Pinkshift Explained

Pinkshift
Origin:Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Years Active:–present
Current Members:
  • Ashrita Kumar
  • Paul Vallejo
  • Myron Houngbedji
Past Members:
  • Erich Weinroth

Pinkshift is an American rock band, consisting since 2022 of lead vocalist Ashrita Kumar, guitarist Paul Vallejo, and drummer Myron Houngbedji. The band formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 2019, after the three members met at Johns Hopkins University and began writing music. Their music has been described as pop-punk with "elements of grunge and alt rock", with the band having cited Nirvana, Arctic Monkeys, and No Doubt as musical influences.[1] [2]

Pinkshift's rise to fame began after their second single, "i'm gonna tell my therapist on you", went viral on Reddit in 2020. They have since released three extended plays and one studio album, Love Me Forever (2022). The band has garnered attention for its ethnically diverse members.[3]

History

In 2018, Ashrita Kumar and Paul Vallejo met at Johns Hopkins University during a school event. The two wrote demos under the name Sugar Crisis, releasing their first demo song "Mars" in 2019. Looking to start a band, the pair desired to find a drummer. To do this, the pair waited outside the drumming practice room on campus, eventually finding and recruiting Myron Houngbedji. The group, renaming themselves to Pinkshift after the redshift phenomenon,[4] began performing in events around Johns Hopkins University. The group subsequently found Erich Weinroth after Kumar and Vallejo set up profiles on the dating app Tinder in search of a bassist.[5] On March 13, 2020, Pinkshift released their debut single "On Thin Ice". However, the band's next single, "i'm gonna tell my therapist on you," released on July 31, 2020, marked the beginning of their rise to fame after the song went viral on Reddit and various punk musicians, like Chris No. 2 from Anti-Flag, showed support for the band.[6] [7] On April 2, 2021, the band released their debut extended play Saccharine to strong reviews from critics.[8] [9] These reviews convinced the band members to pursue a career in music, over continuing higher education.[10] On December 31, 2021, the band announced on Twitter that Weinroth was removed from the band's lineup due to cultural and musical differences.[11]

Pinkshift's debut album, Love Me Forever, was released on October 21, 2022 via Hopeless Records. The record received positive reviews from critics, who noted how the album was "sharp,, and bristling with infectious energy".[12] In November and December 2023, the band performed as an opening act for Pussy Riot during their North American tour.[13] Pinkshift also performed alongside The Gaslight Anthem during certain shows of the latter's 2024 North American tour,[14] and is set to perform alongside the Linda Lindas on their 2025 North American tour.[15]

Artistry

Kerrang! has described Pinkshift's sound as "blending pop-punk with elements of grunge and alt rock", with "whispers of all sorts of rock and punk influences".[16] Pinkshift has used their platform to advocate for racial diversity, Palestine, and gender inclusivity (owing to Kumar identifying as non-binary).[17]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Music videos

Nominations

Heavy Music Awards!|-| 2022 || Pinkshift || Best International Breakthrough Band || || [18] Kerrang! Awards!|-| 2022 || Pinkshift || New Noise Award || || [19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chaudhry . Aliya . October 18, 2022 . Pinkshift Are Changing The Face Of Pop-Punk In More Ways Than One . October 20, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230324202951/https://www.stereogum.com/2202635/pinkshift-love-me-forever/interviews/qa/ . 2023-03-24 . live.
  2. Web site: Krueger . Jonah . October 19, 2022 . CoSign: Pinkshift Have Arrived and You're Going To Love Them Forever . October 20, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420191956/https://consequence.net/2022/10/pinkshift-love-me-forever-artist-of-the-month-interview/ . 2023-04-20 . live.
  3. Web site: Chaudhry . Aliya . October 12, 2021 . How Emo & Pop Punk Are Becoming More Diverse . October 20, 2022 . The Quietus.
  4. Web site: Shaw . Evie . October 20, 2020 . Pinkshift talk "pinch me" moments and more – interview . April 22, 2024 . All Punked Up.
  5. Web site: Tenreyro . Tatiana . November 15, 2020 . Meet Pinkshift, 2020'S Perfect Antidote Of Pop-Punk Angst . live . October 20, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202221212/https://www.spin.com/2020/11/pinkshift-interview-2020/ . 2023-02-02 .
  6. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . Pinkshift are one of 2020's most vital new punk bands (2 new songs + Q&A) . 14 August 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205112242/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/pinkshift-are-one-of-2020s-most-vital-new-punk-bands-2-new-songs-qa/ . 2022-12-05 . live.
  7. Web site: Hughes . Mia . October 5, 2022 . Pinkshift: Baltimore trio on the verge of becoming pop-punk's next big stars . October 21, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104055150/https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/pinkshift-interview-love-me-forever-debut-album-baltimore-pop-punk-radar-3322403 . 2023-01-04 . live.
  8. Web site: VanValkenburgh . Anna . April 2, 2021 . Pinkshift Release Debut EP Saccharine . October 21, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204045737/https://www.spin.com/2021/04/pinkshift-release-debut-ep-saccharine/ . 2023-02-04 . live.
  9. News: Kelly . Chris . May 4, 2022 . Pinkshift's music spikes pleasure with pain . August 28, 2024 . The Washington Post.
  10. Web site: Wilkes . Emma . Pinkshift: From med school to being one of rock's hottest new noise . 14 August 2022 . . July 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131215907/https://www.kerrang.com/pinkshift-interview-ashrita-kumar-med-school-rocks-hottest-new-noises . 2023-01-31 . live.
  11. 1477050091403980804 . pinkshiftmd . A little bit of news heading into 2022!! Erich is no longer playing bass with Pinkshift, we really appreciate all that he contributed as a member but ultimately felt that it was not a good fit for us culturally or musically and wanted to make a change in the new year . December 31, 2021 . November 19, 2024.
  12. Web site: Ruskell . Nick . October 21, 2022 . Album review: Pinkshift – Love Me Forever . live . December 30, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20221030134905/https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-pinkshift-love-me-forever . 2022-10-30.
  13. Web site: Hatfield. Amanda. September 6, 2023. Pussy Riot announce tour w/ Pinkshift, Sloppy Jane, Death Valley Girls & more. BrooklynVegan. August 28, 2024.
  14. Web site: Casalena . Em . March 19, 2024 . The Gaslight Anthem Announces North American Tour in 2024 . August 28, 2024 . American Songwriter.
  15. Web site: Paul . Larisha . October 22, 2024 . The Linda Lindas Are Bringing ‘No Obligation’ on 2025 North American Tour . October 29, 2024 . Rolling Stone.
  16. Web site: Bulmer. Eloise. No-one wants to listen to a bunch of white dudes complaining about the same sh*t": Pinkshift and the new wave of pop-punk. Kerrang!. June 25, 2021 . 14 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201133940/https://www.kerrang.com/no-one-wants-to-listen-to-a-bunch-of-white-dudes-complaining-about-the-same-sh-t-pinkshift-and-the-new-wave-of-pop-punk . 2023-02-01 . live.
  17. Web site: DeWald . Mike . August 5, 2024 . RIFF RADIO: Pinkshift claiming their artistic humanity, music without borders . August 28, 2024 . RIFF Magazine.
  18. Web site: March 9, 2022 . Heavy Music Awards 2022 Finalists Announced. November 12, 2024 . Heavy Music Awards.
  19. Web site: Childers . Chad . June 24, 2022 . See All The Winners From the 2022 Kerrang! Music Awards . November 12, 2024 . Loudwire.

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