Blood on the Dance Floor (duo)

Blood on the Dance Floor

BOTDF at Ace Of Spades 2013
Jayy Von Monroe (left) and Dahvie Vanity (right)
Background information
Origin Orlando, Florida, United States
Genres
Years active 2007–present
Labels Dark Fantasy Records
Associated acts Jeffree Star, Deuce
Website www.ilovebotdf.com
Members Dahvie Vanity
Jayy Von Monroe
Past members Christopher Mongillo
Rebecca Fugate
Garrett Ecstasy
Matty M

Blood on the Dance Floor is an American electropop duo from Orlando, Florida. The group's 2012 release Evolution reached No. 42 on the Billboard 200.[1]

Style and influences

The group's style has been described as electronica[2] or electronic,[3] but also heavily incorporates electropop,[4] dance-pop[5] and crunkcore.[6] Their first releases experimented with a mixture of screamo, Eurobeat-inspired beats and party rap vocals showcasing techno and chiptune influences as well as sex-themed lyrics. Their latest releases includes dubstep and EDM elements. Jeffree Star is a major influence on Blood on the Dance Floor.[4]

History

Let's Start a Riot and It's Hard to be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World (2007-2008)

In 2007, David Jesus Torres, also known as Dahvie Vanity started a trio called Love the Fashion with Christopher Mongillo and Rebecca Fugate.[7] The trio was originally nothing but a joke, but soon developed into Blood on the Dance Floor. The group hit the studio and recorded their first album, Let's Start a Riot.[8] Instead of promoting the album, the band continued recording and released their second album, It's Hard to be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World, later that year.[9] Not being able to tour, Mongillo and Fugate left the band while Vanity toured the Orlando, Florida area. Vanity soon gained a large fan base called the Slash Gash Terror Crew, or in their alternative name, Slash Gash Terror Crue.[10]

I Scream I Scream, OMFG Sneak Peak and Extended Play (2008-2009)

While on tour, Dahvie Vanity met Garrett Ecstasy, who soon joined the duo. The duo began recording new material in early 2009. The group released the three extended plays I Scream I Scream, OMFG Sneak Peak, and Extended Play in the first half of 2009.[11] The duo embarked on the OMFG Tour across the United States in support of their three releases. In September 2009, Ecstasy was kicked out of the band mid-tour due to allegations that he was stealing from Vanity.

Epic (2009-2010)

Garrett Ecstasy was soon replaced by Jeremy Brian Griffis, better known by his stage name, Jayy Von Monroe, along with rapper, Matty M. Recording for their junior album began near the end of 2009.[12] However, the trio later became a duo when they let Jayy take over rapping duties and Matty was dismissed. The new lineup soon played on the Crunk Kids Tour '09. The duo soon teamed up with Jeffree Star to record three songs for the album. BOTDF embarked on the 2 Drunk 2 Fuck Tour and the Lookin' Hot & Dangerous Tour with Star during 2010. During the Lookin' Hot & Dangerous Tour, Blood on the Dance Floor and Star became hostile towards each other for a reason claimed by some as "BOTDF were to make an entire album with Jeffree Star, but when they were to start the Recording Session(s), Star failed to show up and ditched them." But as of 2011/2012, Star, Vanity, and Monroe became friends once again.[13] Due to the fight, neither of the three songs made the album. Leading up to the release, numerous singles were released between October 2009 and September 2010. In October 2010, the album Epic, was released. The album charted 5th on the dance/electronic Billboard chart.[4] The band headlined the Epic Tour and the Epic Tour Part II in support of the album.[14]

All the Rage!!, Evolution, & Clubbed To Death (2010-2012)

Even before the duo's third album was released, recording began for Blood on the Dance Floor's fourth album. The duo collaborated with several artists for the album, including Gods Paparazzi, KatiKaine, Rusty Lixx, James Egbert, Lady Nogrady, JJ Demon, and Nick Nasty. Once again the album was preceded by several singles to promote the release. The band embarked on Warped Tour 2011, in June 2011.[15] Their fourth album, All the Rage!!, was released while on Warped Tour. One music video was filmed for the album. The album peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart.[4] At the end of 2011, the duo headlined the All the Rage Tour and is planning the 'Tis the Season to be Killing Tour.[16] Continuing their constant recording, material for the fifth album was worked on immediately. The duo has then made up with Star and the two collaborated along with another electropop group called Millionaires on the unreleased song "Fuck Me I'm Famous." The band has also collaborated with Haley Rose, Amelia Arsenic, Shawn Brandon, Joel Madden, Elena Vladimirova, and Deuce for the upcoming album.[17] In celebration of BOTDF's four-year anniversary, a compilation album entitled, The Legend of Blood on the Dance Floor, was set to be released on Halloween.[10] The compilation's release date was pushed back. The compilation features remastered versions of songs from the band's first four albums. An Epic remix album was released on January 31, 2012. It featured 4 songs from Epic that were then made into dubstep tracks. Evolution was released on June 19, 2012[18] along with a deluxe edition that featured acoustic versions of two songs. Two music videos and four singles were released from the album. As a thank you to the fans they released the three song free EP Clubbed to Death! on June 20, 2012 for free through an app on Facebook.[19] Their sixth EP, The Anthem of the Outcast, was released on October 30, 2012.[20]

