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List of Dance Gavin Dance band members

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Three line-ups of Dance Gavin Dance performing in 2009, 2015 and 2023

Dance Gavin Dance is an American rock band founded in Sacramento by guitarists Will Swan and Alvaro Alcala, drummer Matt Mingus and bassist Eric Lodge after their previous band, Farewell Unknown, disbanded in 2005. The band's first line-up also included vocalists Jon Mess and Jonny Craig. The band currently consists of constant members Swan and Mingus, as well as Mess (who was absent from 2008 to 2010), and vocalist/guitarist Andrew Wells (who first joined as a touring member in 2015). The band also tours with bassist Sergio Medina (who first toured as guitarist in 2021 and again as bassist since 2022), and guitarist Martin Bianchini (since 2024, having played on sessions since 2015).

History

[edit]

The band parted ways with rhythm guitarist Alvaro Alcala in early 2006, with his replacement being Sean O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan departed in August 2007, after appearing on the band's debut album Downtown Battle Mountain, and was replaced by Zachary Garren. The band also parted ways with vocalist Jonny Craig in November 2007,[1] with Kurt Travis announced as his replacement the following month.[2] In 2008, the band parted ways with bassist Eric Lodge and vocalist Jon Mess.[3]

Lodge was replaced by Jason Ellis, and Swan took up unclean vocals. Ellis appeared on Happiness (2009) before departing and was replaced by Tim Feerick.[4] In February 2010, Garren left the band,[5] Daniel Snook was his temporary replacement before him and Feerick left.[6] In May 2010, both Lodge and Mess returned to the band, and Josh Benton joined the band as touring guitarist.[7] Craig also rejoined that August, replacing Travis.[8] Lodge quietly left the band again in December 2011,[9] with Jordan McCoy having toured with the band since earlier in the year.[10] Kurt Travis briefly returned in February 2012, alongside Matt Geise (Lower Definition) as a substitute for Craig.[11] Craig parted ways with the band in late 2012, with Tilian Pearson replacing him.[12] Tim Feerick returned also in late 2012,[13] and Josh Benton became the band's official rhythm guitarist.

Benton parted ways with the band in 2013, shortly after appearing on Acceptance Speech.[14] Aric Garcia filled in as a touring member between 2014 and 2015,[15][16] and Alex Whitcomb in 2015. Both Craig and Travis briefly returned in 2015 for some anniversary shows.[17] Andrew Wells took over rhythm guitar on a more permanent basis in 2015 but did not become an official member until 2021. In April 2022, longtime bassist Tim Feerick died.[13]

In June 2022, Pearson stepped away from the band due to allegations of sexual assault levelled against him.[18] In his place Wells took over lead vocals, with Mark Okubo taking over Wells' position as rhythm guitarist. Former vocalist Kurt Travis also handled vocals at some shows.[19] Pearson returned to the band in November,[20] although he permanently parted ways with the band in April 2024.[21] The following month the band confirmed Wells as permanent clean vocalist,[22] with session guitarist Martin Bianchini playing rhythm guitar in Wells' place.

Members

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Current members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Will Swan.png
 Will Swan 2005–present
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
  • additional rhythm guitar
  • rap vocals (2009–present)
  • unclean vocals (2008–2010)
 all releases
Matt Mingus
  • drums
  • percussion
Jon Mess.png
 Jon Mess
  • 2005–2008
  • 2010–present
 unclean vocals all releases except Happiness (2009)
Andrew Wells.png
 Andrew Wells 2021–present (session/touring 2015–2021)
  • rhythm guitar
  • clean vocals
  • lead vocals (2022, 2024–present)
 all releases from Mothership (2016) onwards

Former members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Eric Lodge
  • 2005–2008
  • 2010–2011
  • bass
  • backing vocals (2005–2008)
 all releases from Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006) to Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011), except Happiness (2009)
Johnnycraig.jpg
 Jonny Craig
  • 2005–2007
  • 2010–2012 (touring 2015–2016)
 lead vocals
  • Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006)
  • Downtown Battle Mountain (2007)
  • Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011)
Alvaro Alcala 2005–2006 rhythm guitar none
Sean O'Sullivan 2005–2007 (touring member 2010)
  • Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006)
  • Downtown Battle Mountain (2007)
Dance Gavin Dance at Warped Tour, 2009 (cropped).jpg
 Zachary Garren 2007–2010 (session 2015–2020)[23]
Kurt Travis.jpg
 Kurt Travis 2007–2010 (touring 2012, 2015–2016, 2022) lead vocals
Jason Ellis 2008–2009 bass Happiness (2009)
Tim Feerick.png
 Tim Feerick
  • 2009–2010
  • 2012–2022 (until his death)
 all releases from Acceptance Speech (2013) to Jackpot Juicer (2022)
Tillian_Pearson,_2017.png
 Tilian Pearson
  • 2012–2022
  • 2022–2024
 lead vocals
Dance Gavin Dance - Josh Benton.jpg
 Josh Benton 2012–2013 (session 2016; touring 2010–2012) rhythm guitar
  • Acceptance Speech (2013)
  • Tree City Sessions (2016)

