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Miss May I

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Miss May I
Miss May I in 2014. From left to right: BJ Stead, Justin Aufdemkampe, Levi Benton, Ryan Neff and Jerod Boyd
Miss May I in 2014. From left to right: BJ Stead, Justin Aufdemkampe, Levi Benton, Ryan Neff and Jerod Boyd
Background information
Also known asSaving Small Town,[1] Day of the Locusts[2]
OriginTroy, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Years active2007–present
Labels
MembersLevi Benton
Jerod Boyd
Ryan Neff
Elisha Mullins
Past membersJosh Gillespie
B.J. Stead
Justin Aufdemkampe
Websitemissmayimusic.com

Miss May I is an American metalcore band from Troy, Ohio. Formed in 2007,[3] they signed to Rise Records in 2008 and released their debut album, Apologies Are for the Weak through the label while the members were still attending high school. The album reached 76 on the Billboard 200,[4] No. 29 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers, and No. 66 on Top Independent Albums.[5] The band has also had some of their material featured in big name productions; the song "Forgive and Forget" is featured on the Saw VI Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and their song "Apologies Are for the Weak" is included in the video game Saints Row: The Third.[6]

The band had retained the same lineup since its formation until 2024 when guitarists B.J. Stead & Justin Aufdemkampe left the band, with the only exception being bassist Ryan Neff, who left the band in 2007 and rejoined in 2009. Miss May I released their second studio album, Monument, on August 16, 2010; their third album, At Heart, on June 12, 2012; their fourth, Rise of the Lion, on April 29, 2014; their fifth, Deathless, on August 7, 2015. On June 24, 2016, the band left Rise Records and signed with SharpTone Records.[7] On June 2, 2017, they released their sixth studio album, Shadows Inside, their first under their new label. On September 2, 2022, Miss May I released Curse of Existence.

History

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Formation and early releases (2007–2013)

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Main articles: Apologies Are for the Weak and Monument (Miss May I album)

Miss May I was formed in 2007, in Troy, Ohio with the original members being Levi Benton, Justin Aufdemkampe, BJ Stead, Jerod Boyd, and Ryan Neff.[4] Neff left in late 2007 to join Cincinnati band, Rose Funeral and was then replaced by Josh Gillespie.[citation needed]

In late 2007, the band released a five-track EP titled Vows for a Massacre followed by their 2008 demo the next year, both of which were self-released. This demo contained 6 tracks, including "Architect" and "Tides", which would later on be featured in their first full-length album, Apologies Are for the Weak. The band would sign with Rise Records in late 2008 before releasing their aforementioned debut album through the label in 2009.[8]

According to the website of producer Joey Sturgis' Foundation Studios, the band had booked studio time in May 2010 to ostensibly record the follow-up to their debut album.[4] Monument (Miss May I album) was released on August 17, 2010. In December 2010, they confirmed plans to appear at Warped Tour 2011.[4] The album peaked at 10 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, 15 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and 31 on the Top Rock Albums chart.[9] The band toured with Abandon All Ships, Sleeping with Sirens and Bury Tomorrow to support the album.[citation needed]

The band appeared on the We Came as Romans Merchnow.com + Arkaik Clothing "I'm Alive" Tour (September - October 2011) with Close To Home, Of Mice & Men, and Texas in July.[10][11] Following the "I'm Alive" Tour, the band co-headlined the 'No Guts No Glory' tour with Pierce the Veil, Woe, Is Me, and Letlive.[12] The band also appeared on the 2011 Scream it Like you Mean it tour with We Came as Romans, The Word Alive and This or the Apocalypse.

