In 2012, the ultimate fusion of metalcore and pop punk emerged in a sea of a new decade's worth of post-hardcore. This, of course was when ISSUES released iconic debut EP Black Diamonds. Following this, the eclectic group continued to soar through the scene with their breakthrough self-titled LP and a few more where that came from in years following.With a slew of lineup changes over the years, including a particularly controversial one, ISSUES persevered to make what they could of the band's different iterations. Throughout their career history, the now three-piece originating from Atlanta, Georgia delivered some of the genre's most defining music to date. Fans will attest to the number of artists this band influenced in the 2010s and early 2020s. The aforementioned trio in 2023/2024 consists of Adrian "AJ" Rebollo, Skyler Acord and Josh Manuel.In November 2023, ISSUES announced they were calling it quits, but not without one last hurrah - that is, a succinct U.S. tour to thank their loyal fans who've supported them through the thick of all adversity and more.
"Issues has been a central figure in our lives since 2012. We’ve played countless shows, toured almost every continent, met thousands of people, and made so many friends in our peers and travel companions. The importance of this band to our lives cannot be overstated. So many of you were right there with us.
2020 hit us as hard as it could possibly hit a band. Tours canceled after we paid the deposits, new album cycle cut short, and the last any of you guys heard from us was when we fired our singer. All of these were incredibly traumatic experiences, not only for us, but also the fans to whom our music means the most. Life changed for the three of us after 2020 in significant ways that made making Issues our full time job impossible, but it doesn’t feel right to end our story in tragedy. We feel very strongly that the legacy we want to leave be a positive one.
These shows are the final chapter in a long history of pushing the limits of composition, musicianship, and culture in every way we could. We want them to contextualize our body of work over the controversy and member changes and gossip and bullshit and to stand as a monument to the 3 real muffuckas still standing, the music we’re so proud of, and the fans still with us. If this band has ever meant anything to you we want you to be proud of being a part of this too. Proud of the gigs you’ve seen, the tattoos you got, the friends you made. So we’re putting this shit to bed in true Issues fashion. Very, very loudly."
Their handful of farewell shows start in a couple of weeks and have sold so well that the band have announced new shows as well as a livestream of their very last show on January 28 via VEEPS. If this wasn't enough of a show of loyalty appreciation, ISSUES have released a new single today, supposedly their swan song, given their imminent retirement as a band.The track is called 'Since I Lost You' and it hits just like it should. With signature scratches ripping through immediately, ISSUES straddle their tried and proven grooves in unison with riffs and clean vocal RnB. The four-minute tune is a feel-good closing on a sweet career, encapsulating some of their very best components.So what's next for these three remarkable musicians? Well, AJ is a touring guitarist with Bad Wolves, Acord plays bass on tour with Twenty One Pilots and Manuel drums for Kane Brown and Bilmuri. We're looking forward to hearing more magic from these artistic geniuses, but for now we shall mourn ISSUES with their new music of 2024.Words by Ricky Aarons (@rickysaul90)
Stream 'Since I Lost You' here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3b4D-hqpeU
