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)
Tree Village
Dance Gavin Dance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happiness is hard to find
I didn't catch a break
Maybe I am dying inside?
February been so lonely
It's been so long since I felt your touch
And I couldn't care less if I deserve this
I will never survive the sting inflicted
Sever all ties
Follow procedure
Pledge abstinence
Fuck at your leisure
Breathe in then out, but not out then in
Cause over function
Restart again
I need to see my dreams as I close my eyes
Remembering nothing and begging for light
All the trees, all the birds, and this thing called life
I'd stake it all for forty acres and a trophy wife
Dust gathers on the books that contain our past
And we're but peons in a circuit built by time to last
Repeat, repeat, as we've done before
Our history all lost in war
When the last of our cities are but powder and dust
The damned who remain live with God in the glory of us
February, been so lonely
It's been so long, since I felt you
I could care less if I deserve this
I won't survive the sting inflicted
Repeat, repeat, as we've done before
Our history all lost in war
Repeat, repeat, as we've done before
Our history all lost in war
Repeat, repeat
Repeat, repeat
Repeat, repeat
Repeat, repeat
The lyrics to Tree Village by Dance Gavin Dance delve into themes of loneliness, desperation, and the search for happiness. The opening lines reflect the singer's feeling of hopelessness, as they ask what excuses they make and wonder if they are dying inside. The following lines delve further into the singer's sense of loss, as February has been lonely and it has been a long time since they felt someone's touch. The singer even questions whether they deserve to feel this way, as well as whether they will be able to survive the pain they feel.
The next stanza features more abstract language, but also incorporates a sense of detachment or nihilism. The lines "Sever all ties / Follow procedure / Pledge abstinence / Fuck at your leisure" suggest that the singer is willing to cut themselves off from others or standard social behaviors. The instruction to "Breathe in then out, but not out then in" may reflect the singer's sense of anxiety or inability to function properly. These lines are followed by "Restart again," which could imply the singer's desire to start afresh or the cyclical nature of their issues.
The final stanza returns to more concrete imagery, as the singer ponders the fleeting nature of life and the desire for a sense of stability. The mention of "dust gathers on the books that contain our past" suggests a disconnect between the past and present, or possibly even a loss of history or identity. The repetition of "repeat, repeat" near the end of the song may reflect the singer's frustration with the cyclical nature of their problems, or even their fear that they are doomed to repeat past mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
What excuses do you make?
What reasons do you give for your actions or lack thereof?
Happiness is hard to find
It's difficult to find true happiness.
I didn't catch a break
I didn't get lucky or receive a positive outcome.
Maybe I am dying inside?
I could be emotionally dying on the inside.
February been so lonely
I've been lonely in the month of February.
It's been so long since I felt your touch
I haven't physically felt your touch in a very long time.
And I couldn't care less if I deserve this
I have no concern over whether or not I deserve this negative outcome.
I will never survive the sting inflicted
I won't be able to handle the pain and hurt caused by the situation.
Sever all ties
Cut off all connections or relationships.
Follow procedure
Adhere to the established process or rules.
Pledge abstinence
Promise to abstain from a particular action or behavior.
Fuck at your leisure
Engage in sexual activity whenever you want.
Breathe in then out, but not out then in
Inhale then exhale, but don't exhale before inhaling.
Cause over function
The cause or reason behind something is more important than how it functions or operates.
Restart again
Begin again or reset the process.
I need to see my dreams as I close my eyes
When I close my eyes, I want to see my dreams and aspirations.
Remembering nothing and begging for light
Forgetting everything and desperately seeking guidance or hope.
All the trees, all the birds, and this thing called life
Referring to nature and the essence of living.
I'd stake it all for forty acres and a trophy wife
I would give up everything for a big house and an attractive spouse.
Dust gathers on the books that contain our past
Dust accumulates on the books that hold our history.
And we're but peons in a circuit built by time to last
We're just small and insignificant pieces in the cycle of life that has always been and will continue to be.
Repeat, repeat, as we've done before
As history tends to do, we humans repeat the same patterns and behaviors.
Our history all lost in war
Our past is often forgotten or destroyed by wars and conflict.
When the last of our cities are but powder and dust
When our cities have turned to nothing but debris and ruins.
The damned who remain live with God in the glory of us
Those who are left after the destruction of life may find solace and purpose through God, while reminiscing on the glory of humanity's past.
Repeat, repeat
Human behaviors and patterns continue to repeat.
Repeat, repeat
Same as above.
Repeat, repeat
Same as above.
Repeat, repeat
Same as above.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WILL SWAN, MATTHEW JAMES MINGUS, TRAVIS KURT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ClassicMist360
Verse 1: Kurt Travis]
What excuses do you make?
Happiness is hard to find
I didn't catch a break
Maybe I am dying inside
[Chorus: Kurt Travis]
February, been so lonely
It's been so long since I felt your touch
And I could care less if I deserve this
I will never survive the sting inflicted
[Verse 2: Kurt Travis & Will Swan]
Sever the ties, follow procedure
Pledge abstinence, fuck at your leisure
Breathe in then out, but not out then in
Cause over function, restart again
I need to see my dreams as I close my eyes
Remembering nothing and begging for light
[Verse 3: Will Swan]
All the trees, all the birds and this thing called life
I’d stake it all for forty acres and a trophy wife
Dust gathers on the books that contain our past
And we’re but peons in a circuit built by time to last
Repeat, repeat, as we’ve done before
Our history all lost in war
When the last of our cities are but powder and dust
The damned who remain live with God in the glory of us
[Chorus: Kurt Travis]
February's, been so lonely
It's been so long since I felt you
I could care less if I deserve this
I won't survive the sting inflicted
[Outro: Will Swan & Kurt Travis]
Repeat, repeat, as we've done before
Our history all lost in war
Repeat, repeat, as we've done before
Our history all lost in war
Repeat, repeat
Repeat, repeat
Repeat, repeat
Repeat, repeat
Hansol
Been loving this song. I never really got into DGD but slowly starting to grow on me.
William Ravas
Slowly? Sucks for you.
lithiumkid
@godofwar0678 yup. it started from my middle school best friend but took til i was like 20 to listen to more than my first 6 favorite albums
Saranoma
Mothership most bangers
Joseph Besco
The OG Fire mage in a DGD comment section, my worlds are colliding
godofwar0678
That's how it starts then you become a full fledged fan
ThaName'sLee
This era of dgd needs more appraisal. Kurt as the vocalist and Will Swan as the screamer was and still is amazing.
Blackcladvoyeur
@Brandon Monroe You're thinking of the video for Me and Zoloft Get Along Just Fine. This is Will screaming.
ZainoN
@FScorpion678 i love will and his scream is pretty good tbh but ill pick jon over him as he is good in live beside will shine the brightest on guitar.
Jon Doe
This is 100% Will screaming... and its completely obvious.