Alex Gaskarth

Alexander William Gaskarth (born December 14, 1987) is an English [1] singer, songwriter, guitarist, musician and actor. He is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter for the American rock band All Time Low since its formation in 2003. Alex also hosted the 2015 and 2016 Alternative Press Music Awards along with bandmate Jack Barakat.[2]

Alex Gaskarth
Gaskarth performing with All Time Low in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Alexander William Gaskarth
Born	(1987-12-14) December 14, 1987 Essex, England, United Kingdom
Origin	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres	Pop punk emo pop power pop pop rock alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter guitarist musician actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano keyboards harmonica
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Emerald Moon Hopeless Interscope Fueled by Ramen
Associated acts	All Time Low Simple Creatures
Website	alltimelow.com

Career

Crew Fighters (2002–2003)

As a teenager, Gaskarth was part of a cover band named Crew Fighters. Soon after, he met Jack Barakat, who persuaded him to form and join All Time Low. All Time Low began doing covers of songs by Blink-182 and Green Day. Subsequently, the formation of the band was completed by Zack Merrick (bass, backing vocals) and Rian Dawson (drums, percussion), who also left Crew Fighters to join All Time Low.[3]

All Time Low (2003–present)

Main article: All Time Low

All Time Low performing in 2015

Gaskarth started playing music with bandmate Jack Barakat in eighth grade. In ninth grade, they acquired Zack Merrick and Rian Dawson, forming All Time Low in 2003.[4] They signed to Emerald Moon Records in 2004 while still in high school and released their debut EP, "The Three Words to Remember in Dealing with the End". In 2005, they released their debut studio album The Party Scene.

In 2006 the band signed with Hopeless Records.[5] In 2007, they released a Platinum single "Dear Maria, Count Me In"[6] and in 2008 it was certified 4x Platinum by Billboard. They also released their second studio album So Wrong, It's Right in 2007. In 2009, All Time Low released their third studio album Nothing Personal which debuted number 4 in Billboard 200.[7] In 2010 the band released two CD/DVD packages, MTV Unplugged and the documentary/live concert Straight to DVD.[8]

In 2011, the band signed with Interscope Records[9] and released their fourth studio album Dirty Work.[8] In early 2012, the band re-signed with Hopeless Records and released their fifth studio album Don't Panic.[10] On 7 April 2015, All Time Low released their sixth studio album Future Hearts which reached number 2 on Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart with 75,000 copies sold in its first week, and number 1 in the U.K official Album Charts with 19,400 copies being sold.[7] In 2016, Straight to DVD 2: Past Present and Future Hearts was released. This is a sequel to Straight to DVD, documenting the past four years of the band as well as another live concert.[11] In 2017, the band released a new song entitled "Dirty Laundry" and also reveals that they had left Hopeless Records and has signed with Fueled by Ramen one year prior.[12] On 2 June 2017 the band released its seventh studio album Last Young Renegade. In the summer of 2018, the band released two new singles, Everything Is Fine and Birthday.

Gaskarth has written songs for/with other bands such as 5 Seconds of Summer,[13] McBusted,[14] and Simple Plan.[15] He has also been a host of the podcast Full Frontal with bandmate Jack Barakat since 2013.[16]

Simple Creatures (2019–present)

Main article: Simple Creatures

On 24 January 2019, Gaskarth announced he was forming a new group with Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 called Simple Creatures. A debut song named "Drug" was released with news of an upcoming EP slated for March.[17] A single named "Strange Love" was also released.

Instruments

During 2004–2008, Gaskarth used a variety of Gibson SG-X's. Around mid-2013, Gaskarth used a variety of custom-made Paul Reed Smith guitars, most notable the Mira. He stated in a Reddit AMA that he abandoned the instruments due to difficulties replacing parts while overseas. Gaskarth currently uses Fender guitars, most notable the Mustang 90 models, although he has been seen using Telecasters, as well as some of their acoustic models. Gaskarth has also been seen using Gibson electric guitars.[18]

Personal life

Gaskarth graduated from Dulaney High School[19] in 2006. Gaskarth has two older half-sisters, Jillian and Helen, and had a half-brother, Tom, who died when Gaskarth was 12 due to alcohol poisoning. In memory of him, Gaskarth got a rose tattoo on his left hand, and wrote the song "Lullabies".

