The band is well known for their relatively frequent lineup changes, which, most notably, involves a fluctuating lineup of vocalists, both on tour and on record. Dance Gavin Dance incorporates many different musical genres into their palette, such as math rock, funk, and soul on top of its post-hardcore sound. Ex-vocalist Jonny Craig also received high marks for contributing to the band's unorthodox soul sound and guitarist Will Swan has been recognized for his intricate, fast-moving guitar licks and riffs.
The band currently consists of vocalists Jon Mess and Tilian Pearson, guitarists Will Swan and Andrew Wells and drummer Matthew Mingus.
To date, the band has released ten studio albums, two live albums and one EP. Their most recent album, entitled Jackpot Juicer was released in 2022.
Discography:
November 14, 2006 - Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean
May 15, 2007 - Downtown Battle Mountain
August 19, 2008 - Dance Gavin Dance
June 9, 2009 - Happiness
March 8, 2011 - Downtown Battle Mountain II
October 8, 2013 - Acceptance Speech
April 14, 2015 - Instant Gratification
October 7, 2016 - Mothership
June 8, 2018 - Artificial Selection
April 24, 2020 - Afterburner
July 29, 2022 - Jackpot Juicer
All of Dance Gavin Dance's records have been released on Rise Records.
Band Members:
Jonathan Mess - harsh vocals (2005–2008; 2010–present)
Will Swan - guitars (2005–present); harsh vocals (2008–2010), bass guitar (2022-present)
Tilian Pearson - clean vocals (2012–present)
Matt Mingus - drums, percussion (2005–present)
Andrew Wells - guitars, clean vocals, bass guitar (2021-present; touring 2015-2021)
Sergio Medina - rhythm guitar, bass guitar (touring 2021-present)
Former Members:
Jonny Craig – clean vocals (2005–2007; 2010–2012; touring 2015, 2016)
Kurt Travis – clean & harsh vocals (2007–2010; touring 2012, 2015, 2016)
Alvaro Alcala – guitar (2005-2006)
Sean O'Sullivan – guitar (2006–2007; touring 2010)
Zachary Garren – guitar (2007–2010; touring 2015)
Josh Benton - guitar (2010-2014)
Eric Lodge – bass guitar (2005–2008; 2010–2012)
Jason Ellis – bass guitar (2008–2009)
Tim Feerick – bass guitar (2009–2010; 2012–2022; died 2022)
Former touring members:
Matt Geise – clean vocals (2012)
Dan Snook – guitar (2010)
Aric Garcia - guitar (2014-2015)
Alex Whitcomb - guitar (2015)
Tony Marks – bass guitar (2010)
Jordan McCoy – bass guitar (2011–2012)
Alex English
Dance Gavin Dance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His death was so obvious
Make up the things that you did
I hid in bushes, I was tripping on this
Description, of no sir you can't ignore
The lights they are blinding, and you man are such a bore
Please smash the target, please smash the target,
Please smash the target, right where the heart sits
Whoever said we had to stop this from happening?
My plans changed abruptly and you chose to flee this unstable setting
And I'll only survive in this life
I got that necklace, I got that watch
I copped that blow torch, off your front porch
I'll only survive if it's you by my side
And I'll only survive in this life
I got that bottle of jack, I got five on that sack
If this fails then I'll bail you out of jail
It's so obvious you're constantly blocking me from rational thinking
Maybe I look good in leather
In my bed I pluck your feathers
We should fucking be together
Now look alive and say you've gotta go
Well don't it feel good? You got what you paid for
Maybe I look good in leather
In my bed I pluck your feathers
We should fucking be together
Now look alive and say you've gotta go
Brace me honey I need friction, if I slur my words correct my diction
It's not always fact or fiction, I made the plan I'll make my own plan
Period colon grammar arsenal, I think we need some brand new bar-stools
A new decor, oh man that cars cool, I change the plan, I bought my own plan
The night was innocent
But she'll never believe
That I was alone
The night was innocent
Reciting words I never meant to write
You want a piece of my mind that's fine that's fine that's fine
You want a piece of my mind, that's fine
Just keep your arms around me
And I won't let your body touch
I won't let it touch the ground
Just keep your eyes on me
And let me be your gravity
Until you can, can sleep sound
Until you can, can sleep sound
(Your right I am addicted
The point I guess I missed it
It's not your fault, but I'll blame it on anything, but myself)
"Alex English" is an abstract and artsy song that depicts violence, theft, and addiction. The lyrics give subtle references to things such as murder, robbery, drug use. The song starts with an aggressive note, with the lyrics "Stop! The first one to hit the cop wins." It refers to a violent action with a police officer as a target. The second line, "His death was so obvious," suggests that the singer has already planned out the killing and is quite self-assured in their ability to pull it off. The next lines, "Make up the things that you did/I hid in bushes, I was tripping on this," reveal that the singer is recounting the steps they took to commit a crime. Then the line, "Description, of no sir you can't ignore/The lights they are blinding, and you man are such a bore" suggests that the singer is boldly breaking the law while mocking the authorities for being unable to catch them.
