You Say Party

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = You Say Party

| image = You Say Party! We Say Die!.jpg

| caption = You Say Party in 2009

| image_size =

| background = group_or_band

| alias =

| origin = Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

| genre = Indie rock, dance-punk

| years_active = 2004–2011, 2012–present

| label = Paper Bag Records

| associated_acts =

| website = {{URL|http://www.yousayparty.com}}

| current_members = Becky Ninkovic
Derek Adam
Stephen O'Shea
Krista Loewen

| past_members = Devon Clifford
Bruce Dyck
Jason Nicholas
Carissa Ropponen
Robert Andow
Al Boyle
Adam Fothergill

}}

You Say Party (formerly You Say Party! We Say Die!) is a Canadian dance-punk new-wave band from Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Their first album Hit the Floor! was released in September 2005, and the band completed their second Canadian tour, an appearance at South by Southwest and a tour of the United States, before touring the United Kingdom and Germany. Their second album Lose All Time was released in Canada on March 20, 2007, and in the United States on August 18, 2007, on Paper Bag Records, in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2007, on Fierce Panda Records and in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 17, 2007, on PIAS. Their third album XXXX was released on September 29, 2009, in Canada, February 9, 2010, in the US and May 17, 2010, in the UK. The band's fourth album, You Say Party, was released on February 12, 2016.

History

=Formation and ''danskwad'' (2003–2004)=

You Say Party! We Say Die! was conceived by Stephen O'Shea, Becky Ninkovic and Krista Loewen in November 2003. The band was birthed out of a bike gang known as The Smoking Spokes. December was too cold to ride bikes, so they started jamming in Ninkovic's parents' basement.[http://www.soundmag.de/content.php?content=interview_detail&review_id=1939 You Say Party! We Say Die!'s Interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927100704/http://www.soundmag.de/content.php?content=interview_detail&review_id=1939 |date=September 27, 2007 }}, Soundmag.de, Rosis / Berlin, October 2006, Accessed January 6, 2007

You Say Party! We Say Die! played their debut show in April 2004, and gained some instant notoriety for their "willingness to play anything, anywhere, anytime."[http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=4622 You Say Party! We Say Die! Want to Deliver Your Baby] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215223752/http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=4622 |date=February 15, 2006 }} by Chris Boutet, Exclaim!, December 6, 2005, Accessed January 6, 2007 Their first show was played in a church basement in Abbotsford opening for Fun 100. That year, they independently released their first EP, danskwad (pronounced "Dance Squad"), which is, according to different sources, a reference to the people who came to their shows, a name considered early on for the band, or the name of a more or less unrelated earlier band.

=''Hit the Floor'' and ''Lose All Time'' (2005–2007)=

In 2005, the band began receiving press as the five members toured Canada,[http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/YOU-SAY-PARTY-WE-SAY-DIE/ You Say Party! We Say Die!], CBC Radio 3, Accessed January 6, 2007 opening for acts such as The Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves. They released a full-length album, entitled Hit the Floor!, in September, received some positive reviews,[http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/23407/You_Say_Party_We_Say_Die_Hit_the_Floor Hit the Floor! | Pitchfork] and performed at Pop Montreal.

In 2006, Edmonton-based record label Reluctant Recordings released Hit the Floor on vinyl, as You Say Party toured Canada for the second time. The group appeared at SXSW and was interviewed on MuchMusic, as they received funding for a video of "The Gap (Between the Rich and the Poor)" from VideoFACT. You Say Party toured the United Kingdom and Germany in May/June 2006, then continental Europe with a focus on the UK in August 2006, released a single for "The Gap" on UK label Cheesedream, and one for "You Did It!" on UK label Sink & Stove.

In October 2006, You Say Party was heading to the United States for a major tour; however, they did not have the proper visas to be able to perform in the United States. Since band member Stephen O'Shea was banned from performing in the United States for five years, the band could not perform there until 2011 with O'Shea.{{cite web|url=http://www.yousaypartywesaydie.ca/|title=You Say Party – Travel|access-date=October 23, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010001944/http://yousaypartywesaydie.ca/|url-status=dead}}

In January 2007, after months of speculation, You Say Party signed an album deal with Toronto-based Paper Bag Records label.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} The label features such artists as Uncut and Tokyo Police Club. The band released their new album, Lose All Time, on March 20, 2007, in Canada. Lose All Time has been released by Fierce Panda Records in the United Kingdom and PIAS in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

=''Remik's Cube'' and ''XXXX'' (2008–2009)=

On August 26, 2008, You Say Party released Remik's Cube, a remixed version of their previous album Lose All Time. The digital-only release was put out on Paper Bag Digital, the online imprint of Paper Bag Records.[http://paperbagrecords.com/catalogue/YSPWSD-remiks-cube Paper Bag Records | catalogue | Remik's Cube] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913164215/http://paperbagrecords.com/catalogue/YSPWSD-remiks-cube |date=September 13, 2008 }} , paperbagrecords.com, August 2008

After relentless touring, members began paying attention to their personal lives again, pursuing artistic endeavours and meaningful employment. They provided supportive care for adults living with disabilities, aid to the poor in developing countries, and services for the homeless in Vancouver's Downtown East Side and the message was put forth that "the loving is the everything."[http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=137&csid2=778&fid1=41438 You Say Party! We Say Die! Career Resuscitation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516022832/http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid2=778&fid1=41438&csid1=137 |date=May 16, 2010 }} by Andrea Warner, Exclaim!, October 2009.