On March 8, 2012, the band announced that they had completed work on their new album, At Heart, and were set to release the album on May 29, 2012.[13] To make last-minute changes, the band bumped back the release, to June 12, 2012.[14]

The band soon set out on tour with Whitechapel, After the Burial, The Plot in You, Rescued by a Sinking Ship, and Structures throughout March 2012, followed by a European tour with Parkway Drive, The Ghost Inside and Confession through April. The band also set out to tour with Whitechapel, The Ghost Inside, Within the Ruins and The Plot in You in the US during May 2012.[15] The band played on Warped Tour in mid-2012.[16] They supported Killswitch Engage for the United States Disarm the Descent tour in mid-2013 with others.[17]

Rise of the Lion and Deathless (2013–2016)

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On December 14, 2013, the band stated that they are looking for a fan to get a tattoo of their infamous lion design for the cover of their forthcoming album.[18] On February 25, 2014, Rise of the Lion was announced as the title of the new album. The album was released on April 29, 2014.

In January 2015, the band supported August Burns Red on the Frozen Flame Tour with Northlane, Fit for a King and Erra.[19]

The band recorded their fifth studio album with Joey Sturgis, who recorded the band's first two records.[20] Deathless was released on August 7, 2015.[21]

SharpTone Records, Shadows Inside, and Curse of Existence (2016-2023)

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On June 24, 2016 the band announced that they had left Rise Records and signed with SharpTone Records.[7][22]

The band enbarked on a headline North American tour in support of their sixth album, Shadows Inside, in 2017.[23] That same year, they joined The Amity Affliction as a part of Motionless in White's "Graveyard Shift" tour.[24] In 2018, they toured North America once again on the Gore Core Metal and More Tour, as support for Gwar and Hatebreed.[25] In early 2019, the band supported August Burns Red on their Dangerous Tour.[26] They played Monument in its entirety in mid-2019 in celebration of its nearing 10th-year anniversary, they co-headlined the tour with The Word Alive with support from After Life and Thousand Below.[27]

On September 2, 2022, the band released their seventh studio album, Curse of Existence.[28]

Lineup changes, signing with Solid State, and Apologies Are for the Weak 15th anniversary (2024-present)

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On May 31, 2024 the band announced the departures of guitarists B.J. Stead and Justin Aufdemkampe.[29] They were replaced with Elisha Mullins.

On July 11, 2024, the band signed with Solid State Records. Following this, they announced a complete 15th anniversary re-recording of their debut album Apologies Are for the Weak, set to release in the fall. The announcement was accompanied by the re-recorded version of "Forgive and Forget", featuring members of Fit for a King. The album will feature further guest vocals from members of Silent Planet, Bleeding Through, Carnifex, August Burns Red, and The Word Alive, among others.

Musical style and influences

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Miss May I's musical style has been described as metalcore[4] or melodic metalcore,[30] mixing melodic death metal and thrash metal riffs with hardcore punk.[31][32] Almost all of their recorded songs feature both unclean vocals, provided by the band's lead vocalist Levi Benton, and clean vocals, provided by their bassist Ryan Neff (and formerly Josh Gillespie), in similar fashion to many other melodic metalcore bands.

The band has stated their main influences are: Metallica, Pantera, Deftones, Unearth, White Zombie,[33] Gojira,[34] As Blood Runs Black, All Shall Perish, As I Lay Dying, Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God,[35] Atreyu, Underoath, All That Remains,[36][37] In Flames, Five Finger Death Punch,[38] Avenged Sevenfold, The Black Dahlia Murder,[36] Thirty Seconds to Mars, Darkest Hour,[39] Bleeding Through, Trivium, Winter Solstice,[40] Bring Me the Horizon, Anti-Flag, Parkway Drive,[41] and It Dies Today.[42]

In an interview with Guitar World, the band discussed how their influences have changed over the years. Guitarist Justin Aufdemkampe said he started by covering basic blues, then moved to pop punk by covering Blink-182, and Green Day, then eventually learned lead guitar by listening to and copying his dad's Stevie Ray Vaughan records.[36] In the 10th grade, Justin started learning Taking Back Sunday, Underoath and Avenged Sevenfold songs. However, once he saw Atreyu at Warped Tour, his taste in music abruptly shifted. He then discovered As I Lay Dying, All That Remains and Darkest Hour, and began writing fast, aggressive originals.[36]

