PUP (abbreviation for Pathetic Use of Potential) is a Canadian punk rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario in 2013, originally under the name Topanga.[5] PUP's self-titled debut album was released on October 8, 2013 on Royal Mountain Records.[6] In December 2013, PUP signed with SideOneDummy Records and re-released their debut album in the United States on April 8, 2014.[7] The group was in the studio in late 2015 recording their second album The Dream Is Over which was released on May 27, 2016 through SideOneDummy.[8] The band's third album, titled Morbid Stuff, will be released on April 5, 2019.[9][10]

Contents 1 History 1.1 PUP 1.2 The Dream Is Over 1.3 Morbid Stuff 2 Acclaim and awards 3 Members 4 Discography 4.1 Albums 4.2 Singles 4.3 Demos 4.4 Covers 4.5 Music videos 5 Appearance in media 6 See also 7 References 8 External links History

They originally called the band Topanga (a Boy Meets World reference) but changed the name just before the release of their first record after learning that the franchise was set to be rebooted by Disney.[5] The new name PUP is said to be an acronym for Pathetic Use of Potential.[11] Babcock has said that this was inspired by something that his grandmother had said to him, although there are rumours that they found inspiration for their logo from graffiti above a urinal at Sneaky Dee's.

PUP logo at Sneaky Dee's

The band originally recorded an EP and self-released it digitally.[5] The EP started to get noticed and the group was approached by Hollerado to tour together. The band members quit their day jobs to pursue full-time music careers when Dave Schiffman (Rage Against The Machine, The Bronx, Weezer, Anti-Flag) replied to their e-mailed demo album and expressed interest in recording with them.[5][12] PUP has been named one of Canada's up and coming bands by the Calgary Herald,[13] as well as one of Stereogum's top 40 bands of the year.[14] PUP won 2 Bucky Awards from CBC Radio 3 for Best Live Show and Best New Artist in 2013, as well as being nominated for Best Video.[15] They've played festivals such as NXNE, Halifax Pop Explosion,[16] Pop Montreal, and CMW.[17]

PUP

PUP's self-titled debut album was released on October 8, 2013, on Royal Mountain Records.[6] From September to the end of November 2013, PUP joined Hollerado and the Zolas on a 24-stop tour across Canada to promote a newly released self-titled album. In December 2013, PUP signed with SideOneDummy Records and re-released their debut album in the United States on April 8, 2014.[18] In 2014, they went on their first tour of the UK, playing 8 shows around the country with the UK band Slaves. The first two shows of the tour in London were part of the NME Awards tour.[19] After that they played South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, followed by several more London shows and the Groezrock festival in Belgium. In May they started an extensive tour of the US with the Menzingers, Lemuria and Cayetana, playing 32 shows in 39 days. In August they opened for the Hives in London, England, and then played at Reading and Leeds Festivals. In September 2014, they made first appearance on Riot Fest at Chicago and Toronto.

In late 2014, PUP completed its first head-lining tour of Canada and the US, culminating in a sold-out concert at Toronto's Lee's Palace featuring a "next level" performance.[20] In early 2015, PUP completed a multi-city tour of Australia, supporting The Smith Street Band. PUP then participated in the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, joining the tour for the month of July, including a highly anticipated date in Toronto, the band's hometown and place where the band has enjoyed success. This was the band's first time playing the Molson Amphitheatre. Between October and December 2015, the group supported Modern Baseball on their headlining US tour.[21]

The Dream Is Over

In early 2016, PUP is set to headline a very select number of shows in New York City. They also released a new track, "DVP", from their second album.[22] and also they announce upcoming second album The Dream Is Over which was released on May 27, 2016 through SideOneDummy.[8] On May 27, 2016, PUP released their second album, "The Dream Is Over".[23] According to the band, the title is a direct quote from Babcock's doctor after damaging his vocal chords.[24]

PUP toured the US, Canada, Australia and Europe in 2016 on a headlining tour entitled "If this tour doesn't kill you, I will", which is also the name of the first track on their second album The Dream is Over. In early 2017, PUP headlined European shows with The Wonder Years and Tiny Moving Parts. During spring and summer 2017 the band made a first appearance on Shaky Knees Music Fest, Boston Calling, WayHome, Lollapalooza, and Osheaga.

In September 2017, PUP made their cable television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly on NBC, performing "Sleep in the Heat"[25] and "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will / DVP".[26]

In January 2018, PUP joined The Menzingers alongside with Cayetana on their headlining UK/Europe tour.[27]

Morbid Stuff

In May of 2018, the band posted on their official Instagram page that they have finished tracking their third album in Toronto with Dave Schiffman and Darren McGill.[28][29]

Towards the end of 2018, the band released a zine entitled "Pup The Zine Vol. 1" containing a comic book and a flexi-disc for a live version of "My Life Is Over and I Couldn't Be Happier".[30][31]

In January 2019, the band released "Pup The Zine Vol. 2" complete with a Flexi-Disc featuring a new single, "Kids", that they mailed out to fans over the course of the month. The zines additionally contained a press release and release date for the bands 3rd album, Morbid Stuff, which is due on April 5th, 2019.[32][33][34]

Acclaim and awards

PUP has enjoyed critical success, having been nominated or won in major Canadian contests such as the Juno Awards, the Polaris Music Prize, the CBC Bucky Awards, among others. Their first single "Reservoir" was nominated for a SOCAN Song-writing Prize.[35] It was also used on gameplay footage showed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 for the game Watch Dogs 2.

