Dance Gavin Dance

Music Home >> Music Genres >> Undetermined Music



< < < < < > > > > > More Info on Dance Gavin Dance Similar Undetermined Music Search Artistopia

Biography

Dance Gavin Dance is an American post-hardcore band formed in Sacramento , California in 2005. They released four full length studio albums and one EP. Their latest effort, Downtown Battle Mountain II was released on March 8, 2011.

History

Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2005& ndash;2007)

The name "Dance Gavin Dance" was derived by then lead singer Jonny Craig , who had planned to name his previous band (Ghost Runner on Third) by that title, said in an interview done by AbsolutePunk . Dance Gavin Dance released their first self-produced EP, Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean , in 2005, which was subsequently re-released on November 14, 2006 through Rise Records . The band then began writing and prepped to record their full-length debut Downtown Battle Mountain with the same group of musicians.

Downtown Battle Mountain (2007& ndash;2008)

They entered the studio in January 2007 with producer Kris Crummet and released their debut full-length album, Downtown Battle Mountain on May 15, 2007 on Rise Records .

In August 2007, guitarist Sean O'Sullivan quit the band due to personal conflicts between himself, Jonny Craig and Matt Mingus. Will Swan confirmed in an interview that Mingus urinated on O'Sullivan during a cross-country trip in 2007 which resulted in an altercation between the two and a broken nose for Mingus. In addition to this Jonny Craig is believed to have antagonized Sean about his religious beliefs, as he was the only Christian member in the band. O'Sullivan went on to play for bands Consider the Thief and Early States. Sean was replaced by Zac Garren who prior to joining the band, was their merch guy.

In November 2007, singer Jonny Craig quit the band, and was not allowed to rejoin when he asked to, due to extreme tensions and personal conflicts with the other band members, as stated by the band in an interview conducted by Submergemag.com. The band posted a long bulletin on their MySpace page which detailed Jonny's dependency on drugs and alcohol. Immediately after his departure with Dance Gavin Dance, Jonny Craig filled in as the lead vocalist for A Skylit Drive , though only temporarily. Craig soon afterwards joined bands Emarosa , Isles & Glaciers , and began a solo project with Rise Records .

Shortly after Craig's departure, the band held auditions for a new vocalist. Hundreds of potential vocalists tried out and, at one point, Nic Newsham of Gatsby's American Dream was flown in from Washington for an audition. Though Newsham opted not to join the group, they did develop a friendship. This resulted in Nic's guest appearance on the song "Uneasy Hearts Weigh The Most" which features on their self titled Dance Gavin Dance (album)|2008 album . Kurt Travis , formerly of Five Minute Ride, O& #33; The Joy, and No Not Constant became the band's new lead vocalist.

Self-titled album (2008& ndash;2009)

On April 20, 2008, Dance Gavin Dance entered the studio to record Dance Gavin Dance (album)|Dance Gavin Dance with Kris Crummett helming the role of producer once more. It was released on August 19, 2008.

Before the album was released, but after it had been recorded, two original members Jonathan Mess and Eric Lodge left Dance Gavin Dance. No official statements were made by the band or the departees regarding the departure. Jon Mess had recorded the album knowing that he was going to leave the band. It is generally accepted that Mess, in addition to suffering from Lyme disease, was tired of constant touring, and Lodge simply followed suit, as the two were best friends.

Following their departure, Will Swan took up screaming duties alongside playing guitar, and Jason Ellis (formerly of Five Minute Ride) replaced Eric on bass. The band filmed a music video for the song "Me and Zoloft Get Along Just Fine" with director Robby Starbuck which was released November 18, 2008. Jon Mess' voice was lip synced by Will Swan in the music video.

