Fall Out Boy, an iconic American rock band that emerged from the Chicago hardcore punk scene in 2001, has seen several logo transformations. From simple wordmarks to the celebrated "crowned volcano," their logos have evolved alongside their musical journey.

Fall Out Boy Logo: Meaning and Evolution

Formed in a Chicago suburb, Fall Out Boy quickly rose to prominence. While their music changed over the years, so did their visual identity. Their logos have spanned a range of styles, each reflecting the band's growth and shifting aesthetic.

Early Logos (2002–2005)

• 2002–2003: The first Fall Out Boy logo was straightforward, with a bold black sans-serif wordmark. The letters "F," "O," and "B" were slightly larger than the rest, giving it a distinct, though minimalistic, look.
• 2003–2005: In this iteration, the wordmark was adjusted with a more geometric sans-serif font. The colors switched to bright blue on a white background, and the letters were spaced more evenly apart.
• 2005–2007: The logo underwent a significant transformation, embracing a more elegant, serif typeface. This version exuded sophistication, with all the letters in uppercase and a timeless, classic design.

Modernizing the Look (2007–2016)

• 2007–2008: A more casual and handwritten logo emerged in 2007. Featuring lowercase letters and cursive elements, it evoked a personal, artistic flair.
• 2008–2013: The logo once again moved towards a more structured approach, with uppercase letters for "Fall" and "Boy," and a lowercase "Out" between them in a lighter font, creating a visual contrast.
• 2013–2016: The 2013 redesign introduced a slightly narrower sans-serif wordmark, featuring uneven black textures that added a dramatic and bold effect.
• 2016–2018: Fall Out Boy returned to the elegant 2005 logo but refined it with condensed, thicker letterforms, enhancing its timeless appeal.

The "Crowned Volcano" and New Designs (2018–Present)

• 2018–Present: A major update occurred in 2018 with a custom sans-serif typeface, characterized by smooth lines and rounded angles. This playful, modern logo reflected the band's personality and fresh style.
• 2019–Present: In 2019, Fall Out Boy revamped the logo again. The updated version featured bold, black, wavy lines, giving the inscription a fluid, underwater-like appearance, reflecting a more dynamic, fun energy.

The "Crowned Volcano" Symbol: A Signature Logo

The most iconic Fall Out Boy logo, often called the "crowned volcano," debuted on the 2013 album Save Rock and Roll. Designed by Tim Beck of Freedom Ink Tattoos, it consists of a trapezium with the letters "FOB" inside and a crown atop. The three dots above the crown could be seen as a symbolic reference to their album themes. The trapezium is said to represent a volcano, which connects to the band's song "Young Volcanoes." The crown has been interpreted as a nod to the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Other Memorable Emblems

Fall Out Boy has also used other distinct logos across album covers:

• 2005 – From Under the Cork Tree: This cover features an all-seeing eye inside a keyhole, surrounded by a rope, a crown, and a banner displaying the band's name. This emblem creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
• 2017 – Mania: On this album cover, a cross design made of four right angles takes center stage. While not officially explained by the band, fans speculate that each angle symbolizes one of the band members.

Typography and Color Choices

While the band's primary logo often changes, each album cover features unique typography tailored to the visual themes of the album. For instance, American Beauty/American Psycho showcases a classic serif font, while Mania uses a friendly sans-serif font.

Color palettes typically feature black and white, with the black background providing contrast to white lettering or emblems. In some instances, the color scheme is reversed to create a different visual effect.

Fall Out Boy’s evolving logo history reflects their diverse musical style, creative direction, and strong brand identity. Whether through their iconic "crowned volcano" or other symbolic emblems, the band has continually embraced visual design as a key part of their cultural impact.