Gym Class Heroes

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albums

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- As Cruel as School Children
- Released 2006

- As Cruel As School Children (Bonus Track) (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2007

- The Quilt
- Released 2008

- The Quilt (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2009

biography

Melding elements of rap, rock, R&B, and funk into one cohesive and melodic sound, upstate New York's Gym Class Heroes have diverse appeal based on their impressive musical dexterity. Often touring with indie rock and pop-punk bands, they don't fit comfortably into one specific genre; the quartet's music is rooted in traditional hip-hop, but features live instruments instead of looped samples or beats. Lyrics are often socially conscious, but also incorporate humor and wry perceptiveness. The band's roots date to 1997 in Geneva, NY, when MC Travis "Schleprok" McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley became friends during high-school gym class. Wanting to create a new palette for hip-hop, the duo worked with other musicians before Gym Class Heroes were officially born in 2001 with the addition of guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Ryan Giese. The guys self-released For the Kids that same year.

Touring nonstop, they recorded The Papercut Chronicles in 2003, which caught the attention of Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz before it was even finished. The Heroes were officially signed to his Fueled by Ramen imprint, Decaydance, by September 2004, at which point Bonacci was replaced by guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo. The four-song teaser The Papercut EP preceded the eventual February 2005 release of The Papercut Chronicles, with Eric Roberts replacing Giese on bass. The quartet hit the road hard, spending spring on dates with Midtown, Fall Out Boy, and the Academy Is..., along with hitting the year's SXSW, Bamboozle, and Warped Tour festivals. They also spent part of the summer opening for ska-punks Streetlight Manifesto. A Red Hot Chili Peppers cover song was donated to Fearless' Punk Goes '90s compilation before their follow-up was issued in July 2006.

As Cruel as School Children was produced by S*A*M (Method Man, the Sounds) and Sluggo (aka session bassist Dave Katz) and co-produced by Fall Out Boy vocalist Patrick Stump. The album included various guest appearances, including the Academy Is...'s William Beckett and Arrested Development's Speech. They spent that summer supporting the record on the Warped Tour. Gym Class Heroes' profile notably increased at the year's end with the release of the single Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast in America, which hit number four on Billboard's Hot 100 and remained in constant rotation on radio and MTV during the spring of 2007. After headlining a seven-week U.S. tour called the Daryl Hall for President Tour '07, the group returned to the studio to record The Quilt in 2008, which included guest appearances by Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, and Daryl Hall himself. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide

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comments

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- - Good Music
  - - By JuniorTCO
    - 2/24/2009 19:32:48
  - Gym Class Heroes is a real tight group, music they produce is most def good! Its really interesting to see how they have changed there style a bit from each of their CD's which keeps me a as a listener interested. I have all of their cd's and each has a unique sound to it. I really like there latest album. They did it right, I like the collaborations they had with busta rhymes, and The-Dream, especially the Cookie Jar song which is hilarious and catchy. Travis McCoy and his crew are definately talented their blend of music is crazy, very different i wonder what will be next?
  - 1 out of 1 people
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- - top listner
  - - By retro216
    - 1/26/2009 22:48:35
  - o yea bby im the top listener...
  - 0 out of 1 people
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- - Flyboy2KLoves2Skate
  - - By Fresh Prince2k
    - 11/19/2008 19:26:14
  - Gym Class Rocks
  - 0 out of 1 people
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- - yep
  - - By ReloadSim
    - 11/5/2008 12:24:55
  - Theese guys are tight, i got mad respect for these cats. Looking foward to their new tracks!
  - 1 out of 1 people
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- - Gch
  - - By flossinhard16
    - 10/18/2008 13:21:39
  - they are the best right bout now next to K-West
  - 3 out of 3 people
  - think this is useful