Paramore

Paramore Artistfacts

  • 2004-
    Josh FarroGuitar2004-2010
    Zac FarroDrums2004-2010, 2017-
    Jeremy DavisBass2004-2015
    Hayley WilliamsVocals
    John HembreeBass2005
    Jason BynumGuitar2004-2005
    Hunter LambGuitar2005-2007
    Taylor YorkGuitar2007-
  • Singer Hayley Williams has stated that the name "Paramore" derived from the maiden name of the mother of one of the band's former members. After the group learned the meaning of the homophone "paramour" ("secret lover"), they decided to adopt the name, but to continue using the Paramore spelling.
  • In 2003, Williams was signed to Atlantic Records as a solo artist. Atlantic originally planned to record and market Williams as a pop singer, but Williams resisted, insisting on playing alternative rock music, backed by a band.
  • Paramore's lineup has changed on numerous occasions since the band's founding. Jeremy Davis left the band before their first album was recorded, inspiring the remaining members to write "All We Know" about his departure, and to use the song as the basis for their first album, titled All We Know Is Falling. Davis later returned to the band, but in the meantime was replaced by John Hembree. Later, rhythm guitatrist Jason Bynum was added to the band, but left to be replaced by Hunter Lamb. Lamb also left in 2007, to be replaced by Taylor York. In 2010, the Farro brothers left the band under acrimonious circumstances.
  • Their album All We Know Is Falling was released in the summer of 2005, and reached #30 on the Billboard's Heatseekers Chart. The first single from the album, "Pressure," failed to chart.
  • The band covered the Foo Fighters' "My Hero" for the Sound of Superman soundtrack in 2006. Also in 2006, the band was voted Best New Band, and Hayley Williams was voted as #2 Sexiest Female by readers of the British magazine Kerrang!
  • The band's second album, Riot! was released in 2007, and entered the Billboard 200 at #20, the UK charts at #24. The album sold 44,000 units its first week of release in the United States.
  • In 2007 Paramore was featured in a number of spots on MTV, performing acoustic versions of their songs or acting in short accompaniments to MTV program commercials. The promotion paid off; for weeks in August 2007, the video for the song "Misery Business" from Riot was the number one streamed video at MTV's website.
  • The band was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2008 Grammy Awards, but lost to Amy Winehouse.
  • Paramore's song "Decode" was featured as the lead single for the hit movie Twilight in 2008. Another Paramore song, "I Caught Myself" was also featured in the film.
  • The band released a live album, The Final Riot! in 2008, that featured a bonus DVD with a full concert recorded in Chicago, as well as a tour documentary.
  • Paramore wrote and completed the album Brand New Eyes in early 2009. To promote the album, the band recorded a performance for MTV Unplugged. Paramore also played a sold out 15-date European tour to support the album.
  • In 2010, the Farro brothers left Paramore, sparking a storm of conflicting stories about the reasons for the split. On December 18, 2010 a message from Williams, Davis and York on the band's website, stating that "For the last year it hasn't seemed as if [the Farro brothers] wanted to be around anymore. We want Josh and Zac to do something that makes them happy and if that isn't here with us, then we support them finding happiness elsewhere. But we never for a second thought about leaving any of this behind." Josh Farro wrote a statement on his blog, claiming that the band was "a manufactured product of a major-label," and accusing Williams of treating the band as her backing band, who, Farro stated, were "riding on the coattails of her dream." The band took to MTV.com to address Farro's statements, confirming that Williams was the only member of the band actually signed to Atlantic, but also promising to continue on as Paramore.
  • One of the band's favoite ways of passing the time on the road is watching scary movies. Williams told Spin magazine: "Taylor [York] hates gory scenes, but somehow we always get him to watch these movies with us. Then at some point he will leave the room until the screaming subsides."
  • Hayley Williams has several nicknames including Hayleyball, H-bom, Hayles,and SpongeBob. "When I was 16, our drummer Zac Farro called me SpongeBob because I have a gap in my teeth like SpongeBob," Hayley explained to NME regarding her latter moniker. "What a jerk!"
  • Paramore's eponymous fourth album, their first as a trio following the departure of Josh and Zac Farro, was their first ever to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. The disc also reached the peak position in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
  • Hayley Williams told NME in April 2013 that she has eight tattoos. She said: "I've got a razor on my ankle that says 'shave me', a cloud behind my ear that says 'Warped', a cross on my thigh, 'TCB' on my left elbow, the Paramore bars on my wrist, a Johnny Mercer lyric on my wrist, flowers on my hip and I just got a hand holding an envelope on my thigh."
  • Hayley Williams married New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert at a ceremony in Nashville's Franklin Theater on February 20, 2016 in front of about 50 people. The Orange-haired Paramore singer wore a short-sleeved fitted bodice with a ballgown skirt. The couple had been dating since 2008 and engaged since Christmas Day 2014.

    Hayley Williams and Chad Gilbert announced via Instagram, on July 1, 2017, that they'd separated but would continue to be close friends.
  • Paramore announced on February 2, 2017, that Zac Farro was returning as the official drummer of the band. Farro's homecoming developed gradually after a personal rekindling with Taylor York, his childhood best friend. Their reconciliation became a necessity because the pair kept running into each other socially. "Every teenage year that I lived was in this band, on tour," Farro told The New York Times. "I needed a reset button."
  • Hayley Williams has her own hair color brand called goodDYEyoung.

Comments: 1

  • Ali from Somewherethis is so cool!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.