Tonight Alive

Guitarist Jake Hardy and bassist Cameron Adler already had an existing rock project covering other bands' material. Later, they met Whakaio Taahi through mutual friends, and asked him to join in on keyboard and lead guitar.

Jenna McDougall was writing her own acoustic music at the time, and had Adler helping her record and produce a demo. After the demo was finished, Adler gave McDougall a song the band had written and asked her to record her vocals over it. On 31 May 2008, the day before her sixteenth birthday, McDougall joined as lead vocalist, forming the first lineup of the band.

With shows booked and no band name, the band got together and cut out words they thought described livelihood and the band, coming up with the name Tonight Alive.

In 2009, Tonight Alive's original drummer Mitchell Stanger departed the group. Matty Best, a high school friend of Taahi, joined on after learning from Taahi's mother that they needed a drummer. Best, who comes from Ulladulla, travelled three to four hours to band practice.

The band started to make a name for themselves opening for metal bands, playing small festival type shows like Warped Tour, and spent plenty of time playing local shows at youth centres around the Sydney area.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-16 |title=Tonight Alive – DECORATED YOUTH |url=https://www.decoratedyouth.com/tonight-alive/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |language=en-US}}

In 2009, the band entered the studio to record their debut self-funded EP All Shapes & Disguises with producer Greg Stace and producer Dave Petrovic, which was released in June 2010, with their music video and debut single "Wasting Away" being released that same month.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhdaCt2DhE0 |title=Tonight Alive – 'Wasting Away' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO |publisher=YouTube |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=2012-03-27}} McDougall was still in school at the time. She took time off school to record, and her parents covered her share of the cost to rent studio space.

The track "Closer" was featured on season six of the US reality TV show The Hills.{{cite web|last=Vaughan |first=Owen |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/sydney-band-on-the-hills/story-e6frfn09-1225881022570 |title=Sydney band Tonight Alive crashes US TV |website=News.com.au |date=17 June 2010 |access-date=2012-03-27}}

In November 2010, the band released a three-track EP Consider This, before heading on a national tour with Australian band Sienna Skies.

After being noticed by some large record labels, Tonight Alive was invited to play a showcase. Despite both guitarists, Taahi and Hardy, snapping a string each on the first song, the band was signed anyway.

In late 2010, a demo of Tonight Alive's new material landed on producer Mark Trombino's desk. He then contacted the band, wanting to take part in producing their debut full-length record.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonightaliveofficial.com/bio/home.do |title=Tonight Alive |website=Tonightaliveofficial.com |access-date=2012-03-27}} Speaking on behalf of the band, Jenna reflected, "For him to contact us, and say he was interested, was a big deal. We couldn't believe he'd put himself out like that. He's amazing. Mark created the albums we all grew up listening to – the albums that launched the careers of all these great bands."

In the early months of 2011, Tonight Alive flew to Los Angeles and recorded their debut full-length at NRG Studios over two months.

The track "To Die For", originally from the band's first EP All Shapes & Disguises and "Thank You and Goodnight", originally from the band's second EP Consider This, was re-recorded on this record. "Thank You & Goodnight" features guest vocals from Blink-182's Mark Hoppus.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/new_tonight_alive_song_featuring_mark_hoppus_surfaces_online |title=Alternative Press | News | Listen to a new Tonight Alive song featuring Mark Hoppus |website=Altpress.com |date=11 October 2011 |access-date=2012-03-27}}

The first single, "Starlight", was released 1 July, and a music video was released three days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4LJLOUyTwQ |title=Tonight Alive – Starlight |publisher=YouTube |date=4 July 2011 |access-date=2012-03-27}} The second single, "Let It Land" was released along with a music video for the track on 19 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKuKlPJRu5E |title=Tonight Alive – Let It Land |publisher=YouTube |date=19 September 2011 |access-date=2012-03-27}}

Tonight Alive toured the US and took part on the annual Bamboozle festival,[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/australian-band-tonight-alive-score-a-slot-at-the-bamboozle-punk-and-hip-hop-festival-in-new-jersey/story-e6frewz0-1225988993187 The Telegraph – Sydney Confidential: Australian band Tonight Alive score a slot at the Bamboozle punk and hip-hop festival in New Jersey] by Kathy McCabe – Music Editor, The Daily Telegraph, 17 January 2011 playing the 1 May date on the Zumiez stage alongside New Found Glory, Valencia, Thrice, The Downtown Fiction and more.