According to bassist Ryan Neff, his influences are: Unearth,[43] Deftones, Pantera, As I Lay Dying, Darkest Hour, Underoath, As Cities Burn, August Burns Red, the Bled, the Color Morale, Florence and the Machine, Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Oceana, Pierce the Veil, PMtoday, Saosin, and Tool.[44][non-primary source needed] In an interview with Alternative Press, Ryan said his favorite band of all time is White Zombie.[45]

Guitarist B.J. Stead stated "I had been playing guitar for years, but not much metal. I mostly listen to Pink Floyd and straight rock."[36] In an interview with Alternative Press, it was said that B.J.'s favorite band is Iron Maiden.[45]

The band has stated on their influences:

Basically, any metal-core band that doesn't have keyboards and who aren't fake guys who just play instruments. We're trying to be as old school as possible, as it's been working out. So I'm happy with that.[39]

In an interview with WIDB, Levi stated on behalf of his biggest musical influences: "As I Lay Dying is definitely the biggest one that really sets Miss May I where we are. We like a lot of All That Remains, Unearth, Darkest Hour and, recently, In Flames. This is weird, because it’s not really the thing that everyone would say, but we're really interested in Five Finger Death Punch. We’ve been researching how they do everything because their story’s really cool. But As I Lay Dying and All That Remains are probably the biggest ones, along with Killswitch Engage"[37] Levi has stated his "dream tour" would be Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, It Dies Today, and Atreyu.[42]

In another interview, Levi Benton stated that he tries to make inspirational music rather than angry music. Through this, he uses his contemporary R&B influences such as Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx, and Usher.[46] He also openly admits he listens to a lot of hip hop. His favorite artists are Dr. Dre, Yelawolf,[47] Savage,[48] Jay Z, and Eminem.[49] The band has covered the song "Run This Town" by Jay Z featuring Kanye West and Rihanna for the Punk Goes Pop 3 album.[50]

Religious views

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In an interview with Dayton Daily News writer Madeline Bush,[51] when asked what they thought their music conveyed, Benton replied:

"We have been asked a lot if we are a Christian band due to our lyrics. And the answer to that is no, but some of us are Christians and others are not. But myself as a Christian, I try and not put the wrong negative message out in our lyrics. Most of what we stand for is just a band that plays for the crowd to be happy, and to love what we are doing as much as we do."

Members

[edit]
  • Miss May I, live at With Full Force 2018
  • Vocalist Levi Benton
    Vocalist Levi Benton
  • former Lead guitarist B.J. Stead
    former Lead guitarist B.J. Stead
  • former Rhythm guitarist Justin Aufdemkampe
    former Rhythm guitarist Justin Aufdemkampe
  • Bassist and vocalist Ryan Neff
    Bassist and vocalist Ryan Neff
  • Drummer Jerod Boyd
    Drummer Jerod Boyd

Discography

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Albums
Year Album Label Chart peaks[5][52]
US US
Rock 		US
Indie 		US Hard
Rock
2009 Apologies Are for the Weak Rise — — 66 —
2010 Monument 76 31 15 10
2012 At Heart 32 12 5 3
2014 Rise of the Lion 21 6 4 2
2015 Deathless 49 5 4 2
2017 Shadows Inside SharpTone 176 37 6 6
2022 Curse of Existence — — — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Other releases

  • Vows for a Massacre (self-released EP; 2007)
  • Demo 2008 (self-released demo; 2008)

