Most people haven’t heard of a band called The Maine. I hadn’t until they opened for the All-American Rejects at a concert I went to in the summer of 2017.

The Maine was formed in Arizona in 2007. The members are lead singer John O’Callaghan, lead guitarist Jared Monaco, guitarist Kennedy Brock, bass guitarist Garrett Nickelsen and drummer Pat Kirch.

They are a self-made band that first signed with Warner Bros. Music Studios in 2009, but now operate under their own production label, 8123 Studios. Their core messages are about being carefree, making memories, being yourself and making the most out of every day. These ideas are expressed boldly at every concert.

This band has matured musically through the years. They have been labeled as an alternative, rock, emo and even pop. They started out as slightly more pop based and eventually made their way to rock.

They have six full-length albums: “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” “Black & White,” “Pioneer<” “Forever Halloween,” “American Candy” and “Lovely Little Lonely.” Their seventh album, “You Are Ok”, is set to come out on March 29.

“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” is their first album, and it’s mostly pop with carefree vibes. This album has more of a heavily produced sound than the others. Their second album, “Black & White” has more of a pop rock vibe.

They took a major shift for their third album, “Pioneer,” and it has a very strong rock sound. Their fourth album “Forever Halloween” also has a strong rock sound ,and the songs make a shift from carefree to more serious. Their fifth album “American Candy” goes back to more of a pop rock vibe and the songs are much more light-hearted. Their sixth album “Lovely Little Lonely” has a pop rock vibe as well, but the songs are a little less carefree.

A majority of their songs are focused on real emotions and have actual meaning behind them. Their song, “24 Floors” from “American Candy” is about suicide and how people should focus on all the good life has to offer us. The song “Vanilla” from “Forever Halloween” is about how society as a whole has become shallow and the majority of people have become bland like the most common flavor of ice cream. It focuses on how The Maine is different from the rest.

Overall, The Maine has a special, unique vibe. They are 100 percent authentic to themselves and their core messages. They connect with fans on a deeper level and give them what they want while also staying true to themselves.

I have been to two of their concerts and, each one was a blast and everyone in the audience felt like they were involved in the show. So, if you are interested in listening to a new band that makes real music with meaning, then check out The Maine. You won’t regret it.