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Design the Skyline

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Design the Skyline
Also known asExtra Large Kids (2007–2010)
OriginCorpus Christi, Texas, United States
GenresDeathcore,[1][2] metalcore,[1][2] experimental metal[1]
Years active2007 (2007)—2013
LabelsVictory Records
MembersEric Azure
Daniel Garza
Julian Ibanez
John Martian
Ethan White
Rickystan Bravo
Past membersChristopher Chapa
Matt Ryan
Dean Ramirez
John Anthony Perez
James Lemos
Websitedesigntheskyline.com

Design the Skyline is an American experimental metal band from Corpus Christi, Texas. Formed in 2007, the group was originally known as Extra Large Kids during high school and recorded demo songs while playing in their local area under this name. In 2011, the band gained international attention after being signed to Victory Records with their song "Surrounded by Silence" and its accompanying video which was negatively received to the point of the band gaining considerable exposure.[3] The negative reaction was generally due to the song's key structure and sound changes, along with the band members' appearance which was dubbed as "ridiculous" and "scene as fuck" by reviewers.[4]

The band's later-released debut full-length album, Nevaeh, subsequently featured a completely different sound to that of "Surrounded by Silence", but was still met with generally poor reviews.[5][6]

History

All members being high school friends, Design the Skyline was founded during 2007, then known as Extra Large Kids, and played and practiced throughout their time in school. While gaining some significant attention through Myspace, the band released a demo album titled Galactical Celebration during the same year of their formation. By the next year, the band released a song titled "Terror at the Tea Party" and it went along with their set list while playing in their local areas. Drummer John Martian explained that there was "no real meaning" behind the name Extra Large Kids other than just it being "[us] kids living extra large".[citation needed]

In 2010, the band changed their name to Design the Skyline, referencing a theory created by vocalist Daniel Garza; "It means make your own limits. Don't be afraid to be who you are and don't let anyone try to change who you are."[7] Keyboardist James "Keebler" Lemos joined around the time of their name change, followed by bassist Ethan White joining in 2011, replacing the group's former bassist, Christopher Chapa, who left in April 2010.

During March 2011, the band recorded the video for their single 'Surrounded by Silence' with local production team Red Island Productions.[7] The setting of the video consisted of the band playing on a set that rendered a forest. Other scenes in the video include the band playing in a cave with prop snow falling down on the members, which was designed from potato flakes and small pieces of cotton.[8] The video's production was completed by March and the band uploaded it onto YouTube that month.[4]

After its release, New York-based band The Bunny the Bear took notice of it online and showcased it to Victory, which led to the signing of Design the Skyline.[9] When the news broke out that Design the Skyline were signed to Victory, criticism for the band was then met at extremely high levels from several locations around the world, with even a lot of the criticism even directed at Victory for signing the band.[1][10]

By the end of July, the Surrounded by Silence music video garnered more than half of a million views and the group released a song from their upcoming album as a single, titled "Break Free from Your Life".[11] The song was met with a much better response than "Surrounded by Silence", although some critics still panned the band for miscellaneous reasons.[12][13]

When asked if all the negative acclaim the band encountered with the song and music video for "Surrounded by Silence" hindered or bothered the members, their response was; "At first it did not anymore, people don't seem to realize that the Surrounded By Silence song was just a demo song and not every band sounds their best on their first demo, you know, and it's crazy how much it blew us up!"[3] A music video, at this point, was confirmed to be in the works for "Break Free from Your Life" and the band's debut full-length album Nevaeh was released on August 16, 2011.[14] Before its release, discussion and reports of the album held claims for it to feature a completely different sound than what the greatly negative-received "Surrounded by Silence" song displayed.[3] The band cited The Doors and Led Zeppelin as some of the influences for its sound and structure.[15]

On August 15 (one day before the release of Nevaeh), White was fired from the band. The members have stated the reason for it was due to him missing many practice dates and not being well-associated enough,[16] The music video for "Break Free from Your Life" was released on August 30; White is included in it.[17]

During the following months, the band prepared for their first-ever tour, which began in December with Design the Skyline headlining over Northridge-based band, Lions!Tigers!Bears! and Bend-based band, Capture the Flag.[7] The band's follow-up tour began in 2012, supporting Dr. Acula.[18]