The band is featured on the Punk Goes Pop 4 compilation CD, covering "Little Lion Man" by British indie rock band, Mumford & Sons, which was released on 21 November.

McDougall was part of Good Charlotte's song "Like It's Her Birthday"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IX798vJnxw&list=FL2NyGrERqw_nLpGQ2YHmBEA&index=1 | title=Like It's Your Birthday feat. Tonight Alive | date=November 2010 | publisher=YouTube |access-date=17 December 2012 }} and was also featured on Simple Plan's song "Jet Lag" during the Australian leg of Simple Plan's most recent tour. She was also featured on the Divided by Friday song "Face to Face".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynz7mzlISM&list=FL2NyGrERqw_nLpGQ2YHmBEA&index=2 | title=Divided by Friday feat. Jenna McDougall | publisher=YouTube |access-date=17 December 2012 }}

What Are You So Scared Of? was released under Sony Records Australia on 14 October 2011, however in November 2011 Tonight Alive signed to Fearless Records, and re-released the Consider This EP on 8 November and their debut record What Are You So Scared Of? 4 months later in the US.{{cite web|url=http://www.beyondthebarricadephotography.com/post/12241590993 |title=Beyond The Barricade Photography |publisher=Beyond The Barricade Photography |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=2012-03-27}}

The band released their Consider This EP in the UK through Banquet Records on 2 April 2012.{{cite web | url=http://www.banquetrecords.com/KT1027 | title=Tonight Alive Consider This (UK Release) | publisher=Banquet Records | access-date=2 April 2012 }}

Tonight Alive appeared on the 2011 Fearless Friends Tour alongside blessthefall, The Word Alive, Motionless in White, and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk.{{cite web|url=http://fearlessfriendstour.com |title=The 2011 Fearless Friends Tour |website=Fearlessfriendstour.com |access-date=2012-03-27}}

The band was set to play on the Lucky Street Tour with Go Radio and This Providence and SXSW until they had to pull out due to medical issues, writing on their Facebook page: "We're very sorry to announce that we are having to cancel our upcoming tour with Go Radio and SXSW appearances due to serious medical issues."{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150584345065812&set=a.470024465811.255357.155381905811&type=1 | title=Tonight Alive Facebook post March 8 | website=Facebook.com |access-date=21 April 2012 }} This was later revealed to be due to Mcdougall suffering from severe eczema, making it hard for her to move. They later headed to Japan for the shows with Young Guns and also they had a first headline show at Shibuya-AX. Tonight Alive played the entire Warped Tour 2012.

During their time on The Vans Warped Tour 2012, the band began video production of "Listening", their third single release from What Are You So Scared Of? Despite the fact that "Breaking and Entering" had previously been released as a digital download and music video, according to McDougall, "Listening" served as the third official single from WAYSSO?. The music video for "Listening", released on YouTube on 12 October 2012, was used to document the band's final few days on the summer-long tour in a montage music video.

File:Jenna McDougall in New York in July 2013.jpg

Tonight Alive released a stand-alone single called "Breakdown" on 12 March 2013 which featured Good Charlotte's Benji Madden. The band recorded their next album, The Other Side, in Coffs Harbour, Australia, which was released on 6 September 2013 through Sony and Fearless Records. The first single is "The Ocean", which premiered on Radio 1 in the UK on 11 July to coincide with the announcement of the album. "The Ocean" was later released to iTunes on 22 July. A teaser for the band's next single, "Lonely Girl" was released 24 July. The single was fully released later that night. An accompanying music video was premiered on 15 August. The track "Come Home" was released as a single in late September, along with the music video on the band's Vevo channel.

