Band relishes its ‘Allstar’ status

Allstar Weekend with Stephen Jerzak, The Scene Aesthetic and Action… Allstar Weekend with Stephen Jerzak, The Scene Aesthetic and Action Item

Altar Bar

Today at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets $20

412-263-2877

Backstreet Boys fans, take note: Allstar Weekend has invented a new twist on the youth-rock formula.

Less of a boy band than many of its predecessors, Allstar Weekend is nevertheless unafraid to embrace the “pop-rock” genre, labeling its sound a cross between blink-182 and the Jonas Brothers.

“Obviously we’re pop rock, and with a dance influence. But when we perform, we are trying to have more of a classic-rock feel but still with some dance influence,” lead vocalist Zach Porter said.

A fixture on Radio Disney, it’s no wonder Allstar Weekend is gaining some notoriety with the under-20 crowd. Formed while its members were still in high school, the band has become well-known for its energy and for exploring youth-oriented themes — among them, taking advantage of life while you still have the chance.

“We are in that young demographic. When we started we were still in high school. As we grow it will change, but we’re always writing about what we know, just being real,” Porter said.

These “real” lyrics can pertain to anything the boys feel strongly about, be it family and friends, the touring experience or living out their dreams of becoming musicians.

“It totally varies, there’s no specific formula. We just jam it out, because it’s really all about feeling,” Porter said of songwriting. “Songs like ‘A Different Side of Me’ are about how we are living that dream. It’s about how three years ago, we were thinking about being on tour, you know, saying we wanted to be rock stars.”

For now, the boys will continue writing what they know. Usually, that means experiences most young adults can relate to.

Porter said the band members are inspired by “things that happen to us — basically our lives now. But really, 90 percent of it is about our fans.”

Guitarist Nathan Darmody affirmed this dedication to the audience.

“It’s cool to see what fans bring out for us [at concerts]. We’re so far from home, but to still see people who like us —  we love it,” he said.

While the boys are always considering a serious career in music, they admit that it isn’t their number one priority. For now they plan on enjoying their place in the industry while it lasts.

“Honestly, we have no idea what we’ll be doing in the future. About a year ago we played a show in Chicago for a parade and no one knew us. Looking back at that, we would have never guessed how much would change,” Darmody said.