On April 24, 2012, the band confirmed that Martian was no longer a part of the band.[19] The reasons were kept personal but he is not on negative terms with the members of Design the Skyline. Martian's replacement is a man named John Anthony, dubbed by the members as "John 2.0".[20]

In September 2012, Matt Ryan and Dean Ramirez had left the band, and on February 23, 2013 unveiled their own project with Ethan White, Sleepless in December, with Ryan on vocals, Ramirez on lead guitar and White on rhythm guitar and backing vocals.[21]

On April 5, 2013, It was confirmed that John Martian & Ethan White had returned to the band, while James Lemos had left. The first single from their sophomore album, "Deathgaze" was released on May 14.[22]

On July 29, 2013, they announced that the band will go on an indefinite hiatus while they are pursuing other musical projects. Eric, Julian Reckless, and John have hinted a new band in the works, while Ricky has stated that he is now in Crown Me King.

Band members

Current members
  • Eric Azure - lead vocals (2007–2013)
  • Daniel "Danni Doom" Garza[23] - lead vocals (2008–2013), bass guitar (2007–2008)
  • Julian "Julian Reckless" Ibanez - guitar (2007–2013), programming (2013)
  • Ricky "Rickystan" Bravo - bass (2013)
  • John Martian - drums (2007–2012, 2013)
Former members
  • Christopher Chapa - bass guitar (2010)
  • Matt Ryan - lead guitar, programming (2007–2012)
  • Dean Ramirez - bass guitar (2011–2012)
  • John Anthony "John 2.0" Perez - drums (2012–2013)
  • James "Keebler" Lemos - keyboards, programming (2010–2013), bass guitar (2012–2013)
  • Ethan White - bass guitar (2010–2011; 2013)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Demos
  • Galactical Celebration (2007, self-released)

Singles

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Caraeff, Ezra. "Is Design the Skyline the Worst Band in the History of Music?". End Hits. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Nathan Rohani (February 26, 2013). "Car Bomb's Centralia Gives Life to Mathcore Genre". Roaring Times.
  3. ^ a b c "Design the Skyline Interview". Hero (via Tumblr). Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Victory Records Signs Design the Skyline [via Time to Warp 2008]". MetalSucks. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  5. ^ Anderson, Jonathan. "Design the Skyline – Nevaeh". The NewReview. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  6. ^ Rheenen, Erik. "Design the Skyline: Nevaeh". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d Guerrero, Richard. "Corpus Christi metal act's viral video landed group record deal". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  8. ^ Weingarten, Christopher (2011). Profiles – Bands to Watch: Design the Skyline. p. 43. ISSN 1527-408X. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ^ "Design The Skyline Sign with Victory Records". The PRP. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  10. ^ Fisher, Jason. "Design the Skyline Members Address All the Hate Directed at Them". The Gauntlet. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  11. ^ "Design The Skyline Reveal New Single & Lyric Video". Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  12. ^ Bemer, Matthew. "Design the Skyline release single from their upcoming album "Nevaeh"". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  13. ^ Rosenberg, Axl. "Worst Thing Ever of the Week, Part 2: Design the Skyline's Video for 'Break Free from Your Life'". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "Victory Records - Design The Skyline: Nevaeh". Victory Records. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  15. ^ "Design the Skyline Break Down "Nevaeh" Track by Track, Cite Led Zeppelin and The Doors Influences". The PRP. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  16. ^ Ballard, Joe. "Interview: Design The Skyline". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  17. ^ Grow, Kory. "Exclusive: Design the Skyline Premiere "Break Free From Your Life" Video". Revolver. Retrieved September 1, 2011. Metal-electronica crossover group Design the Skyline released their debut, Nevaeh (Victory), earlier this month. Now they are debuting the video for the song "Break Free From Your Life". Frontman Eric Azure fills us in on the video below. Let us know what you think of it.
  18. ^ "Dr. Acula, Design The Skyline, Devastated tou". Lambgoat. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  19. ^ "Design the Skyline Lose Drummer". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  20. ^ Design The Skyline, Silence The Messenger, and Amyst: A Tour Preview - Highwireddaze.com
  21. ^ "New Sleepless In December". Sputnikmusic. February 24, 2013.
  22. ^ "Design the Skyline new song". Sputnikmusic. April 15, 2013.
  23. ^ http://www.victoryrecords.com/designtheskyline
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