| Jonny Craig | |
|---|---|
Craig performing at The Knitting Factory in September 2009 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Monroe Craig |
| Born | March 26, 1986 |
| Origin | Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Soul,[1][2][3][4] post-hardcore, alternative rock,[5] acoustic, pop rock, blue-eyed soul |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, musician, music manager |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Rise, Equal Vision[6] |
| Associated acts | Westerhalts, Ghost Runner on Third, Dance Gavin Dance, Emarosa, A Skylit Drive, Isles & Glaciers Mikeywhiskeyhands |
Jonathan Monroe "Jonny" Craig (born March 26, 1986 in Abbotsford, British Columbia) is a Canadian-American singer. He is currently the lead vocalist for the band Dance Gavin Dance, and former vocalist of the bands Emarosa and Ghost Runner on Third. He has an eponymous solo project, with which he has released one studio album and a live album to date. He was also a part of the supergroup, Isles & Glaciers. Craig's distinct type of soul-based singing has earned him a high amount of acclaim.
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Jonny was born in British Columbia. In interviews, he states that he lived on an island. Music had always been in his life. His Grandmother, who was in a church choir, taught him everything he knows, as Jonny stated in an interview. Jonny also says his mother would play Michael Bolton and he would sing along at a very early age. As a child, he says that "he had a hard time keeping out of trouble" and that "high school wasn't for him." He would explain later that that was the reason he left high school and attained his G.E.D., then focused on music full-time. "I just wanted an escape from a lot of the things when I was a child I guess. I just wanted to get away from a lot of the problems that I was dealing with at home and stuff," Jonny states in an interview with KLSU radio as his reason for starting his path in music.[7][8]
Prior to forming his first band, Craig was auditioning for bands when entering high school in the United States in 2000, none of which he was accepted into. Craig then formed the band Westerhalts in 2000, a garage band from Tacoma, Washington. At 15, Craig released his first known song with Westerhalts titled "Change, Leisure, and Retirement" in 2001. He then joined as the lead vocalist for Tacoma based pop punk band Ghost Runner on Third in 2002.[9] He received positive reviews with this band's debut EP, Speak Your Dreams, released on January 4, 2005. Allmusic stated that Craig was: "the band's secret weapon, a passionate vocalist. There's not a bad track to be found here, but Craig tends to outshine his bandmates throughout."[10]
Early on in his career with Ghost Runner On Third, it has been cited that overwhelming drug problems led to his departure as told by Dance Gavin Dance in their old blog concerning Craig after he was kicked out of the band. Though Craig has denied the statements made, Dance Gavin Dance has not backed off from those remarks, which they explain was the reason for all the band's problems and partly for his former band Ghost Runner on Third.[11] Dance Gavin Dance has also blamed Sean O'Sullivan's departure on Craig's behavior primarily, although there were other contributing factors. Despite their past differences, both past and present members of Dance Gavin Dance have since become friends. Consider the Thief (O'Sullivan's previous band), were also listed in Emarosa's Relativity album on the special thanks section of the booklet.
Jonny Craig's singing in Dance Gavin Dance's debut full-length album, Downtown Battle Mountain, also received positive reviews. Allmusic stated that "co-frontman Jonny Craig's regularly hysterical yelping may change your mind forever."[12]
In an interview done on March 2007, it was cited that Jonny Craig came up with the name Dance Gavin Dance and had planned to name his previous band, "Ghost Runner On Third," by that name.[13] After being kicked out of Dance Gavin Dance after the "Saints and Sinners Festival" in New Jersey, Jonny Craig immediately filled in for A Skylit Drive and toured with them while their then-lead-singer Jordan was ill. The band made it very clear at shows and on their website that he was not the new lead singer and the situation would only be temporary. It had been only 2 weeks since he quit Dance Gavin Dance in which he joined Emarosa who was left without a lead singer.
On August 18, 2010, Dance Gavin Dance exclusively revealed to Alternative Press that they have parted ways with vocalist Kurt Travis and that Jonny Craig, along with other original vocalist, Jon Mess, will be returning to the band to record a new album. The reunited lineup will also embark on a headlining run next spring. Craig was to remain in Emarosa as well.[14]
The rapper Game and DJ Skee sampled Craig's vocals on the song "Heels & Dresses" from their Break Lights mixtape album, which comes from the song "The Robot With Human Hair Pt. 1." Rapper Bizzy Bone also sampled Craig's vocals on the song "Bottled Up Like Smoke" from his Crossover EP and Crossroads album.[15]
On April 11, 2011, Emarosa publicly announced that Jonny Craig would no longer be a member of the group. According to a statement made by the band, "This decision has been a hard one to make, but we feel it is in the best interest for the band going forward."[16] "Jonny Craig" was the top trending topic on Twitter the day of the announcement.
In early September 2008, (then current) Chiodos and Cinematic Sunrise vocalist Craig Owens, announced that both he and Jonny Craig would be recording an EP record by the end of the year, also mentioning Vic Fuentes and others.[17]
On December 15, 2008, Alternative Press officially announced and revealed the name and lineup of this new project, Isles & Glaciers. The band's first EP, The Hearts of Lonely People, was produced by Casey Bates in Seattle, Washington, was reworked on April 2009 in Michigan and was released March 9, 2010.