Happiness (2009)

In February 2009, the band went into the studio as a five piece to record the follow-up to their self titled album yet again with producer Kris Crummett . The resulting album, Happiness (Dance Gavin Dance album)|Happiness , was released on June 9, 2009. Bassist Jason Ellis appears on Happiness , but left the band before its release. He was replaced by Tim Feerick. The album marked a slight change in the band's sound, the album features far fewer unclean vocals than the self-titled album, and is more in the vein of experimental rock than traditional post-hardcore. All Music stated in their review, " bristles with the kind of overachiever eclecticism that's as impressive as it is divisive". A music video for the track "Tree Village" was released shortly after the album. The band embarked on tours with Emarosa , Closure in Moscow , Scary Kids Scaring Kids , and others in support of the album.

Lineup changes, Downtown Battle Mountain Part II , indefinite hiatus, and return to touring (2010& ndash;present)

On February 10, 2010, guitarist Zachary Garren was kicked out of Dance Gavin Dance due to personal conflicts with Will Swan. Garren went on to form a new band, Strawberry Girls, with drummer Ben Rosett. Dance Gavin Dance played the Soundwave festival as scheduled as a four-piece (a first for the originally six-piece band) with Swan handling all guitar duties and Kurt Travis playing keyboards. Shortly afterwards Garren was replaced by Dan Snook. His first show was on March 12, 2010 in Dance Gavin Dance's hometown at The Boardwalk. Several months later however, Snook and bassist Tim Feerick abruptly left Dance Gavin Dance..

After multiple members leaving and rumors of the band breaking up, Jon Mess and Eric Lodge officially rejoined the band in mid 2010. Josh Benton, former guitarist and band mate of Kurt Travis in No Not Constant, took up guitar duties. The band was rumored to be working on a new album with this line-up, but in August Alternative Press released an article saying that vocalist Kurt Travis and Dance Gavin Dance had officially parted ways and Jonny Craig had rejoined the band. It was assumed that Jonny would manage vocal duties for both Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa, until he was kicked out of Emarosa in early 2011. Former guitarist Sean O'Sullivan rejoined the band for several home shows towards the end of 2010, returning the band to their Downtown Battle Mountain line-up. In September Dance Gavin Dance posted on their Twitter that they will be recording their new album Downtown Battle Mountain Two later in the year. Shortly afterwards their official Myspace page was updated, stating 'Downtown Battle Mountain Pt. II coming April 2011'. On January 24, 2011, the first single from Downtown Battle Mountain II was released, titled "Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex." http://www.bloginity.com/blog/2011/01/24/dance-gavin-dance-song-heat-seeking-ghost-sex-dtbm2 Later that same week, Alternative Press released a second track, "The Robot With Human Hair Part 2 1/2." http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/exclusive_stream_dance_gavin_dance_the_robot_with_human_hair_pt_2_1_2/

In March 2011 the band began their US tour with Iwrestledabearonce , In Fear And Faith , and Just Like Vinyl , followed by a small European tour, culminating in 2 shows in London playing Downtown Battle Mountain|Downtown Battle Mountain Pt. I in full on the first night and Downtown Battle Mountain Pt. II in full on the second night. The band has been also confirmed for the Warped Tour 2011|2011 Vans Warped Tour .

On January 16, 2011, Jonny Craig tweeted, "I'm sorry everyone but I'm going to be taking a very very very long hiatus. All my tours and CDs are canceled. Thank you and goodnight" later clarifying that he "will be playing out the tours with DGD and Emarosa ". Soon afterwards he checked into a detox facility for drug addiction, following a scandal wherein the singer was caught stealing money from fans. Former Tides of Man vocalist Tilian Pearson filled in for Craig on Emarosa's Spring 2011 tour with Chiodos, while all Dance Gavin Dance shows went on as planned. In April Craig announced his departure from Emarosa and stated on Twitter he would be recording two songs with Dance Gavin Dance in the upcoming week.

Drummer Matt Mingus said in an interview with Mind Equals Blown that Dance Gavin Dance plans to release another album with the current, reunited lineup.

