Slaves (American band)

Slaves
Slaves with Michael Swank on Myka, Relocate
General information
origin	Sacramento , California
Genre (s)	Post-hardcore , rock music
founding	March 23, 2014
Website	facebook.com/officialslaves
Current occupation
singing	Matt McAndrew (since 2019)
Electric bass	Colin Viera (2014, since 2015)
Lead guitar	Weston Richmond (since 2015)
Drums	Zachary Baker (since 2018)
Rhythm guitar	Juan Felipe Sanchez (since 2018)
former members
Electric guitar	Jason Mays (March 2014 - May 2014)
Electric guitar	Christopher Kim (March 2014 - February 2015)
Lead guitar	Alex Lyman (2014-2016)
Drums	Tai Wright (2014-2016)
singing	Jonny Craig (2014-2019)
Live and session members
Electric bass	Andrew Mena (2014)
Electric bass	Michael Nordeen (2014)
Rhythm guitar	Jonathan Wolfe (2015)

Slaves is a rock band from Sacramento , California , formed in 2014 .

The group was officially introduced on March 23, 2014. Founder is Jonny Craig , former singer with Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa . Slaves are under contract with Artery Recordings . Her debut album Through Art We Are All Equals was released on June 24, 2014. The successor, Routine Breathing , was released in August 2015.

Since its founding, the group played in the United States , Australia and the United Kingdom as support for Hands Like Houses , The Acacia Strain , Like Moths to Flames , Sworn In , Betraying the Martyrs , In Hearts Wake , We Came as Romans , Bury Tomorrow and palisades . On April 10, 2016, singer Jonny Craig announced the breakup of the band. On May 20, 2016, Jonny Craig announced on his Facebook page that the band had not broken up.

history

Founding and Through Art We Are All Equals

Slaves was officially founded on March 23, 2014 by former Emarosa singer Jonny Craig in Sacramento , California . He was joined by Hearts & Hands guitarists Alex Lyman and Christopher Kim, guitarist Jason Mays, former Musical Charis bassist Colin Vieira, and former drummer for DRUGS and Four Letter Lie , Tai Wright. The band line-up was announced on January 15, 2014, but the name of the group was not yet known at that time. In an interview with Brendan Manley of Alternative Press , Craig said he met Lyman and Kim while on tour together as a solo musician. He got in touch with their drummer a few years ago during the Warped Tour.

On April 22, 2014, the group released their first official single, The Fire Down Below . The second single, The Upgrade Pt. II was released on May 13, 2014 on a digital level. On May 28th 2014 the release of the third single, called Starving for Friends, followed . As a guest musician you can hear Vic Fuentes from Pierce the Veil . Even though the group wasn't officially presented to the public until March 23, 2014, the line-up of the band had existed for several months. On March 3, 2014, the project was signed by Artery Recordings . This makes Slaves the first band by Craig that is not signed by Rise Records . Slaves worked with producer Kris Crummett on their debut album, Through Art We Are All Equals , which was released worldwide on June 24, 2014. Guest musicians include Tyler Carter ( Issues ), Vic Fuentes (Pierce the Veil) and Kyle Lucas. In Australia , the album was released on July 4, 2014 via Faction Records , which is owned by Sony Music . The album has been available for pre-order since April 29, 2014. In the first week of sales, 5,500 records were sold in the United States.

On May 23, 2014, the group completed their first concert tour. The group was seen as the opening act for Hands Like Houses . The tour included twelve concerts in ten US states and ended on June 7, 2014. On May 13, 2014, the group was confirmed for the Allstars Tour, which took place between July 11, 2014 and August 3, 2014. Also were among others The Acacia Strain , Like Moths to Flames , Sworn In , Upon This Dawning , Palisades and Betraying the Martyrs confirmed. Immediately afterwards, between August 7th and 23rd, 2014, the first tour of the United States followed as headliner. The opening act included Myka, Relocate , Alive Like Me and Youth in Revolt . The concert tour included thirteen performances. Guitarist Jason Mays announced his departure from the band on May 31, 2014 for personal reasons. Between October 8 and 15, 2014, the group played five concerts in Australia . Following that tour, the group opened for seven shows in the UK for Bury Tomorrow , In Hearts Wake and Hands Like Houses.

Slaves coverten Sweater Weather by The Neighborhood for the compilation Punk Goes Pop 6 , which on 17 November 2014 Fearless Records was released. In February 2015, Christopher Kim announced that he was leaving the band on Twitter .

