Citizen is an American rock band from Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio that formed in 2009. The band currently consists of Mat Kerekes (vocals), brothers Nick (lead guitar) and Eric Hamm (bass), Mason Mercer (rhythm guitar), and Ben Russin (drums). They are currently signed to Run for Cover Records, and have released four studio albums to date: Youth (2013), Everybody Is Going to Heaven (2015), As You Please (2017) and Life in Your Glass World (2021). A fifth, Calling the Dogs, was released in October 2023. Considered a part of emo's fourth wave, Pitchfork have described Citizen as "a band their fans can grow up with rather than out of."
History
Formation and early releases (2009–2012) Mat Kerekes first formed the band in 2009 after departing as the drummer from his previous band, The Sound of Glory. The Sound of Glory was a metalcore band that had a large local following as well as somewhat of a regional following during their years of existence. This band included additional members of Citizen, Nick Hamm and Eric Hamm, on their same respective instruments. Additional members of the band were vocalist Josh Childress (guitarist of The Plot in You) and a second guitarist to The Sound of Glory, Joey Chester. The early material of Citizen displayed a melodic hardcore sound much unlike their present day music. The band released their first demo shortly after formation. Citizen played their first show on January 28, 2010 at Frankie's Inner City in Toledo, Ohio where they opened for Set Your Goals.
In May 2011, the band made an appearance at Bled Fest. The band also released a split EP with The Fragile Season, titled The Only Place I Know.
After signing with Run For Cover Records in March 2012, Citizen began recording a Split EP with labelmates Turnover. Run For Cover Records states that this Split marks growth and maturity for both bands as they go from up and coming locals to established national artists. After the release of Citizen and Turnover's split EP on May 22, 2012, Citizen and Turnover went on a summer tour, along with the band Light Years.
In September 2011, Citizen released an EP titled Young States which was then reissued the following year in September 2012 by Run for Cover Records. Shortly after the reissue of Young States Citizen went on a supporting tour with bands Aficionado and Mixtapes, followed by a tour with Such Gold, Mixtapes, and Raindance. Finally, Citizen went on a brief fall headlining tour with State Champs and Candy Hearts as supporting acts.
Youth (2013–2014) In February 2013, Citizen began recording their debut studio album Youth in studio 4 with producer Will Yip and released Youth on June 11, 2013. Youth features ten tracks along with a bonus acoustic version of their song "How Does It Feel?" In an interview with Beyond the Pit Press, when asked how Citizen came up with the title of their album, guitarist Nick Hamm stated that Youth is a coming of age record. After the Release of Youth Citizen played on the 2013 Vans Warped Tour. Following the Vans Warped tour Citizen played a record release show for Youth in their Hometown of Toledo, OH. In June 2014, the band announced they would be going on a fall tour in support of Youth, starting early September in Toronto, Canada, and ending mid-October in Cleveland, Ohio. The tour was supported by the bands You Blew It!, Hostage Calm, Praise, and True Love.
Everybody Is Going to Heaven (2015–2016) On April 26, 2015 Citizen announced plans to release their second full-length album, Everybody Is Going to Heaven, on June 23, 2015 via Run For Cover. Before the release of the album, Citizen premiered a music video for their song Stain which appears on the album. The album was made available for streaming via Run for Cover's Bandcamp page on June 9, 2015. The album charted at number 2 on the Billboard Vinyl Albums chart.
As You Please (2017–2020) During October 2017 Citizen released their third album, As You Please, with Run For Cover Records. Soon after the release of their third album Citizen began the As You Please Tour, accompanied by Sorority Noise and Great Grandpa.
In 2018 the band embarked on a tour in support of The Story So Far along with Turnover and Movements. The following year, they released a stand-alone single entitled "Big Mouth". Drummer Jake Duhaime had departed the band by this point, with Kerekes taking his place in the studio. By the end of 2019, the remaining quartet had material written for a fourth album. Recording took place in Toledo, Ohio during the winter of 2019 and into early 2020. Later in 2020, the band shared the unreleased track "Clox" – which was written and recorded for As You Please but was ultimately left off the album.