Slaves (American band)

Slaves (often stylizes as SLVS) is an American post-hardcore band formed in Sacramento, California. The band currently consists of bassist Colin Vieira, guitarists Weston Richmond and Juan Felipe Sanchez, drummer Zachary Baker, and lead vocalist Matt McAndrew. The band released their debut album, Through Art We Are All Equals on June 24, 2014. Their second studio album, Routine Breathing, was released on August 21, 2015. The band released their third studio album Beautiful Death on February 16, 2018.

This article is about the California-base. 2016d rock band. For Ohio-based funk band, see Slave (band). For England-based punk rock duo, see Slaves (English band).

Slaves
OriginSacramento, California, United States
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels
MembersColin Vieira
Weston Richmond
Felipe Sanchez
Zachary Baker
Matt McAndrew
Past membersTai Wright
Jason Mays
Christopher Kim
Alex Lyman
Jonny Craig

Due to his relapsing, original singer Jonny Craig was ejected from the group in January 2019. He was later replaced by season 7 runner-up of The Voice, Matt McAndrew. With McAndrew, the band released their fourth studio album, To Better Days, on August 7, 2020. The album is to be their final release under the name "Slaves".

History

Formation and Through Art We Are All Equals (2014)

The band members were revealed through lead singer Jonny Craig's Twitter account on January 15. The following day he tweeted that the name of the group would be Slaves, a name coined by founding drummer Tai Wright.

Craig explained the name Slaves in an article on Ryan's Rock Show. "Men have been enslaving men for as long as we've had gods to hide behind," Craig said. "Every man is a slave to what we love – whether it be women, drugs, music or sports. Through art we are all equals".[1]

On March 3, Alternative Press posted an article stating that Artery Recordings have just signed Craig's band Slaves to their label and are now on their roster. Craig posted a tweet saying that his original record label Rise Records would not be associated with this new band.[2]

The band went on their first US tour in May in direct support of Hands Like Houses, Miss Fortune, and Alive Like Me, in May and June.

Slaves released their first single The Fire Down Below through Artery Recordings on April 22. The album, Through Art We Are All Equals, was produced by Kris Crummett, and was released on June 24, 2014. The album features guest vocals from Kyle Lucas, Tyler Carter of Issues, Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil, as well as Jonny Craig's sister, Natalie Craig. The album's track listing was released in May 2014.[3] The album debuted on No. 53 at official Billboard 200 charts in the U.S.[4]

On May 13, 2014, the band's second single, "the Upgrade Pt. II" (a sequel to his song The Upgrade from his EP Find What You Love And Let It Kill You), was streamed off Artery Recordings' YouTube page.[5] Later that month, on May 29, the band released a lyric video for the third single from the album, "Starving for Friends", which featured Vic Fuentes of Pierce the Veil.

Slaves was revealed to be a supporter on the All Stars Tour. This is Jonny Craig's second time being on the All Stars Tour, the first time being with Dance Gavin Dance which ultimately lead to him being kicked out of the band.[6]

On May 30, bassist Jason Mays announced via Facebook that he would not be continuing with Slaves due to family problems and health issues. [7] Andrew Mena, formerly of Scarlett O'Hara filled in temporarily and toured with the band for the remaining dates. After Andrew Mena went back to his duties of being a tour manager, Michael Nordeen, an operations manager at Artery Recordings was convinced by Alex Lyman to join the band for a few tours. In the beginning of Winter, 2014, Colin Vieira joined Slaves yet again.

On June 24, 2014, Slaves announced one headlining show in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 9, 2014. In the following days they announced an overseas tour to Australia, along with a headlining tour starting on October 7, with bands such as Nightmares, Myka Relocate, among others.[8]

On July 9, the band's first official music video was released on the Artery Recording's YouTube for the album's fourth and final single, "My Soul Is Empty and Full of White Girls", directed/produced by Jeremy Tremp and Shan Dan.

Routine Breathing and line-up instability (2015–16)

On January 7, 2015, the band uploaded a picture to their Facebook page claiming that "Slaves has officially started writing their 2nd full length album, get excited!" with the following "#SLAVES2015"[9]

On February 9, guitarist Christopher Kim announced his departure via Twitter.[10] He was replaced with Jonathan Wolfe to fill-in temporarily on tour, though was allegedly "ditched in Texas" by the band just a few days later.[11] The band replaced Wolfe on the road with Weston Richmond.

