Motion City Soundtrack#Current

{{multiple image

|direction=horizontal

|image1=Joshua Cain, guitarist of Motion City Soundtrack, Newcastle University in 2006.jpg

|footer=The band was founded by guitarist Joshua Cain (left) and vocalist Justin Pierre (right).

|width1={{#expr: (200 * 805 / 1158) round 0}}

|image2=Justin Pierre The 9-30 Club 2010.jpg

|width2={{#expr: (200 * 765 / 1158) round 0}}

}}

Motion City Soundtrack was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1997 by singer-songwriter Justin Courtney Pierre and guitarist Joshua Allen Cain. Previously, the duo had separately played in a number of bands.{{cite news|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/interviews/2008/09/justin_pierre_of_motion_city_s.html|title=Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack|date=September 7, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2016|work=OregonLive.com}} Cain was in a group named the Saddest Girl Story, and recruited Pierre to join as a singer. He was subsequently in a band called Boxcar, and following its dissolution, he and Pierre founded Motion City Soundtrack together. The band's name was inspired by a defunct film project that was originally created by Cain's brother, Brian.{{Cite web |date= 22 December 2014|title=Motion City Soundtrack "Commit This To Memory" DVD Documentary |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rnyWSWxz-M&t=1702s&ab_channel=SailSet |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=YouTube}} Their early days were difficult, as they found it hard to break out of their local scene. When they could get weeks off from their jobs, they would tour.{{cite news |author=Evan Davies |date=July 28, 2005 |title=Motion City Soundtrack boosted by blink |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-07-28/music_feature.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050730004236/http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-07-28/music_feature.php |archive-date=July 30, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2016 |work=Now |volume=24 |number=48}} According to Cain, the members of the band soon realized that there "wasn't really anywhere to play [shows] in Minneapolis", and that they would have to "tour all the time" to rise in popularity.{{cite web|url=http://www.zoom-in.com/spotlights/rehearsal_space_motion_city_soundtrack|title=Rehearsal Space: Motion City Soundtrack|publisher=Zoom-In.com|access-date=June 26, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705005216/http://www.zoom-in.com/spotlights/rehearsal_space_motion_city_soundtrack |archive-date = July 5, 2008}} In its early years, the group went through several lineup changes.{{cite news|title=Show By Show, Motion City Soundtrack Builds a Following|author=Tricia Woolfenden|work=The Grand Rapids Press|date=December 3, 2003}} Through these, Cain and Pierre would often have to take over keyboard duties during shows. The group's first release was a 7-inch single, "Promenade / Carolina", released in 1999.{{cite web|title=Motion City Soundtrack – Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/motion-city-soundtrack-mn0000595768/biography|website=AllMusic|author=MacKenzie Wilson|access-date=July 31, 2008}} Their next two releases, both extended plays—Kids for America and Back to the Beat—were released the following year.{{cite news|url=http://diffuser.fm/motion-city-soundtrack-break-up/|title=Motion City Soundtrack Announce Indefinite Hiatus|author= Beth Kellmurray|date=March 11, 2016|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=Diffuser.fm}}

Over the course of the early 2000s, the band continued to tour and shuffle through members. In late 2001, while touring in Milton, Pennsylvania with the band Submerge, they convinced two of its members—bassist Matthew Scott Taylor and drummer Tony Richard Thaxton—to join the band.{{cite news|title=Motion City Soundtrack: The Sequel|author=Nadine Cheung|work=Chord|date=Summer 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103094001/http://www.chordmagazine.com/issue/warptour_05/feature_08.shtm|archive-date=November 3, 2006|url=http://www.chordmagazine.com/issue/warptour_05/feature_08.shtm}} Thaxton initially took about a year to convince to join the band. Jesse Mack Johnson, a friend and co-worker of Cain's, joined the band as keyboardist just three weeks before the band recorded their first album.{{cite news|title=Emotions in Motion: Motion City Soundtrack is signed and road-tested|author=Chris Riemenschneider|work=Star Tribune|date=July 17, 2003}} Johnson had never played the keyboard before but Cain taught him the parts that had already been written. After their first attempt at self-recording an album failed, the band culled together $6,000 to record with producer Ed Rose, best known for his work with the Get Up Kids.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041101112434/http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/motioncitysoundtrack.htm|archive-date=November 1, 2004|title=Words with: Motion City Soundtrack|author=Shari Black Velvet|date=February 2004|work=Black Velvet|url=http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/motioncitysoundtrack.htm|access-date=March 29, 2016}} They recorded much of their debut album, I Am the Movie, in ten days.{{cite news|title=Motion City Soundtrack – Interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040401132723/http://www.ampmagazine.com/amp.html|archive-date=April 1, 2004|work=AMP|author=Courtney Riot|date=January 12, 2004|url=http://www.ampmagazine.com/amp.html|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Initial copies were hand-packaged inside floppy disks,{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/motion-city-soundtrack-i-am-the-movie-the-movie/|author=Jonah Bayer|title=Don't Call It a Documentary: Motion City Soundtrack Make a Movie|publisher=Noisey (Vice Media, Inc.)|date=May 12, 2014|access-date=March 29, 2016}} which were sold out of the back of their tour van for a year.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/forward-motion/2005/08/24/1124562925211.html|title=Forward Motion|date=August 26, 2005|newspaper=The Age|access-date=March 29, 2016}}

The band began receiving offers from various record labels, including Universal, Triple Crown Records, and Drive-Thru Records, and they performed at industry showcases. Meanwhile, Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records, learned of the band from members of the group Matchbook Romance. He attended four of their shows in Los Angeles that Pierre later regarded as among his worst, as his voice was poor from constant touring. While they were interested in Universal, they chose to sign to Epitaph as they felt the contract was less restrictive and more honest. Eli Janney from Girls Against Boys helped the band secure management and a lawyer.{{cite news|title=Motion City Soundtrack – Interview|work=Scratch Magazine|date=October 17, 2003|author=Scott Presant}} Motion City became part of a slew of Epitaph signings, including Matchbook Romance, Scatter the Ashes and From First to Last, amid concerns the Southern California label had strayed too far from its roots, and seemed "a little too emo."{{cite news|title=Cain is Able : Motion City Soundtrack's Joshua Cain is all business|author=Chris Rager|date=December 20, 2004|work=Cleveland Free Times}}

