Midtown (band)

Midtown

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	November 1998 (1998-11)
Headquarters	New Brunswick, New Jersey , United States
Products	Studio albums, extended plays

Midtown is a pop-punk ensemble originating from New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States. Established in November 1998 by three students attending Rutgers University, the band soon grew into a four-member lineup. Over their initial run, Midtown produced three full-length albums and three extended play records before their split in 2005. The band reunited briefly in early 2014 for a trio of performances, including a covert show at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn and two appearances at the Skate And Surf Festival. In 2022, Midtown served as an opening act on My Chemical Romance's Reunion Tour.

The band's musical style draws inspiration from groups such as the Get Up Kids, the Promise Ring, Lifetime, Jets to Brazil, Kid Dynamite, Lagwagon, Pavement, as well as solo artist Elvis Costello.

History

Midtown was created in 1998 by Rutgers University attendees Gabe Saporta (vocals and bass), Rob Hitt (drums), and Tyler Rann (guitar and vocals). The addition of Heath Saraceno on guitar and vocals rounded out the group, shaping a sound that combined elements of pop-punk and punk rock rooted in New Jersey’s punk scene. Their debut EP, The Sacrifice of Life, was released through Pinball Records in 1999, followed by their first full album, Save the World, Lose the Girl, launched in 2000 under the independent label Drive-Thru Records. Subsequently, Midtown signed with major label MCA Records to release Living Well Is the Best Revenge in 2002.

Their third album, Forget What You Know (2004), was initially self-produced before being distributed by Columbia Records. This record marked their final studio effort prior to disbanding soon after its 2005 release. After the breakup, former frontman Gabe Saporta formed the alternative dance/synthpop group Cobra Starship, which dissolved in 2015. Guitarist Heath Saraceno joined Senses Fail in 2005 but departed in 2009 to explore other ventures. Tyler Rann briefly fronted Band of Thieves before exiting the music industry to pursue a career in fashion.

Brief reunions

On February 17, 2014, Gabe Saporta revealed Midtown’s reunion with a scheduled appearance at the Skate and Surf Festival. Later, on March 9, 2022, Midtown was announced as an opening act for My Chemical Romance’s US reunion tour. Additionally, they headlined their own Resurrection Tour in 2022 and performed at the 2023 Adjacent beach festival held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Members

• Gabe Saporta – lead vocals, bass guitar (1998–2005; 2014; 2022–present)
• Tyler Rann – vocals, guitars (1998–2005; 2014; 2022–present)
• Heath Saraceno – vocals, guitars (1998–2005; 2014; 2022–present)
• Rob Hitt – drums, percussion (1998–2005; 2014; 2022–present)
• Benjamin Litchman – bass guitar (2023–present)

Discography

Studio albums

• Save the World, Lose the Girl (2000)
• Living Well Is the Best Revenge (2002)
• Forget What You Know (2004)

EPs

• The Sacrifice of Life (1999)
• Donots vs. Midtown Split 7" (2000)
• Millencolin/Midtown Split (2001)
• New.Old.Rare. (2002)
• We’re Too Old To Write New Songs, So Here’s Some Old Songs We Didn’t Write (2023)

Compilation appearances

• Rock Music: A Tribute to Weezer (2002; "Susanne" originally by Weezer)
• Picking Up the Pieces (2003; acoustic rendition of "Living in Spite")
• Liberation (Songs to Benefit PETA) (2003; "This House Is Not a Home")
• Punk Goes Acoustic (2003; acoustic version of "Knew It All Along")
• Punk Goes 80s (2005; cover of "Your Love" by The Outfield)

Post-Midtown Endeavors

• Fronted by Midtown's bassist and lead vocalist Gabe Saporta, Cobra Starship achieved notable commercial recognition with hits like "Bring It (Snakes on a Plane)" featured on the Snakes on a Plane soundtrack. The group produced four studio albums from 2006 through 2011: While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets, ¡Viva La Cobra!, Hot Mess, and Night Shades. The band officially dissolved in November 2015.
• Guitarist and singer Heath Saraceno played with New Jersey's rock ensemble Senses Fail until his exit following the 2009 Warped Tour.
• Rob Hitt shifted his focus to music management by joining Crush Management and established I Surrender Records, where he signed acts including I Am The Avalanche, Four Year Strong, and Valencia.
• Tyler Rann embarked on a professional path within the fashion and apparel sector.