Strawberry Girls

Last updated
Strawberry Girls
Origin Salinas, California, United States
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels Tragic Hero
Spirit Vision Records
MembersZachary Garren
Ben Rosett
Ian Jennings
Website www.tragicherorecords.co/strawberry-girls

Strawberry Girls is an American rock band from Salinas, California, formed in 2011. The band is currently composed of guitarist Zac Garren, drummer Ben Rosett, and bassist Ian Jennings. All three members are multi-instrumentalists and record producers.

Contents

History

2010–13: Formation, Italian Ghosts, and debut album

Strawberry Girls formed shortly after guitarist Zachary Garren departed from post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance in February 2010. [2] Garren then became acquainted with drummer Ben Rosett (formerly of The Trees) and subsequently began writing and recording music as Strawberry Girls. Soon after their first show as a duo, bassist Ian Jennings (also from The Trees) was added to complete the lineup. Garren spoke about the meaning behind the name Strawberry Girls in an interview with their label Tragic Hero Records. The name originally derives from a verse in the 1980 song "Christine" by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees. [3] The band released their debut EP (extended play) album Italian Ghosts on October 28, 2011, independently. On June 25, 2012, the group released a cover of Carly Rae Jepsen's single "Call Me Maybe" which was reviewed as "dark and sexy" by The Air Space. [4] [5] The group also released a cover of Kendrick Lamar's single "Swimming Pools (Drank)" on December 2, 2012. [6] The band recorded their debut studio album, French Ghetto, at Spirit Vision Studios in Carmel, California, and was later released on April 20, 2013, to Bandcamp. [7] The album was later re-released through Tragic Hero Records on September 20, 2013. [8] French Ghetto features guest appearances from Kurt Travis of A Lot Like Birds (formerly of Dance Gavin Dance), Shane Smit of Overtone, Nic Newsham of Gatsby's American Dream, Gavin Mulkey, and Kathleen Delano. [1] Garren spoke about the guest vocalists and musicians on French Ghetto, stating:

"We decided to have different guest vocalists for a few different reasons. Originally, we had written a couple songs for the album that were shorter, a bit chill compared to our normal stuff, and had more pop based structures. Since we didn't really plan on playing those two songs live, we thought it'd be cool to get Kurt Travis, who I used to play with in Dance Gavin Dance, to collaborate on a full song for old time’s sake."

2013–15: American Graffiti

In June 2013, the band signed a recording contract with record label Tragic Hero Records. [9] [10] The band toured as a supporting act on the Into Orbit Tour with headliner Stolas from August 14 to September 17, 2013. [11] Garren went into the studio with Kurt Travis and wrote and recorded guitar for Kurt's debut full-length studio album, Everything Is Beautiful , which was released on May 14, 2014. [12] In support of the album, Garren toured with Travis from May 14 to June 7, 2014, with supporting acts Hotel Books and So Much Light in North America. [13]

The band released their sophomore studio album, American Graffiti, on November 27, 2015, through Tragic Hero Records. [14]

Track 5 from American Graffiti, "Simon Vandetta", is named after the highest donor to their IndieGogo campaign to get a tour van, who is also the artist that did the cover art for Stolas release "Catalyst"

Strawberry Girls toured as an opening act on Dance Gavin Dance's 10 Year Anniversary Tour with A Lot Like Birds, Slaves, and Dayshell from November 14 to December 18, 2015. [15]

2016–present: Italian Ghosts remake and Tasmanian Glow

The group toured as support on the Super Chon Bros Tour with CHON and Polyphia from March 11 to April 15, 2016. [16] On April 18, 2016, the band released their live studio EP, Strawberry Girls on Audiotree Live. [17]

In June 2016, the band revealed that they would be releasing a reimagined album of their debut EP, Italian Ghosts. [18] They completely re-recorded the EP and added new material and guest vocalists including former collaborators Nic Newsham (Gatsbys American Dream) and Joey Lancaster (Belle Noire), turning it into a full length, which released in February 2017, once again self-recorded at Spirit Vision Studios.

On May 31, 2017, Kurt Travis released the single "No Apologies", featuring Strawberry Girls, which was recorded and produced by Ben Rosett at Spirit Vision Studios. [19]

On June 11, 2017, Houston rapper, Cee-Won X performed with Strawberry Girls [20] during their Houston tour date. This is notable for being the first and only time that the band has performed or collaborated with a rap/hip hop artist in any capacity.