Music videos

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Year Song Director
2009 "Architect" (demo version) Thunder Down Country
"Forgive and Forget" Spencer Nicholson
"Forgive and Forget (Saw VI Soundtrack)"
2010 "Relentless Chaos" Thunder Down Country
"Our Kings"
2011 "Masses of a Dying Breed"
"Relentless Chaos (Live)" Cole Dabney
2012 "Hey Mister" Thunder Down Country
"Day By Day"
"Ballad of a Broken Man" Unknown
2014 "Gone" Brad Golowin
"Echoes"
"You Want Me" Unknown
"Hero with No Name" Unknown
2015 "I.H.E." Max Moore
"Deathless"
"Turn Back the Time" Unknown
2017 "Lost in the Grey" Ramon Boutviseth
"Shadows Inside" Unknown
2018 "Under Fire" Nadeem A. Salam
2022 "Unconquered" JOSIAHx
"Bleed Together"
"Earth Shaker"
"Free Fall"

Collaborations

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Year Song Album Artist
2010 "2012" (featuring Levi Benton) Deceiver The Word Alive[53]
2011 "Napalm" (featuring Levi Benton) Conviction The Crimson Armada
2011 "Set in Stone" (featuring Levi Benton) The End of Times EP Ludlow Falls[54]
2011 "Growing, Caving, Searching, Sinking" (featuring Ryan Neff) Echoes & Answers From Atlantis[55]
2014 "The Void" (featuring Levi Benton) Bloodwork Texas in July[56]
2016 "Stacking Bodies" (featuring Levi Benton) Deathgrip Fit for a King[57]
2018 "Everything" (featuring Levi Benton) Persevere Sink the Ship[58]
"Paradigm Shift" (featuring Levi Benton) Single Classic Jack[59]
2019 "An Eye for a Lie" (featuring Levi Benton) Reborn EP Out Last[60]