Routine Breathing

In January 2015 the group announced that they would work on their second album. The group planned to go into the studio and start recording after a tour as the opening act for The Color Morale , which took place between March 19 and May 2, 2015. On July 10, 2015, Burning Our Morals Away, the single from the album, which is called Routine Breathing , was released via the music magazine Alternative Press . About two weeks later, the group released Death Never Lets Us Say Goodbye after that track had been leaked a few days earlier. The group announced on July 28, 2015 that their second album would be released on August 21, 2015, ahead of the scheduled release period in October. Routine breathing finally appeared on the day in question. Within the first week of sales the album was sold 5,500 times, so that the album entered the US album charts at number 104.

Between July 17th, 2015 and August 8th, 2015 the band was supposed to play on the Warped Tour . However, the band only played their first three concerts on the festival tour. The concerts in Cincinnati and Toronto were not played by the band. In a meeting of the Warped Tour crew on the night of July 18-19, 2015, the group was struck off the billing and further participation in the Warped Tour was prohibited. The reason for this are allegations that the group are said to have sold drugs to festival goers during their three appearances on the tour. In addition, an unknown festival-goer accused singer Jonny Craig of sexual harassment. The musicians rejected these allegations in a statement as unfounded. Due to the expulsion from the Warped Tour and a high medical bill, which happened on an incident shortly before the start of this tour - guitarist Alex Lyman was injured in a knife stabbing - the group had a mountain of debt of almost 30,000 USD. With the help of her fans, this sum could be paid within 48 hours. In a statement the group posted online, the musicians stated that the band could only survive thanks to the help of their fans. However, they also announced that the exclusion from the Warped Tour was the best thing that could have happened to them.

"We put all our merch up to cover what we could of our debt and bow out. Little did we know that less than 48 hours later we, or better yet our fans, would generate enough money to pull us COMPLETELY out of debt. Yes twenty nine thousand dollars of debt, GONE. Getting voted off Vans Warped Tour is the best thing to ever happen to our band, it was more of a reminder than a punishment. "

- Slaves over the past few days after the Warped Tour

This incident on the Warped Tour also led to the loss of their music agent and the exclusion from a national concert tour in the opening act for Blessthefall and Stick to Your Guns . Slaves were replaced by Emarosa , in which Craig was active as a singer until 2012. The group announced, however, that they want to put together another tour for the same period. On September 17, 2015, a national concert tour was finally announced as the main opening act for Dance Gavin Dance , in which singer Craig was active as a singer. The US tour begins on November 14, 2015 in Seattle , Washington and ends after 29 concerts on December 12, 2015 in Santa Cruz , California .

Christopher Kim, who announced his departure from the band in February 2015, was quickly replaced by guitarist Jonathan Wolfe. Wolfe was supposed to accompany the group as a session musician on their tour, but he was kicked out of the band on the third day of the tour in Texas.

In March and April 2016, the group toured North America with Capture the Crown , Myka, Relocate , Conquer Divide and Outline in Color . On February 7, 2016, the group was announced for the Download Festival . Slaves were also booked for the Graspop Metal Meeting .

Intermittent pause, beautiful death and accusations

On April 10, 2016 singer Jonny Craig announced the end of the band. In a detailed statement, Craig reported that his drug addiction was the cause of the end of his career. He wrote that he might do the previously announced concerts with slaves in the summer, but the band will be completely new. After the tour, Craig plans to go to a rehab clinic. On May 20, 2016, Craig revised the announcement and went on a European tour with bassist Collin Viera, accompanied by guest musicians from England. In another interview, Craig and Viera explained the reasons for the dropping out of the other musicians, the disputes with Artery Recordings and the future situation of the band. The musicians announced that they would take a musical break after their European tour with Palisades . It has already been announced that the group will work with other musicians, including Will Swan from Dance Gavin Dance , KC Simonsen from Outline in Color and Joe Arrington from A Lot Like Birds . In January 2017, I'd Rather See Your Star Explode, a first new song after the comeback, was released.

In September and October 2017, Slaves toured the United States with Secrets ; Previously scheduled concerts were canceled as Jonny Craig had an operation due to persistent back pain. In mid-November 2017, the band announced the meanwhile third album called The Beautiful Death for January 12, 2018 and released another song from the album at the same time as True Colors . There were allegations of sexual misconduct against singer Jonny Craig , whereupon the band was dropped from their label.

On January 18, 2019, an acoustic EP with Revision was released with six tracks, four of which can be found on previous albums. A few days later, Jonny Craig was kicked out of the band due to his longstanding drug addiction, with Craig claiming to have left the band himself.

New singer and planned name change

On July 26, 2019 , the new singer was introduced with Matt McAndrew , runner-up in the seventh season of The Voice . The contact to McAndrew came about at the suggestion of Escape-the-Fate guitarist Kevin Gruff.

