Crown the Empire

Crown the Empire
Origin Dallas, Texas, United States
Genres
Years active 2010–present
Labels Rise
Associated acts
Website crowntheempire.net
Members
  • Andrew "Andy Leo" Velasquez
  • David Escamilla
  • Brandon Hoover
  • Brent Taddie
  • Hayden Tree
Past members
  • Austin Duncan
  • Zac Johnson
  • Alex Massey
  • Brandon Shroyer
  • Bennett "Benn Suede" Vogelman

Crown the Empire is an American rock band formed in 2010 in Dallas, Texas. They have released one EP and three full-length albums.

History

Formation, Limitless and signing to Rise Records (2010–12)

Main article: Limitless (EP)

Crown the Empire was formed in July 2010 by Zac Johnson, Andrew Velasquez, Austin Duncan, Hayden Tree, and Brandon Hoover during their time together at Colleyville Heritage High School. The band was formed when "Brandon and Austin decided to start jamming together."[1] The band's ultimate goal was to "be heavier than most bands in their area," while "bringing huge, poppy choruses to a genre that can become pretty stale." Originally, drummer Alex Massey filled the drumming position in the band, but he was soon replaced by their current drummer, Brent Taddie in May 2011. During 2011, the members of Crown the Empire also held an extensive search for another guitarist to join their band. They soon welcomed Bennett Vogelman (Benn Suede) to the band as the new lead guitarist.

The band started recording their debut EP, Limitless, in 2011. Limitless was released on iTunes on November 29, 2011.[2]

On December 5, 2011 the band released a behind-the-scenes look at the filming for the band's then-upcoming music video for their song, "Voices", from their EP Limitless. During the video the band announced the release date for the music video to be on December 11.[3]

On December 11, 2011 as announced by the band premiered the music video for the song, "Voices", via their YouTube page.[4]

On December 24, 2011 the band released their cover of the classic holiday song, "Let It Snow" for streaming on their YouTube page.[5]

On December 31, 2011 the band released a video of the band acoustically performing the song, "Wake Me Up", from their EP, Limitless.[6]

On January 17, 2012 the band announced their first US tour with A Skylit Drive. The tour went from March 3 to 7, beginning in Arizona and ending in Arkansas.[5]

On March 21, 2012 the band was rumored to have been signed by Rise Records after the label posted to their Facebook page, "We're announcing a new band on Friday. Here's a hint, they are from Texas!". Shortly after Crown the Empire posted a statement of their own, "Big News coming by the end of the week. Any guesses what it might be?!"[7]

On March 23, 2012 the band announced that they had in fact been signed by Rise Records in their "Viva La Rise!" video, along with the video the band released a free cover of the song, "Moves Like Jagger" in appreciation for support from their fans in helping get them signed.[8]

Second vocalist and The Fallout (2012–13)

On August 26, 2012, the band announced that they had recruited an additional vocalist, David Escamilla, to share vocal responsibilities with Andy Leo. Along with the news of Escamilla joining the band, they announced that they would be heading into the studio with Joey Sturgis to begin recording their debut album.[9] On September 6, the band released the music video being the first release by the band with new vocalist David Escamilla[10]

On August 27, 2012 the band was announced to be a part of Motionless in White's Infamous Tour beginning in early November,[11] but by November 2012 the band had canceled their participation.[12]

On October 25, the band released the first single, "Makeshift Chemistry" from their album, "The Fallout", which was released on November 20 through Rise Records.[13]

On November 8, 2012 the band released the second song from their album called "Memories of a Broken Heart".[14] On November 14, the band released part one of their two part extended music video beginning with the intro track, "Oh, Catastrophe".[15] The following day the band released the second part of their extended music video with the title track of their upcoming album, The Fallout.[16] On November 15, 2012 the band streamed their debut album in its entirety five days before the official release of the album.[17]

January 18, 2013 Rise Records announced their Spring Tour beginning in mid-April to early May with fellow acts Like Moths to Flames, the Color Morale, Palisades and My Ticket Home.[18]

On March 11, 2013 the band announced their first headlining tour called The Generation Tour, which kicked off on May 7 in Toledo, Ohio, and wrapped up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 26 with supporting acts Capture the Crown, Palisades, Heartist and Famous Last Words. The band also played South by South West Tour and then will be hitting the road in April with Like Moths to Flames.[19]

On March 23, 2013 the band was announced to be playing Warped Tour 2013.[20] Later that day the band released a live version of their single, "Makeshift Chemistry".[21] The following day the band released their own Warped Tour announcement.[22]

On June 6, 2013 the band released a live version of the song, "Menace" from their debut album, The Fallout.[23] On June 25, the band was announced to be joining Asking Alexandria on their headlining tour coinciding with the release of their new album, From Death to Destiny with fellow supporting acts Motionless in White and Upon a Burning Body.[24] Also on June 25, the band announced that they would shooting a music video for a song from their 2012 debut album.[25]

On August 2, 2013 the band released the last single from their debut album called "Memories of a Broken Heart".[26]

Crown the Empire performed at the 2014 Vans Warped Tour.[27]

The Fallout reissue and The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways

A reissue of The Fallout (including a re-recording of Limitless) was released in 2013, with David Escamilla providing vocals.[28] According to the band, "EVERYTHING was redone.[29] On November 28, 2013, they "Breaking Point", a single from the re-release, now with Escamilla handling all the non-singing vocals.[30]

On July 21, 2014, Crown the Empire won Alternative Press Magazine's award for best breakthrough band and their second album reached number 1 on the iTunes Rock Charts. Then on July 22, 2014, the band released their second album The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways, which debuted in its first week at number 7 on the Billboard Top 200.