The rest of 2008 was spent creating the songs that grew to become their third album, XXXX. Collaborating with producer Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers), XXXX was recorded between January and August 2009.

XXXX was released to critical acclaim, and reached No. 1 on Canadian campus radio charts in only its second week on the charts, remaining at No. 1 for six weeks straight. Additionally, XXXX's lead single, "Laura Palmer's Prom", reached No. 1 on CBC Radio 3's The R3-30 chart the week of November 28, 2009{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} and the band was asked to perform on CBC Radio One's morning show Q.{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/q/pastepisodes.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081212092901/http://www.cbc.ca/q/pastepisodes.html| archive-date = 2008-12-12| title = Recent Episodes - Q {{!}} CBC Radio}} You Say Party! We Say Die! played two shows for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, BC. In November 2009, Aux brought Becky Ninkovic together with one of her idols, Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins, for a cross-generational interview.{{cite web|url=http://www.aux.tv/newmusic/interviews/you-say-party-we-say-muffins/|title=You Say Party! We Say Muffins!|access-date=October 23, 2016}}

=Death of Devon Clifford, name change and ''REMIXXXX'' (2010–2011)=

On April 16, 2010, just after the band had finished touring the U.S. and Western Canada,Thiessen, Brock.[https://archive.today/20120716165302/http://exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=142&csid2=844&fid1=45831 "You Say Party! We Say Die! Drummer Devon Clifford Dies After Onstage Collapse"], Exclaim!, April 2010. drummer Devon Clifford collapsed on stage during the band's set at The Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver. He died on April 18,{{cite web|url=http://news.aol.ca/article/bc-drummer-dies-after-collapsing-on-stage/794663/|title=Huffington Post Canada - Canadian News Stories, Breaking News, Opinion|access-date=October 23, 2016|archive-date=April 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420162844/http://news.aol.ca/article/bc-drummer-dies-after-collapsing-on-stage/794663/|url-status=dead}} reportedly as a result of complications from a sudden brain hemorrhage.[http://www.spinner.ca/2010/04/18/you-say-party-we-say-die-drummer-devon-clifford-dies/ "Devon Clifford, YSP!WSD! drummer, dies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421112030/http://www.spinner.ca/2010/04/18/you-say-party-we-say-die-drummer-devon-clifford-dies |date=April 21, 2010 }}. Spinner Canada, April 18, 2010. They were slated to begin a European tour later in the month in support of XXXX, starting in Germany in April and ending in Mallorca, Spain, in June.[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/ysp-wsd-drummer-dies-after-on-stage-collapse/article1538414/ "YSP! WSD! drummer dies after on-stage collapse"]. The Globe and Mail, April 18, 2010.

The band subsequently announced that they were officially dropping "We Say Die" from their name, "out of respect for [Clifford] and the evolution of life".[http://www.yousayparty.com/ "To all of our fans and supporters..."]. yousayparty.com, retrieved July 26, 2010. It was also announced that Krista Loewen had left the band, while Robert Andow and Bobby Siadat of Vancouver band Gang Violence had joined, taking over keyboards and drums, respectively. On July 29, the band performed an outdoor show at Jubilee Park in their hometown of Abbotsford, their first live show since Clifford's death.[https://archive.today/20120731142058/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=145&csid2=844&fid1=48259 "You Say Party Announce First Live Show Since Drummer’s Passing"]. Exclaim!, July 20, 2010. Siadat subsequently decided not to remain with the band, and was replaced by Al Boyle of the band Hard Feelings.[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/you-say-party-finds-hope-in-music-after-drummers-death/article1695333/ "You Say Party finds hope in music after drummer’s death"]. The Globe and Mail, September 3, 2010.

In July 2010 the band unveiled the track listing for their new remix album, titled REMIXXXX, which was released on September 21, 2010.[http://exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=145&csid2=844&fid1=48273 "You Say Party Unveil REMIXXXX Album, Announce European Tour and BC Dates"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811132758/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=145&csid2=844&fid1=48273 |date=August 11, 2010 }}. Exclaim!, July 21, 2010. Concurrently, the band announced a rescheduled series of concert dates in the United Kingdom and Ireland for fall 2010.[https://www.nme.com/news/you-say-party-we-say-die/53001 "You Say Party expand UK and Ireland tour"]. NME, September 15, 2010.