The band released Tasmanian Glow, their fourth studio album, in October 2019. [21]

On February 7, 2023, Strawberry Girls announced the Prussian Gloom Tour. Body Thief, Standards and Tang opened for the group [22]

Musical style

Strawberry Girls' music style has been described as progressive rock, [23] experimental rock, [24] [25] and post-hardcore. [26] [27]

Achievements

The band's second studio album American Graffiti (2015) was ranked at No. 13 on Fecking Bahamas' list of the Top 50 Math Albums of 2015. [28]

The band featured on two episodes of NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, in 2016 and 2017. [29] [30] [31]

Members

Current

Session

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Gavin Dance</span> American post-hardcore band

Dance Gavin Dance is an American rock band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2005. It consists of vocalists Jon Mess and Tilian Pearson, lead guitarist Will Swan, rhythm guitarist Andrew Wells, and drummer Matthew Mingus. The band formerly included lead vocalists Jonny Craig and Kurt Travis and the lineup has changed numerous times since their inception. Swan and Mingus are the only band members who have appeared on every studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Skylit Drive</span> American post-hardcore band

A Skylit Drive is an American post-hardcore band from Lodi, California. The band has released one DVD, one EP and five studio albums: Wires...and the Concept of Breathing (2008), Adelphia (2009), Identity on Fire (2011), Rise (2013) and, most recently, ASD (2015). The band has toured internationally both as headliner and supporting act. In 2017, the band broke up after a dispute between Nick Miller and Michael Jagmin. Original vocalist Jordan Blake died in April 2023.

<i>Dance Gavin Dance</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Dance Gavin Dance is the second studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on August 19, 2008, on Rise Records. The album is a follow-up to the band's full-length debut studio album, Downtown Battle Mountain (2007), and is their first studio release to feature clean vocalist Kurt Travis and rhythm guitarist Zachary Garren, who replaced Jonny Craig and Sean O'Sullivan, respectively, in 2007. The album was produced, mixed, and mastered by Kris Crummett and recorded in Portland, Oregon. Following its release, the album peaked at number 172 on the Billboard 200 and 26 on the Top Independent Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonny Craig</span> Canadian-American singer

Jonathan Monroe Craig is an American-Canadian singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of the post-hardcore bands Dance Gavin Dance, Emarosa, Slaves, as well as the co-lead vocalist of the short-lived supergroup Isles & Glaciers. As a solo artist, he has released two studio albums, two EPs and a live album to date, and his distinct type of soul-based singing has earned him considerable acclaim.

<i>Happiness</i> (Dance Gavin Dance album) 2009 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Happiness is the third studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on June 9, 2009, on Rise Records. It is the band's second consecutive, and final, studio album to feature Kurt Travis on clean vocals and Zachary Garren on guitar, and is their only studio album to not feature screaming vocalist Jon Mess, who left the group in 2008 before returning in 2010. It is also the band's only studio album to feature bass guitarist Jason Ellis and is their only release to feature screaming vocals from lead guitarist Will Swan. The album serves as a follow-up to the group's sophomore studio album, Dance Gavin Dance (2008) and was produced by Kris Crummett, who recorded the album with the band in Portland, Oregon at Interlace Audio Recording Studio in February 2009. Following its release, the album peaked at No. 145 on the Billboard 200 and No. 30 on the Top Independent Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Travis</span> American musician

Kurt Travis is an American singer, musician, and songwriter from Sacramento, California. He is currently part of the post-hardcore bands Royal Coda and Push Over and the math rock duo Gold Necklace and was formerly a vocalist in the rock bands Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds.

A Lot Like Birds are an American post-hardcore band formed in Sacramento, California. The band released four albums and received considerable media attention from music sites. Since the release of 2011's Conversation Piece, A Lot Like Birds signed to Equal Vision Records and released their third studio album on October 29, 2013. The band announced their final show on their Facebook page on February 17, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilian Pearson</span> American singer-songwriter

Tilian Pearson, also known mononymously as Tilian, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born in Clearwater, Florida. Since 2012 he has been the third clean vocalist for the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance. Pearson began his music career as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the progressive rock band Tides of Man, releasing an extended play and two studio albums before leaving in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Swan (musician)</span> American musician (born 1985)

William Swan is an American songwriter and musician born in Sacramento, California. He is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the American post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance and as the founder and owner of record label Blue Swan Records. He is also a guitarist in the metal band Secret Band, progressive rock band Royal Coda, and was a guitarist in the now defunct Sianvar.

