{{Short description|American punk rock band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = The Menzingers | image = File:Menzingers - Live in Knoxville, TN - August 2023.jpg | alt = The four members playing on a red light cast stage. | caption = The Menzingers performing at the Mill & Mine in Knoxville, Tennessee, August 18, 2023. Left to right: Barnett, May, Godino (behind drum kit), and Keen. | landscape = yes | origin = Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | genre = * Punk rock <!-- Do not add or change genres without adding a reliable source --> | years_active = 2006–present | label = Go-Kart, Red Scare, Epitaph | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|themenzingers.com/|Official website}} | current_members = Greg Barnett<br />Tom May<br />Eric Keen<br />Joe Godino | past_members = }}
'''The Menzingers''' are an American punk rock<!-- Do not change, this is self-identified by the band's members. --> band from Scranton, Pennsylvania, formed in 2006. The band consists of Greg Barnett (vocals, guitar), Tom May (vocals, guitar), Eric Keen (bass) and Joe Godino (drums). To date, the band has released eight studio albums, with their most recent, ''Some of It Was True,'' released on October 13, 2023.
== History == The Menzingers formed in the wake of Scranton ska-punk/pop punk bands Bob and the Sagets, featuring Tom May, Joe Godino, Eric Keen, and non-Menzingers members Lee Hartney & Curtis Irie, currently of Irie Idea; and Kos Mos, featuring Greg Barnett, Adam Mcilwee of Tigers Jaw, and Wicca Phase Springs Eternal; and Leo Vergnetti of Captain, We're Sinking. Their first release was a self-titled demo tape made in 2006, which made its way onto many top ten lists of that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Menzingers |url=http://www.punknews.org/bands/themenzingers|website=Punknews.org |date=May 16, 2009 |access-date=May 16, 2009 }}</ref>
Their debut full length, ''A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology'' (released on Go-Kart Records), was produced by Jesse Cannon. According to Cannon, "I record bands every day and almost all of them are missing something. The Menzingers have it all — the songs, the aggression, the heart, and the passion that most only dream of."
In 2009, the band released a four-song EP titled "Hold On Dodge" through Red Scare Industries, their first vinyl release (including a 600-run olive edition).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Menzingers: Episode 1 |url=http://notpopular.com/2009/03/16/the-menzingers-episode-1/|website=Notpopular.com |date=March 16, 2009 |access-date=May 16, 2009 }}</ref> A bonus track for the EP titled "Kentucky Gentleman" is available through iTunes.
Early in 2010, the band did a brief stint with Anti-Flag. April 13 saw the release of their second full-length, ''Chamberlain Waits'', through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011, they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band: <br /> "These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/42660 |title=Exclusive: The Menzingers join Epitaph |website=Punknews.org |date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=March 6, 2017}}</ref>
They released ''On the Impossible Past'' on February 20, 2012, and it was met with critical acclaim. A music video was shot and released for the song "Nice Things."
''On the Impossible Past'' went on to be voted "Album Of The Year" 2012 for both Absolutepunk.net and Punknews.org. It was also voted "Album Of The Year" by ''RockZone'' magazine in Spain.
The Menzingers released a split 7-inch EP with The Bouncing Souls in November 2013. Both bands released a new original song on the split, along with a cover of one of the other band's songs. The Menzingers covered "Kate is Great" from ''The Bouncing Souls'', and The Bouncing Souls covered "Burn After Writing" from ''On the Impossible Past''.
On November 29, 2013, while performing at the Bowery Ballroom, Greg Barnett said that the band had just come out of the studio. The new album, ''Rented World'', was released on April 22, 2014. A music video for a song from the new album, "In Remission", was released on February 18, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-menzingers-in-remission-song-rented-world-stream/ |title=Check Out the First Song from the Menzingers' New Album, 'Rented World' |first=Dan |last=Ozzi |website=Noisey.vice.ocom |date=February 18, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref>
The band spent 2014 and 2015 touring North America, Europe, and Australia with a variety of acts as both support and a headline act, including The Smith Street Band, Off With Their Heads, Lemuria, Chumped, Taking Back Sunday, mewithoutYou, Pianos Become the Teeth, letlive., and others.