After signing with Epitaph, they recorded three new songs with the bands Reggie and the Full Effect and Ultimate Fakebook for a triple split EP which was never released. The new songs were added to the second release of I Am the Movie, which was released via Epitaph on June 24, 2003. Epitaph afforded the quartet wider distribution and a proper budget, which allowed them to re-record several songs on the album to match their original vision. During this time, the band visited the United Kingdom for the first time in 2003 while on tour with Sugarcult,{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031230093442/http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=664|archive-date=December 30, 2003|title=Words with: Motion City Soundtrack|author=Darren Sykes|date=June 24, 2003|work=Gigwise|url=http://www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=664|access-date=March 29, 2016}} followed by an inaugural stint on Warped Tour 2003.{{cite news|title=I Am the Movie: An Interview with Motion City Soundtrack|author=Meara Jones|issue=61|work=EMMIE Magazine|date=March 22, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530023839/http://www.emmiemagazine.com/articles/61.html|archive-date=May 30, 2006|access-date=March 29, 2016|url=http://www.emmiemagazine.com/articles/61.html}} The band continued to tour heavily into the next year, with US dates alongside Rufio, Mae, and Fall Out Boy, plus Simple Plan and MxPx.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/67792/simple-plan-mxpx-power-punk-package|date=December 12, 2003|title=Simple Plan, MxPx Power Punk Package|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 29, 2016}} A European leg—titled the "Totally Wicked Awesome Tour"—featured the group with Sugarcult, the All-American Rejects, and Limbeck. That year, the band also filmed music videos for the singles "The Future Freaks Me Out" and "My Favorite Accident". Their fame grew concurrently with a second appearance on the Warped Tour 2004, where they were considered by fans to be a "must-see" act.

File:Motion City Soundtrack in Denver.jpg, Colorado in 2005.]]

The band joined Blink-182 for touring stints in Europe and Japan later in the year, at the recommendation of the band's bassist, Mark Hoppus.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1617362/motion-city-soundtrack-tell-blink-182s-mark-hoppus-how-great-he-is/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108120046/http://www.mtv.com/news/1617362/motion-city-soundtrack-tell-blink-182s-mark-hoppus-how-great-he-is/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 8, 2015|title=Motion City Soundtrack Tell Blink-182's Mark Hoppus How Great He Is|author=James Montgomery|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=July 31, 2009}} Cain invited Hoppus to produce Motion City's sophomore album, and he accepted.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617362/motion-city-soundtrack-tell-blink-182s-mark-hoppus-how-great.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222091621/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617362/motion-city-soundtrack-tell-blink-182s-mark-hoppus-how-great.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|title=Motion City Soundtrack Tell Blink-182's Mark Hoppus How Great He Is|author=James Montgomery|date=July 31, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The album, Commit This to Memory, was recorded at Seedy Underbelly Studios, a suburban home converted into a studio in Los Angeles' Valley Village region. It was written partially in their hometown of Minneapolis and in Los Angeles, during a period in which Pierre was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse.{{cite video|people = Lucy, Evan (Interviewer); Pierre, Justin (Interviewee)|date = January 15, 2015|title = Episode 025: Justin Pierre (10-Year Motion City Soundtrack Retrospective)|url = http://ec.libsyn.com/p/4/0/0/4005c806b8ff4410/VV025.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06ca8634d4cc5d4645&c_id=8177547|format = mp3|medium = Podcast|publisher = Voice & Verse|access-date = March 29, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150115195117/http://ec.libsyn.com/p/4/0/0/4005c806b8ff4410/VV025.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06ca8634d4cc5d4645&c_id=8177547|archive-date = January 15, 2015|url-status = dead}}{{cite news|url=http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-31942-reeling_in_the_years.html|title=Reeling in the Years|date=January 14, 2015|work=Cincinnati CityBeat|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|author=Reyan Ali|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Commit This to Memory was the first album by the band to feature material crafted by each musician in the group, as previous releases had featured songs written in the years prior to each member joining. In addition, the band also had more time and funds to create the album.{{cite news|url=http://wc.arizona.edu/papers/98/208/04_11.html|title=Motion City Soundtrack keeps busy|author= Michael Petitti |date=October 27, 2005|newspaper=Arizona Daily Wildcat|access-date=April 15, 2014}} During its recording process, Motion City embarked on their first headlining tour, titled "The Sub-Par Punk Who Cares Tour 2004". At the year's end, the band had played over 270 concerts.

Commit This to Memory, which was leaked to file sharing websites months before its official debut, saw release on June 7, 2005, peaking at number two on Billboard{{'s}} Independent Albums chart.{{cite magazine|title=Motion City Soundtrack – Chart history|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/311845/motion-city-soundtrack/chart?f=326|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Pierre estimated that by 2015 the album had sold nearly 500,000 copies.{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/rank-your-records-motion-city-soundtracks-justin-pierre/|author=Jonah Bayer|title=Rank Your Records: Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre Rates the Band's Five Albums|publisher=Noisey (Vice Media, Inc.)|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The band's music videos found regular rotation on networks such as MTV2, and the band also performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. However, their mainstream breakthrough brought detractors, and they became a target for critics of pop punk: "[the band was] frequently characterized as the sort of ultra-commercial punk poseurs who water down the genre to the point of drowning it," wrote Michael Roberts of Westword.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.westword.com/2006-02-16/music/constant-motion/full|title=Constant Motion|author= Michael Roberts |date=February 16, 2006|magazine=Westword|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The group continued to tour constantly, and started attracting larger crowds. They began the year with the inaugural Epitaph Tour, alongside Matchbook Romance and From First to Last.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65606/billboard-bits-kroq-epitaph-american-hi-fi|title=Billboard Bits: KROQ, Epitaph, American Hi-Fi|author= Barry A. Jeckell|date=November 19, 2004|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 29, 2016}} It was followed by dates on the Warped Tour 2005, and the Nintendo Fusion Tour with Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and the Starting Line, which was their largest nationwide tour to that point.

File:Tony Thaxton 07.jpg

The band's follow-up, Even If It Kills Me (2007), was recorded in New York City with Eli Janney, Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, and Ric Ocasek of the Cars. The group, though big fans of his work, were disappointed with Ocasek's role. "He just confused me the whole time," said Pierre later, who noted that he was afraid to disclose that the experience was a "bum-out." Pierre struggled with writer's block during the sessions and found himself writing lyrics while recording the songs, which he had never done before. The band was also worried their songs would not be catchy enough after their last album was so successful. During this time, Pierre's substance issues nearly disbanded the group. "I think it's an understatement to say it is tough to be tied to Justin's emotions," Cain remarked at the time.{{cite news|author=John Benson|url=http://www.vindy.com/news/2007/dec/07/motion-city-deals-with-singer8217s-issues/|title=Motion City deals with singer's issues|newspaper=The Vindicator|date=December 7, 2007|access-date=July 15, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715174230/http://www.vindy.com/news/2007/dec/07/motion-city-deals-with-singer8217s-issues/|url-status=dead}} Following completion of the album, Pierre entered a rehabilitation program for alcohol and drug abuse. The band was apart for a six-week stretch in mid-2007, marking their longest break apart in five years. "It might sound clichéd, but we all had a chance to do some growing up," said Cain.{{cite news|author=Chris Riemenschneider|url=http://www.popmatters.com/article/minnesota-rock-band-motion-city-soundtrack-is-on-the-rise/|title=Minnesota rock band Motion City Soundtrack is on the rise|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=September 27, 2007|access-date=March 29, 2016}}

