We Are the In Crowd is an American pop punk band that formed in Poughkeepsie, New York in 2006. The lineup of consists of Taylor Jardine on lead vocals and keyboards, Jordan Eckes on co-lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Cameron Hurley on lead guitar and backing vocals, Mike Ferri on bass, and Rob Chianelli on drums.
Early Days of We Are the In Crowd
We Are the In Crowd originally went by the name “The In Crowd” when they first started out in 2006. However, in 2009, the band had to change their name to due to trademark issues with a reggae band from the 1970s also called The In Crowd. That same year, the band signed with Hopeless Records after the label discovered them via a news article about the band’s Myspace page getting hacked.
We Are the In Crowd’s Music Releases
In June 2010, We Are the In Crowd released their debut EP titled Guaranteed to Disagree. The EP was recorded with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, who had previously worked with bands like All Time Low, Mayday Parade, and Cartel.
The band followed up their EP with the release of their first full-length album Best Intentions in October 2011. The album peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200 chart. Songs from Best Intentions like “Rumor Mill” and “Kiss Me Again” (featuring All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth) gained traction on rock radio and with fans.
The band’s second album, Weird Kids, came out in February 2014 and debuted even higher on the Billboard 200 at #29. Alternative Press praised the growth and maturity on Weird Kids, noting the “massive choruses” and “slick pop-rock” sound. Singles from the album included “The Best Thing (That Never Happened)”, “Attention”, and “Long Live the Kids”.
We Are the In Crowd’s Live Performances
Throughout their career, the group gained a reputation as a stellar live act. The band toured extensively across North America, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. They frequently played the Vans Warped Tour and big rock festivals like Slam Dunk and Riot Fest.
Some of We Are the In Crowd’s most notable tours were as support for fellow pop punk heavyweights like All Time Low, Mayday Parade, Yellowcard, and New Found Glory. They also embarked on several headlining runs.
We Are the In Crowd’s Hiatus and Return
In February 2016, We Are the In Crowd announced they were going on hiatus. During the break, lead singer Taylor Jardine performed solo under the name Sainte. Jardine talked to Rock Sound about the importance of the hiatus for the band members’ mental health and personal lives.
Fans were thrilled when, after a few years away, We Are the In Crowd officially returned in October 2019. The band was announced as part of the lineup for the 2020 Slam Dunk Festival, although the festival ended up being delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2021, We Are the In Crowd took the stage again for the first time in over five years at Slam Dunk, delivering a joyous and triumphant comeback performance.
We Are the In Crowd’s Legacy and Future
With catchy hooks, relatable lyrics, and infectious energy, We Are the In Crowd cemented themselves as an important part of the 2010s pop punk scene. Alongside peers like Tonight Alive and State Champs, they represented a new generation carrying the torch for the genre.