Bad Blood (2013-present)

In the beginning of 2013, there were major rumors claiming Blood on the Dance Floor has split when they withdrew from the Soundwave Festival. However, it turned out to be a hoax.[21][22] Vanity completely denied all rumors of Blood on the Dance Floor disestablishing.[21]

The group released Bad Blood on September 3, 2013.[23] On February 18, 2013 the lead single "I Refuse to Sink! (Fuck the Fame)" was released,[22] followed by the second single "Crucified By Your Lies",[24] followed by the third single, "Something Grimm", on July 2, 2013.[25]

In the beginning of 2014, Blood On The Dance Floor posted on their Facebook page that Andrew 'Drew' Apathy would be joining the BOTDF team as their 'dark knight' and 'deputy'.[26] Not long after they also announced their new EP 'Bitch Craft' which was set to be released late winter with a single being released in February.[27][28] Their single 'We're Takin over!' featuring Deuce was released 7 February.[29][30] Other songs like "Poison Apple" featuring Jeffree Star, "Call Me Master", "Bitchcraft" (with the album's pre-order) and "Freaks Do It Better!" featuring Kerry Louise were released in iTunes. "Bitchcraft" was finally released as a 10-tracks album in June 10, 2014 including all the previously released singles except "We're Taking over!".[31]

Criticism

The duo has been criticized by critics and listeners alike for their style and lyrics.[32][33] Davey Boy, a staff member of Sputnikmusic, said in a review

While Jayy Von Monroe's vocals are occasionally tolerable, Dahvie Vanity's are in desperate need of auto-tune - especially throughout verses where he approaches rapping and spoken-word. Seriously, you just have to listen to his delivery of "Every 14.2 minutes, someone in the United States dies by suicide" at the beginning of 'You Are the Heart' to understand how awful Vanity's voice is.[34]

Perwell Fowler from Bring on Mixed Reviews said

Why review something that looks like an easy target you ask? It’s because there has got to be a better way to get the youth to know they aren’t alone in this world and to be confident enough to be free from bullying and depression, than listening to someone with a purple studded jacket and tiger whisker face paint. If you are a fan reading this, do yourself a favor and pick up a less offensive choice.[35]

Discography

Members

Current members
Former members
Touring members

References

  1. ↑ Chart Moves: 'Brave's' Mumford & Sons-Enhanced Billboard 200 Debut, Blood on the Dance Floor's Best Sales. Billboard, June 29, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Come get messy with Blood on the Dance Floor". Ace of Spades. June 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ Blood on the Dance Floor - 5 Tour Essentials - Fuse
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Blood on the Dance Floor". Allmusic.
  5. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor - Evolution". Alternative Press. June 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ http://www.themountaineagle.com/news/2012-01-04/Entertainment/Concert_review_Blood_on_the_Dance_Floor.html
  7. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor". TuneCore. 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  8. ↑ "Tunecore". Portal.tunecore.com. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  9. ↑ "Tunecore". Portal.tunecore.com. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Exclusive Interview: Blood On The Dance Floor - Critic Studio
  11. ↑ "Tunecore". Portal.tunecore.com. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  12. ↑ Blood on the Dance Floor - Mr. Miller
  13. ↑ "Jeffree Star and BOTDF at war". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  14. ↑ The Epic Tour!!! - Top Spot USA - September 29th 2010
  15. ↑ "Vans Warped Tour / Bands / June 16th - August 5th / Tickets On Sale Now / Blood On The Dance Floor". Vanswarpedtour.com. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  16. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor:. All The Rage [Tour Dates]". Eurotrash Music. October 4, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor interview w/ Robert Herrera". YouTube. 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  18. ↑ "Evolution - Blood on the Dance Floor". Allmusic.
  19. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor – Double Header Review: Evolution and Clubbed To Death". Nataliezworld.
  20. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor Announce "Anthem of the Outcast" EP Release Date". Alter the Press!. September 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Blood on the Dance Floor Not Breaking Up Despite Rumors". Zack Zarillo. February 19, 2013.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "DAMMIT: Blood On The Dance Floor Deny Break Up Rumors; Release New Single". Under the Gun Review. February 19, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor Confirm New Album". Alter the Press!. February 2013.
  24. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor Release New Song; Liken Themselves To Christ & Address Rape Allegations". Under the Gun Review. March 13, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor Release New Song "Something Grimm"". Alter the Press!. July 2013.
  26. ↑ "Id like to announce that @DrewApath...". Blood On The Dance Floor. January 2014.
  27. ↑ "Twitter / botdfmusic: Getting st...". Blood On The Dance Floor. January 2014.
  28. ↑ "Twitter / botdfmusic: 1st single of 20...". Blood On The Dance Floor. January 2014.
  29. ↑ "Blood On The Dance Floor". Blood On The Dance Floor. February 2014.
  30. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/were-takin-over!-feat.-deuce/id814505884
  31. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bitchcraft/id867058400
  32. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor at Nile Theater, 4/5/2012". Phoenix New Times. April 6, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor Discuss Jesus and Allegations in New Song". Music Feeds. April 1, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor - Evolution". Sputnikmusic. June 23, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Blood on the Dance Floor - Evolution Review". Bring on Mixed Reviews.

External links