Of Mice & Men

Of Mice & Men

Of Mice & Men is an American metalcore band, active since 2009, with origins in Columbus, United States. The group forms around a rotating line-up across its history and is associated with alternative metal, electronic, heavy metal, metalcore, post-hardcore and screamo.

Formation and name

The band starts in 2009 when Austin Carlile and Jaxin Hall form it after Carlile leaves Attack Attack!. The name comes from John Steinbeck’s novel of the same title. The first collaborative demo track, “Seven Thousand Miles for What?”, is made with Though She Wrote before the rest of the line-up is recruited.

Early line-up and line-up changes

After formation, original guitarist Jon Kintz is replaced and the line-up settles with Valentino Arteaga on drums, Shayley Bourget on guitar and vocals, and Phil Manansala on guitar. The current line-up includes Phil Manansala, Valentino Arteaga, Aaron Pauley and Alan Ashby. Former and additional members include Austin Carlile, Jaxin Hall, Jon Kintz, Shayley Bourget and Jerry Roush.

Carlile steps down after heart surgery and pressure from touring, and Jerry Roush, formerly of Sky Eats Airplane, takes over his vocal role in 2010. Jaxin Hall later leaves, Bourget moves from rhythm guitar to bass, Alan Ashby joins, and Carlile returns on vocals in 2011. Bourget then leaves in 2012, with Carlile continuing on vocals until his later departure in 2016. After Carlile leaves, Aaron Pauley takes over lead vocals.

Recordings and albums

The band releases its self-titled debut album in 2010 via Rise Records. Its second album, The Flood, follows in 2011 and later receives a deluxe reissue with four extra tracks. The third album, Restoring Force, arrives in 2014, followed by Cold World in 2016.

Later releases include Defy in 2018, Earthandsky in 2019, Echo in 2021 and Tether in 2023. Echo is assembled from three EPs released in 2021: Timeless, Bloom and Ad Infinitum.

Singles and label changes

After Carlile’s departure, the band releases “Unbreakable” and “Back to Me” as its first singles with Pauley as lead vocalist. In 2021, the group parts ways with Rise Records and signs to SharpTone Records, then releases “Obsolete” alongside the announcement of Timeless. In 2023, the band releases “Warpaint”, “Castaway”, “Indigo” and “Into the Sun” around the launch of Tether.