The Menzingers released their fifth studio album ''After The Party'' on February 3, 2017, for Epitaph Records,<ref>{{cite web|author=Epitaph Records |url=http://themenzingers.com/ |title=After The Party |publisher=The Menzingers |access-date=March 6, 2017}}</ref> along with a United States tour featuring Jeff Rosenstock and Rozwell Kid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bringthenoise.com/blog/the-menzingers-announce-2017-tour-with-jeff|title=The Menzingers Announce 2017 Tour With Jeff Rosenstock and Rozwell Kid, Release New Music Video For "Bad Catholics" / the NOISE|website=Bringthenoise.com|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref>
On May 30, 2018, The Menzingers released a new single: "Toy Soldier"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themenzingers.bandcamp.com/|title=From Exile, by The Menzingers|website=Themenzingers.bandcamp.com|access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> and released "The Freaks" in October.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2019917/the-menzingers-the-freaks/video/|title=The Menzingers – "The Freaks" Video|date=October 23, 2018|website=Stereogum.com|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref>
The Menzingers announced their sixth studio album ''Hello Exile'' and premiered a music video for the single "Anna" on July 15, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Menzingers – "Anna" Video |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2051132/the-menzingers-anna-video/video/|website=Stereogum.com |date=July 15, 2019 |access-date=July 16, 2019 }}</ref> On August 20, 2019, The Menzingers released the second single from ''Hello Exile'': "America (You're Freaking Me Out)", alongside a music video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/watch-the-menzingers-brilliant-video-for-new-single-america-youre-freaking-me-out/|title=Watch The Menzingers' Brilliant Video For New Single America (You're Freaking Me Out)|website=Kerrang.com|date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> On September 18, 2019, The Menzingers released the third single from ''Hello Exile'': "Strangers Forever", alongside a music video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/the-menzingers-strangers-forever-video-hello-exile/|title=The Menzingers show summer's over in "Strangers Forever" video|last=Darus|first=Alex|date=September 18, 2019|website=Alternative Press|language=en-US|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref> ''Hello Exile'' was released on October 4, 2019, on Epitaph Records and the band went on a U.S. headlining tour with Tigers Jaw and Culture Abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-menzingers-announce-new-lp-tour-w-tigers-jaw-culture-abuse-share-song/|title=The Menzingers announce new LP & tour w/ Tigers Jaw & Culture Abuse, share song|website=BrooklynVegan.com|language=en-US|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref>
On August 5, 2020, the band announced they would be releasing their 7th album entitled ''From Exile'', which would be an acoustic reimagining of their previous album ''Hello Exile''. The album was written, composed and recorded by the bands members in separate locations due to COVID-19 restrictions.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Menzingers Announce New Reimagined Album, From Exile|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/the-menzingers-announce-new-reimagined-album-from-exile/|access-date=September 25, 2020|website=Kerrang!|date=August 5, 2020 }}</ref>'' 3 songs, as well as their accompanying lyrics videos, were released ahead of the album premier, with "High School Friend (From Exile)"" and "Strawberry Mansion (From Exile)" released on the same day the album was announced, and "Last To Know (From Exile)" was released on August 21, 2020. The full album was released on September 25, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=From Exile|url=https://themenzingers.com/discography/from-exile|access-date=September 25, 2020|website=The Menzingers {{!}} From Exile|language=en-US}}</ref>
In a podcast shared on their Patreon<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.patreon.com/TheMenzingers/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=Explain+After+Writing | title=Get more from the Menzingers on Patreon }}</ref> in late 2021, the band recounted a significant moment from their tour when Bill Stevenson offered them high praise, stating, "You know what guys, you're a real band."