At the end of May 2020, the group announced their fourth studio album, To Better Days . This is expected to appear on August 7th of the same year on the label SBG Records. About a month later, the group announced that To Better Days would also be the last album under their band name SLAVES . The musicians decided to take this step because the name was inappropriate in times of racism and denounced the Black Lives Matter movement. The musicians, however, announced that they are close to the Black Lives Matter movement. The new name of the group was not disclosed. After Lady A and The Chicks , slaves are the third group to take this step.

Music genre

Jonny Craig said in an interview with Alternative Press that the music of slaves combines influences from both Emarosa and dance Gavin Dance . He used to be active as a musician in both bands. His lyrics are written on a very emotional and personal basis. As with Emarosa, Craig completely dispenses with the use of guttural vocal techniques with slaves . He wrote Those Who Stand for Nothing Fall for Everything for his grandmother, and Craig dedicated The Hearts of Our Young to his mother. Natalie Craig, his sister, sings in the latter song. The piece Starving for Friends, on the other hand, is an apology to all the people he has hurt in the past through his actions.

The music of slaves has been described as "dynamic rock music with a melodic flair", which " drives the drama up ". It is said that Craig brings soul and R&B back into post-hardcore through his voice , which he did with his previous bands. Thanks to the cooperation with Pierce-the-Veil front man Vic Fuentes in the song Starving for Friends , a musical comparison with the short-lived post-hardcore supergroup Isles & Glaciers was even used.

In January 2019 Jonny Craig left the band. The reason was his addiction and a necessary upcoming treatment for this. Matt McAndrew took over the vocal part of the current tour as the opening act for Escape the Fate.

Discography

Chart positions Explanation of the data

Albums

Through Art We Are All Equals   US 53 07/12/2014 (1 week) Routine Breathing   US 104 09/12/2015 (1 week) Beautiful death   US 105 03.03.2018 (1 week)

Albums

• June 24, 2014: Through Art We Are All Equals ( Artery Recordings , Faction Records )
• August 21, 2015: Routine Breathing (Artery Recordings)
• February 16, 2018: Beautiful Death (The Orchard)
• August 7, 2020: To Better Days (The Orchard)

EPs

• January 18, 2019: Revision ( SBG Records )

Singles

• April 22, 2014: The Fire Down Below ( Artery Recordings )
• May 13, 2014: The Upgrade Pt. II (Artery Recordings)
• May 28, 2014: Starving for Friends ( feat.Vic Fuentes , Artery Recordings)
• July 10, 2015: Burning Our Morals Away (Artery Recordings)

