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Rain City Drive

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Rain City Drive
Slaves performing with Michael Swank of Myka, Relocate
Slaves performing with Michael Swank of Myka, Relocate
Background information
Years active2014–2016 (on hiatus)

Slaves (stylized as SL▲VES) was an American rock 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, and bassist Colin Vieira. 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. The band is on hiatus as of 2016.[1]

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.[citation needed]

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".[2]

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.[3]

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.[4] The album debuted on No. 53 at official Billboard 200 charts in the U.S.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7][better source needed]

On May 30, bassist Jason Mays announced via Facebook that he would not be continuing with Slaves due to family problems and health issues. [8] 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.[9]

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 (2015–2016)

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"[10]

On February 9, guitarist Christopher Kim announced his departure via Twitter.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

On July 5, the band tweeted a picture of the tracklist for Routine Breathing.[14] 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.[15]

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.[citation needed] The album was scheduled for an October release date, but was pushed to August 21, 2015.[16] The band was voted off of Vans Warped tour on July 18 after only playing two dates on the tour. [citation needed] The band cited that they were voted off the tour by the other bands on Warped, fearing that Jonny Craig would go back to his drug use. The allegations by Slaves merch girl to ensue the drama bloomed from when she was offended by Jonny's actions, and alerted a staff member On July 23, the band released the second single from Routine Breathing, "Death Never Let Us Say Goodbye",[citation needed] after the song had leaked.[citation needed] They released the official video for "Burning Our Morals Away" later that week, on July 28.[citation needed] On August 16, the band released the third single from Routine Breathing, "Drowning In My Addiction" with a lyric video.[citation needed]

From March until April 2016, the group is scheduled to tour the United States with Myka Relocate, Capture the Crown,[17] Outline in Color and Conquer Divide.[18]

On March 30, Alex Lyman announced he would be leaving the band after their current tour with Capture The Crown. On April 10, the band announced their breakup after their last show in Santa Cruz, California.[19]

On April 14, 2016, a few days following Slaves' split, Craig posted an open letter via the band's official Facebook page, confessing that he was continuing to struggle from his addiction and will seek the help he needs following his already booked solo tour across the US and a few Europen dates with Slaves (with select members).[20]

Discography

Studio albums
Singles
  • "The Fire Down Below"
  • "The Upgrade, Pt. II"
  • "Starving for Friends" (featuring Vic Fuentes)
  • "My Soul Is Empty And Full of White Girls"
  • "Burning Our Morals Away"
  • "Death Never Lets Us Say Goodbye"
  • "Drowning In My Addiction"
  • "Running Through The 6 With My Soul"

Band members

Timeline

Videography

Year Title Link From the album
2014 My Soul Is Empty and Full of White Girls [3] Through Art We Are All Equals
2015 Burning Our Morals Away [4] Routine Breathing
Running Through the !6! with My Soul [5]

References

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