A Skylit Drive

A Skylit Drive
A Skylit Drive in 2010
Background information
OriginLodi, California
Genres
Years active
  • 2005–2017[1][2]
  • 2022–present
Labels
MembersMichael Jagmin
Louie Caycoya
Jonathan Kintz
Joey Galligan
Myles Clayborne
Past membersJordan Blake
Kyle Simmons
Michael Labelle
Brandon Richter
Curtis Daniger
Jerry Patterson
Brian White
Cory La Quay
Nick Miller
Joey Wilson
KC Marotta
Ethan Church
Websiteaskylitdrive.net

A Skylit Drive is an American post-hardcore band from Lodi, California.[3] The band has released one DVD, one EP and five studio albums: Wires and the Concept of Breathing (2008), Adelphia (2009), Identity on Fire (2011), Rise (2013) and, most recently, ASD (2015).[4][5] The band has toured internationally both as headliner and supporting act. In 2017, the band broke up after a dispute between Nick Miller and Michael Jagmin.[2] Original vocalist Jordan Blake died in April 2023.

History

Formation, She Watched the Sky EP and Blake's departure (2006–2007)

A Skylit Drive's original members met while attending Lodi High School in Lodi, California.[6] Original vocalist Jordan Blake served as the band's vocalist until late 2007, before leaving the band due to health concerns. Their debut EP, She Watched the Sky, was released January 2007 on Tragic Hero.[7][8] Following this, the group toured with Four Letter Lie, Blessthefall, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Greeley Estates, Oh, Sleeper, The Blackout, Alesana, Before Their Eyes, Dance Gavin Dance, Kenotia, Pierce the Veil and From First to Last.

Jordan Blake left the band mid-tour around November 2007 because of health issues making him unable to tour. He was briefly replaced by Jonny Craig, who also recorded a demo version of "Knights of the Round". He was replaced by Craig Mabbitt (formerly of blessthefall) before Michael "Jag" Jagmin joined to complete the current lineup. Jordan Blake went on to form the band Speak of the Devil in 2013.[9]

Jagmin's arrival, Wires and the Concept of Breathing (2008)

The full-length Wires and the Concept of Breathing (produced by Mitchell Marlow and Allen Jacob) appeared in May 2008.[10] The album reached No. 171 on the U.S. Billboard 200,[11] and No. 20 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[12] Jagmin later described Wires as "kind of the staple album that everybody goes back to for us" although it "took a year to really catch on".[13] Shortly after the release of the album, they filmed a music video for the nonprofit group To Write Love on Her Arms.[14] A Skylit Drive appeared at The Bamboozle Left in 2008 and co-headlined a June tour alongside Sky Eats Airplane, with support from Breathe Carolina and Memphis May Fire.[15] In late August, they supported August Burns Red alongside Sky Eats Airplane, Greeley Estates and This or the Apocalypse.[16] They also filmed a live DVD called Let Go of the Wires, which was released on December 9, 2008.[17]

Adelphia (2009–2010)

In early 2009 the band signed Fearless Records[18] and announced a co-headlining tour with Dance Gavin Dance in April.[19] The band was a part of Warped Tour for the 2009 season. On May 26, 2009, A Skylit Drive released a new song, entitled "Those Cannons Could Sink a Ship" onto iTunes and also for play on their MySpace page.[20] Their second full-length album, Adelphia, was released on June 9, 2009, and peaked at number 64 on the Billboard 200.[21] Singer Jagmin described it as "our most experimental album".[13] The band released a music video for "Those Cannons Could Sink A Ship!" on October 19, 2009, directed by Spence Nicholson. The band filled in a support slot for Senses Fail in October,[22] before they embarked on their first ten-date tour of Europe.[23] The band recorded a cover of Journey's "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" for the next Punk Goes compilation. The band signed with Hassle Records in the UK, where the album was released in October 2009.[24] From February to April 2010, the band toured the US and Europe as the main support to Alesana, on their 'The Emptiness Tour'.[25]

Identity on Fire (2011)

Jagmin indicated that the band would begin writing and recording a follow-up to Adelphia in the middle of 2010 and suggested that the album would see an early 2011 release. The band announced in May 2010 that Desires of Sires will debut on their Adelphia tour. In July 2010 it was announced that the 6-piece had entered the studio recording together with Cameron Webb. The band was on the "Average Guys with Exceptional Hair" tour with bands Woe, Is Me, For All Those Sleeping, Motionless in White and Scarlett O'Hara.

