Slaves (American band)

For British two piece band, see Slaves (UK band).
Slaves (US band)
Origin Sacramento, California, U.S.
Genres Post-hardcore, experimental rock
Years active 2014–present
Labels Artery
Members Jonny Craig
Alex Lyman
Tai Wright
Colin Vieira
Weston Richmond
Past members Jason Mays
Christopher Kim

Slaves (Stylized as SL▲VES) is an American post-hardcore group formed in Sacramento, California in 2014. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Jonny Craig, formerly of Emarosa, Dance Gavin Dance and Isles & Glaciers, guitarist Alex Lyman of Hearts & Hands, bassist Colin Vieira of Musical Charis, and drummer Tai Wright of Four Letter Lie and Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows. The band released their debut album, Through Art We Are All Equals on June 24, 2014. Their second studio album, Routine Breathing, was released on August 21, 2015.

History

Formation and Through Art We Are All Equals (2014)

The band members were revealed through lead singer Jonny Craig's Twitter account on January 15. The following day he tweeted that the name of the group would be Slaves.

Craig explained the name Slaves in an article on Ryan's Rock Show. "Men have been enslaving men for as along as we've had gods to hide behind," Craig said. "Every man is a slave to what we love – whether it be women, drugs, music or sports. Through art we are all equals".[1]

On March 3, Alternative Press posted an article stating that Artery Recordings have just signed Craig's band Slaves to their label and are now on their roster. Craig posted a tweet saying that his original record label Rise Records would not be associated with this new band.[2]

Not long after the members announcement, Colin Viera amicably left the band in order to focus on his life and other musicical endeavors such as Musical Charis. The band then moved Jason Mays from guitar to play bass.

The band went on their first US tour in May in direct support of Hands Like Houses, Miss Fortune, and Alive Like Me, in May and June.

Slaves released their first single The Fire Down Below through Artery Recordings on April 22. The album, Through Art We Are All Equals, was produced by Kris Crummett, and was released on June 24, 2014. The album features guest vocals from Kyle Lucas, Tyler Carter of Issues, Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil, as well as Jonny Craig's sister, Natalie Craig. The album's track listing was released in May 2014.[3] The album debuted on No. 53 at official Billboard 200 charts in the U.S.[4]

On May 13, 2014, the band's second single, "the Upgrade Pt. II" (a sequel to his song The Upgrade from his EP Find What You Love And Let It Kill You), was streamed off Artery Recordings' YouTube page.[5] Later that month, on May 29, the band released a lyric video for the third single from the album, "Starving for Friends", which featured Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil.

Slaves was revealed to be a supporter on the All Stars Tour. This is Jonny Craig's second time being on the All Stars Tour, the first time being with Dance Gavin Dance which ultimately lead to him being kicked out of the band.[6]

On May 30, bassist Jason Mays announced via Facebook that he would not be continuing with Slaves due to family problems and health issues. [7] Andrew Mena, formerly of Scarlett O'Hara filled in temporary and tour with the band for the remaining dates. After Andrew Mena went back to his duties of being a tour manager, Michael Nordeen, an operations manager at Artery Recordings was convinced by Alex Lyman to join the band for a few tours. In the beginning of Winter, 2014, Colin Vieira joined Slaves yet again.

On June 24, 2014, Slaves announced one headlining show in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 9, 2014. In the following days they announced an overseas tour to Australia, along with a headlining tour starting on October 7, with bands such as Nightmares, Myka Relocate, among others.[8]

On July 9, the band's first official music video was released on the Artery Recording's YouTube for the album's fourth and final single, "My Soul Is Empty and Full of White Girls", directed/produced by Jeremy Tremp and Shan Dan.

Routine Breathing (2015–present)

On January 7, 2015, the band uploaded a picture to their Facebook page claiming that "Slaves has officially started writing their 2nd full length album, get excited!" with the following "#SLAVES2015"[9]

On February 9, guitarist Christopher Kim announced his departure via Twitter.[10] He was replaced with Jonathan Wolfe to fill-in temporarily on tour, though was allegedly "ditched in Texas" by the band just a few days later.[11] The band replaced Wolfe on the road with Weston Richmond.

On June 21, Alex Lyman and Weston Richmond were injured in a knife attack in Sacramento. Also injured was Blake Abbey, lead singer of Musical Charis. Charis stated that the attack was invoked by the three of them wearing skinny jeans.[12]

On July 5, the band tweeted a picture of the tracklist for Routine Breathing.[13] The tracklist features 15 songs, with guest vocals from Garret Rapp (The Color Morale), Spencer Chamberlain (Sleepwave and Underoath), Tilian Pearson (Dance Gavin Dance), and Kyle Lucas. Also, a 15-second teaser of the song "Burning Our Morals Away" was posted, along with album artwork for Routine Breathing.[14]

On July 9, the debut single from their second album leaked via leak websites across the web. The band then released the single, "Burning Our Morals Away", on July 10. The album was scheduled for an October release date, but was pushed to August 21, 2015.[15] The band was voted off of Vans Warped tour on July 18 after only playing two dates on the tour. On July 23, the band released the second single from Routine Breathing, "Death Never Let Us Say Goodbye", after the song had leaked. They released the official video for "Burning Our Morals Away" later that week, on July 28. On August 16, the band released the third single from Routine Breathing, "Drowning In My Addiction" with a lyric video.

From March until April of 2016, the group is scheduled to tour the United States with Myka Relocate, Capture the Crown,[16] Outline in Color and Conquer Divide.[17]

Discography

Studio albums
Singles

Band members

Current members
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals (2014–present)
  • Alex Lyman – lead guitar (2014–present)
  • Tai Wright – drums, percussion (2014–present)
  • Colin Viera – bass (2014–present)
  • Weston Richmond - rhythm guitar (2015–present)
Former members
  • Jason Mays – bass (2014), guitar (2014)
  • Christopher Kim – rhythm guitar, percussion (2014–2015)

Timeline

Videography

Year Title Link From the album
2014 My Soul Is Empty and Full of White Girls Through Art We Are All Equals
2015 Burning Our Morals Away Routine Breathing
Running Through the !6! with My Soul

References

  1. ↑ "Ryan's Rock Show » Jonny Craig is Back as a Slave". ryansrockshow.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Slaves (Jonny Craig’s new band) sign to Artery Recordings, release teaser". Altpress.com. 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  3. ↑ "Ryan's Rock Show » Slaves – Through Art We Are All Equals". ryansrockshow.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Slaves - Chart history". Billboard. 2014-07-12. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  5. ↑ ArteryRecordings. YouTube. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Y N G CATDADDY. (@jonnycraig4L) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Jason Mays Stepping Away From Slaves". The New Fury. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  8. ↑ "SL▲VES (@SLAVESOFFICIAL) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Slaves - Timeline Photos - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Slaves guitarist leaves band". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ "NEWS: Jonathan Wolfe makes statement about “being ditched” by Slaves!". DEAD PRESS! - Alternative music news, reviews, interviews and more!. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  12. ↑ Los Angeles Times (June 24, 2015). "Man accused of skinny jeans hate crime against musicians turns himself in". latimes.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ "Slaves put breakup rumors to rest after fans keep them out of debt". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Slaves, Capture The Crown, Myka Relocate tour". lambgoat.com. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  17. ↑ "Myka,Relocate". bandsintown.com. Retrieved 7 January 2016.

External links

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