Allstar Weekend

Allstar Weekend, an American pop rock band, originated in Poway, California. The band was formed in 2007 when Nathan Darmody and Zachary “Zach” Porter met in high school and began writing music. Michael Martinez joined on drums, and Cameron Quiseng became the bassist. Initially known as ‘ALLSTAR,’ the band gained early recognition after participating in Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” contest, where they placed second. Despite not winning, their fan base led to a contract with Hollywood Records in 2009. This partnership marked a turning point, with the band changing their name to Allstar Weekend due to legal considerations, adding ‘Weekend’ to create a stronger connection with their audience.

Following their signing, Allstar Weekend released their debut EP, “Suddenly,” in June 2010. Their first single, “A Different Side of Me,” debuted on Radio Disney on March 2, 2010, and quickly became a chart-topper. This was followed by their second single, “Dance Forever,” in June 2010, which became a significant “breakout track” due to its upbeat sound and memorable lyrics. “Come Down with Love” was released as a third single in September 2010, preceding their EP “Suddenly Yours” in October 2010. Their music was featured on soundtracks for “The Last Song” and “Sonny With a Chance,” where they also made a television appearance on the show’s Halloween Special, performing “Come Down With Love.” They performed alongside notable artists such as Emily Osment, The Ready Set, The Jonas Brothers, and Selena Gomez, and participated in the Concert for Hope in March 2011.

Their career continued with the release of their second studio album, “All the Way,” in September 2011, which peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200, a notable improvement from their previous album. The album featured the single “Not Your Birthday,” included on the soundtrack for Disney’s film “Prom.” In September 2011, founding member Nathan Darmody departed from the group. The band later disassociated from Hollywood Records in 2012, citing creative restrictions, and signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Canada. They released an EP titled “The American Dream” in 2012 and a cover song EP, “Kevin’s Place,” in 2013. The band announced a permanent hiatus in January 2013, playing their final show on August 4, 2013, before members Zach Porter, Cameron Quiseng, and Michael Martinez, along with touring member Brent Schneiders, formed a new band, The Tragic Thrills.