Even If It Kills Me was released on September 18, 2007, and represented a large leap from the group's last chart performance: it peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the magazine's Independent Albums chart.{{cite magazine|title=Motion City Soundtrack – Chart history|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/311845/motion-city-soundtrack/chart|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 29, 2016}} "This Is for Real" became their best-charting single, peaking at number 48 in Australia.{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}} Cain later felt that the band placed far too much emphasis at the time on "numbers and trajectory instead of the creative process." The following year saw a rise in profile for the band: they worked out promotional deals with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, their music was licensed in various television shows, movies, and video games, and they toured heavily. The band released an acoustic EP featuring songs from Even if It Kills Me in May 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.spin.com/2008/04/new-stream-motion-city-soundtrack-fell-love-without-you/|title=New Stream: Motion City Soundtrack, "Fell In Love Without You"|author=William Goodman|work=Spin|date=April 29, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2016}} After the release of that EP, the band toured on the Honda Civic Tour with Panic at the Disco and Phantom Planet, and then joined the last weeks of the Warped Tour 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.adn.com/play/music/features/story/454226.html|title=Relentless road schedule moves pop rockers into fast lane|author=Josh Niva|work=Alaska Dispatch|date=July 2, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201091909/http://www.adn.com/play/music/features/story/454226.html|archive-date=December 1, 2008}} In September, they headlined on The Left Handed Forms of Human Endeavor Tour.{{cite news|url=http://www.spin.com/2008/07/motion-city-soundtrack-plot-fall-tour/|title=Motion City Soundtrack Plot Fall Tour|author=William Goodman|work=Spin|date=July 14, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2016}}

Motion City signed a multiple-album deal with Columbia Records several months before releasing their previous album. Following the move, the guitarist Joshua Cain said, "It just felt right to make the move when there was the right interest there." With the new signing, the band's promotional team aimed to develop a balance between the benefits of a new major label and their previous grass-roots approach.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266506/motion-city-soundtrack-ready-to-ignite-dino-mite|title=Motion City Soundtrack Ready To Ignite 'Dino'-mite|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|last=Leebove|first=Laura|date=4 December 2009|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Their next album saw the band reunite with producer Mark Hoppus, and the album was mostly recorded at his studio in North Hollywood, Opra Music, between April and June 2009. Hoppus said that the band wanted to follow in the tracks of Commit This to Memory, but to push things further.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268744/blink-182-motion-city-soundtrack-albums-in-the-works|title=Blink-182, Motion City Soundtrack Albums in the Works|magazine=Billboard|date=May 2009|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Pierre later recalled that the atmosphere in the studio was more loose than their first time working with Hoppus. The band picked the title My Dinosaur Life after a quote Pierre kept repeating—they felt it a nice representation of the album's themes, which include growing old and feeling out of place.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1630109/motion-city-soundtrack-say-mark-hoppus-lets-us-be-us/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003233357/http://www.mtv.com/news/1630109/motion-city-soundtrack-say-mark-hoppus-lets-us-be-us/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2015|title=Motion City Soundtrack Say Mark Hoppus 'Lets Us Be Us'|date=January 20, 2010|author=James Montgomery|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 29, 2016}} After completing the album, the band toured with Blink-182 on their reunion tour,{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617297/20090730/blink_182.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801230523/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617297/20090730/blink_182.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2009|title=Blink-182's Mark Hoppus Grills Motion City Soundtrack About New LP|publisher=MTV|access-date=March 29, 2016}} and Pierre undertook a promotional tour called On the Dino Trail wherein he performed acoustic sets.

File:Matthew Taylor MCS.jpg in 2008.]]

My Dinosaur Life was released to acclaim from music critics upon its debut on January 19, 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/motioncitysoundtrack/mydinosaurlife|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128184953/http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/motioncitysoundtrack/mydinosaurlife|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2013|title=Reviews for My Dinosaur Life|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 29, 2016}} and it represented the band's all-time best chart performance, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard 200. They supported Weezer on several dates during this time, and they began a headlining tour in late January in the US. In the first three months following the album's release, the band continued to tour heavily: they traveled to Australia for the national Soundwave festival, as well as to Japan and the UK. The band also began to receive radio airplay for the first time in their career,{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/04/be_specific_motion_city_soundt.html|title=Be specific: Motion City Soundtrack frontman Justin Pierre on major label life|date=April 28, 2010|author=Allison Stewart|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906155023/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/04/be_specific_motion_city_soundt.html|archive-date=September 6, 2011}} and they released a music video for the single "Her Words Destroyed My Planet".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2295019/new-video-motion-city-soundtrack-her-words-destroyed-my-planet/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410121948/http://www.mtv.com/news/2295019/new-video-motion-city-soundtrack-her-words-destroyed-my-planet/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2016|title=New Video: Motion City Soundtrack Video, Her Words Destroyed My Planet|author= Neil Gladstone|publisher=MTV News|date=January 22, 2010|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The group embarked on a large tour with Say Anything between October and November 2010,{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_say_anything_saves_the_day_tour_dates_announced/|title=Motion City Soundtrack/Say Anything/Saves The Day tour dates announced|date=July 26, 2010|author=Scott Heisel|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}} and premiered a self-shot video for "A Lifeless Ordinary" during that time.{{cite news|url=http://www.spin.com/2010/11/exclusive-new-motion-city-soundtrack-video/|title=EXCLUSIVE: New Motion City Soundtrack Video!|author= Peter Gaston |work=Spin|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Columbia dropped the band later that year, with the commercial performance of My Dinosaur Life leading to the split. "I guess we didn't do as well as they hoped or expected us to," said Pierre that year. "And we felt that having all their resources at our disposal would perhaps propel us into another dimension. But we are what we are regardless of what label or machine is behind us. We did exceptionally well, though, if you want to look strictly at sales numbers in today's climate."{{cite magazine|author=William Goodman|url=https://www.spin.com/articles/qa-motion-city-soundtrack-talk-experimental-lp/|title=Q&A: Motion City Soundtrack Talk Experimental LP|magazine=Spin|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064625/http://www.spin.com/articles/qa-motion-city-soundtrack-talk-experimental-lp/|archive-date=April 21, 2014|url-status=dead}}