PUP won 2 Bucky Awards from CBC Radio 3 for Best Live Show and Best New Artist in 2013, as well as a nomination for Best Video.[15] PUP's first album was long-listed for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize of 2014. The national newspaper The Globe & Mail called them out as front-runners in the contest along with Arcade Fire, Mac Demarco, BADBADNOTGOOD, among other artists.[36] PUP has been nominated for three Juno Awards. In 2015, PUP was nominated for Recording Package of the Year and Video of the Year for "Guilt Trip."[37] In 2016, PUP was nominated again for Video of the Year for "Dark Days."[38]

Rolling Stone magazine listed the "Canadian punkers" of PUP as one of 2014's "breakout rock acts."[39]

PUP was nominated for the 2016 Prism Prize for Music Video of the Year for "Dark Days".[40]

PUP achieved commercial success with the release of their second album, The Dream is Over, on May 27, 2016, with chart achievement recognition from Billboard in several categories including Canadian Albums, Alternative Albums, Heatseekers, Independent Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Album Sales.[41] In July 2016, The Dream is Over was nominated to the Short-list of the Polaris Music Price 2016.[42] Rolling Stone also listed the "Sleep in the Heat" music video as #4 of the "10 Best Music Videos of 2016."[43]

PUP was nominated on 2017 Prism Prize for Music Video "DVP" and "Sleep In The Heat."[44][45] In July 2017, PUP won SOCAN Song-Writing Prize for "DVP."[46] On March 2018, PUP nominated for Prism Prize for Music Video "Old Wounds".[47]

