We Are Defiance

We Are Defiance
Background information
Origin	Ocala, Florida, USA
Genres	Metalcore
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Tragic Hero
Members	Dean Dragonas Brian Calzini Josh Gowing Rik Stevely
Past members	Jason Neil Andi Encinas Daniel Hendrix Trevor Rizzo

We Are Defiance is an American metalcore band from Ocala, Florida. Founded in 2009 by former Sleeping With Sirens and Paddock Park singer Brian Calzini, the band released their debut album Trust in Few on March 29, 2011 on Tragic Hero Records. The album peaked at 28 on the Billboards Heatseekers chart for one week.

History

Formation and beginning recordings (2009)

We Are Defiance was formed in 2009 by former Paddock Park vocalist Brian Calzini. We Are Defiance quickly gained a loyal fan base and inked a deal with Tragic Hero Records early 2010. Tom Denney (ex-A Day to Remember guitarist) signed on to work with them in the studio as producer and engineer.

Signing to Tragic Hero Records and Trust in Few (2009–2012)

Following a slight line up change, the band released their first single, "To The Moon"on September 5, 2009 on iTunes. Shortly after the release, the band signed to Tragic Hero Records. The band started writing on new material for their debut album. Trust in Few was produced by ex-A Day to Remember guitarist Tom Denney. Calzini announced that Tyler "Telle" Smith of The Word Alive and Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria would be featured on one song each, on the album, but Worsnop was pulled off from being featured on the record by his label Sumerian Records due to the Sumerian management believing that Trust in Few and Reckless & Relentless had release dates too close to each other. Smith is the only featured guest on the standard copy of the album and performs on the song "Not Another Song About You". Calzini and producer Tom Denney have been stated to be friends since high school, together they covered B.o.B.'s hit single "Airplanes" with Sleeping with Sirens vocalist Kellin Quinn and released it for free download. Fans were allowed to download this song at the band's campaign they started via Twitter called Tweet for a Track. On November 29, 2010, We Are Defiance started their first tour through the US. The band played concerts in California, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Nevada and Florida. On this tour, We Are Defiance toured together with I Am Ghost and label mates This Romantic Tragedy.

At the beginning of 2011, the band toured again through the States together with Monsters, Legend and Dr. Acula. On that tour, the band had a van accident and singer Calzini was brought into the hospital and had to undergo surgery. The reason for that crash was freezing rain. Because of that crash the album's release was delayed until on March 29, 2011, instead of the planned March 15 date. The album peaked at 28 on the Billboards Heatseekers charts for one week. The band then went on tour with Oh, Sleeper and Like Moths To Flames. The band also played the 2011's SXSW together with Horse the Band, Letlive and For the Fallen Dreams as part of the Blood Company Showcase at the Emo's Annex in Austin, Texas.

In May 2011, the band went on another US tour with It Prevails. In the summer of 2011, We Are Defiance went on the Metal East Tour, supporting Scarlett O'Hara, with fellow bands Casino Madrid and Wolves Among Men. Around this time, drummer Dan Hendrix and singer Jason Neil departed from the band. Josh Gowing joined the band as drummer and singer. In December 2011 We Are Defiance is going to headline their first US tour. Support acts are My Ticket Home and Wolves Among Men. The tour is called Bring Your Scarf and Jacket Tour. The band announced releasing a new single in early 2012 entitled "Day Late, Doller Short".

Live & Learn (2012–present)

In February 2012 We Are Defiance started a headlining tour through the US with This Romantic Tragedy, Speaking the Kings and Last Of Our Kind. The tour was named “New Year to Fear”. On May 29, 2012 guitarist Andi Encinas stated parting from We Defiance on Facebook. The band will meet together with Andrew Wade and Tom Denney to record the follow-up album entitled “Live & Learn”. We Are Defiance released a new music video for the song ‘I'm Gonna Bury You Underground Eli’.

Band members

Current:

• Brian Calzini — unclean vocals (since 2009)
• Dean Dragonas — rhythm guitar (since 2010); bass guitar (2009 - 2010)
• Rik Stevely — bass guitar (since 2010)
• Josh Gowing — drums (since 2011) clean vocals (since 2011)

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album	Label	Chart positions
			US	US Indie	US Heat
2011	Trust in Few	Tragic Hero	—	—	28
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Singles

• 2009: "To The Moon"
• 2011: "The Weight of the Sea"
• 2011: "I'm Gonna Bury You Underground, Eli"

External links

• We Are Defiance on Facebook