After being dropped by Columbia, the band set off to Brazil to support All Time Low in January 2011.{{cite magazine |url=http://rollingstone.uol.com.br/noticia/all-time-low-vira-ao-brasil/#imagem0|title=All Time Low virá ao Brasil|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=March 29, 2016|language=pt |trans-title=All Time Low will come to Brazil}} They subsequently began recording their fifth studio album with producer and longtime friend Ed Ackerson at his studio, Flowers Studio, in Minneapolis.{{cite AV media notes | title=Go | year=2012 | others=Motion City Soundtrack | type=liner notes | publisher=Epitaph | location=US | id=87202-1}} The band recorded on their own time with their own resources, which both provided comfort and a sense of nervousness to the group. They relaxed and took their time writing it, and did not preconceive the album as a change in style.{{cite news|author=Alicia Fiorletta|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/09/01/interview-with-matt-taylor-from-motion-city-soundtrack-everything-is-better-than-ever/|title=Interview with Matt Taylor from Motion City Soundtrack: Everything Is Better Than Ever|newspaper=The Aquarian Weekly|date=September 1, 2011|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050550/http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/09/01/interview-with-matt-taylor-from-motion-city-soundtrack-everything-is-better-than-ever/|archive-date=April 21, 2014|url-status=dead}} "We just felt like it was like we were just taking our time and just kinda living life and not worrying about too much other than getting together and making music," remarked Taylor.{{cite web|author=Maggie Hollander|url=http://www.bostonmusicspotlight.com/features-motion-city-soundtrack-interview-with-bassist-matthew-taylor-september-2011/|title=Motion City Soundtrack look back with special tour|publisher=Boston Music Spotlight|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064120/http://www.bostonmusicspotlight.com/features-motion-city-soundtrack-interview-with-bassist-matthew-taylor-september-2011/|archive-date=April 21, 2014|url-status=usurped}} Pierre has since looked back on Go with mixed emotions, citing it as his personal least favorite album by the band. He noted that he was struggling with dark thoughts and felt that the band's collective misery translated to the record.

Following the recording of Go, the band set out on the "4 Albums. 2 Nights. 7 Cities" tour, which found the band performing their past discography over two nights. They also covered "Wait So Long" by Trampled by Turtles for a split 7-inch, which was released in November 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-streams-motion-city-soundtrack-and-trampled-by-turtles-cover-each-other-20111111|title=Exclusive Streams: Motion City Soundtrack and Trampled by Turtles Cover Each Other|date=November 11, 2011|access-date=March 12, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone}} During that time period, they searched for a label to release Go, ultimately returning to Epitaph.{{cite news|author=Wesley Case|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/06/27/after-trying-the-majors-motion-city-soundtrack-returns-to-its-roots/|title=After trying the majors, Motion City Soundtrack returns to its roots|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=June 27, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421082759/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-06-27/entertainment/bs-ae-music-story-0629-20120625_1_motion-city-soundtrack-pierre-ed-ackerson|archive-date=April 21, 2014|url-status=live}} Go was released on June 12, 2012, and received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. Its chart performance represented a large drop-off from its predecessors, peaking at number 46 on the Billboard 200 and number eight on the Independent Albums chart. "True Romance" was the album's lead single, and featured a one-shot music video reminiscent of the works of Spike Jonze.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/07/motion-city-soundtrack-justin-pierre-interview|title=Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre discusses moviemaking and their single-take "True Romance" video|date=July 10, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=IFC}} The group spent much of the remaining year on the road, including dates in Asia in mid-2012{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/485736/exclusive-motion-city-soundtrack-talks-true-romance-in-new-webisode|title=Exclusive: Motion City Soundtrack Talks 'True Romance' in New Webisode|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|author= Jason Lipshutz |date=May 29, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 29, 2016}} and a headlining US tour in October and November.{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_announce_fall_tour_dates|title=Motion City Soundtrack announce fall tour dates

|author= Cassie Whitt|date=July 9, 2012|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}}

Drummer Tony Thaxton departed the group in March 2013 following battles with depression, due in part to their ceaseless touring schedule.{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/tony_thaxton_on_leaving_motion_city_soundtrack_i_was_becoming_a_very_unhapp|title=Tony Thaxton on leaving Motion City Soundtrack: "I was becoming a very unhappy person"|author= Philip Obenschain |date=July 2, 2013|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The band enlisted longtime friend Claudio Rivera of Saves the Day as their new drummer,{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_announce_new_drummer_claudio_rivera_saves_the_day|title=Motion City Soundtrack announce new drummer, Claudio Rivera (Saves The Day)|author= Rachel Campbell |date=June 10, 2013|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}} and released a one-off single with him, "Inside Out", in celebration.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/motion-city-soundtrack-channel-drama-on-inside-out-song-premiere-20130916|title=Motion City Soundtrack Channel Drama on 'Inside Out' – Song Premiere|author=Ryan Reed|date=September 16, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-date=August 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811033436/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/motion-city-soundtrack-channel-drama-on-inside-out-song-premiere-20130916|url-status=dead}} The band immediately began writing a new album, but progress was slow. The group shelved a group of demos they recorded with Mike Sapone, who also worked with Brand New. In the meantime, a video documentary, I Am the Movie: The Movie, was released in 2013. It mainly consists of footage shot of the band around the time of the album's creation. The group participated in Warped Tour 2013{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_blessthefall_big_d_and_the_kids_table_more_announced|title=Motion City Soundtrack, blessthefall, Big D And The Kids Table, more announced for Warped Tour 2013|author=Cassie Whitt|date=January 18, 2013|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125082103/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_blessthefall_big_d_and_the_kids_table_more_announced|archive-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=dead}} and went on a co-headlining tour with Relient K that November.{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_relient_k_announce_fall_co_headlining_tour|title=Motion City Soundtrack, Relient K announce fall co-headlining tour|author= Philip Obenschain |date=August 19, 2013|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}}

File:Motion City Soundtrack, Riot Fest 2016.jpg in 2016.]]

The group recorded their sixth album, Panic Stations, over two weeks at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota in June 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.thereader.com/story/motion_city_soundtracks_justin_pierre|title=Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre|author=Ashley Bles|date=June 22, 2015|work=The Reader|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305225552/http://www.thereader.com/story/motion_city_soundtracks_justin_pierre|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}} The group collaborated with producer John Agnello, well known for his work with Dinosaur Jr., Walt Mink, and Sonic Youth.{{cite news|url=http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2015/08/03/motion-city-soundtrack-debut-lose-control-from-panic-stations|title=Motion City Soundtrack debut "Lose Control" from the forthcoming 'Panic Stations' |date=August 3, 2015|work=The Current|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The album was largely recorded live.{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_album_preview_interview_justin_pierre_2014|title="Let's turn up everything, have fun and make some noise."—Motion City Soundtrack on their 6th album|author= Jason Pettigrew |date=September 24, 2014|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The album's release was delayed by over a year, however, due to the birth of Pierre's daughter. In the interim, the group embarked on a tour celebrating the tenth anniversary of Commit This to Memory between January and February 2015, playing the album in its entirety.{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/motion_city_soundtrack_announce_commit_this_to_memory_10th_anniversary_tour|title=Motion City Soundtrack announce 'Commit This To Memory' 10th Anniversary Tour|author= Tyler Sharp |date=November 10, 2014|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The band later extended this anniversary tour, and further toured the album between June and August 2015.{{cite news|author=Sarah Marie Pittman|url=http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=817920|title=Motion City Soundtrack's 10-Year Anniversary Party|date=April 30, 2015|work=Pollstar|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422082442/http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=817920|archive-date=April 22, 2016|url-status=dead}} Panic Stations was released on September 18, 2015, to positive reviews from music critics,{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/motioncitysoundtrack/panicstations|title=Reviews for Panic Stations|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 29, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} but it debuted even lower on music charts than its predecessor. A tour with the Wonder Years followed between October and November 2015,{{cite news|author=Tyler Sharp|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_wonder_years_announce_tour_with_motion_city_soundtrack_state_champs|title=The Wonder Years announce tour with Motion City Soundtrack, State Champs, You Blew It!|date=August 10, 2015|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}} and saw the release of a split 7-inch between the two bands.{{cite news|author=Tyler Sharp|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_wonder_years_motion_city_soundtrack_announce_split_seven_inch|title=The Wonder Years, Motion City Soundtrack announce split seven-inch|date=October 5, 2015|work=Alternative Press|access-date=March 29, 2016}}

