Dance Gavin Dance

Dance Gavin Dance is an American post-hardcore group from Sacramento, United States, formed in 2005 after the break-up of Farewell Unknown and Left Apart. The band is known for frequent lineup changes, especially among its vocalists, both in touring and recorded lineups.

Style and sound

Dance Gavin Dance mixes post-hardcore with elements of emo, emocore, experimental rock, math rock, metalcore, funk and soul. Jonny Craig is noted for helping shape the group’s unusual soul-influenced sound, while Will Swan is recognised for intricate, fast-moving guitar riffs and leads.

Line-up

The current line-up includes Jon Mess on harsh vocals, Will Swan on guitars and bass guitar, Andrew Wells on guitars, clean vocals and bass guitar, and Matt Mingus on drums and percussion. The wider membership history also includes Jonny Craig, Kurt Travis, Eric Lodge, Jason Ellis, Tim Feerick, Josh Benton, Sean O’Sullivan, Zachary Garren, Tilian Pearson, and others.

Notable members and roles

Jon Mess performs harsh vocals from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2010 onwards. Will Swan plays guitars from 2005 onwards, adds harsh vocals from 2008 to 2010, and bass guitar from 2022 onwards. Matt Mingus plays drums and percussion from 2005 onwards. Andrew Wells joins on guitars, clean vocals and bass guitar from 2021 onwards, after touring with the group from 2015 to 2021. Sergio Medina also tours on rhythm guitar and bass guitar from 2021 onwards.

Former members include Jonny Craig on clean vocals, Kurt Travis on clean and harsh vocals, Alvaro Alcala on guitar, Sean O’Sullivan on guitar, Zachary Garren on guitar, Josh Benton on guitar, Eric Lodge on bass guitar, Jason Ellis on bass guitar, Tim Feerick on bass guitar, and Tilian Pearson on clean vocals. Tim Feerick is a member from 2009 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2022.

Releases

The group releases all of its records on Rise Records. Its discography includes the EP Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean and the studio albums Downtown Battle Mountain, Dance Gavin Dance, Happiness, Downtown Battle Mountain II, Acceptance Speech, Instant Gratification, Mothership, Artificial Selection, Afterburner, and Jackpot Juicer.

Dance Gavin Dance has released ten studio albums, two live albums and one EP. Jackpot Juicer is the most recent studio album listed, issued in 2022.