References

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  1. ^ "Line Check #11: Jerod Boyd of Miss May I - Wyatt Stav on YouTube". YouTube. August 14, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "Line Check #11: Jerod Boyd of Miss May I - Wyatt Stav on YouTube". YouTube. August 14, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Miss May I | Info". Facebook. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Miss May I". AllMusic.
  5. ^ a b "indiestar.tv". indiestar.tv. Archived from the original on August 13, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Saw VI Soundtrack Final Lineup Revealed". Metal Underground. September 14, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "SharpTone Records Opens With Attila, Miss May I & We Came as Romans on Roster". Billboard. June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  8. ^ "Rise signs Miss May I". December 9, 2008.
  9. ^ "Miss May I - Awards". AllMusic.
  10. ^ "We Came As Romans Official Website". Wecameasromans.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  11. ^ "Takeover Studio". Takeover Studio.
  12. ^ "Pierce The Veil and Miss May I No Guts, No Glory Tour ::Pierce The Veil News ::antiMusic.com". Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  13. ^ "Miss May I announce new album, "At Heart" through Rise Records". Alternative Press. March 8, 2012.
  14. ^ "MISS MAY I 'AT HEART' ALBUM GETS BUMPED BACK TO JUNE RELEASE DATE". SMNNews. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  15. ^ "Miss May I announce new album, "At Heart"". Alternative Press. March 8, 2012.
  16. ^ "Miss May I post second Warped Tour video update". Alternative Press. July 10, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  17. ^ "AS I LAY DYING Officially Drop Off KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Tour; DARKEST HOUR & THE WORD ALIVE Hop On". Metal Injection. May 16, 2013.
  18. ^ "Miss May I Looking To Tattoo Fan For Their New Album's Cover Art | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More". Theprp.com. December 14, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  19. ^ "August Burns Red announce winter headlining tour with Miss May I, Northlane, Erra". Alternative Press. October 21, 2014.
  20. ^ "Miss May I Finish Recording New Album | Theprp.com – Metal And Hardcore News Plus Reviews And More". Theprp.com. April 30, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  21. ^ "MISS MAY I To Release 'Deathless' Album in August". Blabbermouth.net. June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  22. ^ "SharpTone Records launches, signs Attila, Miss May I, more". Lambgoat. June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  23. ^ Bowar, Chad (March 28, 2017). "Miss May I to Embark on Summer 2017 North American Tour". Loudwire.
  24. ^ "Motionless In White, Amity Affliction, Miss May I tour". Lambgoat. July 24, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  25. ^ Childers, Chad (July 17, 2018). "GWAR + Hatebreed Bring 'Gore, Core, Metal + More' on Tour". Loudwire.
  26. ^ "August Burns Red announce 2019 North American tour, unveil "Dangerous" music video". October 31, 2018.
  27. ^ "MISS MAY I To Perform Monument in Its Entirety on Summer Tour". Metal Injection. May 7, 2019.
  28. ^ "Miss May I announce new album 'Curse of Existence'". Lambgoat. May 24, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  29. ^ "Instagram".
  30. ^ "Articles - DAILY RECORD: Miss May I - RVA Magazine - Richmond, VA". RVA Magazine. October 19, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  31. ^ Li, Botong. "Miss May I Apologies Are for the Weak review". Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  32. ^ Botong, Li. "Miss May I Monument review". Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  33. ^ "Miss May I: 'Gone' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  34. ^ Monaghan, Steve (May 20, 2017). "Interview: Levi Benton – Miss May I". The Rockpit. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  35. ^ Imy Thomson (March 11, 2013). "Music - Interview: Miss May I". SHUMedia. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  36. ^ a b c d e "Interview: Miss May I on Their New Album, 'At Heart'". Guitar World. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  37. ^ a b "WIDB Interview with Levi Benton of Miss May I". WIDB.net. February 14, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  38. ^ Affliction Blog (November 18, 2013). "Affliction Sits Down with Miss May I". Blog.afflictionclothing.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  39. ^ a b "This Is: Levi Benton of Miss May I". Plugdinmagazine.com. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  40. ^ Sergeant D (July 6, 2010). "MISS MAY I DOES NOT MOSH 4 CHRIST". MetalSucks. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  41. ^ "Miss May I on Tone Deaf - The Home of Australian Music". Tonedeaf.com.au. November 7, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  42. ^ a b "Photographer Barrett Bailey interviews Levi Benton". Thewellzstreetjournal.tumblr.com. November 11, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  43. ^ "Q&A: Miss May I's Ryan Neff - Legends Arising". Legends Arising. November 3, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  44. ^ "Ryan Neff". Facebook. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  45. ^ a b [1] Archived March 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ "Miss May I on Monument Re-Release, R&B Influences - Video | The Loop". Video.theloop.ca. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  47. ^ Iann Robinson (June 12, 2012). "Interview: Levi Benton of Miss May I". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  48. ^ "Miss May I - Swing (Savage cover) Lyrics". SongMeanings. April 10, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  49. ^ "Miss May I's Levi Benton Lists His 10 Favorite Recent Hip Hop Albums". Noisecreep.com. May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  50. ^ "Alternative Press". Alternative Press. October 29, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  51. ^ Bush, Madeline (August 13, 2009). "Miss May I set the record straight on its name and image". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  52. ^ Apologies Are for the Weak - Miss May I | Billboard.com
  53. ^ "The Word Alive - "2012" Official Music Video". March 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  54. ^ "Ludlow Falls Set in Stone (ft. Levi Benton)". May 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  55. ^ "From Atlantis - Growing, Caving, Searching, Sinking (ft. Ryan Neff of Miss May I)". November 2011. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  56. ^ "05 Texas in July - The Void". March 19, 2015. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ "Fit for a King - Stacking Bodies (feat. Levi Benton)". October 9, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  58. ^ "Sink The Ship - Everything Feat. Levi Benton (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". April 10, 2018. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ "Classic Jack - Paradigm Shift (feat. Levi Benton)". December 24, 2018. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  60. ^ "Out Last - An Eye for a Lie (Ft. Levi Benton of Miss May I)". September 13, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
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