As the band entered 2016, Cain felt the future for the group was bright: "We're not done yet. I think we got more music in us," he told Substream Magazine in January 2016.{{cite journal|title=Don't Panic: The surprising rebirth of Motion City Soundtrack|journal=Substream Magazine|url=http://substreammagazine.com/2016/01/dont-panic-the-surprising-rebirth-of-motion-city-soundtrack/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117012147/http://substreammagazine.com/2016/01/dont-panic-the-surprising-rebirth-of-motion-city-soundtrack/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-01-17|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2022|issue=48|author= Scott Heisel}} Two months later the band announced their break-up with a statement that read in part, "We have no idea what the future holds, but for now we are done."{{cite magazine|title=Motion City Soundtrack announce break up|author=Ariana Bacle|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/11/motion-city-soundtrack-break-up|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 29, 2016}} In interviews later that year, Pierre detailed the band's reasoning, noting that their exhaustion with touring and growing families contributed to their decision: "We've done this one thing constantly for so many years nonstop. We all wanted to have something else to look ahead to in our lives."{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/motion-city-soundtrack-writes-its-own-epitaph-with-this-week-s-farewell-gigs/384134061/|title=Motion City Soundtrack writes its own epitaph with this week's farewell gigs|date=June 23, 2016|work=Star Tribune|access-date=January 24, 2018|first=Chris|last=Riemenschneider}} The band embarked on the So Long, Farewell Tour across North America between May and September 2016 with original drummer Tony Thaxton returning.{{cite news|url=http://diffuser.fm/motion-city-soundtrack-farewell-tour/|title=Motion City Soundtrack Announce Farewell Tour|author= Tim Karan |date=March 14, 2016|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=Diffuser.fm}} It concluded with a sold-out show at the Metro in Chicago on September 18, 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/hidden_hospitals_cover_motion_city_soundtrack|work=Alternative Press|title=Hidden Hospitals cover Motion City Soundtrack in their final days—exclusive|author=Brian Kraus|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=September 20, 2016}} The group performed 36 songs — some dating back to their 2000 EP, Back to the Beat — while both Thaxton and Rivera sat in on drums.{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/motion-city-soundtrack/2016/metro-chicago-il-63fd9a5f.html|website=Setlist.fm|title=Motion City Soundtrack Concert Setlist at Riot Fest 2016|access-date=September 20, 2016}}

During their three-year break, all of the members moved to different states and pursued different interests. Pierre continued to record music and tour as a solo act, issuing his debut effort In the Drink in 2018, which Cain assisted him in producing. The following June, the band announced their reformation with a U.S. tour. In an interview, Pierre explained their inactivity had given rise to an "excitement" to focus on the band again.{{cite news|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/motion-city-soundtrack-2020-tour-justin-courtney-pierre-interview/|work=Alternative Press|title=Motion City Soundtrack singer Justin Pierre likes the word "experiment"|author=Jason Pettigrew|date=June 19, 2019|access-date=June 20, 2019}} The tour, named "Don't Call It a Comeback" for a song on their debut album, took place in January 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/motion-city-soundtrack-tour-2020/|work=Alternative Press|title=Motion City Soundtrack Announce First Live Shows Since 2016|author=Alex Darus|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=June 17, 2019}} Thaxton returned to the band in an official capacity for the tour. The band were scheduled to travel to the U.K. for the Slam Dunk Festival that May,{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/motion-city-soundtracks-tour-support-sidekicks-mom-jeans-2020/|title=Motion City Soundtrack announce support for 2020 reunion tour|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2020|work=Alternative Press|first= Koltan|last=Greenwood}} but plans were shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/slam-dunk-festival-announces-2020-cancellation-2668713|title=Slam Dunk Festival announces 2020 cancellation|work=NME|date=May 14, 2020|access-date=October 5, 2020|first=Nick|last=Reilly}} The five-piece continued to tour in 2022, celebrating the seventeenth anniversary of Commit This to Memory.{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/motion-city-soundtrack-bringing-anniversary-tour-to-the-pageant/article_7d08dee6-3e7c-5f91-99e4-fe50e864f244.html|title=Motion City Soundtrack bringing anniversary tour to the Pageant|first=Kevin C.|last=Johnson|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=May 11, 2021|access-date=May 26, 2021}}

That same year, the group released three new songs. The first, a cover of Fountains of Wayne's "A Dip in the Ocean", debuted on Saving for a Custom Van, a tribute compilation celebrating the life of musician Adam Schlesinger.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9403070/adam-schlesinger-tribute-album-benefit-covid-19-relief|title=All-Star Adam Schlesinger Tribute Album 'Saving For a Custom Van' Benefits COVID-19 Relief|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|date=June 16, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 16, 2020}} Midway through the year, the quartet issued a previously unreleased track, "Crooked Ways"; it was recorded a decade prior and submitted for consideration for inclusion in the Twilight film saga. Author Stephenie Meyer, in a blog post, suggested it was inspiration for her novel Midnight Sun.{{cite web|url=https://stepheniemeyer.com/2020/08/the-midnight-sun-song/|title=The Midnight Sun Song|first=Stephanie|last=Meyer|website=StephanieMeyer.com|date=3 August 2020|access-date=October 5, 2020}} Lastly, the group recorded a cover of Ed Ackerson's "Wired Weird" for a tribute album to Ackerson, who produced their 2012 album Go and died in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.startribune.com/tribute-album-for-minneapolis-rock-guru-ed-ackerson-surprise-released/572638392/|title=Tribute album for Minneapolis rock guru Ed Ackerson surprise-released|first=Chris|last=Riemenschneider|date=October 5, 2020|work=Star Tribune|access-date=October 5, 2020}} Cain has claimed there is "no official plan" for further music, though he believes the band is not entirely finished making new music.{{cite news|url=https://www.startribune.com/after-a-rabidly-received-reunion-tour-motion-city-returns-home-to-minneapolis/567842022/|title=After a rabidly received reunion tour, Motion City Soundtrack returns home to Minneapolis|first=Chris|last=Riemenschneider|date=February 15, 2020|work=Star Tribune|access-date=October 5, 2020}} In an Instagram livestream, Pierre hinted at the future possibility of the band releasing new music while answering a viewer's question.{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Justin |title=Jcpmcs May 27, 2022 Livestream |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CeEy0AFJb8D/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=Instagram}} Pierre responded, "I would like that. I'm not sure if anyone else would, but I would."