In September 2010, XXXX won a Western Canadian Music Award for Best Rock Album of the year. The album was also included on the long list for the Polaris Prize.{{cite web|title=Paper Bag Records|url=http://paperbagrecords.com/artists/you-say-party/|access-date=11 September 2014}}

On October 25, 2010, You Say Party! released a split 7-inch with The Duloks on Club.The Mammoth Records.

=Hiatus=

On April 14, 2011, You Say Party! announced "the immediate cease to activity as YSP", according to a statement released by the band. Bassist Stephen O'Shea wrote: "Becky [Ninkovic, vocals], Derek [Adam, guitar] and I are announcing the immediate cease to activity as YSP. Call it a hiatus. Call it a break. Call it whatever you want. It's been a hard year for us. Not a bad year. We've experienced wonderful support from people. But you gotta listen to your body and your mind when it begins to revolt against what you think it is you have to do. So we're gonna stop for a while, and we're gonna work on who we are as people. We know that everyone understands exactly why and where we're coming from. Thanks for the support over the years."

Ninkovic subsequently appeared as a guest vocalist on recordings by Beta Frontiers, Rich Aucoin and k-os.

=Reformation and ''You Say Party''=

In July 2012, the band announced they had reunited, with Loewen returning to the lineup for the first time since 2010.[https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/Party+emerges+from+shadows/7244143/story.html "You Say Party emerges from the shadows"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921190533/https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/Party+emerges+from+shadows/7244143/story.html |date=September 21, 2012 }}. Vancouver Sun, September 14, 2012. The band's first concert since reforming was the tenth-anniversary concert of Paper Bag Records on September 29, 2012.[http://www.chromewaves.net/2012/07/no-one-tell-paper-bag-records-that-the-traditional-10th-anniversary-gift-isnt-three-nights-of-shows/ "No one tell Paper Bag Records that the traditional 10th anniversary gift isn't three nights of shows]". Chromewaves. July 29, 2012 The band has opted not to replace Clifford with another drummer, and instead utilize drum machines for percussion.[http://exclaim.ca/News/you_say_party_return_with_new_song_lay_out_future_plans "You Say Party return with new song, lay out future plans"]. Exclaim!. January 16, 2013. In January 2013, the band released a new single in tribute to Clifford, entitled "Friend".

In April 2014, the band celebrated their 10th anniversary by releasing the DECENNIUM EP.

The band released their self-titled fourth album on February 12, 2016.{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Sarah|title=You Say Party Return with New Album|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/you_say_party_announce_self-titled_lp|website=Exclaim!|access-date=5 April 2016}}

Members

;Current

:*Becky Ninkovic – vocals

:*Derek Adam – guitar

:*Stephen O'Shea – bass

:*Krista Loewen - keyboards

;Former

:*Devon Clifford – drums (deceased)

:*Bruce Dyck – drums

:*Jason Nicholas – guitar

:*Carissa Ropponen – keyboards

:*Robert Andow – keyboards

:*Al Boyle – drums

:*Adam Fothergill – pedalboard

Discography

=Studio albums=

2005 – Hit the Floor! – CD / LP Sound Document
2007 – Lose All Time – CD / LP (600 copies) Paper Bag Records
2009 – XXXX – CD / LP (300 copies) Paper Bag Records
2016 – You Say Party – CD / LP Paper Bag Records

=Remix albums=

2008 – Remik's Cube – CD (1000 copies) Paper Bag Digital
2010 – REMIXXXX – Digital Paper Bag Records

=EPs=

2004 – Danskwad EP – CD (400 copies) band self-released
2010 – YSP/DULOKS EP – 7" (500 copies) Club.The.Mammoth – Split 7" between You Say Party! and the Duloks
2014 – DECENNIUM EP – Digital

=Singles=

2006 – "The Gap" and "Stockholm Syndrome Parts I and II" – 7" Cheesedream Records
2006 – "You Did It!" and "Love in the New Millennium" – 7" Sink and Stove Records
2006 – "You Say Party! We Say Die!/The Victorian English Gentlemen's Club – Split 7" Fantastic Plastic Records
2007 – "Monster" – Fierce Panda Records
2007 – "Like I Give a Care" and "Opportunity" – 7" Fierce Panda Records
2010 – "Laura Palmer's Prom" – virtual 7" Paper Bag Digital
2010 – "Dark Days" – virtual 7" Paper Bag Digital
2010 – "There Is XXXX (Within My Heart)" – virtual 7" Paper Bag Digital
2011 – "Lonely's Lunch" – Paper Bag Digital
2011 – "Laura Palmer's Prom" – Paper Bag Digital
2013 – "Friend" – Self-released
2013 – "The Misunderstanding" Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Cover – Paper Bag Digital
2016 – "Ignorance" – Paper Bag Digital