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Hey Violet

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Hey Violet
Hey Violet in January 2016. From left to right: Casey Moreta, Rena Lovelis, Nia Lovelis, and Miranda Miller.
Background information
Also known asCherri Bomb (2008–2015)
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyHey Violet discography
Years active2008–2024
Labels
Past members
  • Julia Pierce
  • Miranda Miller
  • Rena Lovelis
  • Nia Lovelis
  • Casey Moreta
  • Iain Shipp
Websiteheyviolet.com

Hey Violet was an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California, consisting of Rena Lovelis (lead vocals, bass), Nia Lovelis (drums, percussion, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals) and Casey Moreta (lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals).

Formed in 2008 as Cherri Bomb while its members were still in middle school, the band was originally an all-female hard rock group, consisting of Julia Pierce (lead vocals, lead guitar), Miranda Miller (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Rena Lovelis (bass, backing vocals), and Nia Lovelis (drums, percussion, backing vocals). In 2013, Pierce left the band and was later replaced by Casey Moreta. In 2015, the group changed their name to Hey Violet and drastically altered their sound. They later signed to Hi or Hey Records, founded by 5 Seconds of Summer, whom they supported on the Rock Out with Your Socks Out and Sounds Live Feels Live tours.[1]

Iain Shipp (bass guitar, synth bass, keyboards) joined the band officially in September 2016 but left in 2019. In August 2017, Miller announced her departure from the band via social media.

On May 31, 2024, Hey Violet formally announced on their social media that the band was breaking up on June 28, 2024, following the release of their final album Aftertaste.[2]

History

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2008–2013: Cherri Bomb and Pierce's departure

[edit]

Cherri Bomb consisted of Julia Pierce on vocals and lead guitar, sisters Nia and Rena Lovelis on drums and bass respectively, and second guitarist Miranda Miller. Although all four were born on the east coast of the United States, they each moved to California for better opportunities in music.[3] Pierce said that at around 10 or 11 years old she had the vision of forming a rock band with girls her own age, and eventually recruited the other members after putting flyers up around Los Angeles and advertisements on Craigslist.[3][4] Nia was the first she teamed up with and, after trying out some other musicians, Miller joined after sending them videos of her playing and singing.[3] Needing a bassist to complete the lineup, they asked Nia's sister Rena, who played guitar, to take up bass temporarily, but it became permanent.[5] Miller stated that the group formed with the concept of all four being capable of singing lead on different songs.[6] The name Cherri Bomb originated from the book Cherry Bomb – The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Flirt, a Tougher Chick, and a Hotter Girlfriend, and to Living Life Like a Rock Star by Carrie Borzillo, which Nia and Rena were reading and recommended to the others.[7] Miller said, "After reading it, we kinda decided that name really fit our personality because it is about being a rocker chick. It was really just cute, funny and awesome".[3]

Rena Lovelis (shown performing with Hey Violet in December 2016) originally joined Cherri Bomb as bassist

Rena said her first show with the band was to an audience of 40,000 on Independence Day 2009 at Warner Park in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.[5] Nia and Rena's mother, Anastasia, had previously played in a band with former Hole and Mötley Crüe drummer Samantha Maloney.[8] Maloney took on the job of managing Cherri Bomb and got them their first tour, opening for the Smashing Pumpkins in 2010.[8] On June 14, 2011, they signed to Hollywood Records,[9] and on October 18, 2011, they released their debut EP, Stark. It includes a cover of "The Pretender", which the Deseret News reported earned them a spot opening for the Foo Fighters after Dave Grohl heard it.[8]

Cherri Bomb were also an opening act for bands such as Bush, Camp Freddy, Filter, Staind and Steel Panther.[9][10] They played European festivals, including Oxegen in Ireland (the youngest act to appear), T in the Park in Scotland, Sonisphere and the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[11] The band released their first studio album, This Is the End of Control, on May 15, 2012, which charted on Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums at number 24 and Top Heatseekers at number 11.[12] They appeared on the Warped Tour in July–August 2012.[13][14] In August 2012, they toured with the Welsh rock band Lostprophets.[15]

