Issues was an American metalcore band based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2012. The band's final lineup consisted of guitarist and vocalist AJ Rebollo, bassist and vocalist Skyler Acord, and drummer Josh Manuel. They were known for their combination of metalcore, nu metal, pop and contemporary R&B.
Following original member Michael Bohn and Tyler Carter's departure from Woe, Is Me, the duo formed Issues with keyboardist Ben Ferris, bassist Cory Ferris, guitarist AJ Rebollo, and drummer Case Snedecor, subsequently signing to Rise Records. The Ferris brothers departed from the group prior to the release of the Black Diamonds EP, in 2012. Snedecor left the band in 2013 and was replaced by drummer Josh Manuel while Ben and Cory Ferris were replaced by keyboardist and disc jockeyTyler Acord and bassist Skyler Acord, respectively. The band released their self-titled debut studio album in 2014, which was praised for its DJ-based breakdowns and mixture of metalcore and electronica, charting at number-nine on the US Billboard 200. They released their remix album, Diamond Dreams, in November 2014. Their second studio album, Headspace, was released in May 2016. On January 4, 2018, it was revealed the band had fired Michael Bohn due to "wanting to go in a different direction".[2] The following year, the group released their third studio album, Beautiful Oblivion, on October 4, 2019. In September 2020, Tyler Carter was fired from the band for multiple accusations of grooming and sexual misconduct.[3] The band would remain inactive until November 2023, when they announced they would be disbanding following three farewell shows slated for January 2024.
The project was first announced by former Woe, Is Me vocalist Tyler Carter in 2012, stating that he had plans to create a band with other former members of the band.[7] This included; Michael Bohn, Cory Ferris and Ben Ferris.[8] Before the band started to record their debut EP, titled Black Diamonds, both Cory and Ben Ferris were unable to attend the recording sessions and ultimately left the band. Ben Ferris departed from the band early in September 2012, while Cory Ferris decided to stay with the band until he announced his departure in November 2012.[9] Skyler Acord played bass guitar on the band's debut EP,[10][not specific enough to verify] while his brother Tyler Acord played keyboards and turntables. Both of the Acord brothers were later asked to join the band after the departure of bassist Jake Vintson in early 2013.[11]
Issues' first release of 2013 was a stand-alone single titled "Hooligans", which was released on July 5 and was accompanied with a music video.[16] In May, drummer Case Snedecor left the band due to musical differences.[17] But in the next month, his successor, Josh Manuel, was announced as the new drummer of the band, making this the fourth lineup change in the band's short history.[18] On May 19, 2013, the band participated in the Vans Warped Tour.[19]
The band confirmed that they would be releasing an EP full of acoustic versions of songs from their debut EP 'Black Diamonds', which was later released on, November 18, 2014.[20] The band was initially set to release their debut album in November, however it was pushed back to January 2014.[21] It was revealed in December that the album was set to be released on February 18, 2014, along with the album details and track list, revealing it to be a self-titled album.[22]
Issues made another release through Fearless Records on the Punk Goes Christmas album, released on November 2, with song "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays".[23] It was later announced that they would be joining Beartooth on Of Mice & Men UK headlining tour in April as a support act.[24] It was also announced that they will be joining Bring Me the Horizon and Of Mice & Men on their 'American Dream Tour' beginning February with fellow supporting acts Letlive and Northlane.[25] The band also confirmed that they will be performing the entire Vans Warped Tour 2014.[26]
On October 17, 2014, the band confirmed they'd be releasing their first acoustic EP, Diamond Dreams, produced and mixed by the band themselves along with Matt Malpass and various other personnel.[30] The EP was officially released on November 17.[31]
On January 2, 2015, Issues were featured in an article on Alternative Press, in which they stated that the writing and pre-production for their second album would begin on January 23. Ty Acord announced that he wouldn't be touring with Issues during 2015, in order to focus on his work as a music producer. However, he stated that he would still be a member of the band in the studio, and will co-produce the upcoming album, titled Headspace.[32]
Drummer Josh Manuel said that the band was in the studio writing for their second album and that they had booked time, once again, with Kristofer Crummett and Erik Ron in July 2015 to record it.[33] In November 2015, they announced that they will be a five piece, with Ty leaving to focus on producing music and working with Issues only as a collaborator.[34][35][36]
Issues were announced as part of the line-up for Slam Dunk Festival during November 2015.[37]
On January 4, 2018, the band confirmed that they fired vocalist Michael Bohn.[38]
Between recording sessions and the release of the band's upcoming third studio album, vocalist Tyler Carter released his debut solo studio album, Moonshine, on February 1, 2019, on Rise Records.
2019–2024: Beautiful Oblivion, Carter's firing and disbandment
On April 9, 2019, Issues announced that they had completed recording sessions and tracking for their upcoming third studio album.[39] In a statement from bass guitarist Skyler Acord, he stated: "We finished our album yesterday, almost two years to the day from the first writing session. It (literally) almost killed us in more ways than one but good art comes from conflict. I can't wait for you to hear what we went through, woven into the music we're all so proud of." On the same day, the band confirmed that they would release a new single "coming soon."[40] Before the album's announcement or promotional tour, the group was set to tour as support on American metalcore band I Prevail's Trauma U.S. Tour, from April 24 to August 9, 2019.[41] While taking online polls via Instagram on what the setlist should be for the upcoming tour, it was announced that the first single for the upcoming album would be released on May 3, 2019, titled "Tapping Out". On August 11, it was announced that the album would be titled Beautiful Oblivion and be released on October 4.[42]
On September 1, 2020, the band announced that founding member and vocalist Tyler Carter had been kicked from the band due to accusations of grooming and sexual misconduct.[43] Following Carter's departure from the band, the three remaining members released an album of instrumental tracks from Beautiful Oblivion on November 20, 2020.
Over the course of the next several years, bassist and vocalist Skyler Acord began working with American musical duo Twenty One Pilots;[44] drummer Josh Manuel began working with American country singer Kane Brown;[45] and guitarist and vocalist AJ Rebollo joined American rock band Bad Wolves.[46]
On November 17, 2023, the band announced a breakup and three farewell shows that will take place in January 2024.[47][48][49] On November 29, 2023, three extra dates were added and Brian Butcher from the band The Home Team was announced as a fill-in vocalist for all the farewell shows.[50]
On January 10, 2024, the band released the final single titled "Since I Lost You" with bassist Skyler Acord providing lead vocals.[51]
During the final two farewell shows – both at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA – the band's ex-member, unclean vocalist Michael Bohn joined the band on stage to perform the Black Diamonds EP in its entirety, along with the single "Hooligans", during the encore portion of the show.[52][53] The band recorded the farewell shows and will release a selection of song recordings as a double-vinyl live album, Issues Forever, in late summer/early fall 2024.[54][55]
^Crowe, Jacob (May 2, 2020). "The makings of a growing sub-genre in Issues' Beautiful Oblivion". nowuc.com.au. University of Canberra. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022. Nu-Metalcore/Pop-Metal/R&Bcore band, Issues, ended the decade with a new full length album titled Beautiful Oblivion, which brought more funk, R&B, pop and soul to the metal subgenre than ever before.
^Kraus, Brian (June 16, 2013). "Issues announce new drummer". AltPress.com. Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