Tonight Alive toured the US as part of the 2013 Vans Warped Tour. They played a few dates in Australia before touring again in support of the new album, along with two Rolling Stone Live Lodge acoustic shows.{{cite web|url=http://maytherockbewithyou.com/mtrbwy/2013/06/tonight-alive-to-release-new-album-the-other-side-on-september-6th/|title=TONIGHT ALIVE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM THE OTHER SIDE ON SEPTEMBER 6TH|date=24 June 2013|website=May The Rock Be With You|publisher=Tonight Alive}} They were also part of Warped Tour Australia lineup in November 2013.{{cite news | title= Check out Tonight Alive on Vans Warped Tour | first=Glenn | last=Haworth | date=4 August 2013 | newspaper=Illawarra Mercury }}

They then went on The Other Side tour to promote their new album in Australia and later the U.S., playing with The Downtown Fiction, For the Foxes, and Echosmith. The tour ended on 23 November.

The band announced in mid-December that they would be supporting All Time Low on their A Love like War: UK Tour. It was announced in late January 2014 that the band would be supporting Taking Back Sunday and The Used on their co-headlining North American tour. The tour began in March 2014.

Tonight Alive contributed their original song "The Edge" for Sony and Marvel's film The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and it was featured on the deluxe edition of the soundtrack in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland.

They toured with Mayday Parade, PVRIS, and Major League. They also played The Other Side in its entirety while on tour in the UK.

In January 2015, it was announced the band would be supporting All Time Low on their upcoming spring tour with Issues and State Champs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/issues_tonight_alive_state_champs_to_open_all_time_lows_spring_headlining_t/|title=Issues, Tonight Alive, State Champs to open All Time Low's spring headlining tour|website=Altpress.com|date=13 January 2015}}

The band began working on their third album in March 2015, with producer David Bendeth{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/tonight_alive_to_begin_recording_new_album_later_this_month/|title=Tonight Alive to begin recording new album later this month|website=Altpress.com|date=4 March 2015}} They played at Soundwave 2015 in Australia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.punktastic.com/interviews/interview-tonight-alive/|title=Interview: Tonight Alive [May 2014]|website=Punktastic.com}} They released a statement in April cancelling two headlining shows in the US due to the drummer, Best, needing surgery for tendinosis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/tonight_alive_cancel_shows_due_to_drummers_health/|title=Tonight Alive cancel shows due to drummer's health|website=Altpress.com|date=21 April 2015}} Tonight Alive completed work on their third album in July 2015.

On 30 October 2015, the band announced that their third studio album, Limitless, would be released on 4 March 2016{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/tonightalive/photos/a.437512580811/10153107823685812/?type=3|title=Tonight Alive|website=Facebook.com|access-date=2020-03-30}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kerrang.com/37293/tonight-alive-reveal-new-album-uk-tour-and-new-video/|title=Tonight Alive Reveal New Album, UK Tour And New Video|publisher=Kerrang!|access-date=2 March 2016}} The announcement coincided with the release of the first single, "Human Interaction". On 21 November, the band released the second single from Limitless, entitled "To Be Free". The band streamed "Drive" on Spotify on 11 December, and made it available with preorders for their album.{{cite web|last=Chatterjee|first=Kita|work=Alternative Press|title=Listen to Tonight Alive's new single, "Drive"|date=11 December 2015|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/listen_to_tonight_alives_new_single_drive|access-date=2016-01-12}}

The third single, "How Does It Feel?", and its accompanying music video were released on 12 January 2016.{{cite web|last=Sharp|first=Tyler|work=Alternative Press|title=Tonight Alive drop new single, "How Does It Feel?"|date=11 January 2016|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/tonight_alive_drop_new_single_how_does_it_feel|access-date=2016-01-12}}

