Jonny Craig is a vocalist associated with the Sacramento post-hardcore scene, known as an original co-vocalist of hometown band Dance Gavin Dance, later frontman of Emarosa, a solo artist, and founder of the Sacramento-based band Slaves.[1][2][3] He is also a recurring figure in the scene's controversies, both for his acrimonious 2008 departure from Dance Gavin Dance and for later substance-abuse and fraud episodes.[1][4]
Craig's full name is Jonathan Monroe Craig; he was born March 26, 1986, in Minot, North Dakota, and grew up primarily in Canada (Abbotsford, British Columbia) before returning to the United States as an adult.[5]
At a glance
- Original co-vocalist of Sacramento's Dance Gavin Dance; left on bad terms in 2008.[1][2]
- Known for a groove- and R&B-inflected vocal style within a screamo/post-hardcore context.[1][2]
- Fronted Emarosa (Rise Records) by 2009, then launched a solo career.[6][2]
- Rejoined Dance Gavin Dance in 2010 for Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011).[4]
- Founded Sacramento-based band Slaves in 2014.[3]
- Local status: tied to the Sacramento scene via Dance Gavin Dance (hometown) and Slaves (Sacramento-based).[1][3]
Local status
Jonny Craig's local connection is rooted in Dance Gavin Dance, repeatedly described by Submerge as a Sacramento hometown band — its "mélange of screamo and R&B has earned the group quite a following both here in their hometown of Sacramento and beyond."[1] Craig is identified as a co-vocalist for "local groove-heavy screamo heroes Dance Gavin Dance."[2] His later band Slaves is described as "a new Sacramento-based band formed by vocalist Jonny Craig."[3] By the time of his 2009 solo profile he had relocated, being described as "now Lexington, Ky.-based," indicating personal residency outside the region even while his scene identity remained tied to Sacramento.[2] On balance the sources treat him as part of the local scene through his bands, hence local.
Career and bands
Early career: Ghost Runner on Third
Before joining Dance Gavin Dance, Craig was lead vocalist of Tacoma-based pop-punk band Ghost Runner on Third, which he joined in 2002. Their debut EP, Speak Your Dreams, was released on January 4, 2005, to positive reviews — AllMusic described Craig as "the band's secret weapon, a passionate vocalist."[7]
Dance Gavin Dance (origin and 2008 departure)
Craig was an original co-vocalist of Dance Gavin Dance, the Sacramento screamo/R&B band, alongside co-vocalist Jon Mess.[1][2] He sang on the band's early aggressive material, which carried an R&B vibe, and on the band's 2007 album Downtown Battle Mountain (referenced as the band's earlier successful effort that the 2011 sequel picks up from).[1][4] His departure in 2008 was contentious: bandmates said they could not get along with him and that the friction had built over roughly two and a half years; per the band, Craig repeatedly quit and tried to return before a final split.[1] Submerge later summarized that Craig "left on bad terms," quoting Mess's 2008 remark that "no one in the band liked being around him."[2] He was replaced by Kurt Travis (formerly of Five Minute Ride).[1]
Emarosa
By 2009 Craig was the frontman of Emarosa, described as Rise Records' "indie core sextet."[2] He led Emarosa's set on the Sweet Brag Tour stop at Club Retro in Orangevale on April 19, 2009, opening with songs including "The Past Should Stay Dead" and "Set It Off Like Napalm."[6] Emarosa toured with Dance Gavin Dance on the "Squash the Beef Tour," which wrapped Oct. 19, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska — a reconciliation of sorts after the 2008 split.[2] He was reported as no longer in Emarosa by 2011.[4]
Isles & Glaciers
Craig was also a member of the post-hardcore supergroup Isles & Glaciers, publicly announced on December 15, 2008.[8] The group included Craig alongside Craig Owens, Vic Fuentes, Nick Martin, Brian Southall, Matt Goddard, and Mike Fuentes.[8] They released one EP, The Hearts of Lonely People (2010), on Equal Vision Records, which charted at number 104 on the Billboard 200.[8][9] The group performed only one scheduled live show — at Emo's Bar in Austin, Texas during SXSW on March 21, 2009.[9]
Solo career
In late 2009 Craig released his first solo album, A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How to Answer, with Tides of Man serving as his backing band.[2] His first solo show was in support of Northern California punk band AFI.[2] He played The Boardwalk in Orangevale on Dec. 1, 2009 with Tides of Man and Sleeping With Sirens.[2] A video for "I Still Feel Her, Part III" accompanied the release; Craig described the album as written by laying melodies over song "skeletons" and embraced a reputation for controversy ("Controversy is my middle name"), including candor about his drinking.[2] He played a two-night stand at Luigi's Fungarden in Sacramento on Oct. 26–27, 2012 with The Seeking.[10] On the day Kurt Travis released his first single from Everything Is Beautiful (2014), Craig and Tilian Pearson — both with past or present DGD ties — also dropped new songs from their projects.[11]
In September 2021, Craig released his second solo album, The Places We'll Never Be, on SBG Records.[12]
Dance Gavin Dance reunion (2010–2011)
Craig and Jon Mess were welcomed back to Dance Gavin Dance in 2010, reuniting five original members (with Will Swan, Matt Mingus, and returning bassist Eric Lodge) for Downtown Battle Mountain II, released March 8, 2011 via Rise Records.[4] Recording ran roughly September–December 2010, with Craig arriving later after an Emarosa tour.[4]
Slaves
In 2014 Craig founded Slaves, "a new Sacramento-based band," with Alex Lyman of Hearts and Hands.[3] Their debut full-length, Through Art We Are All Equals, was released via Artery Recordings on June 24, 2014, produced by Kris Crummett.[3] Lyman wrote the record and recorded all instruments; the touring lineup added drummer Tai Wright (Four Letter Lie, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows), bassist Jason Mays (Of Machines), and guitarist Christopher Kim (Hearts and Hands).[3] The album featured guest vocals from Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil, Kyle Lucas, Tyler Carter of Issues, and Craig's sister Natalie Craig.[3] Slaves played their hometown album-release show at Assembly in Sacramento on June 20, 2014.[3]
Old Flame (2024–present)
In March 2024, Craig launched a new project called Old Flame, debuting with the single "Pray."[13]
Controversies
Craig's career is recurrently framed by controversy in the sources. His 2008 exit from Dance Gavin Dance was described as messy and acrimonious.[1][2] During the 2010–2011 DGD reunion, controversy resurfaced around his substance abuse, including an allegation that he defrauded fans by offering to sell his MacBook to Twitter followers and not delivering after checks were sent; he was sent to a seven-day detox program.[4] Mess described Craig as then doing Narcotics Anonymous and being more honest about his situation, while noting skepticism.[4]
Scene relationships
Craig's scene network centers on the Dance Gavin Dance lineage: bandmates Jon Mess, Will Swan, Eric Lodge, Matt Mingus, Zachary Garren, and successor/peer vocalists Kurt Travis and Tilian Pearson.[1][4][11] By 2014, Travis reported the former DGD-associated vocalists were on good terms, with Craig seen at DGD shows at venues like Assembly and Ace of Spades.[11] Craig also worked locally with producer/DJ Zac Diebels (Z Rokk) of Citrus Heights, who cited working "with Jonny Craig a lot."[14] Craig noticed Lodi prog-rock band In Oceans at Warped Tour 2010 and praised their set.[15]