In September 2022, The Menzingers announced a reissue of ''On the Impossible Past'' and its demos ''On the Possible Past'' both digitally and on vinyl for the 10 year anniversary. This announcement was accompanied with the release of the single "Burn".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=The Menzingers bringing 'On the Possible Past' acoustic demos EP to streaming, share lyric video |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-menzingers-bringing-on-the-possible-past-acoustic-demos-ep-to-streaming-share-lyric-video/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2023, The Menzingers released the single "Bad Actors"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://themenzingers.bandcamp.com/album/bad-actors | title=Bad Actors, by the Menzingers }}</ref> followed in July 2023 by the single "There's No Place in This World for Me."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://themenzingers.bandcamp.com/album/theres-no-place-in-this-world-for-me | title=There's No Place in This World for Me, by the Menzingers }}</ref> The latter would feature on the band's seventh studio album ''Some of It Was True,'' released on October 13, 2023. <ref name="KR">{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-menzingers-announce-new-album-some-of-it-was-true|title=The Menzingers announce new album, Some Of It Was True|work=Kerrang!|date=August 16, 2023|access-date=December 16, 2025}}</ref>
In April 19, 2026, the band anounced the single "Chance Encounters" and their eight studio album ''Everything I Ever Saw'', to be released on July 17 of the same year. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Jack |date=2026-04-29 |title=The Menzingers Announce New Album 'Everything I Ever Saw' |url=https://rocksound.tv/news/the-menzingers-announce-new-album-everything-i-ever-saw |access-date=2026-05-21 |website=Rock Sound |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Musical style == Critics and journalists have labeled the Menzingers' musical style as punk rock.<ref name="caramanica">{{cite news |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |title=The Menzingers' Ragged Punk Peeks in the Rearview Mirror |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/arts/music/menzingers-after-the-party-review.html |access-date=June 11, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=February 1, 2017}}</ref><ref name="epitaphbio">{{cite web |title=THE MENZINGERS BIO |url=https://www.epitaph.com/artists/the-menzingers/bio |website=Epitaph Records |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref><ref name="apar">{{cite web |last1=Apar |first1=Corey |title=The Menzingers - Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-menzingers-mn0000647156/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref><ref name="bradley">{{cite news |last1=Bradley |first1=Josh |title=Scranton punk-rock mainstay The Menzingers return to Ybor City on Mother's Day |url=https://www.cltampa.com/music/scranton-punk-rock-mainstay-the-menzingers-return-to-ybor-city-on-mothers-day-13370875 |access-date=June 11, 2022 |work=Creative Loafing |date=May 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name="otip10">{{cite web |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=The Menzingers' 'On the Impossible Past' turns 10 – nostalgic album is nostalgic |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-menzingers-on-the-impossible-past-turns-10-nostalgic-album-is-nostalgic/ |website=Brooklyn Vegan |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/286 |title=Epitaph Records: The Menzingers |access-date=May 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613171330/http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/286 |archive-date=June 13, 2013 }}</ref> In interviews, members of the band have self-described the Menzingers as a punk band.<ref name="carr2019">{{cite web |last1=Carr |first1=Paul |title=GETTING IT JUST RIGHT AND TRYING NEW SOUNDS: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MENZINGERS |quote=We love big anthemic rock ‘n’ roll, and we were like, you know we’ll always be a punk band, and there’ll always be that edge to us, but we don’t have to rely on that. |url=https://www.popmatters.com/menzingers-hello-exile-2019-interview-2640722650.html |website=PopMatters |date=October 2019 |access-date=January 2, 2023}}</ref> The Menzingers have cited numerous bands as influences, including the Clash,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conoley |first=Ben |date=October 30, 2009 |title=Greg Barnett (The Menzingers) |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/35780/interviews-greg-barnett-the-menzingers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223165734/https://www.punknews.org/article/35780/interviews-greg-barnett-the-menzingers |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=punknews.org |quote=I feel like we have a pretty common base as far as influences go. Primarily The Clash.