Gaskarth married his longtime girlfriend Lisa Ruocco on 9 April 2016.[20]

Vocal style

Gaskarth has a tenor vocal style. His vocal range is from A2 to C#5.[21]

Discography

Main article: All Time Low discography

As lead artist

All Time Low

List of albums, with selected details

Title	Album details
The Three Words to Remember in Dealing With the End (EP)	Released: December 2004 Label: Emerald Moon Formats: CD, digital download
The Party Scene	Released: July 19, 2005 Label: Emerald Moon Formats: CD, digital download
Put Up or Shut Up (EP)	Released: July 25, 2006 Label: Hopeless Formats: CD, digital download
So Wrong, It's Right	Released: September 25, 2007 Label: Hopeless Formats: CD, digital download
Nothing Personal	Released: July 7, 2009 Label: Hopeless Formats: CD, digital download
Dirty Work	Released: June 6, 2011 Label: Interscope Formats: CD, digital download
Don't Panic	Released: October 8, 2012 Label: Hopeless Formats: CD, digital download
Future Hearts	Released: April 3, 2015 Label: Hopeless Formats: CD, digital download
Last Young Renegade	Released: June 2, 2017 Label: Fueled by Ramen Formats: CD, digital download
Wake Up, Sunshine	Released: April 3, 2020 Label: Fueled by Ramen Formats: CD, digital download

Simple Creatures

List of albums, with selected details

Title	Album details
'Strange Love (EP)'	Released: March 29, 2019[22] Label: BMG Formats: CD, digital download
Everything Opposite (EP)	Released: October 11, 2019[23] Label: BMG Formats: CD, digital download
Just Touch It	Released: TBA[23] Label: BMG Formats: CD, digital download

As featured artist

Song Title	Year	Album Title	Label
"Disconnect" (The Dangerous Summer featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2007[24]	If You Could Only Keep Me Alive (EP)	Hopeless
"Don’t Wait” (Hit the Lights featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2008	Skip School, Start Fights	Triple Crown
"No One Can Touch Us” (Sing It Loud featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2008[25]	Come Around	Epitaph
"Bitter Sweet Symphony” (Ace Enders and a Million Different People featuring The Rocket Summer, Kenny Vasoli, Craig Owens, Alex Gaskarth, Matthew Thiessen, Aaron Marsh, Mark Hoppus, and Duane Okun)	2008[26]	Non-album single	Drive-Thru
“Freaking Me Out” (Simple Plan featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2011	Get Your Heart On!	Lava, Atlantic
“Kiss Me Again” (We Are the In Crowd featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2012[27]	Best Intentions	Hopeless
“Telescope” (Yellowcard featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2012	Southern Air	Hopeless
“When I Found You” (Amber Pacific featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2014 [28]	The Turn	Digitally Sound
“Long Way Home” (5 Seconds of Summer featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2014[29]	5 Seconds of Summer	Capitol, Hi or Hey
“Jaded” (One OK Rock featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2017[30]	Ambitions	A-Sketch, Amuse, Inc., Fueled by Ramen
“Time To Fall In Love” (Lindsey Stirling featuring Alex Gaskarth)	2017[31]	Warmer in the Winter	Lindseystomp, Concord

As songwriter

Song Title	Year	Album Title	Label
"Freaking Me Out" (Simple Plan)	2011	Get Your Heart On!	Lava, Atlantic
"No Idea" (Big Time Rush)	2011[32]	Elevate	Nick, Columbia
"Settle for Less" (Before You Exit)	2013[33]	I Like That (EP)	Sony
"Disconnected" (5 Seconds of Summer)	2014[34]	She Looks So Perfect (EP)	Capitol, Hi or Hey
"Kiss Me, Kiss Me", "End Up Here", "Long Way Home" (5 Seconds of Summer)	2014	5 Seconds of Summer	Capitol, Hi or Hey
"Get Over It" (McBusted)	2014[35]	McBusted	Island
"Broken Pieces", "Over and Out" (5 Seconds of Summer)	2015[36]	She’s Kinda Hot (EP)	Capitol, Hi or Hey
"Catch Fire" (5 Seconds of Summer)	2015 [37]	Sounds Good Feels Good	Capitol, Hi or Hey
"Slow Burn", "Hurry Up and Wait" (State Champs)	2015[38]	Around the World and Back	Pure Noise
"Something New", "Upside Down" (Set It Off)	2016[39]	Upside Down	Equal Vision
"Way With Words" (The Wrecks)	2018[40]	Panic Vertigo (EP)	The Century Family Inc.
"Criminal", "The Fix Up" (State Champs)	2018[41]	Living Proof	Pure Noise

