Years active 2010-2012 Record label Rise Records Genres Post-hardcore, Post-rock | Labels Rise Albums Decoder, Lead Hands | |
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Associated acts VersaEmerge, Of Machines, Oceana, Memphis May Fire Past members Keith Jones
Jack Burns
Vinny Capitani
Liam Thomas
Spencer Pearson
Anthony Sepe
Bryce Sipes
Brent Guistwite Origin St. Petersburg, Florida, United States (2010) Members Spencer Pearson, Brent Guistwite, Bryce Sipes, Jack Burns, Keith Jones Similar Polyenso, Wolf:Speak, Of Machines, Memphis May Fire, Landon Tewers | ||
Decoder was an American post-hardcore band formed in 2010 in Florida, brought together by former members that made-up the bands VersaEmerge, Oceana, and Of Machines. The band was signed to Rise Records and released one self-titled album with 10 tracks. The group performed a mellow, slow tempoed post-rock and ambient-influenced sound coupled with screamed vocals and heavy percussion, creating a sound unlike any other contemporaries.
Contents
- Inception and signing to Rise Records 2010
- Self titled album 20112012
- Name change and break up 2012
- Band members
- Discography
- Songs
- References
On March 1, 2012, the band changed their name from Decoder to 'Lead Hands', settling a lawsuit of the group's original name due to a band from New Jersey of the same name. However, short months after the name change to Lead Hands, the band announced its dissolution.
Inception and signing to Rise Records (2010)
Decoder was an idea that came about when drummer Brent Guistwite, formerly of Of Machines, and Jack Burns, formerly of Oceana parted ways with their respective bands. They had the style and concept for the music decided before they approached Keith Jones, formerly of Oceana, and Spencer Pearson, formerly of VersaEmerge, to be the band's vocalists, and both accepted. Bassist Bryce Sipes joined shortly after the recording of the band's demo for the song "Dreamwalker". On August 24, 2010, the band announced their signing to Rise Records on through their Facebook page, and entered the studio with rock producer Matt Malpass on August 28, 2010. When asked in an interview with Jake Denning about signing to Rise, Guistwite answered saying that "Jack [Burns] and I had been jamming together for awhile and we sent Craig [Ericson, Rise Records founder] some stuff we had been working on and he essentially sent [Decoder] a contract". The band's second guitarist, Anthony Sepe, joined on December 30, 2010.
Self-titled album (2011–2012)
Decoder's debut self-titled album, which was produced by Matt Malpass, was released through Rise Records on January 18, 2011, to positive reviews. The album debuted at number 44 on Billboard Top Heatseekers. The band's first tour was in support of Emarosa, Chiodos, and Go Radio, beginning on February 15, 2011. On February 7, 2011, Decoder posted a teaser for their upcoming music video for the song "Believers", and finished another tour dubbed "The Rise Record Tour" with Memphis May Fire, Ten After Two and That's Outrageous!. The music video for "Believers" was released on May 13, 2011. The band also had ideas and planning for their second album by the end of the year and according to Keith Jones the album would be more aggressive than the debut.
Name change and break up (2012)
By early 2012, Anthony Sepe left to join Memphis May Fire and Spencer Pearson left on January 15 due to many issues regarding him with the band. Fans quickly became aware their departures evident from public announcements at live performances along with Twitter posts. Short weeks later, bass player, Bryce Sipes also left the band on February 5 due to his distaste with the music industry. On March 1, 2012, the band revealed that Liam Thomas was added to the group on bass guitar and clean vocals, replacing the positions of both Pearson and Sipes. They had also inducted a second guitarist by the name of Vinny Capitani and changed the band's name to Lead Hands due to a lawsuit settling over a band of the same name from New Jersey.
Keith Jones left the band to pursue a solo acoustic career in June and then on the first of July, Lead Hands officially disbanded. The group did not release any material or ever perform live under the Lead Hands name. Guitarist Jack Burns was sued and faced criminal charges of $3,400 along with a possible prison sentence of three years due to financial depth ensued from a company that issued merchandise for Decoder.
Band members
Discography
Songs
BelieversDecoder · 2011
DreamwalkerDecoder · 2011
Holding OnDecoder · 2011