On January 23, 2013, Cherri Bomb announced on their Facebook page that they had parted ways with Pierce. When asked the reasoning behind the departure, Miller commented on her Tumblr that it was due to "creative differences", and that "we went our separate ways because we wanted to go in one direction and she wanted to go in another." However, after Pierce's departure was announced she took to her own Facebook page and clarified that she did not leave the band voluntarily. Pierce stated, "When I started Cherri Bomb five years ago, I envisioned something beautiful for this band. It's unfortunate that I'm no longer part of it. Sadly, what has happened wasn't my decision. I never imagined it ending up this way."[16] Pierce later reflected on the split in 2017 saying, that, with the members all being minors, their parents "made things so much more complicated. It just got to a point where we weren't working together anymore. It was obvious that the families really wanted to go in a different direction than I did, so we parted ways. It worked out for the best. Now they're doing what they want to do and so am I."[17]

In February 2013, the band also parted ways with Hollywood Records.[6] That same month, the remaining members announced that they were writing new material and wanted to explore different musical avenues and not "put a definition on what our sound will turn out to be".[6] Miller said that her and Rena were taking over lead vocals and that they were open to finding another lead guitarist or just staying a trio; "We're currently jamming with some friends and great musicians and trying different things out."[6] Guitarist Casey Moreta joined Cherri Bomb that year on a temporary basis. On March 9, 2013, Moreta was asked to join the band permanently while performing on stage at The Viper Room.[18]

2015–2018: Rebranding as Hey Violet and From the Outside

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Hey Violet performing in 2015

On February 18, 2015, after Pierce's departure the remaining members announced on their official YouTube channel that they had changed their name to Hey Violet.[19] On March 19, 2015, they released their new single "This Is Why".[20] On March 24, it was confirmed that they would be signed to Hi or Hey Records, 5 Seconds of Summer's partnership of Capitol Records.[21] On June 15, Hey Violet announced that they would be releasing their first EP I Can Feel It in July. The band were the opening support act for 5 Seconds of Summer on the European and North American legs of their Rock Out with Your Socks Out Tour.[22] In both the European and USA/Canadian legs of the tour, they played free acoustic sets outside the show venues for fans.[23] The band also went on its own European headlining tour in winter 2015. It was during this tour that Rena Lovelis stopped playing the bass to focus on her vocals, and a temporary bassist was brought on. They continued to open for 5SOS on the North American leg of their 2016 Sounds Live Feels Live World Tour.[24] During this tour, new touring bassist Iain Shipp was introduced, and was later made an official member of the band in September 2016.

Their second EP Brand New Moves was released in August 2016, with follow-up single "Guys My Age" in September 2016. The song was the group's first commercial success, charting in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In March 2017, "Break My Heart" was released as the second single from their second studio album, From the Outside.[25][26] The album was released on June 16, 2017. The song had minor commercial success. The third and final single, "Hoodie" was released in August. On August 31, Miller announced her departure from the band via the group's social media accounts, stating that touring had become "grueling".[27]

Looking back on the beginning years of Hey Violet, Rena admitted that they were "feeling put into a bit of a box," not getting to explore their sound as much as they wanted to.[28]

2019–2024: Singles, Shipp's departure, Aftertaste, and disbandment

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Rena and Nia performing in 2020

The band released a new single titled "Better by Myself" on April 12, 2019, along with a music video, directed by Marcella Cytrynowicz.[29]

On April 16, 2019, following allegations of sexual assault, Hey Violet announced Shipp's departure from the band via Twitter.[30][31][32][33]

Throughout 2019, the band released a slew of singles, including "Close My Eyes" on June 21,[34] "Queen of the Night" on July 19,[35] and "Clean" on October 17.[36]

On March 12, 2021, after not releasing any music for the year of 2020, the band released a new single called "Friends Like This" and announced they would release three more EPs that, according to Hollywood Life, are about loss, falling to their vices and growing from your mistakes.[37] Rena admits that "Friends Like This" is about "how [she] leaned into so many unhealthy habits trying to escape [her] own mind that [she] couldn't even connect" with those around her.[28] The first EP in the series, Problems, addresses loss and loneliness, while the second EP focuses on vices that "satiate the longing for wholeness."[28] Problems was released on June 18, 2021.[38] On October 22, 2021, the second EP in the series, Deep End was released.[39] The final EP in the series, Bloom, was released on April 29, 2022.[40]