Touring musicians

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Notes
Dan Snook 2010 rhythm guitar Snook toured folllowing Garren's departure before he left along side Feerick and Benton joined.[6]
Tony Marks bass Marks joined along Benton following Feerick's departure.[6]
Jordan McCoy 2011–2012 McCoy toured in place of Lodge and continued after his departure until Feerick returned.[24]
Matt Geise 2012 clean vocals Geise and Kurt Travis briefly replaced Craig.[11]
Dance Gavin Dance, 2015 (cropped).jpg
 Aric Garcia 2014–2015 (session 2015) rhythm guitar Toured following Benton's departure. Instant Gratification (2015)
Alex Whitcomb 2015
Joey Rubenstein
  • 2017
  • 2018
 [25][26]
Louie Balthazar 2018 (session 2022)
Dakota Sammons 2021 drums Sammons performed with the band after Mingus went into rehab.[27]
Sergio Medina
  • 2021
  • 2022–present (session 2020–present)
  • bass (2022–present)
  • rhythm guitar (2021)
 Medina also first perfomed with the band on guitar when Pearson caught Covid and Wells had to fill in on vocals,[28] he later returned on bass following Feerick's death.[29]
Veil of Maya @ Euroblast 2016 071.jpg
 Marc Okubo
  • 2021
  • 2022
 rhythm guitar Okubo first performed with the band when Pearson caught Covid and Wells had to fill in on vocals,[28] he later returned when Pearson stepped down in 2022.[30]

Afterburner (2020)

Martin Bianchini 2024–present (session 2015–present)[23]

Bianchini joined after Wells took up lead vocalist permanently.[31] all releases from Instant Gratification (2015) onwards

Timeline

[edit]

Line-ups

[edit]
Period Members Releases
2005 – early 2006
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Alvaro Alcala – rhythm guitar
  • Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
 none
early 2006 – August 2007
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Sean O'Sullivan – rhythm guitar
August – November 2007
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Zachary Garren – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
 none
December 2007 – autumn 2008
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Zachary Garren – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Kurt Travis – lead vocals
August 2008 – mid 2009
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, unclean vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Zachary Garren – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Kurt Travis – lead vocals
  • Jason Ellis – bass
mid 2009 – early 2010
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, unclean vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Zachary Garren – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Kurt Travis – lead vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass
 none
early – May 2010
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, unclean vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Kurt Travis – lead vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass
  • Dan Snook – rhythm guitar (touring)
May – August 2010
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Kurt Travis – lead vocals
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Tony Marks – bass (touring)
  • Josh Benton – rhythm guitar (touring)
August 2010 – mid 2011
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Josh Benton – rhythm guitar (touring)
  • Eric Lodge – bass
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals
mid 2011 – late 2012
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Josh Benton – rhythm guitar (touring)
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals
  • Jordan McCoy – bass (touring)
 none
late 2012 – October 2013
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Josh Benton – rhythm guitar
  • Tilian Pearson – lead vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass
early 2014 – autumn 2015
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Tilian Pearson – lead vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass
  • Aric Garcia – rhythm guitar (touring and session)
2015
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Tilian Pearson – lead vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass
  • Alex Whitcomb – rhythm guitar (touring)
 none
late 2015 – April 2022
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Tilian Pearson – lead vocals
  • Tim Feerick – bass
  • Andrew Wells – rhythm guitar, backing and clean vocals (session/touring until 2021)
April – June 2022
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Tilian Pearson – lead vocals
  • Andrew Wells – rhythm guitar, backing and clean vocals
  • Sergio Medina – bass (touring)
 none
June – November 2022
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Andrew Wells – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Sergio Medina – bass (touring)
  • Marc Okubo – rhythm guitar (touring)
  • Kurt Travis – vocals (touring guest)
November 2022 – April 2024
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Andrew Wells – rhythm guitar, backing and clean vocals
  • Sergio Medina – bass (touring)
  • Tilian Pearson – lead vocals
April 2024 – present
  • Will Swan – lead guitar, backing vocals, rapping
  • Matt Mingus – drums, percussion
  • Jon Mess – unclean vocals
  • Andrew Wells – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Sergio Medina – bass (touring)
  • Martin Bianchini – rhythm guitar (touring)