Members Stefan Babcock – lead vocals, guitar (2013–present) Nestor Chumak – bass, backing vocals (2013–present) Zack Mykula – drums, backing vocals (2013–present) Steve Sladkowski – guitar, backing vocals (2013–present) Discography Albums PUP (2013) The Dream Is Over (2016) Morbid Stuff (2019) Singles Reservoir / My Shadow 7" "Kids" Flexi-Disc Demos Oceans as Topanga (2011 digitally) 7" re-release 2012 Covers "You Don't Get Me High Anymore" (2017) Music videos "Reservoir" (2013) "Lionheart" (2014) "My Shadow (Jay Reatard cover)" (2014) "Guilt Trip" (2014) "Mabu" (2014) "Back Against The Wall" (2015) "Dark Days" (2015) "DVP" (2016) "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will." (2016) "Sleep In The Heat" (2016) "Old Wounds" (2017) Appearance in media "Reservoir" appeared in video game Watch Dogs 2. It was also used on gameplay footage showed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016 for the game. "Lionheart" appeared in video game NHL 15. "Factories" appeared in Canadian TV series Saving Hope. "DVP" appeared in the video game Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator. The band themselves also make a cameo in the game. See also Music of Canada portal Music of Canada Canadian rock References ^ "PUP | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-28. ^ Lampiris, Steve (April 14, 2014). "PUP – PUP". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 28, 2016. ...a fantastic hardcore band. ^ Weiss, Dan (November 3, 2016). "For Toronto pop-punks PUP, the dream is just beginning". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 8, 2017. ^ https://www.facebook.com/RiseRecords/videos/380357876058426/?__xts__=68.ARAfmHYfkAl_v_vhGYAhm23uXcUmMMsFgmYKrltD2dwwZ-f82hRfT1_AXJDL_NFqCE6awfYjHnXQAM5fPwXXXNbZcfw40qqT5ON7gSYBTXOCTYx_AzZq7ntIaRzaJejWDMxfIci-86vT0Ar60gdUNmS3fs0fXOJGpOlO5mcQsGqTIEHx4m5q-g_utM98Eqn_nS3YOeAA0g0EUdrMM4uhbLTl8nNaIOUNiEknOsqYRQYgwhNW2-9Fzj-8gnCzPh0dxb1NLD9NivjLOxEekeoI3a9v11QiGuEy8dVllt8xwAjswYJ1LI-DfsG8UOPwQn4YRrfADoCWVbK1Ty_O3y3qceNXRk9_-2gP&__tn__=-R ^ a b c d Hudson, Alex. "PUP - Boys, Meet World • Interviews •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ a b "Check out Toronto Punk Band – PUP". Indie88. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ "SideOneDummy Records signs PUP". Propertyofzack.com. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2013-12-09. ^ a b "PUP Announce 'The Dream Is Over' LP". Exclaim.ca. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-03-30. ^ https://www.stereogum.com/2028359/pup-new-album-morbid-stuff-kids-zine/news/ ^ https://chorus.fm/news/pups-new-album-coming-in-april/ ^ "Maimann: Punk band PUP has no regrets | Columnists | Opinion". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ Elbert, Tarian (17 October 2013). "Producer Dave Schiffman nails the punk hook for Toronto's PUP". Metronews toronto. Retrieved 7 January 2018. ^ Bell, Mike (2013-11-08). "Pup: The best new band in Canada heads to Calgary". Calgaryherald.com. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ "Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2013 PUP – Stereogum". Stereogum.com. 2013-09-19. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ a b "2013 Bucky Award Winners". CBC. 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2013-12-10. Cite error: Invalid tag; name ":0" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). ^ "Watch PUP Cover Fucked Up With Damian Abraham". Stereogum. 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ "Topanga "Oceans"". Indie88. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2013-12-01. ^ "SideOneDummy Records signs PUP". Propertyofzack.com. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2013-12-09. ^ "NME Awards Tour". NME. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2013-12-10. ^ Howard, Richard (2014-11-25). "PUP's Homecoming Show Took Them to the Next Level | NOISEY". Noisey.vice.com. Retrieved 2016-06-28. ^ Leak, Brian (August 11, 2015). "Modern Baseball announce tour with PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, Tiny Moving Parts". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Retrieved December 21, 2017. ^ "PUP unleash rip-roaring new song "DVP" — listen". Consequence of Sound. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2017-09-20. ^ "The Dream Is Over, by PUP". Puptheband.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2016-05-30. ^ "PUP talk their "rowdy, noisy clusterfuck" of a new album, 'The Dream Is Over'". DIY. Retrieved 2016-05-30. ^ Pup: "Sleep in the Heat", 2017-09-18, retrieved 2017-09-20 ^ Pup: "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will/DVP", 2017-09-18, retrieved 2017-09-20 ^ Will, Richards (14 August 2017). DIY. DIY mag http://diymag.com/2017/08/14/the-menzingers-pup-uk-european-tour-2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018. Missing or empty (help) ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/BjJHmStn-hl/?utm_source=ig_embed ^ https://chorus.fm/news/pup-finish-new-album/ ^ https://www.discogs.com/Pup-My-Life-is-Over-and-I-Couldnt-Be-Happier/release/12183881 ^ http://exclaim.ca/music/article/pup_announce_zine_flexi_disc_for_limited_release ^ https://www.stereogum.com/2028359/pup-new-album-morbid-stuff-kids-zine/news/ ^ https://chorus.fm/news/pups-new-album-coming-in-april/ ^ https://www.discogs.com/Pup-Kids/release/13051257 ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link) ^ Wheeler, Brad (20 June 2014). "Long list for the Polaris Prize is diverse, but not all-inclusive". The Globe and Mail. ^ "2015 JUNO Awards Nominees" (PDF). Junoawards.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-28. ^ "2016 JUNO Awards Nominees" (PDF). Junoawards.ca. Retrieved 2016-06-28. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link) ^ "News". Prism Prize. Retrieved 2016-06-28. ^ "PUP - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-06-18. ^ "2016 Nominees - Polaris Music Prize". Polaris Music Prize. Retrieved 2017-02-09. ^ "10 Best Music Videos of 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-02-09. ^ "Prism Prize Announces Top 20 Finalists". Retrieved 2017-03-04. ^ "Prism Prize Reveals 2017's Top 10 Finalists". Retrieved 2017-05-27. ^ "Punk phenoms PUP win $10,000 SOCAN Songwriting Prize 2017 | SOCAN". www.socan.ca. Retrieved 2017-07-14. ^ Murphy, Sarah (March 27, 2018). "Here Are the Top 10 Prism Prize 2018 Finalists". Exclaim. Exclaim. Retrieved 15 May 2018. External links Official website PUP at CBC Radio PUP page on Bandcamp Metronews.ca Torontoist.com vteWinners of the SOCAN Songwriting PrizeEnglish Propagandhi (2006) Abdominal (2007) The Weakerthans (2008) D-Sisive (2009) Brasstronaut (2010) Katie Moore (2011) Kathleen Edwards (2012) Mo Kenney (2013) Alejandra Ribera (2014) Dear Rouge (2015) Fast Romantics (2016) PUP (2017) Partner (2018) French Ève Cournoyer (2006) Tricot Machine (2007) Karkwa (2008) Bernard Adamus (2009) Vulgaires Machins (2010) Galaxie (2011) Koriass (2012) Keith Kouna (2013) Patrice Michaud (2014) Antoine Corriveau (2015) Laurence Nerbonne (2016) Klô Pelgag (2017) Loud (2018)