Miss May I

Miss May I is an American metalcore band from Troy, Ohio. Formed in 2006, 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 No. 29 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers, and No. 66 on Top Independent Albums.^[1] The band has also had some of their material featured in big named productions, such as how "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.^[2]

The band has retained the same lineup since its formation, with the only exception being bassist Ryan Neff's leaving in 2007 who later returned to the band in 2009. Miss May I released their second studio album, Monument, on August 16, 2010 and their third album, At Heart on June 12th 2012.

History

 

Formation and early releases (2006-2009)

 

Miss May I was formed in 2006, in Troy, Ohio with the original members being Levi Benton, Justin Aufdemkampe, BJ Stead, Ryan Neff (who left in late 2007 to join Cincinnati band, Rose Funeral and was then replaced by Joel Jimenez), and Jerod Boyd.

In late 2007, the band released a 5-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 in 2009. It was after this release, that the band was signed onto Rise Records.

Apologies Are for the Weak and Neff's return (2009-2010)

 

After just beginning their 2009 tour with Carnifex, Impending Doom, and Conducting from the Grave, bassist Gillepsie made the decision to leave Miss May I. According to Gillespie, touring just "wasn't for [him]", and he knew that with the debut album being put out, touring was going to be essential.^{[citation needed]} After his departure, original bassist, Neff re-joined the band after he had recorded bass for Rose Funeral's album The Resting Sonata.

The music video for "Forgive and Forget" (the first single from the album) initially premiered on Headbangers Ball on November 21, 2009.^[3] On April 5, 2010, it was announced that the band will be embarking on the Back to the Roots tour along with The Devil Wears Prada and Your Demise. The tour began on June 28, 2010 and ended on August 29, 2010 going all across the United States.

Monument (2010-2011)

 

According to the website of producer Joey Sturgis' Foundation Studios, Miss May I had booked studio time in May 2010 to ostensibly record the follow-up to their debut album. According to Ryan Neffs Twitter, the new album would be sometime released in August along with a new music video.
On June 11, 2010, Levi Benton announced that there would be a track on the new album called "Colossal" and that the album would be called Monument and confirmed its release to be on August 17th of that year. The artwork for it was also later revealed, featuring the iconic MMI Lion from the cover of the band's debut. On September 2nd, 2010, Miss May I released their music video for "Relentless Chaos" Directed by Thunder Down Country. In December 2010, Miss May I then confirmed plans to be appear on Warped Tour 2011.

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.^[4] 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. On December 31st, 2011 Miss May I headlined for a hometown show for New Year's Eve at the venue "The Attic" in Kettering, Ohio. Local acts such as: Stars Like Street Lights, Hail to the King, The Initiative, The Pen and the Pendulum, and Ignite the Empires opened up for them.

At Heart (2012-present)

 

After finishing up touring for 2011, Miss May I entered the studio throughout the beginning of 2012 to work on a new album set for release sometime during the summer. On March 8th, 2012, the band announced that they had completed work on their new album titled At Heart and were set to release the album on May 29th 2012.^[5]

To make last minute changes (as said in an interview by Levi Benton), the band bumped back the release, to the now set date of June 12th, 2012.^[6]

The band soon set out on tour with Whitechapel, After the Burial, The Plot in You, and Structures throughout March 2012, followed by a European tour with Parkway Drive, The Ghost Inside and Confession through April. Once again the band set out to tour with Whitechapel, The Ghost Inside, Within the Ruins and The Plot in You in the US during May 2012.^[7] Miss May I released (Hey Mister) on May 3rd on Rise Record's YouTube page. The band played on Warped Tour from June to August, and will be headlining the AP Tour in the fall.

Religious views

 

In an interview with Dayton Daily News writer Madeline Bush,^[8] when asked what they thought their music conveyed, Benton replied:

“

"Well, 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."

”

Band members

 

Current members

 

• Justin Aufdemkampe - lead guitar (since 2006)
• Levi Benton - lead vocals (since 2006)
• Jerod Boyd - drums (since 2006)
• Ryan Neff - bass guitar, clean vocals (2006–2007, 2009–present)
• B.J. Stead - rhythm guitar (since 2006)

 

Former members

 

• Josh Gillespie - bass guitar, clean vocals (2007–2009)

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_may_i