The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada is a metalcore and post-hardcore group from Dayton, United States, active since 2005. Its current members are Mike Hranica, Jeremy DePoyster, Kyle Sipress, Jonathan Gering, Giuseppe Capolupo and Mason Nagy. Former members include James Baney, Chris Rubey, Daniel Williams, Andy Trick and Samuel Penner.

Background

The band forms in 2005 and plays its first show with a fill-in bassist and only one guitarist. Jeremy DePoyster soon joins on rhythm guitar and Andy Trick completes the early lineup on bass. The group starts out in Dayton, records a demo called Patterns of a Horizon later in 2005, and begins building a local following.

The band name comes from the novel The Devil Wears Prada. It initially reflects an anti-materialist idea, although the band later learns the book does not support that reading. The name remains, and the band uses it to express a non-materialistic outlook.

Style and identity

The Devil Wears Prada begins as a Christian band, but later moves away from that foundation and broadens its approach. By 2021, guitarist Kyle Sipress says the group has not actively promoted itself as a Christian band for some time. The members' focus is on the music rather than religious identity, and most of them no longer identify as Christians.

Recordings and releases

After signing with Rise Records, the band releases its debut album, Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord, in 2006. Its second album, Plagues, follows in 2007 and reaches No. 57 on the Billboard 200. The singles HTML Rulez D00d and Hey John, What's Your Name Again? both receive music videos shown on MTV and Fuse. The album is reissued in 2008 with extra material.

The band records a cover of Still Fly for the compilation Punk Goes Crunk, and cites Underoath and Still Remains as influences.

With Roots Above and Branches Below appears in 2009 and reaches No. 11 on the Billboard 200. The band follows it with the EP Zombie in 2010 and the full-length Dead Throne in 2011, released through Ferret Music. Dead Throne peaks at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and also tops the Christian and Independent album charts, while reaching No. 3 on the Rock and Hard Rock album charts.

In 2012 the group releases the CD/DVD Dead and Alive. Its fifth album, 8:18, follows in 2013. The EP Space arrives in 2015, alongside the 7-inch South of the City. The band re-signs with Rise Records in 2015. Transit Blues is released in 2016, followed by the EP ZII, which serves as a sequel to Zombie. The band then releases The Act in 2019 and Color Decay in 2022, with a deluxe edition appearing in 2023.

Line-up changes

Over time, the band adds and loses several members. Chris Rubey is an important early guitarist, and Daniel Williams plays drums before leaving in 2016. Jonathan Gering and Giuseppe Capolupo become official members in 2019, alongside the release of The Act. Bassist Andy Trick later departs and Mason Nagy joins on bass. Kyle Sipress joins on guitar for the Space period and remains in the group.

Touring and recognition

The Devil Wears Prada tours widely through its career, including appearances on the Warped Tour and the Mayhem Festival tour. It also works alongside bands such as All That Remains and Killswitch Engage. In 2009, Alternative Press names the band Band of the Year.