In 2023, the band supported the All-American Rejects on the Wet Hot All-American Summer Tour,{{cite web | last=Kress | first=Bryan | title=The All-American Rejects announce first headlining tour in a decade | website=Consequence | date=April 3, 2023 | url=https://consequence.net/2023/04/the-all-american-rejects-2023-us-tour/ | access-date=April 22, 2023}} staging appearances at Adjacent Fest{{cite web | title=20,000 rock out during Day 1 of Adjacent Music Festival in Atlantic City | website=Press of Atlantic City | date=2023-12-12 | url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/20-000-rock-out-during-day-1-of-adjacent-music-festival-in-atlantic-city/article_f43990a4-fcdd-11ed-91da-57f9699540be.html | access-date=2024-01-02}} and When We Were Young.{{cite web | last=Masley | first=Ed | title=When We Were Young 2023 in Las Vegas: Lineup, set times, tickets | website=usatoday.com | date=2023-10-17 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/10/17/when-we-were-young-2023-las-vegas-lineup-set-times-tickets/71221844007/ | access-date=2024-01-02}} In 2024, the band embarked on an anniversary tour celebrating I Am the Movie.{{cite web | last=Hatfield | first=Amanda | title=Motion City Soundtrack announce 'I Am the Movie' 20th anniversary tour | website=BrooklynVegan | date=2023-10-20 | url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/motion-city-soundtrack-announce-i-am-the-movie-20th-anniversary-tour/ | access-date=2024-01-02}} Zach Comtois has filled in as the rhythm guitarist on tour while Pierre recovers from a back injury.{{cite web | last1=Swenson | first1=Joel | last2=Fish | first2=Sara | title=Motion City Soundtrack ring in the new year at the Uptown Theater | website=The Current | date=2024-01-02 | url=https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2024/01/02/motion-city-soundtrack-ring-in-the-new-year-at-the-uptown-theater}} The group released the single "Stop Talking" in August 2024 to coincide with the theatrical release of the 2024 film Dìdi, which the song features in.{{Cite web |last=Nemiroff |first=Perri |date=2024-03-24 |title=This Indie Got Motion City Soundtrack to Make Their First New Song in Years |url=https://collider.com/motion-city-soundtrack-new-music-didi/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Collider |language=en}} The single is the first original new material released by the band since Panic Stations in 2015.

The group announced their seventh studio album, The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World, on June 17, 2025, releasing its lead single "She Is Afraid" alongside a music video inspired by Severance.{{cite web | last=Georgi | first=Maya | title=Motion City Soundtrack Announces First Album in a Decade: 'The Most Important Record of Our Career' | website=Rolling Stone | date=June 16, 2025 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/motion-city-soundtrack-album-announcement-1235365859/ | access-date=June 17, 2025}} The album marks their first in ten years, marking their longest gap between records, as well as the first album to feature the band's classic line-up since 2012's Go. Reflecting on the new album’s creation, guitarist Joshua Cain said it was about reconnecting with what originally made the band special.{{cite web | last=Kelly | first=Tyler Damara | title=Motion City Soundtrack announce first album in a decade, The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World | website=The Line of Best Fit | date=June 17, 2025 | url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/motion-city-soundtrack-announce-first-album-in-a-decade-the-same-old-wasted-wonderful-world | access-date=June 17, 2025}} Frontman Justin Pierre added that, unlike past records focused on personal struggles and confusion, he had since found clarity and a stronger sense of identity through working through those challenges.{{cite web | last=Corcoran | first=Nina | title=Motion City Soundtrack Announce First Album in 10 Years, Share Video for New Song | website=Pitchfork | date=June 17, 2025 | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/motion-city-soundtrack-announce-first-album-in-10-years-share-video-for-new-song-watch/ | access-date=June 17, 2025}} The album was recorded by Sean O'Keefe, a veteran producer who worked with bands like Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights the Plain White T's, and recently Beach Bunny.{{cite web | last=Zoladz | first=Lindsay | title=Beach Bunny Is Building an Indie-Rock Career in a Time of TikTok | website=The New York Times | date=July 7, 2022 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/arts/music/beach-bunny-emotional-creature.html | access-date=June 17, 2025}} The band had previously worked with O'Keefe back in the 2000s, for split EPs with the bands Matchbook Romance and Schatzi.{{cite web | title=Sean O'Keefe Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... | website=AllMusic | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sean-okeefe-mn0000840727 | access-date=June 17, 2025}}

File:Jesse Johnson Moogstand.jpgstand" in 2008.]]

The three main influences that unite all members of Motion City Soundtrack are Superchunk, Jawbox, and Pixies.{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2004 |title=CHECK OUT A NEW MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK INTERVIEW! |url=https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/check-out-a-new-motion-city-soundtrack-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929014511/https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/check-out-a-new-motion-city-soundtrack-interview |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=epitaph.com |quote=As for the three key influences that bind the group together Matt lists Superchunk, The Pixies and Jawbox as mutual loves...}} Both Justin Pierre and Matt Taylor are also influenced by Ben Folds Five, Fugazi, and Braid.{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |date=June 16, 2005 |title=Mark Hoppus Throws Party for Motion City Soundtrack |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/bmot3d/mark-hoppus-throws-house-party-for-motion-city-soundtrack |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005142946/http://www.mtv.com/news/1504262/mark-hoppus-throws-house-party-for-motion-city-soundtrack/ |archive-date=October 5, 2015 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=MTV |quote=On this record, we had the time to do the things we wanted to do, to sound like the people we wanted to sound like -- bands like Braid, Superchunk, Jawbox or the Pixies.}}{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2004 |title=B182.COM INTERVIEWS MATT OF MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK |url=https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/b182com-interviews-matt-of-motion-city-soundtrack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117154621/https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/b182com-interviews-matt-of-motion-city-soundtrack |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=epitaph.com}} Pierre also takes inspiration from Poster Children, the Carpenters, the Cardigans, Pavement, Tom Waits, the Flaming Lips, and Sunny Day Real Estate,{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2010 |title=Q&A: Motion City Soundtrack |url=https://archive.completemusicupdate.com/article/ssq-motion-city-soudtrack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227050913/https://archive.completemusicupdate.com/article/ssq-motion-city-soudtrack/ |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=completemusicupdate.com}} while Taylor cites That Dog, Swervedriver, Radiohead, the Rentals, and Burning Airlines as additional influences.