References

1. Alex, Gaskarth (November 5, 2012). "Reply on "Voting"". Twitter.
2. "Announcing the 2015 Journeys AP Music Awards, Hosted by Alex & Jack of All Time Low!". Alternative Press. January 8, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
3. Radke, Brad (2010). "All Time Low – Straight to DVD". Vimeo. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
4. Allison Thompson (August 17, 2014), All Time Low Documentary Part 1, retrieved November 25, 2016
5. "Hopeless signs All Time Low; band touring with Transition - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
6. "All Time Low's "Dear Maria, Count Me In" Goes Platinum – Infectious Magazine". infectiousmagazine.com. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
7. "All Time Low Logs Third No. 1 on Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
8. "All Time Low | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
9. "All Time Low Part Ways With Interscope; Set To Reveal New Single On Friday? - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
10. "Interview: All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth on re-signing with Hopeless - Features - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
11. "Straight To DVD II: Past, Present, and Future Hearts - Preorder Now! | All Time Low". alltimelow.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
12. "All Time Low: "It's About Leaving The Past Where It Belongs"". rocksound.tv.
13. "All Time Low on Touring, Songwriting and Social Media - Page 2 of 4 - Music Connection Magazine". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
14. "Mark Hoppus, Rivers Cuomo And Alex Gaskarth On McBusted Album - Kerrang!". Kerrang!. October 24, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
15. "Simple Plan writing new song with Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth - News - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
16. "Full Frontal Radio Show". fullfrontalradio.com. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
17. brownypaul (January 24, 2019). "blink-182's Mark Hoppus and All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth debut new band". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
18. Equipboard Inc. "Alex Gaskarth". Equipboard. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
19. "All Time Low shows love for city in 'For Baltimore' video". Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
20. Chiu, Melody (April 23, 2016). "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth Marries His High School Sweetheart Lisa Ruocco". People. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
21. Alex Gaskarth Vocal Range (A2-C#5). October 11, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2016 – via YouTube.
22. Pernett, Gisselle. "Out Now: 'Strange Love,' the Debut EP from Simple Creatures (Blink-182's Mark Hoppus and All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth)". Rock Cellar. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
23. Johnstone, Andrew. "Simple Creatures have a second EP and a debut album ready!". Dead Press. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
24. "The Dangerous Summer – If You Could Only Keep Me Alive". Discogs. August 21, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
25. "Track Info". Epitaph. September 23, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
26. "Ace Enders, Mark Hoppus, Craig Owens, More Cover The Verve". Alternative Press. December 1, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
27. "We Are The In Crowd To Release "Kiss Me Again" Video; All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth To Appear In Clip". Alternative Press. February 9, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
28. "Amber Pacific Not Allowed To Release Alex Gaskarth Song As First Single". PropertyOfZack. July 9, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
29. "5 Seconds of Summer reveal origins of new song 'Long Way Home'". Pressparty. June 24, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
30. "One OK Rock Release New Song, 'Jaded'". Hands Up Media. January 13, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
31. "Check Out All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth On Brand New Christmas Tune". Don’t Bore Us. October 21, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
32. ""Stolen" song controversy: Some fans have 'No Idea'". Burlington County Times. November 17, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
33. "Nine Songs You Might Not Realise Alex Gaskarth Wrote". Rock Sound. December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
34. "The 10 Best 5 Seconds Of Summer B-Sides". Alternative Press. February 7, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
35. "Nine Songs You Might Not Realise Alex Gaskarth Wrote". Rock Sound. December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
36. "5 Seconds of Summer – She's Kinda Hot EP, 2015 (Album Review)". Alt Columnist. October 13, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
37. "Beyond the Song: 'Catch Fire' by 5SOS". CelebMix. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
38. "State Champs To Collaborate With Alex Gaskarth Again For New Album". Alternative Press. August 6, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
39. "Set It Off Announces New Album 'Upside Down' For Oct 7; Release "Something New" Music Video". Equal Vision. June 29, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
40. "Nine Songs You Might Not Realise Alex Gaskarth Wrote". Rock Sound. December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
41. "State Champs To Collaborate With Alex Gaskarth Again For New Album". Alternative Press. August 6, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.

Further reading

• "Zoo zoo zoo zoo zoo zooooo zooooo". Spin. December 2007. p. 98. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
• Weatherby, Taylor (April 6, 2015). "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth talks 'Future Hearts': 'We wanted to tell a story'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 24, 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• "All Time Low lead singer Alex Gaskarth said Larry Flynt tried to send cease-and-desist letters". The Washington Times. October 10, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
• Chew, Cohan. "All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and friends record Christmas charity song". Gigwise. Retrieved April 24, 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Hall, Mackenzie (October 9, 2015). ""It was rad to be a part of." Alex Gaskarth talks "Fan Girl" movie". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Whitt, Cassie (April 11, 2016). "Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat to run for president of the 2016 APMAs". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 24, 2016.