On December 7, 2010, the band announced the track listing for the album and a date set on February 15, 2011. They toured mid January through February with Underoath, Thursday, and Animals as Leaders,[26] and released a music video for "Too Little Too Late" on January 12, 2011. They were part of the Warped Tour 2011 at the Ernie Ball stage.[27] The band also announced a European tour in late 2011 along with Woe, Is Me, I Set My Friends on Fire, and Sleeping with Sirens, and recorded the cover "Love the Way You Lie" for the Punk Goes... Compilation.

On January 20, 2012, A Skylit Drive released The Cali Buds music video, via Altpress.com, and in February toured South East Asia with Australian band, For This Cause.

Departure of Joey Wilson and Rise (2012–2013)

By the middle of 2012 the band had begun the pre-production and would be entering the studio with Cameron Mizell in June 2013. On September 21, 2012, lead guitarist Joey Wilson confirmed that he had left the band, citing that it was "time for us both to move on to different things".

The band recorded a new single; entitled "Fallen", which was released on November 30, 2012 on the band's YouTube channel. After two albums, A Skylit Drive returned to Tragic Hero Records as they felt "like we needed a little bit more personal attention, [and they were] just able to give us a little more personal attention. They wanted us to be in the position where we were confident with the album".[13] On November 26, the band embarked on the Nut Up or Shut Up tour, supporting Blessthefall.[28] Further pre-production took place in February 2013 in LA.

It was announced on April 22, 2013, that the band entered the studio a week before to continue writing their album with Jim Wirt (Hoobastank, Alien Ant Farm), while Kit Walters, Mitchell Marlow and Al Jacobs also participated.[29] With the time available to them, Jagmin explained that "we definitely gave each song more time than we were ever able to before. Everything was done minus the vocals on two songs, so I had a whole month to write vocals for two songs".[13] In April 2013 the band played the Pulp Summer Slam XIII Til Death Do Us Part rock festival in Manila, Philippines.[30] while they wrapped up pre-production with Jim Wirt in Cleveland at the start of May.

The official recording sessions with producer Cameron Mizell began on June 1 at the Chango Studios in Lake Mary, Florida. Drums, bass, guitar and electronics were completed by mid-June, with the band moving to Cameron Mizell's studio in Phoenix, to record vocals. The band finished recording on June 30, 2013.[31][32] On July 18, the band announced that their brand new album would be entitled Rise, and set for release on September 24, followed by a headlining tour in support of the new album. Drummer La Quay commented that "[We] really sat down for almost nine months and [...] wrote a bunch of songs and had a bunch of different ears on it, and a bunch of different perspectives on it".[33] On July 31, the band released the first single and title track off their new album, "Rise". By mid-August, the band released the track listing and announced an Australian tour supporting Dream On, Dreamer for November 2013.[34] On September 6, the band released the second single of the album titled "Unbreakable".

Rise sold over 10,000 copies in its first week of release, leaving Jagmin to comment that the album had "caught on faster than the other ones".[13] A Skylit Drive went on a national tour to support the album from September–October 2013, supported by For All Those Sleeping, I the Mighty, Wolves at the Gate, Pvris, and Incredible Me.[35]

In March–April 2014, the band supported Memphis May Fire on the latter's "The Unconditional Tour" alongside The Word Alive, Hands Like Houses, and Beartooth.[36] A Skylit Drive also performed at Warped Tour for the 2014 season.[37]

Lineup changes, Rise: Ascension, ASD, Jagmin departure rumors and hiatus (2014–2017)

