Longineu W. Parsons III
The French-born drummer whose propulsive energy powered Yellowcard's pop-punk anthems for over a decade.
Born 1980 (age 46)·French-born American rock musician·Birthday: February 16·Generation X
Biography
Longineu 'LP' Parsons III entered the world in France but found his rhythm in the Florida punk scene. As a teenager, his powerful, technical drumming became the backbone of Yellowcard, a band that would define a genre for a generation. From the raw aggression of their early work to the polished, violin-laced hits like 'Ocean Avenue,' Parsons's drums provided both the anchor and the engine. His departure from the band in 2014 marked the end of an era, but his work on every studio album up to that point cemented his place as a foundational figure in 2000s pop-punk. Beyond Yellowcard, he has lent his skills to the metalcore of Evergreen Terrace, showcasing a versatility rooted in pure, unadulterated rock power.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Longineu was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Longineu Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Longineu's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He was the founding drummer and played on all studio albums for the multi-platinum rock band Yellowcard from 1997 to 2012.
- His drumming is featured on Yellowcard's seminal album 'Ocean Avenue,' which sold over 2 million copies and defined a pop-punk era.
- He performed on eight consecutive Yellowcard studio albums, from 'Midget Tossing' through 'Southern Air.'
- He has maintained a parallel career as the drummer for the hardcore band Evergreen Terrace.
Did You Know?
He was born in Paris, France, but grew up in Jacksonville, Florida.
His full name, Longineu Warren Parsons III, is of French Huguenot origin.
He is known for his ambidextrous drumming style and exceptionally fast footwork.
“The drums aren't just timekeeping; they're the engine of the whole song.”