References

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  1. ^ "Dance Gavin Dance kicks out singer". lambgoat.com. November 10, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "Dance Gavin Dance announces new singer". lambgoat.com. December 19, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  3. ^ "Dance Gavin Dance Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio ..." AllMusic. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  4. ^ Robinson, Ellie (April 15, 2022). "Dance Gavin Dance bassist Tim Feerick has died". NME. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Dance Gavin Dance guitarist leaves band". lambgoat.com. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "INTERVIEW: Kurt Travis (August 23, 2010)". Dead Press. September 6, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  7. ^ Reid, Sean (May 2010). "Dance Gavin Dance Line-Up Change". Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  8. ^ Karan, Tim (August 18, 2010). "Exclusive: Dance Gavin Dance part ways with vocalist, original vocalist Jonny Craig back". Alt Press. Archived from the original on February 5, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "Experience - Eric Lodge". Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  10. ^ Kopki, Alison (March 23, 2011). "Interview with Will Swan from Dance Gavin Dance: Battle Of The Band". The Aquarian. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  11. ^ a b admin (February 2012). "Dance Gavin Dance Perform w/ Matt Geise (Lower Definition) + Kurt Travis (A Lot Like Birds) Live". Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  12. ^ "Dance Gavin Dance Replace Jonny Craig; Tilian Pearson New Frontman". Tumblr. Archived from the original on December 22, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Dance Gavin Dance bassist Tim Feerick has died". Consequence. April 14, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  14. ^ Guido, Emma (December 6, 2013). "Dance Gavin Dance - Acceptance Speech (Album review)". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  15. ^ phxc live archive (September 22, 2024). Dance Gavin Dance (Rise Records tour w/ Aric Garcia) near Full Set! [12/07/2014]. Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ phxc live archive (September 28, 2024). Dance Gavin Dance (Instant Gratification tour w/ Aric Garcia) near Full Set! [04/25/2015]. Retrieved June 8, 2025 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ wookubus (September 17, 2015). "Dance Gavin Dance To Be Rejoined By Jonny Craig On 10th Anniversary Tour With Slaves, Etc". Theprp.com. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  18. ^ Trapp, Philip (June 3, 2022). "Tilian Pearson 'Stepping Away' From Dance Gavin Dance, Band Releases Statement on Allegations". Loudwire. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  19. ^ Aniftos, Rania (June 27, 2022). "Dance Gavin Dance Announces New Tour Lineup After Tilian Pearson Steps Away After Misconduct Allegations". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  20. ^ Skinner, Tom (November 11, 2022). "Dance Gavin Dance welcome back Tilian Pearson following sexual assault allegations". NME. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  21. ^ Kennelty, Greg (April 15, 2024). "DANCE GAVIN DANCE Splits With Vocalist TILIAN PEARSON". Metal Injection. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  22. ^ White, Logan (May 10, 2024). "Dance Gavin Dance share two brand new singles". Substream Magazine. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Cular, Jackie (May 10, 2018). "Dance Gavin Dance, interview 11 with Will Swan and Jon Mess". In the Key of Change. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  24. ^ "Interview with Will Swan from Dance Gavin Dance: Battle Of The Band". The Aquarian Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "icarustheowl". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  26. ^ "icarustheowl". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  27. ^ Dance Gavin Dance [@DGDtheband] (September 27, 2021). "https://t.co/bFBVCG9Fya" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ a b Pearson, Tilian [@tilianpearson] (September 17, 2021). "I was reluctant to make this public, but I'd rather have the truth out there than rumors. https://t.co/o5ncgI6Egu" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "DANCE GAVIN DANCE Proceeding with Swanfest, New Album in Wake of Bassist's Death". lambgoat.com. April 18, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  30. ^ "Dance Gavin Dance Announces "An Evening with Friends Tour" feat former DGD frontman, Kurt Travis - NEWS". June 28, 2022.
  31. ^ Bianchini, Martin [@mfb_guitar]; (September 29, 2024). "What can I say, it was the Kia Forum. What a way to end an amazing tour. @dancegavindance" – via Instagram.
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