Making New Memories

Since graduating from playing in underground hardcore bands, the members of Fall Out Boy have ridden the rollercoaster of mainstream success and all that comes with it. The band were close to breaking up but decided instead to go on hiatus in 2010, before reforming to work on what would become their fifth album, 2013’s Save Rock & Roll. The reconciliation was a pretty big deal to Wentz, and musically, there’s no denying the hiatus has given the band a different outlook on their process. “We communicate with each other better,” Wentz says. “We allow each other more space, and we’re almost heading into uncharted territories a little bit. I can’t think of a four-piece rock band in recent history anyway, who took time off and then came back with new material in an attempt to put it to radio. Now that we’re working on the second album [since the hiatus], I think we’re definitely in uncharted territory and hopefully we keep heading in the right direction.”

While the band have been building plenty of momentum since reforming, you wouldn’t think they’ll find themselves back at the height of their popularity, say, back when Thnks Fr The Mmrs went big. But that’s not a big deal for Wentz. “I think sometimes I look at 5 Seconds Of Summer, and it’s cool to see a band with guitars who is at the height of adoration. I remember when we were at a similar sort of level, and I remember thinking, it’s impossible for that timeline to go on forever. It’s cool to look at something like that from the outside, but also being ten years away from when we did it, and recognising that I really appreciate it as part of our legacy, but knowing I never want to go through it again. There’s a lot of attention, no one’s really told you how to process and deal with it, and you’re kids; you don’t really have the tools to deal with it anyway.”

The band are gearing up to play a string of shows as part of Soundwave in February next year. Having not played a festival Down Under before, they’re as excited as ever to get over here. “We reckon we tour best in front of festival crowds, because we know there are people there who aren’t there to see us, so we’re there to earn fans. There’s potential to play in front of more people, but that means you have to be on your game; you’re not just preaching to the choir.”

It’s been a crazy ride for Wentz and the other Boys over the years, and there’d be plenty who’d be happy to call it a day after so many years in the spotlight but, being musicians, if there’s any more to give, they’re gonna give it. “We’re already five songs in [to the next album], we have ten written down, and we want to have in out in January next year. We’re gonna keep going, and that’s the goal.”