Pierre quoted Waits that "all anybody ever does is imitate their favorite artist—badly," adding, "we're just regurgitating all the crap we listened to in the late '80s and early '90s, the music that got us into playing music in the first place."

The band's musical style is widely recognizable by its unique blend of pop-punk with the Moog synthesizer. The usage of the Moog stems from Cain, who first heard the instrument employed on the Rentals' album Return of the Rentals (1995). He subsequently bought a cheap Moog at a pawn shop and wanted it to be an integral part of Motion City upon their formation.{{cite news|url=http://www.vueweekly.com/motion_city_soundtrack/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522212053/http://www.vueweekly.com/motion_city_soundtrack/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 22, 2015|author= Bryan Saunders|title=Motion City Soundtrack|date=July 17, 2008|work=Vue Weekly|access-date=March 29, 2016}} Johnson became known for his signature "Moogstand" in live performances, which consisted of a handstand on the instrument. The group has been widely attributed to a number of different genres, including pop rock, power pop, indie rock,{{cite web|url=http://media.www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2004/11/15/ArtsEntertainment/Motion.City.Soundtrack.Boards.A.PopPunk.Train-804328.shtml|title=Motion City Soundtrack boards a pop-punk train|publisher=The News Record.org|last=Miller|first=Jeff|date=November 15, 2004|access-date=July 31, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117183228/http://media.www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2004/11/15/ArtsEntertainment/Motion.City.Soundtrack.Boards.A.PopPunk.Train-804328.shtml|archive-date=January 17, 2008}} emo, and pop-punk. Joshua Cain dismissed this latter label, remarking, "I definitely wouldn't consider us a pop-punk band. Our influences are more based on '90s bands like Superchunk and early Weezer."{{cite journal| author=Eric Schelkopf| date =January 28, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312204437/http://www.nwherald.com/EntertainmentSection/sound/293671886277726.php|archive-date=March 12, 2005| title =Epitaph bands join for tour stops at NIU, Metro | journal =Kane County Chronicle|url=http://www.nwherald.com/EntertainmentSection/sound/293671886277726.php}} Pierre characterized the band's music as "dirty, fast, happy, emotional rock songs."

Nylon compared the music of their debut album, I Am the Movie, to All and the Get Up Kids.{{cite news|title=Motion City Soundtrack are history, and they're damn proud of it|author=Shelly Ridenour|work=Nylon|date=September 9, 2003}} It has been described as having a "distinctly unified and identifiable style."{{cite web|url=http://www.counterculture.co.uk/interview/motion-city-soundtrack-josh-cain-justin-pierre.html|title=Motion City Soundtrack : Joshua Cain, Justin Pierre. They are the Movie...|publisher=Counterculture.co.uk| last=Newbold|first=Paul|access-date=2008-07-31}} Subsequent releases varied in style. My Dinosaur Life, for example, saw the band attempting to emulate their favorite post-hardcore acts, such as Archers of Loaf and Dinosaur Jr.

File:Justin_Pierre_2010.jpg

Most of Motion City Soundtrack's lyrical content was written by lead vocalist, Justin Pierre. This material was largely affected by his personal life and past experiences. Songs came about in myriad ways. Many times, the band would write music first that Pierre would set words to, other times Pierre would write a song on guitar with words and bring it to the band. Pierre could often "spend hours and days and weeks and months on lyrics—sometimes they come quick, sometimes they don't come at all," he said. He noted that he had a screenwriting teacher in film school that taught him to "write what you know," but in his case, he could only write about "being a self-obsessed pessimistic sort of loser." This led him to characterize his writing as a sort of therapy for him and a vehicle to better understand the human condition.

{{Listen

|filename = Attractive Today - MCS.ogg

|title = "Attractive Today"

|description = This sample of the first song on Commit This to Memory illustrates Pierre's lyrics–often centering on relationships and time–as well as Johnson's Moog synthesizer.

}}

Commit This to Memory "addresses the themes of substance abuse, psychological disorders and failing relationships."{{cite news|url=http://puregrainaudio.com/interviews/interview-with-motion-city-soundtrack-vocalist-and-guitarist-justin-pierre-discusses-commit-this-to-memory-songwriting-and-the-shortest-lifetime-ever|title=Interview with Motion City Soundtrack; Vocalist and Guitarist Justin Pierre Discusses 'Commit This To Memory', Songwriting and the Shortest Lifetime Ever|date=January 12, 2015|author=Justin Franco|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=Pure Grain Audio}} For the record, he intended to simplify his lyrics to enhance storytelling and he drew inspiration from Tom Waits, Ben Folds, and John K. Samson's writing styles.{{cite journal |date=July 2005 |title=Motion City Soundtrack Article |journal=Alternative Press |location=Cleveland, Ohio |publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. |issue=204 |pages=129–130 |issn=1065-1667}} In some cases, he chose to write from another individual's point of view, rather than his own.{{cite journal| last =Robertson| first =Jessica| date =June 9, 2005|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/motion-city-soundtrack-get-committed-20050609|title =Motion City Get Committed| journal =Rolling Stone| issue =976 | publisher =Wenner Media LLC| location =New York City | issn =0035-791X }} Their next album, Even If It Kills Me, was Pierre's first "written completely sober, after battling drugs and alcohol for years;"{{cite web|url=http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/416 |title=Motion City Soundtrack album a credit to pop-punk genre |date=September 27, 2007 |publisher=DailyCardinal.com |last=Condon |first=Emma |access-date=July 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220102200/http://dailycardinal.com/article/416 |archive-date=December 20, 2007 }} consequently, the record is more optimistic and less self-loathing.{{cite news|author=Jonah Bayer|url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2007-12-05/music/commit-this-to-memory/|title=Commit This to Memory|newspaper=The Riverfront Times|date=December 6, 2007|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422231607/http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2007-12-05/music/commit-this-to-memory/|url-status=dead}} My Dinosaur Life has lyrics relating to relationships,{{cite AV media |people=Justin Pierre, Joshua Cain |year=2010 |title=My Dinosaur Life Track by Track: Stand Too Close |medium=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP-161HEAf0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/SP-161HEAf0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=Columbia Records|display-authors=etal}}{{cbignore}} procrastination,{{cite AV media |people=Justin Pierre, Joshua Cain |year=2010 |title=My Dinosaur Life Track by Track: The Weakends|medium=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6nefA8ZAKg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/L6nefA8ZAKg |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=Columbia Records|display-authors=etal}}{{cbignore}} and Pierre's own desire for a life away from his self-destructive behavior.{{cite AV media |people=Justin Pierre, Joshua Cain |year=2010 |title=My Dinosaur Life Track by Track: A Life Less Ordinary (Need A Little Help) |medium=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdoBP70baLI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/rdoBP70baLI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2016|publisher=Columbia Records|display-authors=etal}}{{cbignore}} Much of the lyricism on fifth album Go is consumed with death and "the eventual demise of everything." The idea that "nothing lasts forever" is one of the album's most important points.

