Dream State
Dream State are a Welsh post-hardcore band from South Wales. Formed in 2014, the group currently consists of vocalist CJ Gilpin, guitarists Aled Evans and Rhys Wilcox and drummer Jamie Lee. They signed to Australian record label UNFD in 2017, and have released two EPs, their debut Consequences in 2015 and Recovery in 2018, and a studio album Primrose Path.
Dream State | |
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Dream State performing in Hamburg in 2020. From left to right: Rhys Wilcox, Jamie Lee, CJ Gilpin, Aled Evans | |
Background information | |
Origin | South Wales, UK |
Genres | |
Years active | 2014–present |
Labels | UNFD |
Website | dreamstateofficial |
Members |
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Past members |
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History
Formation and Consequences
Dream State was formed in South Wales, UK, in 2014 by vocalist CJ Gilpin, guitarists Aled Evans and Sam Harrison-Little, bassist Danny Rayer and drummer Jamie Lee.[1]
They released their first single "Burn Them Down" on 8 January 2015.[2] Later that year, on 20 November, they released their first EP Consequences, which was recorded at The Boneyard Studio in South Wales.[3][4]
Line-up change, UNFD and Recovery
In March 2017 the band released their single "White Lies".[5] That summer they had their first festival appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivals.[6] It was later announced, that Dream State had signed to independent record label UNFD at the festival.[7][8]
2017 also saw a change in line-up. Sam Harrison-Little left the band to spend more time with his family and was replaced by Rhys Wilcox.[9]
On 18 May 2018, the band's second EP Recovery was released through UNFD.[10]
Dream State is featured on the 2018 compilation album Songs That Saved My Life in aid of mental health and suicide prevention charities. For the compilation, the band recorded a cover of Linkin Park's "Crawling".[11]
Primrose Path and departure of Danny Rayer
On 6 March 2019, Dream State released the single "Hand in Hand".[12][13]
The band released their single "Primrose" on 10 July 2019. It is their first release after the departure of bassist Danny Rayer, who "has decided to focus his time on his wonderful family".[14]
On 20 August 2019, the band released their single "Open Windows" and also announced that their debut album Primrose Path, produced by Dan Weller, will be out on 18 October 2019.[15]
Dream State released their single "Twenty Letters" on 8 October 2019, a day after its premiere on Annie Mac's Radio 1's Future Sounds on BBC Radio 1.[16][17]
On 18 October 2019 the debut album Primrose Path was released and opened on position 100 in the official UK Albums Chart.[18] Following the release, the band went on a UK headliner tour beginning on 27 October 2019 in Glasgow and went on to support Being as an Ocean on their tour through Europe afterwards.[19] In the beginning of 2020, Dream State supported I Prevail on their Europe tour.[20][21][22] The final leg of the tour had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]
Dream State released their music video for "Are You Ready To Live?" on 24 June 2020. The video features clips send in by fans as well as live footage of the band.[24]
Musical style and influences
Dream State's musical style has mostly been described as post-hardcore and alternative rock.[25][26][27][28][29] Jake Richardson of Kerrang! wrote about the band's sound: "It can loosely be described as post-hardcore, but the quintet throw in elements of math-rock, metal and punk and impress at every point."[25]
Slipknot, Tool and Linkin Park have been cited as some of the band's influences.[30][31]
Members
Current
- Charlotte-Jayne "CJ" Gilpin – lead vocals
- Aled Evans – lead guitar
- Rhys Wilcox – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Jamie Lee – drums
Former
- Sam Harrison-Little – guitar, backing vocals
- Danny Rayer – bass guitar
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
UK [18] | ||
Primrose Path |
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100 |
Extended plays
Title | EP details |
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Consequences |
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Recovery |
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Compilation appearances
- Songs That Saved My Life (2018) – "Crawling" (originally performed by Linkin Park)
Music videos
Year | Title | Album | Director |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | "Burn Them Down" | Consequences | Scott Samuel |
"Rebuild, Recreate" | weCREATE | ||
2017 | "White Lies" | Recovery | Zak Pinchin |
2018 | "In This Hell" | ||
"New Waves" | Clearway Media | ||
2019 | "Primrose" | Primrose Path | Zak Pinchin |
"Open Windows" | |||
"Twenty Letters" | |||
2020 | "Are You Ready To Live?" |
Awards
Kerrang! Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Dream State | Best British Breakthrough | Won[32] |
Heavy Music Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Dream State | Best UK Breakthrough Band | Won[33] |
References
- "Get To Know The Unify 2019 Lineup – Dream State – Overdrive Music Magazine". Overdrive Music Magazine. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- "Burn Them Down – Single, by DREAM STATE". DREAM STATE. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- "Consequences, by DREAM STATE". DREAM STATE. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- "RAMzine: Issue 5 – Bloodstock Festival". Issuu. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- "White Lies, by DREAM STATE". DREAM STATE. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- "New band Dream State are whipping up quite an emo buzz on YouTube". Metro. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- "UNIFD announce signing of UK band Dream State – The Music Network". The Music Network. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- "Dream State: "Rock is making a comeback"". Upset Magazine. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- RhinoRadio (7 June 2018), Exclusive interview with CJ and Rhys of Dream State (Ore B \m/, Louder), retrieved 29 November 2018
- "Dream State Announce New EP 'Recovery' + Release New Single 'New Waves'". UNFD. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- "Dream State Cover "Crawling" for "Songs That Saved My Life" Compilation". The Prelude Press. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- "DREAM STATE". dreamstateofficial.com. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- brownypaul (6 March 2019). "Dream State have dropped their new song 'Hand In Hand'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- "Dream State Have Dropped A Brand New Single + Announced Their Largest Headline Tour To Date - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- "Dream State Announce Debut Album Primrose Path; Release New Single Open Windows". Kerrang!. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- "DREAM STATE release brand new single 'Twenty Letters' / Premiere last night with Annie Mac on Radio 1". R o c k 'N' L o a d. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- "NEWS: Dream State share video for 'Twenty Letters'! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than "just music" to us". www.deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- "Dream State | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- "[Press Release] Dream State Release New Single "Twenty Letters"". AltWire. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- rockyourlyrics (2 March 2020). "Dream State European Tour in March supporting I PREVAIL". Rock Your Lyrics. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "I Prevail bestätigen den Special Guest ihrer Headliner-Tour 2020". MoreCore.de (in German). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "I Prevail". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "I Prevail Announces Postponement of UK and European Tour Dates". Music Mayhem Magazine. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- "Dream State Have Released A Video For 'Are You Ready To Live?' - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- "Release of the Week: Dream State's Recovery". Kerrang!. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- "Dream State at Camden Assembly". Smoke. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- Hockey, Josh (14 May 2018). "Dream State – Recovery (Review)". Depth Magazine. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- Ellie (22 May 2018). "Dream State: Recovery EP". Sound of Pen | Music Reviews By Students. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- Marshall, Will. "Dream State – Recovery | EP Review". Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- Hammer, Metal Hammer 2018-02-05T12:12:00 350Z Metal. "New Band of the Week: Dream State". Metal Hammer Magazine. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- Marshall, Will. "Introducing... Dream State". Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- "The Kerrang! Awards 2018: "This One's For Chester…"". Kerrang!. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- "2019 Winners – Heavy Music Awards". Retrieved 15 May 2020.