On 3 April 2017, the group announced they had signed to Hopeless Records and UNFD,{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/tonight_alive_unveil_new_track_world_awaylisten/|title=Tonight Alive sign to Hopeless Records, unveil new track, "World Away"—listen|first=Caitlyn|last=Ralph|website=Altpress.com|date=3 April 2017}} and released a standalone single, "World Away".{{Citation|last=Hopeless Records|title=Tonight Alive – World Away (Official Lyric Video)|date=2017-04-03|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0C_HdIyOqc|publisher=YouTube|access-date=2017-08-07}} The band recorded material for a new album in Thailand with Dave Petrovic in July 2017. On 16 October they released a single, "Temple"{{cite web|title=Tonight Alive – Temple (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xf0jQSP83I|publisher=YouTube|date=16 October 2017}} and announced their fourth album, Underworld. The announcement also coincided with the announcement that Taahi had departed the group after the finish of production on Underworld, citing his decision to further his song-writing and producing career.{{cite web|title=NEWS: Tonight Alive part ways with guitarist, Whakaio Taahi!|date=2017-10-17|url=http://www.deadpress.co.uk/75374/news-tonight-alive-part-ways-with-guitarist-whakaio-taahi|website=DEadpress.com|access-date=17 October 2017}} The remaining members embarked on an Australian tour in November 2017 as a quartet.

On 11 December 2017, the group released "Crack My Heart"{{cite web|title=Tonight Alive – Crack My Heart (Official Music Video)|website = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkiniO5COl8|date=11 December 2017}} as the second single from Underworld, while on 4 January 2018, the third single, "Disappear" featuring PVRIS' Lynn Gunn, was released.{{cite web|title=Tonight Alive – Disappear (Feat. Lynn Gunn) (Official Music Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaLLLHugwHw|publisher=YouTube|date=4 January 2018}} The album was released on 12 January via UNFD in Australia and Hopeless Records internationally.

In December 2018, after performing at the inaugural Good Things festival, the band announced they were going on an international touring hiatus and cancelled their upcoming US tour, to "address and prioritise" their "mental and physical health".{{cite news|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/tonight-alive-announce-hiatus-international-touring-mental-physical-health/|title=Tonight Alive Announce Hiatus From International Touring To Focus On "Mental & Physical Health"|publisher=Music Feeds|first=Emmy|last=Mack|date=20 December 2018|access-date=15 January 2019}} The announcement came after a 46-year-old security guard died during their performance at Good Things in Sydney.{{Cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/article/anV2fH9-YWA/security-guard-dies-following-medical-episode-at-good-things-sydney-festival/|title=Security Guard Dies Following 'Medical Episode' At Good Things' Sydney Festival |website=Themusic.com.au|access-date=2020-03-30}} The following year, Best relocated to the US and joined Sleeping with Sirens as their new drummer.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Paul |title=Matty Best Discusses Role As Both Sleeping With Sirens & Tonight Alive's Drummer |url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2022/10/28/matty-best-discusses-role-as-both-sleeping-with-sirens-tonight-alives-drummer/ |website=Wall of Sound|date=28 October 2022 }}

In September 2019, the band were announced on the lineup for the 2020 Unify Gathering.{{cite web |title=UNIFY GATHERING 2020 Lineup Announcement |url=https://heavymag.com.au/unify-gathering-2020-lineup-announcement/ |website=HEAVY|date=17 September 2019 }} Due to Best's commitments with Sleeping with Sirens, he was replaced by session drummer Stan Bicknell. They were also joined during the set by Marie DeVita of Waax, Marcus Bridge of Northlane, Matt Gravolin of Deez Nuts and I Killed the Prom Queen and Dre Faivre of Hellions. Following their appearance at the festival, the band also played a bushfire fundraiser at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne alongside fellow Unify Gathering bands The Amity Affliction, Northlane, Ocean Grove and Windwaker.

