Yellowcard Publishing Royalties

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Few bands capture the sound of early-2000s pop-punk like Yellowcard, and few songs from that era have proven as durable as "Ocean Avenue." Anchored by the band's breakout album and a deep bench of fan favorites, this publishing catalog has kept reaching listeners for more than two decades — through the CD era, the download years, and now the streaming economy — generating income the whole way.

In recent years the story has taken on a new chapter. After breaking up in 2016, Yellowcard reunited in 2022 and came back in force: a 2023 tour marking twenty years of "Ocean Avenue," a 2024 run alongside Third Eye Blind, and a 2025 album whose lead single reached the top of the Alternative Airplay chart. Recorded income tends to follow live activity, and it shows — the catalog's streaming volume more than doubled between 2022 and 2025 as longtime fans and a new generation of listeners came back to the songs.

That renewed activity is visible in the earnings. One item is worth setting aside first: the catalog received back-payments from the CRB rate increase, a federal board raised the streaming rate paid for these songs and made it retroactive to 2018–2022. Those payments came to $5,997.20 in 2024. Setting that catch-up aside, annual publishing royalties grew from about $33K in 2021 to a peak near $61K in 2024 before settling at about $56K in 2025, a compound annual growth rate of 14% across 2021 to 2025. The first quarter of 2026 is left out of that calculation because it is a partial distribution period that has not yet been fully reported and would understate a full year. Streaming does most of the work, at roughly 77% of the last twelve months.

With tour dates on the calendar and a fresh album cycle underway, Yellowcard has moved from legacy status back into active circulation. For an investor, the case is a streaming-anchored publishing income stream on songs that have already lasted twenty years — a revival with a real cause behind it.

For a detailed analysis of earnings trends, cash flow projections, and investment criteria, review the full Investment Memorandum.

Yellowcard, formed in 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, is renowned for blending pop-punk energy with the distinctive use of violin, setting them apart in the alternative rock scene. Their innovative sound and emotive songwriting have earned them both critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.​

"Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard is arguably the most recognizable track in this collection. Originally released in 2003, it became a defining anthem of the alternative pop-punk genre, capturing the essence of youthful exuberance and nostalgia. The track was certified double platinum, and as of April 2025, "Ocean Avenue" remains Yellowcard's most-streamed track on Spotify, with over 429 million streams, underscoring its lasting appeal and relevance in the digital music landscape.​

Gold-Certified "Only One" released in June 2004 as the third and final single from Yellowcard's breakthrough album Ocean Avenue (2003), "Only One" showcases the band's signature blend of pop-punk energy and emotive lyricism. The track stands out for its heartfelt apology theme, with lyrics like "Made my mistakes, let you down" resonating deeply with listeners.​ 

This catalog represents significant commercial success and artistic versatility, making it a valuable acquisition for those looking to own a piece of music history that has proven its ability to connect with audiences worldwide. Yellowcard continues to tour, engaging their current fanbase and building the opportunity for new fans driving growth and future potential for earnings in the catalog. 

Distributor Note. This catalog is transitioning from its current administrator, UMPG, to Warner Chappell Music. During the transition, some royalties will continue to be collected and paid through UMPG; any payments that flow through UMPG during this period are payable to the buyer.

Earnings Note. 1Q2026 earnings reflect a partial payment. The distributor temporarily held a portion of 1Q2026 royalties. Those royalties are expected to process this quarter and appear on the 2Q2026 statement, which will be owed to the buyer.

Earnings Note. The 4Q2024 distribution includes a synchronization payment of $7,863 on "Ocean Avenue," booked as a single lump sum under a "ComputerGames Original Sync" license from Psyonix LLC (the developer of the video game Rocket League). Any similar payments in the future will be payable to the buyer.

Earnings Note. The 1Q2024 distribution includes approximately $5,100 in back-period catch-up payments on U.S. streaming mechanical royalties covering 2018–2022, from the Copyright Royalty Board's Phonorecords III rate increase (10.5% to 15.1%) applied retroactively after streaming services' appeal was resolved. Any further catch-up payments are payable to the buyer.