On July 24, 2014, the band announced their music video for the song "Machines" to be released the following day and in under 48 hours it got over 100,000 views.

On July 26, 2014 Crown the Empire announced their new headlining tour supported with Volumes, Secrets, Ice Nine Kills, and The Family Ruin which starts on August 30, 2014 in Anaheim, California and ends on September 20, 2014 in Birmingham, Alabama.

On September 8, 2015, Crown the Empire released a new single, titled "Prisoners of War" on digital retailers as part of a deluxe reissue of The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways. The deluxe reissue was released on October 30, 2015, including "Prisoners of War", another new track titled "Cross Our Bones", an alternate version of "Machines" and an acoustic version of "Millennia".[31]

On November 6, 2015, Crown the Empire revealed to Alternative Press that their lead guitarist Benn Suede was no longer part of the band.[32] Crown The Empire released their album Retrograde on July 22, 2016. On November 2016, the band announced that vocalist Dave Escamilla was going to be on a hiatus from touring.

Band members

Current members

Former members
  • Zac Johnson – unclean vocals (2010–2011); bass (2011, current bassist and backing vocalist of Bruised But Not Broken)
  • Bennett "Benn Suede" Vogelman – lead guitar, backing vocals (2011–2015)
  • Brandon Shroyer – bass (2010–2011)
  • Alex Massey – drums, percussion (2010–2011)
  • Austin Duncan – keyboards, synthesizers, piano (2010–2012)

Timeline

Discography

For a more comprehensive list, see Crown the Empire discography.

References

  1. "Crown the Empire". Joshua Stewart.
  2. "Debut EP Limitless - Release Date And MORE". Crown the Empire.
  3. "Behind The Scenes - CTE "Voices" music video shoot". YouTube.com. Crown the Empire. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  4. MUSIC VIDEO: Crown The Empire – Voices | Under the Gun Review
  5. 1 2 Crown The Empire | Under the Gun Review - Part 3
  6. Crown The Empire Performs "Wake Me Up" Acoustic | Under the Gun Review
  7. RUMOR: Crown The Empire Sign To Rise Records | Under the Gun Review
  8. Rise Records Sign Crown The Empire, Give Away Song | Under the Gun Review
  9. Crown The Empire Welcome Vocalist David Escamilla | Under the Gun Review
  10. Crown The Empire debut "Johnny Ringo" video - Alternative Press
  11. Motionless In White Headlining The Infamous Tour | Under the Gun Review
  12. Crown The Empire Drop Off "Infamous" Tour; Update Fans | Under the Gun Review
  13. STREAM: Crown The Empire – "Makeshift Chemistry" | Under the Gun Review
  14. STREAM: Crown The Empire – "Memories Of A Broken Heart" | Under the Gun Review
  15. MUSIC VIDEO: Crown The Empire – "Oh, Catastrophe" | Under the Gun Review
  16. MUSIC VIDEO: Crown The Empire – The Fallout | Under the Gun Review
  17. FULL ALBUM STREAM: Crown The Empire – The Fallout | Under the Gun Review
  18. Rise Records Announce Spring Tour, Lineup Includes Like Moths To Flames, Crown The Empire, The Color Morale, Palisades, and My Ticket Home | Under the Gun Review
  19. Crown The Empire Announce First Headlining Tour | Under the Gun Review
  20. Crown The Empire, Volumes, Driver Friendly, more announced for Warped Tour 2013 - Alternative Press
  21. Tags - Alternative Press
  22. Crown The Empire post Warped Tour 2013 announcement video - Alternative Press
  23. Crown The Empire release "Menace" live video - Alternative Press
  24. "Asking Alexandria Announce Brief Run of Summer 2013 U.S. Tour Dates". Loudwire.com. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  25. Crown The Empire shooting new music video - Alternative Press
  26. MUSIC VIDEO: Crown The Empire – "Memories Of A Broken Heart" | Under the Gun Review
  27. Crown The Empire | Vans Warped Tour
  28. "Crown The Empire Prep "The Fallout" Deluxe Edition With Re-Recorded "Limitless" EP | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More". Theprp.com. 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  29. "Crown The Empire's 'The Fallout' Has Been Completely Re-Recorded". Under the Gun Review. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  30. "Crown The Empire Streaming Re-Recorded Version Of "Breaking Point" | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More". Theprp.com. 2013-11-28. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  31. "The Resistance (Deluxe Edition)". iTunes.
  32. "Crown The Empire guitarist Benn Vogelman leaves band (exclusive)". Alternative Press.

External links

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