On June 21, Alex Lyman and Weston Richmond were injured in a knife attack in Sacramento. Also injured was Blake Abbey, lead singer of Musical Charis. Charis stated that the attack was invoked by the three of them wearing skinny jeans.[12]

On July 5, the band tweeted a picture of the track list for Routine Breathing.[13] The track list features 15 songs, with guest vocals from Garret Rapp (The Color Morale), Spencer Chamberlain (Sleepwave and Underoath), Tilian Pearson (Dance Gavin Dance), and Kyle Lucas. Also, a 15-second teaser of the song "Burning Our Morals Away" was posted, along with album artwork for Routine Breathing.[14]

On July 9, the debut single from their second album leaked via leak websites across the web. The band then released the single, "Burning Our Morals Away", on July 10. The album was scheduled for an October release date, but was pushed to August 21, 2015.[15] The band was voted off of Vans Warped tour on July 18 after only playing two dates on the tour. The band cited that they were voted off the tour by the other bands on Warped, fearing that Jonny would begin his drug use again. On July 23, the band released the second single from Routine Breathing, "Death Never Let Us Say Goodbye", after the song had leaked. They released the official video for "Burning Our Morals Away" later that week, on July 28. On August 16, the band released the third single from Routine Breathing, "Drowning In My Addiction" with a lyric video.

From March until April 2016, the group is scheduled to tour the United States with Myka Relocate, Capture the Crown,[16] Outline in Color and Conquer Divide.[17]

On March 30, Alex Lyman announced he would be leaving the band after their current tour with Capture The Crown. On April 9th, Tai Wright announced his formal departure from the Slaves, citing issues within the band as his reason. On April 10, the band announced their breakup after their last show in Santa Cruz, California.[18]

On May 20, Jonny announced on his Facebook that Slaves did not break up but are going through some difficult times, Jonny and Colin are the only members remaining.[19]

Beautiful Death, Craig's Departure and label change (2017–19)

On August 11, the band announced their next headlining tour with Outline in Color and Avion Roe while currently writing their third album.[20] On January 20, 2017, the band released the single "I'd Rather See Your Star Explode". [21]. Their third studio album "Beautiful Death" was initially slated to be released in September 2017, however due to a split with their label and Jonny Craig's recent hospitalization, the band confirmed that a release would be pushed back until January 2018. [22] The band announced the first US headline tour on July 10, titled "The Beautiful Death Tour", with support from Secrets, Picturesque, and Out Came The Wolves. They also said that they would be playing a few new songs from the upcoming third album on the tour, which is scheduled to start 1 September 2017. On November 3, Colin confirmed they were picked up by Warner Brothers.

On November 17, 2017 Artery Recordings announced via Twitter that they were dropping Slaves from the label after Jonny Craig was accused of multiple counts of sexual assault.[23]

On December 21, 2017, the band announced the third studio album will be released on February 16, 2018 through Sony Music label The Orchard. In early January 2018, the band announced a new headlining tour, with support from Kyle Lucas, Dayshell, and Ghost Town, to promote the new album. The tour began in Dallas, TX on the day of the album's release and scheduled to end on March 12, 2018 in Scottsdale, AZ.[24][25][26][27][28]

The band released their third studio album, Beautiful Death, on February 16, 2018, on SBG Records and The Orchard. On January 24, 2019, the band announced that Jonny Craig was removed from the band citing addiction as the reason of his removal. Jonny Craig issued a response of his own shortly after, explaining that he's looking after his health before returning to music. [29]

Arrival of vocalist McAndrew, To Better Days and name change (2020–present)

The group continued to tour across Europe and Australia with Matt McAndrew replacing Craig as lead vocalist. They are scheduled to release their fourth studio album, and first with McAndrew, To Better Days, in August, 2020. A music video for "Wasting My Youth" was released on March 28.[30] On June 25, 2020, the band announced that To Better Days would be their final release under the name Slaves. On a Facebook statement, the band wrote, "As obstinate supporters of the BLM movement, we cannot continue to tie our music and our positive message to a word associated with such negative weight and hurt."[31] The band released their fourth studio album, To Better Days, on August 7, 2020.