On 25 May 2022, McDougall announced a new solo project entitled Hevenshe. The first single under this moniker, "No One Will Ever Love You", was released on 6 June 2022.{{cite web |last1=Vigil |first1=Dom |title=Jenna McDougall Releases Debut Single as Hevenshe |url=https://preludepress.com/news/2022/06/07/hevenshe-no-one-will-ever-love-you/ |website=Prelude Press|date=7 June 2022 }}

Tonight Alive reunited for the third annual When We Were Young Festival on 19 and 20 October 2024, where they performed songs from The Other Side.{{cite web |last1=Wilson-Taylor |first1=James |title=When We Were Young Festival 2024 Adds Tonight Alive, We Are The In Crowd & Hey Monday |url=https://rocksound.tv/news/when-we-were-young-festival-2024-lineup-tonight-alive-we-are-the-in-crowd-hey-monday |website=RockSound|date=16 November 2023 }}{{cite web |title=Tonight Alive, We Are The In Crowd and more added to When We Were Young 2024 |url=https://www.kerrang.com/tonight-alive-we-are-the-in-crowd-and-more-added-to-when-we-were-young-2024 |website=Kerrang! |access-date=11 November 2024 |language=en |date=16 November 2023}}

In May 2025, the band announced a one-off Melbourne show for September 2025.{{cite web |last1=Spindler |first1=Emily |title=Tonight Alive Reignite With First Melbourne Gig in Seven Years |url=https://bluntmag.com.au/music/tonight-alive-reignite-with-first-melbourne-gig-in-seven-years/ |website=Blunt Magazine |access-date=21 May 2025 |language=en-AU |date=19 May 2025}}

Tonight Alive are described as pop punk,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tonight-alive-mn0002490981/biography|title=Tonight Alive|author=James Christopher Monger|website=AllMusic|access-date=2 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.soundspheremag.com/features/interview-tonight-alive/|title=Interview: Tonight Alive|work=Soundspheremag.com|access-date=2 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/1024321/tonight-alive-the-other-side|title=Tonight Alive – The Other Side – Reviews |date=3 September 2013|website=Killyourstereo.com|access-date=2 December 2015}} pop rock,{{cite web|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2013/09/atp-album-review-tonight-alive-other.html|title=Alter The Press!: ATP! Album Review: Tonight Alive – The Other Side|author=Emma Garland|access-date=2 December 2015}} power pop, alternative rock and emo{{cite web|url=http://mic.com/articles/121173/these-7-woman-fronted-bands-are-the-next-generation-of-emo-superstars#.hhZ1HwYBN|title=7 Incredible Emo Bands Fronted by Female Musicians|work=Mic.com|date=23 June 2015 |access-date=2 December 2015}} by music sources. The band are often compared to fellow alternative rock/pop punk band Paramore. Regarding the comparison, guitarist Whakaio Taahi stated "People are going to compare, it's human nature but we don't really let it affect us. We just do what we love to do and hope people like it."

Current members

• Jenna McDougall – lead vocals, occasional acoustic guitar and piano (2008–2018, 2020, 2023–2024, 2025)
• Jake Hardy – rhythm guitar (2008–2018, 2020, 2023–2024, 2025); lead guitar (2017–2018, 2020, 2023–2024, 2025)
• Cameron "Cam" Adler – bass, backing vocals (2008–2018, 2020, 2023–2024, 2025)
• Matty Best – drums, percussion (2009–2018, 2023–2024, 2025)

Former members

• Mitchell Stanger – drums, percussion (2008–2009)
• Whakaio "Whak" Taahi – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2008–2017)

Former touring musicians

• Stan Bicknell – drums (2020)

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{{Main|Tonight Alive discography}}

;Studio albums

• What Are You So Scared Of? (2011)
• The Other Side (2013)
• Limitless (2016)
• Underworld (2018)

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website|tonightalive.com}}

{{Tonight Alive}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Portal bar|Rock music|Australia|Pop music}}

Category:Australian alternative rock groups

Category:Australian pop punk groups

Category:Female-fronted musical groups

Category:Fearless Records artists

Category:Musical groups established in 2008

Category:Musical groups from Sydney

Category:Universal Music Group artists

Category:Mixed-gender bands