On October 6, 2023, it was announced that the band had signed to Hopeless Records[41] and released their first single for the label, "I Should Call My Friends," on October 13, 2023.[42] The track was produced by John O'Callaghan of the Maine.[43]

On May 31, 2024, Hey Violet announced on their Instagram page that the band would be breaking up on June 28, 2024, following the release of their final album Aftertaste, which includes the final songs they had been working on before they made the decision to end the band.[2]

Musical style

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Hey Violet's musical style has been described as pop punk,[44][45][26] pop,[26][45] EDM[46][47] pop rock,[21] and electropop.[45] Rena has cited female musicians like Alanis Morissette, Amy Winehouse, Hayley Williams, Janis Joplin, Kate Bush, Stevie Nicks, and Taylor Swift as influences, while Nia draws inspiration from Beyoncé and Madonna's performances.[28] As Cherri Bomb, their music was referred to as hard rock[48][49] and alternative rock.[50] Pierce cited the Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Muse, Paramore, and the Smashing Pumpkins as influences on the original band.[4]

Band members

[edit]

Final members

  • Rena Lovelis – lead vocals (2013–2024), bass guitar (2008–2016, 2019–2024, studio only), backing vocals (2008–2013)
  • Nia Lovelis – drums, percussion, piano, backing vocals (2008–2024), keyboards, synthesizers (2019–2024)
  • Casey Moreta – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–2024), rhythm guitar (2017–2024)

Former members

  • Julia Pierce – lead guitar, lead vocals (2008–2013)
  • Miranda Miller – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2008–2017), synthesizers (2008–2017)
  • Iain Shipp – bass guitar, synth bass (2016–2019), keyboards (2017–2019)

Touring members

  • Edison Lo – bass (2015)
  • Vicky Warwick – bass guitar, synth bass, keyboards (2019–2024)

Timeline

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Hey Violet discography

Awards

[edit]
Year Nominated Award Category Result Ref
2016 Hey Violet Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Next Big Thing Won [51]
2017 "Break My Heart" Musical.ly Musical.ly's #NextWaveApril Won [52]
2017 Hey Violet iHeart Radio Music Awards Best Underground Alternative Band Nominated [53]
2017 "Guys My Age" Teen Choice Awards Choice Song: Group Nominated [54]
2018 Hey Violet Radio Disney Music Awards The Freshest—Best New Artist Nominated [55]

Tours

[edit]
Headlining
  • Hey Violet Live (2019)
Promotional
  • From The Outside UK Tour (2017)
Supporting

