While on tour in May 2005, the band performed "Graduation", and frontman Daryl Palumbo claimed that group had 30 new songs.
Recording and composition
On January 6, 2006, it was announced that the band had begun recording with producer Howard Benson. It was projected to be released in spring 2006. Vocalist/guitarist Daryl Palumbo described the album as being "more musical" than anything he had done previously, calling it "very melodic".Taking influence from the Beatles, in addition to the Mod revival of the 1970s, he "want all the hooks to soar and all the songs to be as memorable and melodic as possible." Breaking down the album into sections, he described it as "one part the Knack, one part Cheap Trick, five parts Elvis Costello and the Attractions, one part Graham Parker, and tons of Nick Lowe melody lines" with "a modern take on those artists".
Release and reception
After finishing up recording, the group went on a tour of the US from late January to late February 2006. They were supported by Morningwood. On February 1, the album's title Popaganda was revealed. On March 3, "Graduation Day" was made available for streaming. On March 28, "Laughing at You" was made available for streaming, and the album's track listing was revealed. In March and April, the band went on a short headlining tour. On April 4, a digital-only EP was released, titled Pop Rocks, it features the previously-released "Graduation Day" and "Laughing at You", as well as new songs "Nowhere Fast" and "God". In April, the band supported Avenged Sevenfold and Coheed and Cambria on their co-headlining tour of the US. On April 7, the album's artwork was revealed, and "Lying Through Your Teeth" was made available for streaming. On April 12, "Nowhere Fast" was made available for streaming. On May 3, a music video was released for "Graduation Day". On May 28, "Scandalous" was posted on the band's Myspace profile. Popaganda was released on June 6 through Warner Bros. Records. In June and July, the band went on tour with Taking Back Sunday and Angels & Airwaves. "Graduation Day" was released to radio on June 20. Between August and October, the group went on a US tour with Rock Kills Kid and Men, Women & Children. On August 25, a music video was released for "Lying Through Your Teeth". On October 13, a new music video was released for "Lying Through Your Teeth". "Lying Through Your Teeth" was released to radio on October 17, 2006. Two days later, it was announced that drummer Larry Gorman was kicked out of the group. Gorman explained that it was mostly in part to "the fact that the relationship between Daryl and I has slowly been deteriorating over the last couple of years." In October and November, the band went on the MTV$2 Bill Tour alongside Thirty Seconds to Mars. In February 2007, the band supported Jack's Mannequin on their tour of the US. It reached a peak position of #87 on the UK Albums Chart.