File:Motion City Soundtrack - First Avenue Star.jpg]]

The band has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,{{cite web |url=http://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |title=The Stars |author= |website=First Avenue & 7th Street Entry |access-date=2020-05-10 |archive-date=2020-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418135117/https://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |url-status=dead }} recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.{{cite news |last=Bream |first=Jon |url=https://www.startribune.com/10-things-you-ll-learn-about-first-avenue-in-new-minnesota-history-center-show/509374312/ |title=10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show |work=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-03 |access-date=2020-05-10 }} Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.{{cite news |last=Marsh |first=Steve |url=http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/first-avenue-star-wall/ |title=First Avenue's Star Wall |work=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-13 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}

On October 31, 2017, the band's hit single, "Everything Is Alright" received an official gold status by the Recording Industry Association of America.{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}

{{col-begin}}

;Current members

• Justin Pierre – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1997–2016, 2019–present), keyboards (1998–2001), lead guitar (2002)
• Joshua Cain – lead guitar (1998–2002, 2002–2016, 2019–present), backing vocals (1998–2016, 2019–present), bass (1997–1998, 2002), keyboards (1998–2001)
• Jesse Johnson – synthesizer, keyboards, piano (2001–2016, 2019–present)
• Matthew Taylor – bass, backing vocals (2002–2016, 2019–present)
• Tony Thaxton – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2002–2013, 2016, 2019–present)

;Current touring musicians

• Zach Comtois – rhythm guitar (2023–present){{efn|Comtois plays Pierre's parts live, who is currently unable to sing and play guitar simultaneously due to recovering from back surgery.|}}

;Former members{{cite web|url=http://www.modern-radio.com/mcs.html |title=Modern Radio Bands: Motion City Soundtrack |publisher=ModernRadio.com |access-date=June 16, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014063157/http://www.modern-radio.com/mcs.html |archive-date=October 14, 2008 }}

• Joe Skinner – lead guitar (1997–1997)
• Andrew Whitney – drums (1997–1998)
• Andrew Gruhn – keyboards (1998)
• Austin Lindstrom – bass (1998–2000, 2001–2002)
• Joel Habedank – drums (1998–2000)
• Matt Potocnik – bass (2000–2001)
• Sidney Burgdorf – drums (2001)
• Claudio Rivera – drums (2013–2016)
• Kate Steinberg – synthesizer, keyboards, piano (2024; live substitute for Jesse Johnson)
• Jacob Carlson — rhythm guitar (2025; live substitute for Zach Comtois)

{{col-end}}

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:10 right:10

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:06/01/1997 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1998

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1998

Colors =

id:lv value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar

id:bv value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

id:g value:green legend:Lead_guitar

id:keyboard value:purple legend:Keyboards

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:album value:black legend:Studio_album

id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

layer:back

color:album

at:06/01/2003

at:06/07/2005

at:09/18/2007

at:01/19/2010

at:06/12/2012

at:09/18/2015

BarData =

bar:Justin text:"Justin Pierre"

bar:Joe text:"Joe Skinner"

bar:Andrew text:"Andrew Gruhn"

bar:Jesse text:"Jesse Johnson"

bar:Joshua text:"Joshua Cain"

bar:Austin text:"Austin Lindstrom"

bar:Matt text:"Matt Potocnik"

bar:Matthew text:"Matthew Taylor"

bar:Andy text:"Andy Whitney"

bar:Joel text:"Joel Habedank"

bar:Sidney text:"Sidney Burgdorf"

bar:Tony text:"Tony Thaxton"

bar:Claudio text:"Claudio Rivera"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Justin from:06/01/1997 till:12/31/2016 color:lv

bar:Justin from:06/18/2019 till:end color:lv

bar:Justin from:06/01/1998 till:12/01/2001 color:keyboard width:3

bar:Justin from:04/01/2002 till:06/01/2002 color:g width:3

bar:Joshua from:06/01/1997 till:01/01/1998 color:bass

bar:Joshua from:01/01/1998 till:12/31/2016 color:g

bar:Joshua from:06/18/2019 till:end color:g

bar:Joshua from:01/01/1998 till:12/31/2016 color:bv width:3

bar:Joshua from:06/01/1998 till:12/01/2001 color:keyboard width:7

bar:Joshua from:04/01/2002 till:06/01/2002 color:bass

bar:Joshua from:12/01/2001 till:12/31/2016 color:bv width:3

bar:Joshua from:06/18/2019 till:end color:bv width:3

bar:Joe from:06/01/1997 till:01/01/1998 color:g

bar:Austin from:01/01/1998 till:09/01/2000 color:bass

bar:Austin from:04/01/2001 till:04/01/2002 color:bass

bar:Matt from:09/01/2000 till:04/01/2001 color:bass

bar:Andy from:07/01/1997 till:01/01/1998 color:drums

bar:Joel from:01/01/1998 till:12/31/2000 color:drums

bar:Sidney from:06/01/2001 till:12/31/2001 color:drums

bar:Andrew from:01/01/1998 till:06/01/1998 color:keyboard

bar:Jesse from:12/01/2001 till:12/31/2016 color:keyboard

bar:Jesse from:06/18/2019 till:end color:keyboard

bar:Matthew from:06/01/2002 till:12/31/2016 color:bass

bar:Matthew from:06/18/2019 till:end color:bass

bar:Matthew from:06/01/2002 till:12/31/2016 color:bv width:3

bar:Matthew from:06/18/2019 till:end color:bv width:3

bar:Tony from:01/01/2002 till:03/20/2013 color:drums

bar:Tony from:03/11/2016 till:12/31/2016 color:drums

bar:Tony from:06/18/2019 till:end color:drums

bar:Tony from:01/01/2002 till:03/20/2013 color:bv width:3

bar:Tony from:03/11/2016 till:12/31/2016 color:bv width:3

bar:Tony from:06/18/2019 till:end color:bv width:3

bar:Claudio from:06/20/2013 till:03/11/2016 color:drums

}}

{{Main|Motion City Soundtrack discography|List of songs recorded by Motion City Soundtrack}}

;Studio albums

• I Am the Movie (2003)
• Commit This to Memory (2005)
• Even If It Kills Me (2007)
• My Dinosaur Life (2010)
• Go (2012)
• Panic Stations (2015)
• The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World (2025)

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p559718|label=Motion City Soundtrack}}
• {{Facebook|motioncitysoundtrack}}

{{Motion City Soundtrack}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Pop punk groups from Minnesota

Category:American power pop groups

Category:American emo musical groups

Category:Indie rock musical groups from Minnesota

Category:Epitaph Records artists

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:Musical groups established in 1997

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2016

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2019

Category:1997 establishments in Minnesota

Category:Doghouse Records artists

Category:Musical groups from Minneapolis