On October 21, both Brian White and Cory La Quay announced that they would be leaving the band due to creative differences, while the rest of the band decided to continue.[38] On January 6, 2015, an acoustic version of the last album, entitled Rise: Ascension, was released.[39] The following March they announced the addition of two new members, Michael Labelle (ex-Of Reverie, Preeminent) on guitars and Brandon Richter (formerly of Motionless in White) on drums,[40] while keyboardist Kyle Simmons took over the bass. On March 10, 2015, they released the music video for "Within These Walls", and announced a North American tour.[41] They released their fifth regular studio album ASD on October 9, 2015, and embarked on a tour in support of it.[42] As of September 2016 the band are reduced to a four piece, without a permanent drummer.[43] In March 2017, it was announced that band was on hiatus following Jagmin's departure.[44][45]

Reunion & split, death of Jordan Blake (2022–present)

On January 23, 2022, the Instagram and Twitter accounts of some members of the band's original 2006 lineup announced that they were reuniting in celebration of the 15th anniversary of A Skylit Drive's debut EP She Watched the Sky, under the name Original A.S.D.[46][47] The reformed group, consisting of Jordan Blake, Brian White, Joey Wilson, Cory La Quay, and Nick Miller, booked festival appearances at So What?! and Swanfest 2022.[48] However, Jagmin filed a lawsuit against Original A.S.D., citing trademark infringement against A Skylit Drive.[49] In response, Original A.S.D. changed their name to ASD and filed a countersuit,[50][51] though Jon Hadusek for Consequence later noted it appeared Jagmin retained the trademark for the name A Skylit Drive.[52] In May 2022, A Skylit Drive (consisting of Jagmin and Jonathan Kintz) added guitarist and vocalist Louie Caycoya and drummer KC Marotta.[53]

In March 2023, Blake and Jagmin made a joint statement appearing to have mended tensions caused by the Skylit Drive–ASD split, though their statement was not well received by other ASD members.[51] In April, A Skylit Drive announced a 15th anniversary tour celebrating Wires and the Concept of Breathing, supported by Scarlett O'Hara and SunSleep.[54]

On May 1, 2023, ASD shared that founding A Skylit Drive vocalist Jordan Blake died on April 30, 2023 at 36 years old.[9][51]

In September 2023, Marotta left A Skylit Drive due to his tour obligations with Wheatus. Ethan Church subsequently joined the band to fill on drums.[55]

In April 2025, Church left the band after A Skylit Drive's spring tour ended.[56] A Skylit Drive subsequently recruited drummer Myles Clayborne.[57]

Musical style

While the band's debut EP involved predominantly screaming vocals, this was changed during the recording of the Wires album when Jagmin became the lead vocalist. The band were "happy with the vocal style we've chosen [as] the popularity of Wires along with it [...] gives us a good enough thumbs up that the singing/screaming ratio we've stuck to is what works for us".[58]

Members

Current members

  • Michael Jagmin – lead vocals (2008–2017, 2022–present), bass (2022–2024), keyboards, piano, synthesizers (2022–present)
  • Jonathan Kintz – lead guitar, keyboards, synthesizers (2022–present), unclean vocals, drums, percussion (2022)
  • Louie Caycoya – rhythm guitar, unclean vocals (2022–present)
  • Myles Clayborne – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2025–present)
  • Joey Galligan – bass, unclean vocals (2024–present)

Former members

  • Curtis Daniger – bass (2005)
  • Jerry Patterson – drums, percussion (2005–2006)
  • Jordan "Blake" Stribling – lead vocals (2005–2007, 2022–2023; his death)
  • Jonny Craig – lead vocals (2007, 2023 live shows only)
  • Joey Wilson – lead guitar (2005–2012, 2022–2023)
  • Nick Miller – lead guitar (2005, 2012–2017), rhythm guitar (2005–2012, 2022–2023; studio only 2012–2013)
  • Kyle Simmons – keyboards, piano, synthesizers (2005–2017), bass (occasionally 2012–2014, full-time 2005, 2014–2017), rhythm guitar (live only 2012–2013, 2013–2015), drums, percussion (2014–2015, 2016–2017)
  • Brian White – bass, unclean vocals (2005–2014, 2022–2023), clean vocals (2014, 2022–2023 live only)
  • Cory La Quay – drums, percussion (2006–2014, 2022–2023), backing unclean vocals (2006–2014)
  • Brandon Richter – drums, percussion (2015–2016)
  • Michael Labelle – rhythm guitar, unclean vocals (2015–2017)
  • KC Marotta – drums, percussion (2022–2023)
  • Ethan Church – drums, percussion (2023–2025)

