Paramore

The power-pop-punk fivesome known as Paramore dates back to the band's high school years in suburban Franklin, Tennessee. Lead singer Hayley Williams was just 14 when she met guitarist Josh Farro and his younger brother, drummer Zac. Jeremy Davis and Hunter Lamb joined on bass and guitar respectively. The group started off gigging in Nashville in 2004 and quickly rose to popularity in early 2005, when Fueled By Ramen (The Academy Is..., Gym Class Heroes, Panic! At the Disco) founder John Janick signed the band almost immediately after seeing them perform in Florida. Paramore played the Warped Tour during the summer of 2005 and then released their debut album, All We Know Is Falling -- hailed by The New York Times and Spin magazine -- followed by a sold-out tour of North America in 2006. Paramore recorded their sophomore album, RIOT! in New Jersey in the winter of 2007 and released the album June 12 of that same year, selling 44,000 its week in the U.S. The album garnered attention for "Misery Business," its biggest single yet. Since the band members are devout Christians, Williams responded via a LiveJournal post to accusations that the song's lyrics encourage taking the Lord's name in vain. She explained instead that the lyrics were based on a girl she'd known in real life and felt bitter toward, and that the song was not intended to encourage listeners to break a commandment. Shortly before the release of RIOT!, it was announced that Hunter Lamb would be leaving the band to spend time with his fiancée and would be temporarily replaced by Taylor York.