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Payne, Chris. "Pop Shop Podcast: Hey Violet Is the Rock-Savvy Pop Band Top 40 Needs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Hey Violet on Instagram: Dear You..." Instagram. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Price, Jason (June 11, 2012). "Cherri Bomb's Miranda Miller Discusses The Band's Powerful Debut Album!". Icon Vs. Icon. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Tishgart, Sierra (July 31, 2012). "Julia Pierce of Cherri Bomb on Forming an All-Girl Rock Band". Teen Vogue. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Capps, Jesse (June 20, 2012). "Exclusive Interview: Rena Lovelis from Cherri Bomb". Rock Confidential. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Ballard, Joe. "Interview: Cherri Bomb". mindequalsblown.net. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Phares, Heather. "Cherri Bomb – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c Reavy, Pat (September 21, 2012). "Cherri Bomb are America's next trailblazing all girl band". Deseret News. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Cherri Bomb Signs to Hollywood Records - ARTISTdirect News". Artistdirect.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  10. ^ "Cherri Bomb: Queens of Noise". Loudmag.com.au. January 15, 2012. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  11. ^ "Cherri Bomb". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  12. ^ Cherri Bomb. "Cherri Bomb – Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  13. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Cherri Bomb Talk Vans Warped Tour & Marvel'S The Avengers Movie Soundtrack". The Daily BLAM!. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  14. ^ Musicians. "Cherri Bomb On Warped Tour & Bamboozle - New Album Out May 15". Fearlessradio.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Lostprophets and Cherri Bomb Tour Dates". SMNnews.com. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  16. ^ https://www.facebook.com/JuliaPierceOfficial/posts/294954760626769 [user-generated source]
  17. ^ Sherman, Maria (May 17, 2017). "Ex-Cherri Bomb member Julia Pierce explains why the band parted ways, returns as PYRCE". Alternative Press. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  18. ^ "Cherri Bomb's YouTube video" Archived March 18, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (March 11, 2013). Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  19. ^ "Hey Violet's YouTube video" Archived March 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (February 18, 2015). Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  20. ^ Hey Violet - This Is Why (Music Video). YouTube. March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  21. ^ a b "5 Seconds of Summer have signed Hey Violet to their label Hi Or Hey Records". Stage Right Secrets. March 24, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  22. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer confirm tour dates with Hey Violet" Archived May 17, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (April 1, 2015) Billboard.com. Retrieved July 1, 2015
  23. ^ "Hey Violet – USA Band - evenmoreseniorbushe". evenmoreseniorbushe. June 22, 2015. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015.
  24. ^ ".@5SOS + @HEYVIOLET. #SLFL N. AMERICA. BRING IT ON." Archived April 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (May 12, 2016) Twitter.Com. Retrieved July 13, 2016
  25. ^ "Break My Heart - Single by Hey Violet". iTunes. March 10, 2017. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2017. (March 10, 2017) iTunes. Retrieved March 10, 2017
  26. ^ a b c Phares, Heather. "Hey Violet Bio". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  27. ^ Hey Violet [@HeyViolet] (August 31, 2017). "Miranda Miller's departure" (Tweet). Retrieved September 1, 2017 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ a b c d Picou, Ashlynn (May 22, 2021). "Exclusive Interview: Hey Violet Talk Us Through 'Problems' And Upcoming Music". The Honey POP. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  29. ^ "Hey Violet Release New Single "Better By Myself"". Capitol Records. April 12, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  30. ^ Hey Violet [@HeyViolet] (April 16, 2019). "Iain Shipp's Departure" (Tweet). Retrieved July 13, 2020 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "Hey Violet Address Iain Shipp Split". Billboard. April 17, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  32. ^ "Hey Violet are "conducting a full investigation" into rape allegations against bassist". PopBuzz. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  33. ^ Darus, Alex (April 17, 2019). "Hey Violet part ways with bassist after sexual assault allegations". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  34. ^ Vigil, Dom (June 21, 2019). "Hey Violet Release Video for New Track, "Close My Eyes"". Prelude Press. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  35. ^ Vigil, Dom (July 19, 2019). "Hey Violet Debut New Track, "Queen Of The Night"". Prelude Press. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  36. ^ "Hey Violet's 'Clean' & Interview: Exclusive". Billboard. October 18, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  37. ^ "Hey Violet Translates A Year Of 'Anger &Frustration' Into Delightful 'Friends LikeThis'". Hollywood Life. March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  38. ^ "Problems EP". Apple Music. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  39. ^ "Deep End EP". Apple Music. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  40. ^ "Bloom EP". Apple Music. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  41. ^ "it's not everyday you get to announce you're signed to Hopeless Records". Instagram. October 6, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "I Should Call My Friends". Instagram. October 6, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  43. ^ Hey Violet sign to Hopeless Records and release single 'I Should Call My Friends'
  44. ^ "Hey Violet's "This Is Why" Is The First Single Released By 5SOS's Own Record Label: Listen". Idolator. March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  45. ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (July 4, 2017). "Hey Violet and Terror Jr: The New Female Pop Rebels". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  46. ^ "Hey Violet: When Going Pop Goes Right". Stereogum. June 15, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  47. ^ From the Outside - Hey Violet | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved January 7, 2021
  48. ^ Houle, Zachary (June 5, 2012). "Cherri Bomb: This is the End of Control". PopMatters. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  49. ^ "Cherri Bomb | Leeds Festival 2011". AltSounds. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  50. ^ "Exclusive Q and A: Cherri Bomb Separate The Girls From The Boys". Ourstage.com. August 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  51. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer. All the Winners at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards!". Us Weekly. August 1, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  52. ^ "Hey Violet's 'Break My Heart' Wins Musical.ly's #NextWaveApril". Billboard. April 28, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  53. ^ "iheart Radio Winners". www.iheart.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  54. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2017 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. August 14, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  55. ^ "Radio Disney Music Awards 2018 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. June 24, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
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