How Paramore Came Back From The Brink

Looking at Paramore now, it's hard to believe that only a year or so ago, the former five-piece (now three-piece) were racked with uncertainty regarding the future of the band. The departure of Josh Farro (former lead guitarist and backing vocalist) and Zac Farro (former drummer) had left the outfit in a state of limbo with each remaining member questioning their own commitment to the outfit. Together, they'd built a strong connection with their fanbase - the concern the Farro brothers' departure left Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York with was whether or not the three would be able to push forward with Paramore without them.

Guitarist Taylor York had a particularly strong connection with the brothers, which is what made this period so difficult for him – they'd been near inseparable. “I was confused when they left. I grew up with them and I was unsure of how it was going to go without them.” Williams had mentioned in a number of interviews that she was greatly concerned that after the brothers had made the decision to leave, York would soon follow suit. Throughout York's confusion, however, the guitarist felt there was still too much promise in the future of the outfit, even as things looked bleak.

“When it went down, it was hard for me to make a decision. I just wasn't ready. I broke down and started crying at one point and I just knew that I wasn't done and that I loved being in a band with Jeremy and Hayley so much. I still had a lot more to do with the band, so I just looked forward and did it.” York's decision to remain part of the outfit, albeit not an immediate or easy one, was one he felt positive about - both at the time and thereafter. It took Paramore a while to get back on their feet, but once they did, they were met with a great deal of success both from fans and critics alike. Their self-titled release evidenced a formidable change, one that could easily be declared as being for the better.

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