As of September 1, 2011 - Dance Gavin Dance has posted a side-project without Jonny Craig. They have released 4 songs on YouTube streaming now, posted with the band name 'Secret Band' http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=8lXss0VRZhM& NR=1

On October 19, 2011, Dance Gavin Dance announced that they were going on hiatus. This announcement came shortly after the cancellation of their tour with I Set My Friends On Fire and A Lot Like Birds. Guitarist Will Swan later attributed the cancellation and subsequent hiatus of the band to unspecified issues with Jonny Craig, stating "DGD is on hiatus until Jonny can get his life together. Tour is not the environment for that. That is all.". It was later discovered that Jonny had been arrested for drug-related offenses. Craig was spared a prison sentence, as he was granted a deferred entry of judgment and ordered by the state of California to complete time in drug rehabilitation. His next court hearing is set for April 30, 2012.

Despite the announcement of a hiatus, on December 23, 2011, the band announced that they would embark on a short tour with A Lot Like Birds and Lead Hands (then Decoder) in February 2012 with Kurt Travis and Matt Geise (of Lower Definition) doing vocals for the band. It is the first time that the band will be playing songs from all of their albums on a single tour.

Dance Gavin Dance recently announced that they will be playing on select dates of the All Stars 2012 tour with Suicide Silence and The Word Alive as well as many other bands. They will be playing on August 8th, 2012- August 18th, 2012.

Band members

;Current members

Matt Mingus - Drum kit|drums (2005& ndash;present)

Will Swan - guitar s, Rapping|vocals (2005& ndash;present); unclean vocals (2008& ndash;2010)

Eric Lodge - bass guitar|bass (2005& ndash;2008; 2010& ndash;present)

Jon Mess - Screaming (music)|unclean vocals (2005& ndash;2008; 2010& ndash;present)

Jonny Craig - Singing|clean vocals (2005& ndash;2007; 2010& ndash;present)

;Touring members

Josh Benton - guitars (2010& ndash;present)

Matt Geise - clean vocals (2012& ndash;present; a few dates with A Lot Like Birds)

Kurt Travis - clean vocals (2012& ndash;present)

Tim Feerick - bass guitar (2012& ndash;present; a few dates with A Lot Like Birds)

;Former members

Alvaro Alcala - guitars (2005)

Sean O'Sullivan - guitars (2006& ndash;2007; 2010)

Zachary Garren - guitars (2007& ndash;2010)

Kurt Travis - clean vocals (2007& ndash;2010)

Jason Ellis - bass guitar (2008& ndash;2009)

Tim Feerick - bass guitar (2009& ndash;2010; 2012)

Dan Snook - guitars (2010)

;Former touring members

Jordan McCoy - bass guitar (2011)

Tony Marks - bass guitar (2010)

Album appearances

Member	Album
Member	Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean	Downtown Battle Mountain	Dance Gavin Dance	Happiness	Downtown Battle Mountain II
Will Swan (guitars, screams and rapping on 'Happiness' and 'Downtown Battle Mountain II')	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Matt Mingus (drums)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Jon Mess (screamed vocals)	Y	Y	Y	N	Y
Eric Lodge (bass)	Y	Y	Y	N	Y
Jonny Craig (clean vocals)	Y	Y	N	N	Y
Sean O'Sullivan (guitar)	Y	Y	N	N	N
Zachary Garren (guitar)	N	N	Y	Y	N
Kurt Travis (clean vocals)	N	N	Y	Y	N
Jason Ellis (bass)	N	N	N	Y	N

Discography

;Studio albums

Downtown Battle Mountain (2007)

Dance Gavin Dance (album)|Dance Gavin Dance (2008)

Happiness (Dance Gavin Dance album)|Happiness (2009)

Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011)

;EPs

Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006)

;Live albums

Live at Bamboozle 2010 ( Live Nation Studios, 2010)

Music videos

"Me and Zoloft Get Along Just Fine" (2008)

"Tree Village" (2009)

"Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex" (2012)

External links

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
Click here for original article: Dance Gavin Dance


1. The Almost 2. The Sleeping 3. Untitled 4. A Skylit Drive 5. Pierce The Veil 6. Asking Alexandria 7. I Set My Friends On Fire 8. Four Year Strong 9. Blessthefall

Undetermined Music Artists