swell

1. ↑ Mark Garza: Under the Gun Review : STREAM SLAVES 'TEASER FOR FIRST SINGLE ( Memento of the original from July 14, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
2. ↑ ^{a b} Jacob Tender: Under the Gun Review : EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: MEET JONNY CRAIG'S NEW BAND ( Memento of the original from April 10, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
3. ↑ ^{a b c d e} Brendan Manley: Alternative Press : “You can hate my past all you want. I'm here to make you love my future ”—Jonny Craig on Slaves
4. ↑ Brian Kraus: Alternative Press : Slaves (Jonny Craig's new band) release new single, “Starving For Friends” (ft. Vic Fuentes)
5. ^ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : Slaves (Jonny Craig's new band) sign to Artery Recordings, release teaser
6. ↑ Kristen McConnell: Under the Gun Review : SLAVES CONFIRM RELEASE DATE FOR DEBUT ALBUM ( Memento of the original from January 26, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
7. ^ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : Slaves (Jonny Craig's new band) confirm Vic Fuentes, Tyler Carter for guest vocal spots
8. ↑ Kriston McConnell: Under the Gun Review : SLAVES CONFIRM GUEST VOCALS BY KYLE LUCAS, TYLER CARTER & VIC FUENTES ON DEBUT ALBUM ( Memento of the original from May 3, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
9. ↑ ^{a b} Louise Horobin: The AU Review : JONNY CRAIG'S NEW PROJECT 'SLAVES' SET FOR OCTOBER AUSTRALIAN TOUR!
10. ↑ Kriston McConnell: Under the Gun Review : SLAVES LAUNCH PRE-ORDERS FOR 'THROUGH ART WE ARE ALL EQUALS' ( Memento of the original from May 5, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
11. ^ Matt Brown: Metal Insider : Metal By Numbers 7/2: Once more 'round the charts
12. ^ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : Slaves (Jonny Craig's new band) tease first single
13. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Slaves (Jonny Craig's new band) announce headlining tour with Myka, Relocate, Alive Like Me, more
14. ↑ JOshua: Hit the Scene : NEWS: Bury Tomorrow add support bands to 'Runes' tour ( Memento of the original from August 12, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
15. ↑ Dead Press : NEWS: IN HEARTS WAKE AND SLAVES TO SUPPORT BURY TOMORROW ON THEIR OCTOBER UK TOUR!
16. ↑ Emily Carter: Kerrang : Punk Goes Pop Vol 6 tracklist revealed!
17. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Slaves Guitarist leaves band
18. ↑ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : The Color Morale announce 'Hold On Pain Ends' headlining tour (exclusive)
19. ↑ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : Listen to Slaves' new single, "Burning Our Morals Away" (exclusive)
20. ↑ Kriston McConnell: New Noise Magazine : Slaves Stream New Single, “Death Never Lets Us Say Goodbye” ( Memento of the original from July 28, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
21. ↑ ^{a b c} Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Slaves put breakup rumors to rest after fans keep them out of debt
22. ↑ Rock Sound : SLAVES (US): "Getting Voted Off Vans Warped Tour Is The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Our Band."
23. ↑ ^{a b} Chart tracking: US
24. ^ Matt Brown: Metal Insider : Metal By Numbers 9/3: A disturbing amount of debuts
25. ^ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : Riff Raff, Slaves, Our Last Night, more announced for Warped Tour 2015
26. ^ Matt Crane: Alternative Press : Slaves release statement after controversy
27. ↑ Lambgoat : Slaves kicked off Warped Tour 2015
28. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Slaves guitarist stabbed
29. ^ Alix Vallecillo: Metal Insider : Slaves lost their agent, almost called it quits
30. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Slaves claim to have been replaced by Emarosa on Blessthefall's upcoming tour
31. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Dance Gavin Dance announce 10-year anniversary tour with Slaves, A Lot Like Birds, others
32. ↑ Dead Press : News: Jonathan Wolfe makes statement about “being ditched” by Slaves!
33. ↑ Top40-Charts.com : Outline In Color Touring With Slaves, Capture The Crown, Myka Relocate And Conquer Divide This Spring
34. ↑ Nextmosh.com : SLAVES, CAPTURE THE CROWN, MYKA RELOCATE & OTHERS TREKKING THIS SPRING (NY GIGS)
35. ↑ Rock Sound : 36 BANDS ADDED TO DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL
36. ↑ Sammy Odell: MXDWN : Graspop Metal Meeting Announces 2016 Lineup Featuring Anthrax, Slayer And Atreyu
37. ^ Graspop Metal Meeting : Slaves
38. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press : Slaves announce breakup
39. ↑ Alternative Press : Jonny Craig writes open letter to fans: "I have a problem"
40. ^ Slaves share new statement: "No we didn't break up" - News - Alternative Press. In: Alternative Press. Retrieved June 17, 2016 . 
41. ↑ Rabab Al-Sharif: Alternative Press : “We just needed a break” —Slaves clear the air, plan future with new outlook (exclusive)
42. ^ Brian Kraus: Slaves debut first single following last year's sudden breakup — listen
43. ↑ Kelsey Shawgo: Alternative Press : Slaves announce fall tour with Secrets
44. ↑ Luke McKenzie: Rocknation : Slaves release new song 'True Colors'
45. ↑ Emmy Mack: Music Feeds : Slaves Dumped Record Label Following Sexual Assault
46. ↑ Alternative Press : Artery Recordings drops slaves
47. ↑ Dom Vigil: SLAVES Announce Acoustic EP, "Revision" & Tour Dates. The Prelude Press, January 31, 2018, accessed January 18, 2019 . 
48. ↑ Jonny Craig, Slaves part ways following singer's relapse. Alternative Press , January 24, 2019, accessed February 17, 2019 . 
49. ↑ Marvin Dotiyal: Slaves relive Jonny Craig-induced frenzy did led to welcoming new singer. Alternative Press , July 26, 2019, accessed July 27, 2019 . 
50. ↑ SLAVES To Release 'To Better Days' Album In August. Blabbermouth.net , May 29, 2020, accessed June 27, 2020 . 
51. ↑ Charles Trepany: Slaves band will change name due to 'racial connotations,' follows Lady A, The Chicks. USA Today , June 26, 2020, accessed June 27, 2020 . 
52. ^ Rob Sayce: Rock Sound : Slaves - Through Art We Are All Equals
53. ↑ ^{a b} Eric Spitz: Mind Equals Blown : Slaves - Through Art We Are All Equals

Web links

• Slaves on Facebook
• Slaves at Spirit of Metal