Dance Gavin Dance (frequently abbreviated DGD) is a Sacramento post-hardcore band, formed in 2005, known for a genre-defying sound that blends post-hardcore, progressive rock and screamo with R&B and funk inflections, and for a turbulent lineup history.[1][2][3] Submerge repeatedly identifies them as a hometown act, calling them "Sacramento's own" and "hometown heroes."[1][3][4] The band formed following the dissolution of its members' prior group, Farewell Unknown, whose lineup included guitarist Will Swan, guitarist Alvaro Alcala, drummer Matt Mingus, and bassist Eric Lodge.[5]
At a glance
- From Sacramento; the band's "hometown of Sacramento" is cited from the earliest coverage.[1]
- Formed in Sacramento in 2005.[3]
- Dual-vocalist post-hardcore with R&B, funk and hip-hop elements; "genre-defying sound that fits somewhere between post-hardcore, progressive rock and screamo."[3]
- Heavy lineup turnover — described as having "seen more roster changes than an MLB team."[6]
- Long association with producer Kris Crummett and label Rise Records.[7][8][3]
- Guitarist Will Swan is the band's primary songwriter and founder of Blue Swan Records.[6][9][10]
- Will Swan and Matt Mingus are the only two members to have appeared on every DGD studio album across all lineup iterations.[5]
Origin and local status
Submerge consistently frames DGD as a Sacramento-origin band, not a touring act passing through. The earliest article (2008) describes the group's "mélange of screamo and R&B" as having earned a following "both here in their hometown of Sacramento and beyond."[1] A 2009 feature calls them "the Sacramento-based post-hardcore band."[6] A 2015 article states plainly that the band formed "in Sacramento in 2005."[3] By 2018 they are billed as "Hometown heroes" returning to play Sacramento's Concerts in the Park.[4] This is a clear local classification, not fame-based: multiple independent articles across a decade place the band's origin and base in Sacramento.
Sound and songwriting
The band's sound is described as post-hardcore with strong R&B, funk and hip-hop elements.[1][6][3] In 2008 members said each new song "tackles a different genre or sub-genre" and that the writing was getting "more groovy, more energetic."[1] Guitarist Will Swan, identified as the main writer, cited funk influences such as George Clinton and described shifting toward a clearer, "classic rock" guitar tone on the album Happiness.[6] Swan and vocalist Jon Mess have both contributed rapping; Mess described his screamed parts as "a screamed voice rapping," and Swan said each of his raps comes "from a new persona."[2][3] The band's writing method is instrument-first: members said they "write without our vocalists in mind," completing instrumentals before vocals are added.[1][3]
Lineup history
DGD's lineup changed repeatedly across the period Submerge covered, with the magazine noting "a constant flux in band members" and references to "eight past members."[3]
- Founding / early era: Original co-vocalist Jonny Craig (alongside Jon Mess), with guitarist Will Swan, guitarist Zachary Garren, bassist Eric Lodge, drummer Matt Mingus, and (briefly) guitarist Sean O'Sullivan.[1][11][12] The band's most successful early effort was 2007's Downtown Battle Mountain.[7]
- Craig's first departure (2008): Jonny Craig left "on bad terms"; Mess said "We just couldn't get along with him at all. No one in the band liked being around him," after roughly two and a half years of friction.[1][13] Kurt Travis (formerly of Five Minute Ride) was recruited as the new lead vocalist within about a month.[1]
- Travis / Swan-screams era: Jon Mess then left, and Will Swan took over screaming duties for the Happiness sessions (third full-length, 2009).[6] Travis and Swan worked closely on the album's vocals.[6]
- 2010 reunion: Five original members reunited — Swan and Mingus welcomed back bassist Eric Lodge and the vocal duo of Jon Mess and Jonny Craig in 2010 — to record Downtown Battle Mountain II (released March 8, 2011).[7] Kurt Travis was let go when Craig rejoined; Travis described being "kicked out."[8] Mess later publicly apologized to both Travis and Craig over comments in an Alternative Press interview, and said he and Travis remained good friends.[7]
- Craig's second departure and Pearson era: Craig departed again in 2012. Tilian Pearson, formerly of Tides of Man, was recruited as clean vocalist — according to Wikipedia, he joined during the making of his 2013 solo album Material Me — replacing Craig.[14] By 2015, the lineup was Tilian Pearson (vocals), Jon Mess (vocals/screams), Will Swan (guitar/vocals), Tim Feerick (bass) and Matt Mingus (drums) — described as a "solid group of core members."[3]
- Feerick's death (2022): Bassist Tim Feerick died on April 13, 2022, prior to the release of the band's tenth studio album Jackpot Juicer.[5][15]
- Pearson's departure (2024): On April 15, 2024, DGD announced the permanent departure of Tilian Pearson, citing creative differences, ending his approximately 12-year run with the band.[16] Rhythm guitarist Andrew Wells became the band's full-time clean vocalist.[17]
