"
- Topshelf Records 2012 Sampler (Topshelf Records, 2012) – "Brokenheartland"
- Run For Cover Records Summer Sampler 2012 (Run For Cover Records, 2012) – "The 'M' Word"
- Topshelf Records 2013 Sampler (Topshelf Records, 2013) – "Olly Olly Oxen Free"
- Less Than Jake/Hostage Calm/Pentimento Tour Sampler (Fat Wreck Chords, 2013) – "Don't Die On Me Now"
- 2013 Summer Sampler (Run For Cover Records, 2013) – "Woke Up Next To A Body"
- The Heart Attack Tour Sampler (Lost Tape Collective, 2014) – "Your Head/Your Heart", "Woke Up Next To A Body" & "The 'M' Word"
- RFC Best of 2014 (Run For Cover Records, 2014) – "Someone Else"
Music videos
- Rebel Fatigues (2010)
- Your Head/Your Heart (2014)
- A Thousand Miles Away From Here (2014)