Former touring musicians

  • Craig Mabbitt – lead vocals (2007)
  • Justin Trotta – guitar (2010)
  • Dominick Martino – drums (2016)
  • Ian Seth – drums (2017)

Former session musicians

  • Jim Wirt – bass (2015)
  • Bret Wier – drums (2015)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: A Skylit Drive discography

EPs

Albums

References

  1. ^ "A Skylit Drive (@ASkylitDrive) on Twitter" – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b "NEWS: Michael Jagmin Releases Statement Regarding "Departure" From A Skylit Drive". Noise Barrage. March 19, 2017. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  3. ^ "A Skylit Drive". Tragic Hero Records. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Chen, Sandra (September 21, 2012). "Guitarist Joey Wilson departs A Skylit Drive". Breakdown Music Press. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  5. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "A Skylit Drive – Biography". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  6. ^ "A Skylit Drive". Tragic Hero Records. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  7. ^ "Tragic Hero Records listing" Archived August 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Bio on the record company website
  8. ^ "A Skylit Drive – She Watched The Sky". Discogs. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "JORDAN BLAKE, original frontman of A SKYLIT DRIVE, has died". lambgoat.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
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  11. ^ Charts Archived May 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Billboard
  12. ^ Charts, Allmusic
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  14. ^ A Skylit Drive Films Three Videos in Three Days Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. HM Magazine, June 29, 2008.
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  35. ^ "A Skylit Drive Adds More Dates to "The Rise Up Tour"". Digital Tour Bus. September 9, 2013. Archived from the original on July 18, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  36. ^ Bird, Michele (March 2, 2014). "Memphis May Fire post first 'Unconditional' tour update". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  37. ^ Bowar, Chad BowarChad (January 2, 2014). "The Devil Wears Prada Join Lineup for 2014 Vans Warped Tour". Loudwire. Archived from the original on September 14, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
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  40. ^ Sharp, Tyler (March 11, 2015). "A Skylit Drive usher in new lineup with "Within These Walls" single". altpress.com. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
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  46. ^ @original_asd (January 23, 2022). "Today, A Skylit Drive's debut EP, She Watched the Sky, turns 15.... A resounding feeling we each experienced, was the desire to revisit the time we created She Watched the Sky.... Our decision to come back together and reflect on such a meaning ful chapter has healed us and set us toward an exciting journey of possibilities..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ She Watched the Sky - 15 Year Anniversary. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022 – via YouTube.
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  49. ^ wookubus (April 17, 2023). "A Skylit Drive Announce "Wires...And The Concept Of Breathing" 15th Anniversary Tour". Theprp.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  50. ^ ASD [@shewatchedthesky]; (April 23, 2022). "But today, we must inform you that we have decided that in the spirit of alleged damage control while legal issues at hand are sorted, we will be moving forward as ASD for the foreseeable future" – via Instagram.
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  55. ^ Marotta, KC [@kcmarottadrums]; (September 8, 2023). "I unfortunately will not be coming out for this phase with A Skylit Drive as I will be in the UK with @wheatusofficial ! Grateful to have my dude @ethanchurchmusic filling in for me on this run. He's a great drummer so show him some love! ⁣" – via Instagram.
  56. ^ Church, Ethan [@ethanchurchmusic]; (April 7, 2025). "Tour with @askylitdrive has sadly come to an end 🥲❤️" – via Instagram.
  57. ^ Clayborne, Miles [@mylesclayborneofficial] (April 20, 2025). "One song to mix, one track to finish writing for a client, then nothing but rehearsal for this upcoming A Skylit Drive tour". Threads. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
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