Dance Gavin Dance

For the eponymous album released by this band, see Dance Gavin Dance (album).

Dance Gavin Dance
Dance Gavin Dance performing at the Webster Theater, 2022
Dance Gavin Dance performing at the Webster Theater, 2022
Background information
OriginSacramento, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2005–present
LabelsRise
Members
  • Will Swan
  • Matthew Mingus
  • Jon Mess
  • Andrew Wells
Past members

Dance Gavin Dance is an American post-hardcore band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2005. It consists of unclean vocalist Jon Mess, lead guitarist Will Swan, clean vocalist and rhythm guitarist Andrew Wells, and drummer Matthew Mingus. The band formerly included lead vocalists Jonny Craig, Kurt Travis, and Tilian Pearson, and the lineup has changed numerous times since their inception. Swan and Mingus are the only band members who have appeared on every studio album.

The band released their debut extended play (EP), Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean, in 2006 and signed to Rise Records thereafter. Their debut studio album, Downtown Battle Mountain, was released in May 2007. Craig and guitarist Sean O'Sullivan left the group and were replaced by Kurt Travis and Zachary Garren, respectively. They released their album, Dance Gavin Dance, in August 2008. Vocalist Jon Mess and bassist Eric Lodge left the group before the album's release, with Lodge being replaced by Jason Ellis. Happiness, the group's third studio album, was released in June 2009.

In 2010, Jonny Craig, Jon Mess and Eric Lodge returned to the band and recorded their fourth studio album, Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011). Craig and Lodge departed from the group the following year, which led to bassist Tim Feerick, guitarist Josh Benton, and former Tides of Man vocalist Tilian Pearson joining the band. They released their fifth studio album, Acceptance Speech (2013); Benton left the band shortly after the album's release. Their sixth studio album, Instant Gratification, was released in April 2015. The following year, the group released the live album, Tree City Sessions, and their seventh studio album, Mothership, the latter charting at number 13 on the Billboard 200. They released their eighth studio album, Artificial Selection, in June 2018, placing at number 15 on the Billboard 200. In 2020, they released their ninth studio album, Afterburner in April, which placed at number 14 on the Billboard 200, and Tree City Sessions 2 in December.

Bassist Tim Feerick died in 2022, prior to the release of the band's tenth album, Jackpot Juicer, leading to Sianvar and Royal Coda guitarist Sergio Medina taking over on live bass duties.[1][2] Pearson underwent a brief hiatus from the band in 2022 following sexual assault allegations before parting ways with the band in 2024.[3]

The band has achieved four top-twenty albums in the US, including one top 10.[4]

  1. ^ "Remembering Tim Feerick | Sacramento band Dance Gavin Dance dedicate U.S. tour to longtime bassist". abc10.com. May 14, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Trapp, Philip. "Tilian Pearson 'Stepping Away' From Dance Gavin Dance, Band Releases Statement on Allegations". Loudwire. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "DANCE GAVIN DANCE split with vocalist TILIAN PEARSON". Revolver. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Freyman, Jesse Richman, Falyn (December 1, 2015). "For Dance Gavin Dance, "The Turmoil Is All Just a Backdrop to the Music"". New Times Broward-Palm Beach.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)