<i>Everything Is Beautiful</i> (Kurt Travis album) 2014 studio album by Kurt Travis

Everything Is Beautiful is the debut full-length studio album by American recording artist Kurt Travis, released on May 14, 2014, on Blue Swan Records. "Brain Lord" was released as the lead single on April 22, 2014. The album is his first release on Blue Swan since departing with his previous record label Equal Vision Records.

<i>Mothership</i> (Dance Gavin Dance album) 2016 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Mothership is the seventh studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on October 7, 2016, on Rise Records. The album serves as a follow-up the group's sixth studio album, Instant Gratification (2015), and is their second consecutive studio release with the same consistent line-up. The album was produced by Kris Crummett. Upon its release, the album sold over 19,000 copies within its first week in retail, debuting at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Artificial Selection</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Artificial Selection is the eighth studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on June 8, 2018, on Rise Records. It is the follow-up to the band's seventh studio album, Mothership (2016) and is their third consecutive studio release with the same line-up. The album was produced by Kris Crummett, Erik Ron, and Dryw Owens, and was self-produced by Dance Gavin Dance, making it the first release by the band to feature more than one producer.

Royal Coda is an American rock band based in Sacramento, California, founded by lead guitarist Sergio Medina. They are known for their amalgamation of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and post-hardcore. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Kurt Travis, guitarists Sergio Medina and Will Swan, and bass guitarist Steffen Gotsch.

<i>Royal Coda</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Royal Coda

Royal Coda is the eponymous debut full-length studio album by American post-hardcore band Royal Coda, released on April 27, 2018, on Blue Swan Records. The album was produced by Dominic Nastasi and Mike Watts. It is the only release to feature the original trio of lead vocalist Kurt Travis, guitarist Sergio Medina, and drummer Joseph Arrington before guitarist Will Swan joined the three musicians the following year.

Push Over is an American post-hardcore musical duo composed of American musicians Thomas Erak, of mathcore band The Fall of Troy, and Kurt Travis, of rock band Royal Coda. Formed in 2017, the band released one demo extended play in February 2017 and were originally set to release their debut studio album in 2021, yet was postponed indefinitely. The duo are currently on hiatus and pursuing their respective endeavors.

<i>Theres a Place I Want to Take You</i> 2019 studio album by Kurt Travis

There’s A Place I Want To Take You is the second studio album by American recording artist Kurt Travis, released on May 17, 2019, through Blue Swan Records and his own label, Esque Records. It also serves as a follow-up to his debut studio album, Everything Is Beautiful (2014). The album's lyrical content deals with heartbreak and emotional turmoil while, sonically, Travis pursued folk-inspired songwriting, using elements of indie rock, electronica, dream pop, and power pop. It was produced by Mike Watts and recorded at VuDu Recording Studios in Port Jefferson, New York and features a guest appearance from singer-rapper Andrés on two tracks.

<i>Compassion</i> (Royal Coda album) 2019 studio album by Royal Coda

Compassion is the second full-length studio album by American post-hardcore band Royal Coda. It was released on November 7, 2019, on Blue Swan Records, and serves as a follow-up to their self-titled debut studio album. It is the band's first album to feature guitarist Will Swan and was produced by Kris Crummett.

<i>Afterburner</i> (Dance Gavin Dance album) 2020 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Afterburner is the ninth full-length studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance. Released on April 24, 2020, on Rise Records, the album serves as a follow-up to the group's eighth studio album, Artificial Selection (2018). Recording sessions for the album took place over a three-month period between August and October 2019 with producer Kris Crummett at Interlace Audio in Portland, Oregon, while the vocals were recorded with producer Drew Fulk in Los Angeles, California. The album is considered a musical progression for the band, as the group experimented with funk, Latin, rap, and metalcore which accompanied their post-hardcore and experimental rock styles. It is the group's final studio album to be released during bass guitarist Tim Feerick's lifetime before his death in April 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Gavin Dance discography</span>

The American post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance has released ten studio albums, three live albums, one extended play, 45 singles, 26 music videos, one remastered album, and 9 instrumental albums. The band was formed in Sacramento, California in 2005 by guitarist Will Swan, drummer Matt Mingus, and bassist Eric Lodge. Unclean vocalist Jon Mess and clean vocalist Jonny Craig were recruited shortly after. They self-released their debut EP, Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean, that year, and re-released the EP in 2006 after signing to Rise Records. Their debut studio album, Downtown Battle Mountain, was released May 15, 2007 on Rise.