Despite the turnover, Swan attributed the band's recognizable sound to the constant of his guitar writing combined with Mingus's drumming: "when he puts his drums to my guitar it makes a DGD sound."[3] According to Wikipedia, Swan and Mingus are the only two members to have appeared on every studio album across all lineup iterations.[5]
Releases (as documented)
- Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (EP) — self-released in 2005; re-released on Rise Records on November 14, 2006, making it the band's first Rise Records release, predating the debut LP.[5][15]
- Downtown Battle Mountain (2007) — the band's "arguably most successful effort."[7]
- Self-titled album (2008), recorded with producer Kris Crummett.[8] In 2008 the band entered the studio (planned for April 20, 2008) for a new record with Travis on vocals, then expected out August 19, 2008.[1]
- Happiness (2009) — third full-length, due June 9, 2009; recorded with Kris Crummett; featured the song "Don't Tell Dave" (written by Swan while touring with Senses Fail), and tracks "Powder to the People," "Nasa" and "I'm Down with Brown Town."[6][8] A video was planned for "Tree Village."[6]
- Downtown Battle Mountain II (March 8, 2011) — released through Rise Records; recorded over two months in fall/winter 2010, a "fitting" sequel after the original-member reunion.[7]
- Acceptance Speech (October 8, 2013) — studio album released on Rise Records.[15]
- Instant Gratification (April 14, 2015) — sixth studio album, released through Rise Records, with the band's Instant Gratification Tour kicking off the same day; songs included "Shark Dad," "Death of the Strawberry" and "Legend."[3]
- Mothership (October 7, 2016) — studio album released on Rise Records.[15]
- Jackpot Juicer (July 29, 2022) — tenth studio album; released following bassist Tim Feerick's death on April 13, 2022; debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200, the band's highest chart position to date.[5][15]
- Pantheon (September 12, 2025) — eleventh studio album.[15]
The band has released 11 studio albums in total and has achieved four top-twenty albums on the Billboard 200, including one top-ten (Jackpot Juicer at #8 in 2022).[5][15]
Controversies and offstage turmoil
Coverage repeatedly tied the band to controversy surrounding Jonny Craig's substance abuse. After the Downtown Battle Mountain II sessions, Craig allegedly defrauded fans by offering to sell his MacBook to Twitter followers and not delivering; he was sent to a seven-day detox program and was doing Narcotics Anonymous around the band's 2011 South by Southwest dates.[7] The band's fanbase was characterized as intensely engaged and prone to online criticism — Submerge noted fans who "love to hate" the band, and Swan said he tried to ignore online complaints.[6][3]
Touring and Sacramento shows
DGD toured the country heavily from the start, having "traversed the country six or seven times" by 2008, including support for Poison the Well.[1] Documented Sacramento-area appearances include the Boardwalk (April 19, 2008), the Warped Tour Ernie Ball stage in Sacramento, Ace of Spades (April 8, 2011), Sacramento State's University Union Ballroom (Oct. 13, 2011, alongside A Lot Like Birds and Ten After Two), back-to-back Boardwalk shows (April 3–4, 2015, with Hail the Sun), and Concerts in the Park at Cesar Chavez Plaza (June 22, 2018).[1][6][7][18][3][4] In 2011 the band was noted as recording at a Papa Roach–owned downtown Sacramento demo studio.[9]
Scene relationships and offshoots
DGD sits at the center of a dense web of Sacramento-area bands and musicians, with members and ex-members spinning off into numerous projects:
- Will Swan founded Blue Swan Records, which released Kurt Travis's solo work and facilitated the supergroup Sianvar.[10][19] Swan also plays in Sianvar, a post-hardcore "supergroup" with Donovan Melero (Hail the Sun), Sergio Medina (Stolas), and Joe Arrington and Michael Franzino (A Lot Like Birds); their debut LP Stay Lost (Aug. 5, 2016) was produced by Dryw Owens at Roseville's Little Russia Recordings.[19]
- Kurt Travis went on to co-front Sacramento band A Lot Like Birds, and released solo albums (Wha Happen; Everything Is Beautiful, 2014) with former DGD bandmate Zachary Garren; his manager was Sacramento promoter Eric Rushing.[18][12][10]
- Zachary Garren later played in the instrumental band Strawberry Girls (based in Salinas).[10]
- Sean O'Sullivan (formerly of DGD) was a guitarist in Sacramento band Consider the Thief (formerly Heartshed).[11]
- Jonny Craig went on to front Emarosa (Rise Records), released a solo album (A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How to Answer, 2009), and formed the Sacramento band Slaves (debut Through Art We Are All Equals, June 2014, with Alex Lyman; produced by Kris Crummett).[13][20][21]
- Matt Mingus served as a judge at the 2011 Non-Drummer Drum-Off at Sacramento's Westfield Downtown Plaza, and joined the local reggae/rock group Street Urchinz around 2012.[22][23]
- Tilian Pearson joined DGD as vocalist by 2015; Submerge groups him with Jonny Craig and Kurt Travis as vocalists with "past or present DGD ties."[3][10]
The band also shares producer Kris Crummett, who recorded the 2008 self-titled album and Happiness, and later worked with A Lot Like Birds and Slaves — a recurring thread linking the DGD orbit.[8][21]