Band members
Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays
  • Revision (2019)

Singles
  • "The Fire Down Below"
  • "The Upgrade, Pt. II"
  • "Starving for Friends" (featuring Vic Fuentes)
  • "My Soul Is Empty And Full of White Girls"
  • "Burning Our Morals Away"
  • "Death Never Lets Us Say Goodbye"
  • "Drowning In My Addiction"
  • "Running Through The 6 With My Soul"
  • "I'd Rather See Your Star Explode"
  • "True Colors"
  • "Patience Is The Virtue"
  • "I Know A Lot Of Artists"
  • "The Pact"
  • "Body On Fire"
  • "Heavier"
  • "Prayers"
  • "Bury A Lie"
  • "Talk to a Friend"
  • "Wasting My Youth"
  • "Like I Do"
  • "Eye Opener"

Videography
Year Title Link From the album Note
2014 My Soul Is Empty and Full of White Girls Through Art We Are All Equals
2015 Burning Our Morals Away Routine Breathing
Running Through the !6! with My Soul
2017 I'd Rather See Your Star Explode Beautiful Death 2 videos made
2018 I Know a Lot of Artists
The Pact
Body on Fire Revision
2019 Heavier To Better Days
Prayers To Better Days
2020 Bury A Lie To Better Days
2020 Talk to a Friend To Better Days
2020 Wasting My Youth To Better Days
2020 Like I Do To Better Days
2020 Eye Opener To Better Days

References
  1. "Ryan's Rock Show » Jonny Craig is Back as a Slave". ryansrockshow.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. "Slaves (Jonny Craig's new band) sign to Artery Recordings, release teaser". Altpress.com. March 3, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  3. "Ryan's Rock Show » Slaves – Through Art We Are All Equals". ryansrockshow.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  4. "Slaves - Chart history". Billboard. July 12, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  5. ArteryRecordings. YouTube. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  6. "Y N G CATDADDY. (@jonnycraig4L) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  7. "Jason Mays Stepping Away From Slaves". The New Fury. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  8. "SL▲VES (@SLAVESOFFICIAL) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  9. "Slaves - Timeline Photos - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  10. "Slaves guitarist leaves band". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  11. "NEWS: Jonathan Wolfe makes statement about "being ditched" by Slaves!". DEAD PRESS! - Alternative music news, reviews, interviews and more!. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  12. Los Angeles Times (June 24, 2015). "Man accused of skinny jeans hate crime against musicians turns himself in". latimes.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  15. "Slaves put breakup rumors to rest after fans keep them out of debt". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  16. "Slaves, Capture The Crown, Myka Relocate tour". lambgoat.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  17. "Myka,Relocate". bandsintown.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  18. "Slaves announce breakup - News - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  19. "Slaves share new statement: "No we didn't break up" - News - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. May 20, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  20. "Slaves". m.facebook.com.
  21. "Slaves debut first single following last year's sudden breakup—listen - Alternative Press". January 20, 2017.
  22. "colin vieira△▽ on Twitter".
  23. "Artery Recordings drops Slaves - Alternative Press". November 17, 2017.
  24. "Slaves Announce Album Tour". Rock Nation (rocknation.co). Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  25. "2018 SLAVES ALBUM RELEASE TOUR". Kyle Lucas Official Website (kylelucas.com). Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  26. "Slaves Band". Slaves Band Official Website (slavesband.com). Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  27. "SLAVES (@SLAVESOFFICIAL) - "Excited to announce we'll be heading out on tour this February & March in support of our new album Beautiful Death..."". Twitter (twitter.com). Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  28. "SLAVES (@SLAVESOFFICIAL) - "tomorrow"". Twitter (twitter.com). Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  29. ((cite web|url=http://www.deadpress.co.uk/news-slaves-part-ways-with-vocalist-jonny-craig |title=NEWS: Slaves part ways with vocalist, Jonny Craig! |date=2019-01-24 |website=DEAD PRESS! |access-date=2019-01-26}}
  30. https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slaves-to-release-to-better-days-album-in-august/
  31. https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slaves-to-change-name-due-to-racial-connotations
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