Jonny Craig has released the solo album A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How to Answer on August 18, 2009, through Rise Records. This is the first individual artist on the label. He has been taking solo promotion and press photos for the release in late 2009 with photographer Gage Young in Orlando, Florida.[18]
Rise Records has listed Jonny Craig as an individual artist on their official website, and released his myspace music page.[19][20] He further released three songs on his Myspace profile from the solo album, Titles, "Istillfeelher III", "Children of Divorce" and "7 AM, 2 Bottles And The Wrong Road". Craig went on his first solo tour from November through December, supporting acts AFI, Cinematic Sunrise, and then headlining with support from Tides of Man and Sleeping With Sirens. He was headlining a tour with support from Tides of Man and Eye Alaska and will be playing The Bamboozle[21] festival and SXSW.[22]
Craig headlined the "White Boys With Soul" tour with Fight Fair, Breathe Electric, Mod Sun, and The Divine.[23] Craig has also recently revealed that he is recording another solo album.[24] In an interview at Warped Tour with MindEqualsBlown.net, Craig revealed he's attempting to work with Alex Deleon of The Cab on a B-side from his solo album.[25] Craig announced on January 16, 2011 that he would be taking an indefinite hiatus to "pursue the filming of his documentary", stating that all his currently planned records and tours would be canceled.[26] He later added that he would play out the tours with Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa.[27] On January 21, 2011, Craig announced that he would not actually be taking this hiatus,[28] stating: "hate me all you want people I love what i do and im great at it. IM NEVER GONNA STOP. [sic]"[29] He later stated that he was going to quit because he had been touring and recording "NON STOP" for seven years, and stated "Now i know theres nothing out in the world for me".[30]
Craig recently announced over his personal Facebook page that he will be releasing a seven song solo EP in the near future.[31]
In an interview with Indie Star TV, Craig proceeded to describe himself as an atheist with a Christian background especially in music. He states that all of his music is soulful and has some kind of meaning mainly because his music career began as a child singing gospel music with his church/school.[32] Jonny Craig gives all credit for his musical talent to his grandmother (Ruth Lyons) who he says, "taught me everything I know about music, she was super Christian, super gospel. Her husband was a preacher. She taught me everything I know about music and despite the fact that I may not believe in her beliefs, I believe in what she taught me."[32]
Craig is inspired by soul music, mainly the artists Aretha Franklin, Boys II Men, and Craig David. He has also mentioned Motown acts and the band Mewithoutyou as influences.[32][33] Craig has performed live covers of the songs "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake, "Fuck You" by Cee Lo Green, and "Never Gonna Be Alone" by Nickelback.
Craig's voice has been compared to that of Michael Jackson,[34] Usher, and Christina Aguilera.[35] The X-Factor Australia season 2 runner-up, Sally Chatfield, has cited Craig as her main musical influence and inspiration.[36]
Jonny has one child, whom he has never met, with an ex-girlfriend. This situation serves as the inspiration behind the song "Children Of Divorce" from his solo album A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How to Answer.[32] He has two siblings, one half-sister, Natalie, and one half-brother.[37] Craig maintains a close relationship with his sister. YouTube videos have been posted featuring Craig and Natalie singing Justin Timberlake's hit Cry Me a River as a duet. He currently resides in Vacaville, California.
In February 2011, several fans of Craig began coming forth and accusing him of being involved in an internet scam. According to the alleged victims, Craig would claim to be selling a used MacBook through his Twitter account. After accepting an online payment on average between US$600 and $800 for the product from at least 16 individuals, Craig was reported to have discontinued communication with the buyers, and no MacBooks were ever distributed. He initially denied the accusations and claimed that his Twitter had been hacked and he had no involvement.[38][39] However, the following week it was announced that Jonny Craig had dropped off his current tour in Emarosa with Chiodos to enter detox in order to cure his ongoing battles with drug addiction. Rise Records and the Artery Foundation assumed financial responsibility for the internet scam and intend to reimburse anyone that had been victimized. Tilian Pearson—formerly of Tides of Man—substituted for Craig during his absence from Emarosa.[40] A public apology was issued after his detox treatment was completed on March 8, 2011.[41]
In October 2011, Jonny Craig was jailed for two counts of possession of narcotics, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one count of failure to appear on a felony charge with bail set at US$15,000. As a result of this incident, Dance Gavin Dance cancelled their upcoming tour and went on hiatus.[42][43] Craig was released from jail a few weeks later and is scheduled to enter a court-ordered rehabilitation facility. His follow-up hearing is scheduled for April 30, 2012.[44]
| Group | Album | Song(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Definition | The Greatest of All Lost Arts[46] | "Pueblo Cicada" |
| Broadway | Kingdoms | "Don't Jump the Shark Before You Save the Whale" |
| Pierce the Veil | Selfish Machines | "She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty" |
| MikeyWhiskeyHands! | Unreleased | "This Ain't a Game" (credited as Dr.Craig)[47] and "$ex, Drugz and WhiskeyHands"[47] |
| Falling Closer | The Sweet Release | "The Bridge"[48] |
| Bizzy Bone | Crossroads: 2010 | "Bottled Up Like Smoke" |
| Woe, Is Me | Number[s] | "Our Number[s]" and "Desolate [The Conductor]" |
| Mod Sun | Health, Wealth, Success & Happiness (Mixtape) | "Become My Life"[49] |
| Hands Like Houses | Demo | "Lion Skin" |
| Aerolyn | Resilience | "Harbinger" |
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