Dance Gavin Dance is an American rock band founded in Sacramento by guitarists Will Swan and Alvaro Alcala, drummer Matt Mingus and bassist Eric Lodge after their previous band, Farewell Unknown, disbanded in 2005. The band's first line-up also included vocalists Jon Mess and Jonny Craig. The band currently consists of constant members Swan and Mingus, as well as Mess (who was absent from 2008 to 2010), and vocalist/guitarist Andrew Wells (who first joined as a touring member in 2015). The band also tours with bassist Sergio Medina (who first toured as guitarist in 2021 and again as bassist since 2022), and guitarist Martin Bianchini (since 2024, having played on sessions since 2015).

History The band parted ways with Alvaro Alcala in early 2006, with his replacement being Sean O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan departed in August 2007, after appearing on the band's debut album Downtown Battle Mountain, and was replaced by Zachary Garren. The band also parted ways with vocalist Jonny Craig in November 2007, with Kurt Travis announced as his replacement the following month. In 2008, the band parted ways with bassist Eric Lodge and vocalist Jon Mess.

Lodge was replaced by Jason Ellis, and Swan took up unclean vocals. Ellis appeared on Happiness (2009) before departing and was replaced by Tim Feerick. In February 2010, Garren left the band, Daniel Snook was his temporary replacement before him and Feerick left. In May 2010, both Lodge and Mess returned to the band, and Josh Benton joined the band as touring guitarist. Craig also re-joined that August, replacing Travis. Lodge quietly left the band again in December 2011, with Jordan McCoy having toured with the band since earlier in the year. Kurt Travis briefly returned in February 2012, alongside Matt Geise (Lower Definition) as a substitute for Craig. Craig parted ways with the band in late 2012, with Tilian Pearson replacing him. Tim Feerick returned also in late 2012, and Josh Benton became the band's official second guitarist.

Benton parted ways with the band in 2013, shortly after appearing on Acceptance Speech. Aric Garcia filled in as a touring member between 2014 and 2015, as did in Alex Whitcomb in 2015. Both Craig and Travis briefly returned in 2015 for some anniversary shows. Andrew Wells took over rhythm guitar on a more permanent basis in 2015 but did not become an official member until 2021. In April 2022, longtime bassist Tim Feerick died.

In June 2022, Pearson stepped away from the band due to allegations of sexual assault levelled against him. In his place Wells took over lead vocals, with Mark Okubo taking over Wells' position as rhythm guitarist. Former vocalist Kurt Travis also handled vocals at some shows. Pearson returned to the band in November, although he permanently parted ways with the band in April 2024. The following month the band confirmed Wells as permanent clean vocalist, with session guitarist Martin Bianchini playing second guitar in Wells' place.

Members

Current members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsWill Swan 2005–presentall releasesMatt MingusJon Mess all releases except Happiness (2009)Andrew Wells2021–present all releases from Mothership (2016) onwards

Former members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsEric Lodgeall releases from Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006) to Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011), except Happiness (2009)Jonny Craig lead vocalsAlvaro Alcala2005–2006guitarnoneSean O'Sullivan 2005–2007 Zachary Garren 2007–2010 Kurt Travis 2007–2010 lead vocalsJason Ellis2008–2009bassHappiness (2009)Tim Feerickall releases from Acceptance Speech (2013) to Jackpot Juicer (2022)Tilian Pearson 2012–2024 lead vocalsJosh Benton2012–2013 guitar

Touring musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotesDan Snook 2010guitar Snook toured following Garren's departure before he left alongside Feerick and Benton joined.Tony Marks bass Marks joined along Benton following Feerick's departure.Jordan McCoy2011–2012McCoy toured in place of Lodge and continued after his departure until Feerick returned.Matt Geise 2012clean vocals Geise and Kurt Travis briefly replaced Craig in 2012.Aric Garcia2014–2015 guitarToured following Benton's departure. Instant Gratification (2015)Alex Whitcomb2015Joey Rubenstein Louie Balthazar 2018 Dakota Sammons 2021drums Sammons performed with the band after Mingus went into rehab.Sergio Medina Medina also first performed with the band on guitar when Pearson caught Covid and Wells had to fill in on vocals, he later returned on bass following Feerick's death.Marc OkuboguitarOkubo first performed with the band when Pearson caught Covid and Wells had to fill in on vocals, he later returned when Pearson stepped down in 2022. Afterburner (2020)Martin Bianchini2024–present Bianchini joined after Wells took up lead vocalist permanently. all releases from Instant Gratification (2015) onwards

Timeline

Line-ups PeriodMembersReleases2005 – early 2006 Jonny Craig – lead vocals Jon Mess – unclean vocals Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals Alvaro Alcala – guitar Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals Matt Mingus – drums, percussionnoneearly 2006 – August 2007 Jonny Craig – lead vocals Jon Mess – unclean vocals Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Sean O'Sullivan – guitar Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006) Downtown Battle Mountain (2007)August – November 2007 Jonny Craig – lead vocals Jon Mess – unclean vocals Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Zachary Garren – guitar, backing vocalsnoneDecember 2007 – autumn 2008 Jon Mess – unclean vocals Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals Eric Lodge – bass, backing vocals Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Zachary Garren – guitar, backing vocals Kurt Travis – lead vocals Dance Gavin Dance (2008)August 2008 – mid 2009 Will Swan – guitar, unclean vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Zachary Garren – guitar, backing vocals Kurt Travis – lead vocals Jason Ellis – bass Happiness (2009)mid 2009 – early 2010 Will Swan – guitar, unclean vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Zachary Garren – guitar, backing vocals Kurt Travis – lead vocals Tim Feerick – bassnoneearly – May 2010 Will Swan – guitar, unclean vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Kurt Travis – lead vocals Tim Feerick – bass Dan Snook – guitar May – August 2010 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Kurt Travis – lead vocals Jon Mess – unclean vocals Tony Marks – bass Josh Benton – guitar August 2010 – mid 2011 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Josh Benton – guitar Eric Lodge – bass Jonny Craig – lead vocals Downtown Battle Mountain II (2011)mid 2011 – late 2012 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Josh Benton – guitar Jonny Craig – lead vocals Jordan McCoy – bass nonelate 2012 – October 2013 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Josh Benton – guitar Tilian Pearson – lead vocals Tim Feerick – bass Acceptance Speech (2013)early 2014 – autumn 2015 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Tilian Pearson – lead vocals Tim Feerick – bass Aric Garcia – guitar Instant Gratification (2015)2015 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Tilian Pearson – lead vocals Tim Feerick – bass Alex Whitcomb – guitar nonelate 2015 – April 2022 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Tilian Pearson – lead vocals Tim Feerick – bass Andrew Wells – guitar, backing and clean vocals Mothership (2016) Artificial Selection (2018) Afterburner (2020) Tree City Sessions 2 (2020) Jackpot Juicer (2022)April – June 2022 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Tilian Pearson – lead vocals Andrew Wells – guitar, backing and clean vocals Sergio Medina – bass noneJune – November 2022 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Andrew Wells – lead vocals, guitar Sergio Medina – bass Marc Okubo – guitar Kurt Travis – vocals November 2022 – April 2024 Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Andrew Wells – guitar, backing and clean vocals Sergio Medina – bass Tilian Pearson – lead vocalsApril 2024 – present Will Swan – guitar, backing vocals, rapping Matt Mingus – drums, percussion Jon Mess – unclean vocals Andrew Wells – lead vocals, guitar Sergio Medina – bass Martin Bianchini – guitar Pantheon (2025)

References