<i>Gold Necklace</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Gold Necklace

Gold Necklace is the self-titled debut studio album by American progressive rock duo Gold Necklace, composed of American musicians Kurt Travis (vocals) and Brandon Ewing. The album was released on November 12, 2021 through the independent record label Kill Iconic Records, a label owned by Hail the Sun frontman Donovan Melero. Produced by Josh Benton, the album was written and recorded at Pus Cavern Studios in Sacramento, California between March and July 2021. Joseph Arrington wrote, performed, and recorded drums for the album. Gold Necklace is a progressive rock and jazz-fusion album with influences of funk, soul, R&B, and jazz.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tragic Hero Records - Strawberry Girls" . Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  2. "Zachary Garren is Out Of Dance Gavin Dance". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  3. STRAWBERRY GIRLS - Interview. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2016 via YouTube.
  4. "Call Me Maybe - Strawberry Girls". Strawberry Girls. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  5. "Strawberry Girls Post Dark, Sexy Version of "Call Me Maybe" - The Airspace". The Airspace. Retrieved 7 January 2016.[ dead link ]
  6. "Swimming Pools - Strawberry Girls". Strawberry Girls. 2 December 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  7. "French Ghetto (2013) - Strawberry Girls". Strawberry Girls. 20 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  8. "French Ghetto". iTunes. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  9. "Strawberry Girls (ex-Dance Gavin Dance) sign to Tragic Hero Records". Alternative Press. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  10. Nici Arsenault. "SUB. NEWS: STRAWBERRY GIRLS SIGN TO TRAGIC HERO RECORDS". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  11. Nici Arsenault. "STRAWBERRY GIRLS TO RELEASE ALBUM OCTOBER 1". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  12. "Everything Is Beautiful - kurt travis". kurt travis. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  13. "Kurt Travis set to tour in May" . Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  14. "Ex-Dance Gavin Dance guitarist tackles psychedelic groove on Strawberry Girls LP (exclusive)". Alternative Press. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  15. "Strawberry Girls". Pertaining to Punk. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  16. "Timeline Photos - Strawberry Girls - Facebook". Facebook . Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  17. "Log In or Sign Up to View". Facebook.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  18. "Log In or Sign Up to View". Facebook.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  19. "Kurt Travis". Facebook.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  20. [ dead link ]
  21. Rowe, Riley (18 October 2019). "STRAWBERRY GIRLS Offer Moody, Proggy Shred on New Album, Tasmanian Glow". Metal Injection. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  22. "Strawberry Girls on Instagram: "Super excited to announce the Prussian Gloom tour with our friends in @bodythief • @wearestandards • & @tangbandofficial 🔥🔥🔥 link in bio"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  23. Scott Heisel. "PREMIERE: Get your fire-breathing on with Strawberry Girls' awesome "Volcano Worship" video". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  24. "Tragic Hero News - Strawberry Girls (new signing)". 100% ROCK MAGAZINE. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  25. "Strawberry Girls Premiere New Song on AltPress". Tragicheromusicgroup.wordpress.com. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  26. "Dance Gavin Dance, Slaves, Dayshell, and Strawberry Girls". The Stranger. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  27. "Strawberry Girls - American Graffiti (2015)". RockLeaks- New Releases. Mp3 320 kbps download. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  28. "THE END OF YEAR REPORT 2015 – RESULTS [30-11]". Fecking Bahamas. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  29. "Thomas Haden Church/Strawberry Girls/Zulay Henao", IMDb.com, retrieved 2019-11-16
  30. "David Morrissey/Strawberry Girls/Katherine Ryan", IMDb.com, retrieved 2019-11-16
  31. "Strawberry Girls Make Second Appearance on 'Last Call With Carson Daly'". Prweb.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  32. "Italian Ghosts [REMASTERED] (2011) - Strawberry Girls". Strawberry Girls. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  33. "Demo 2011 - Strawberry Girls". Strawberry Girls. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2016.