As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to drug use and addiction, "I got that bottle of jack, I got five on that sack." It also touches on an intense desire for control and the search for the power to shape one's own destiny, "Period colon grammar arsenal, I think we need some brand new bar-stools/A new decor, oh man that cars cool, I change the plan, I bought my own plan." This is a key theme for the singer as they constantly try to alter their fate through action and desire.
The song culminates in the lyrics, "Just keep your arms around me/And I won't let your body touch/I won't let it touch the ground/Just keep your eyes on me/And let me be your gravity/Until you can, can sleep sound/Until you can, can sleep sound." The singer is yearning for a love that can save them, that can give them the security they crave. They are searching for a sense of belonging and purpose, something that will keep them grounded before their addiction or dangerous tendencies take a hold of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop! The first one to hit the cop wins
Whoever said we had to stop this from happening?
His death was so obvious
My plans changed abruptly and you chose to flee this unstable setting
Make up the things that you did
I got that necklace, I got that watch, I copped that blow torch, off your front porch
I hid in bushes, I was tripping on this
The night was innocent, but she'll never believe that I was alone
Description, of no sir you can't ignore
It's so obvious you're constantly blocking me from rational thinking
The lights they are blinding, and you man are such a bore
Maybe I look good in leather, in my bed I pluck your feathers, we should fucking be together, now look alive and say you've gotta go
Please smash the target, please smash the target,
Please smash the target, right where the heart sits
Whoever said we had to stop this from happening?
My plans changed abruptly and you chose to flee this unstable setting
And I'll only survive in this life
I'll only survive if it's you by my side
I got that bottle of jack, I got five on that sack
If this fails then I'll bail you out of jail
It's so obvious you're constantly blocking me from rational thinking
Period colon grammar arsenal, I think we need some brand new bar-stools, a new decor, oh man that cars cool, I change the plan, I bought my own plan
Maybe I look good in leather
Maybe I look good in leather
In my bed I pluck your feathers
In my bed I pluck your feathers
We should fucking be together
We should fucking be together
Now look alive and say you've gotta go
Brace me honey I need friction, if I slur my words correct my diction, it's not always fact or fiction, I made the plan I'll make my own plan
Well don't it feel good? You got what you paid for
Well don't it feel good? You got what you paid for
Reciting words I never meant to write
You want a piece of my mind, that's fine
Just keep your arms around me
Just keep your eyes on me and let me be your gravity
And I won't let your body touch
Until you can, can sleep sound
I won't let it touch the ground
Until you can, can sleep sound
(Your right I am addicted
(Your right I am addicted
The point I guess I missed it
The point I guess I missed it
It's not your fault, but I'll blame it on anything, but myself)
It's not your fault, but I'll blame it on anything, but myself
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JONATHAN DAVID MESS, MATTHEW JAMES MINGUS, WILLIAM SWAN, KURT TRAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BuLLeT2431
This band has changed its sound a few times. R&B with Johnny, Funk with Travis, and no more of a poppy feel with Tillian. This is a band that can literally going in such directions and just succeed in everything they do.. DGD is hands down my favorite band. Lyrics, vocals, Instrumentation. I mean have these guys ever put out something that people just don't agree with?
My point is, no matter where these guys go in direction of music its always the right way.
@AH-pk2bk
+BuLLeT2431 you hit it on the head bud, this band can do anything. Personally, im a fan of the travis era, but every incarnation of DGD is the shit!
@BuLLeT2431
ABSOLUTELY. I find myself loving the Travis era too. Happiness and Death Star are such great albums but maaaaaan.. The stuff Johnny did with them is unforgettable to say the LEAST. He belonged in that band in my opinion but I'm sorta glad that what happened, happened. We could have never experienced the Travis era. As far as Tillian goes, Acceptance Speech was the first album I ever heard by them. He gives them what they need right now and i love the style he brings along. But I do find myself dabbling more with the Travis/Johnny albums more so often. Nothing against the new stuff, still incredible, but those albums man. They hit it right.
@davidpottinger9511
I totally agree. I love all the different style's each vocalist brings. All albums amaze me, though there's something that seems somewhat lacking when it comes to Instant Gratification. Still enjoyable, but I hope they go back to the style Acceptance Speech had if they're gonna keep Tillian. If he improved his live performance, I would actually prefer it if Kurt came back and recorded another album or two with them. 😊
@SteezyTeej
The only thing some people can disagree on is a certain era of a vocalist. Some fans really liked Johnny and hated Tilian and Kurt. Vice versa for Tillian and Kurt
@davidpottinger9511
Yeah, but fortunately, I enjoy all era's. Which one I prefer and listen to the most changes with my mood every week. I just love the variation and diversity in the band, and the fact that I'm even able to do that.
@gxuosi
i don't care who's singing in DGD, i just care that the whole band still makes music.
@Briannainez
Very nostalgic. I remember being obsessed with Dance Gavin Dance in middle school and junior high school. This song was always my favorite from them. Every now and again I'll come back and listen to a bunch of there albums and it brings me back every time. I miss the sound they had!
@brendanpasu4824
Brianna 🎸🎤
@DAman69ize1
Same here, just listening to this and thinking of the album cover just takes you to another world. It’s nice.