}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ozzi |first=Dan |date=September 23, 2019 |title=Rank Your Records: The Menzingers' Greg Barnett |url=https://danozzi.substack.com/p/rank-your-records-the-menzingers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210014721/https://danozzi.substack.com/p/rank-your-records-the-menzingers |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=danozzi.substack.com}}</ref> Against Me!,<ref name=":0" /> Pixies, and the Smashing Pumpkins.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whiteley |first=Dan |date=October 15, 2014 |title=Interview: The Menzingers |url=https://mancunion.com/2014/10/15/interview-the-menzingers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129194643/https://mancunion.com/2014/10/15/interview-the-menzingers/ |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=The Mancunion |quote=The Smashing Pumpkins were a big one that we were always listening to in the van, that we referenced for mixing and everything. And yeah, the Pixies of course, they’re a huge influence.}}</ref>
== Accolades == {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- ! Publication ! data-sort-type="number"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| List |-Ad | ''Loudwire'' | align=center| Unranked | The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019 (for ''Hello Exile'')<ref name="Ltop5019">{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019 |url=https://loudwire.com/best-rock-albums-of-2019/ |website=Loudwire |publisher=Townsquare Media |access-date=March 7, 2021 |date=December 5, 2019}}</ref> |-Ad | ''Stereogum'' | align=center| 26 | 50 Best Albums of 2017 So Far<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/featured/the-50-best-albums-of-2017-so-far/|title=50 Best Albums of 2017 So Far|date=June 6, 2017|publisher=Stereogum|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> |-Ad | ''Uproxx'' | align=center| 46 | 50 Best Albums of 2017 So Far<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2017-so-far/|title=50 Best Albums of 2017 So Far|date=June 5, 2017|website=Uproxx|access-date=June 10, 2017}}</ref> |}
== Members == * Greg Barnett – guitar, vocals * Tom May – guitar, vocals * Eric Keen – bass guitar * Joe Godino – drums
== Discography == === Studio albums === * ''A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology'' (2007) * ''Chamberlain Waits'' (2010) * ''On the Impossible Past'' (2012) * ''Rented World'' (2014) * ''After the Party'' (2017) * ''Hello Exile'' (2019) * ''Some of It Was True'' (2023)
=== EPs and singles === * ''Hold on, Dodge!'' (2009) * "I Was Born" (2010) * "The Obituaries" (2011) * "Gates" (2012) * ''Electric Split'' (2013) (split with The Bouncing Souls) * ''Dirty Old Town / Whiskey in the Jar'' (2016) * "Lookers" (2016) * ''Covers EP'' (2017) * "Toy Soldier" (2018) * "The Freaks" (2018) * "No Penance b/w Cemetery's Garden" (2019) * "Anna" (2019) * "America (You're Freaking Me Out)" (2019) * "Strangers Forever" (2019) * “Bad Actors” (2023) * "There's No Place in This World for Me" (2023) * "Nobody's Heroes" (2026)
=== Demos === * ''Demo'' (2006) * ''On the Possible Past'' (2012) - re-released in 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=The Menzingers bringing 'On the Possible Past' acoustic demos EP to streaming, share lyric video |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-menzingers-bringing-on-the-possible-past-acoustic-demos-ep-to-streaming-share-lyric-video/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en}}</ref>
=== Music videos === * "Richard Coury" (2008)<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Coury |url=http://vimeo.com/12333411 |website=Vimeo.com|date=June 6, 2010|access-date=May 23, 2014 }}</ref> * "I Was Born" (2010) * "Irish Goodbyes" (2011) * "Nice Things" (2012) * "In Remission" (2014) * "I Don't Wanna Be an Asshole Anymore" (2014) * "Where Your Heartache Exists" (2015) * "Bad Catholics" (2016) * "Lookers" (2016) * "After the Party" (2017) * "The Freaks" (2018) * "Anna" (2019) * "America (You're Freaking Me Out)" (2019) * "Strangers Forever" (2019) * "There's No Place in This World for Me" (2023) * "Hope is a Dangerous Little Thing" (2023) * "Come On Heartache" (2023) * "Try" (2023) * "Some of It Was True" (2023) * "Chance Encounters" (2026)
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{The Menzingers}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Menzingers, The}} Category:Punk rock groups from Pennsylvania Category:Rock music groups from Philadelphia Category:Epitaph Records artists Category:Musicians from Scranton, Pennsylvania Category:2006 establishments in Pennsylvania