 Emerging from
upstate New York come the Gym Class Heroes, a four-piece indie/hip
hop band. GCH use live instruments and musicians to create their
unique sound (not looped samples and canned beats), fusing crisp guitar
rhythms, deep melodic bass lines, head cracking beats, and conscious lyrics.
The band first
got it's start during high school in 1997 with MC/singer Travis teaming up
with drummer Matt, who was then playing drums with other GCH
bandmates, Milo Bonacci and Ryan Geise. Early in the school year both bands
ended up playing at a friends party. From then on the four began writing
material under the name Gym Class Heroes.
 Much of this
material would eventually be compiled onto a series of E.P.'s, which sold
locally out of backpacks and at shows. In early 2002 the band decided to
independently release a full-length album, which they called ‘...For The
Kids’. The album sold online and was the first time the band saw their
music get outside of Central New York. The summer after the release Travis
was selected from MC's across the country to compete in a Direct Effect
MC Battle at the MTV Beach House.
In an
overwhelming crowd response, Travis was decided the winner on MTV,
earning him an appearance in Styles P's video for ‘Daddy Get That
Cash’. The band secured opening slots on shows with Naughty By Nature,
Mobb Deep, Blackalicious, Jurassic 5, Fat Joe,
John Browns Body, Yakballz, Run-DMC, Cam'ron, and
various rock bands. In April of 2004, GCH entered a New York
recording studio on a minimal budget. They returned four days later with a
brand new album entitled ‘The Papercut Chronicles’. Laced with
honesty and sincerity, the record captures the complexity of Gym Class
Heroes as people while showcasing song-writing abilities beyond their
years. On tracks like ‘Make Out Club’ and the CD opener ‘Papercuts’,
Travis displays a sly, witty sense and an ability to write conceptual songs
that are as humorous as they are serious. 
The record
landed in the hands of Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy before it was
even mixed. Pete hooked up the deal with Fueled by Ramen Records
through his new Decaydance imprint. Milo, the Heroes original
guitarist, recently left for Italy to study architecture. Enter Disashi, who
was playing guitar and singing for a punk band in Ithaca, NY called
Earl's Garage.
2006 is time
for something fresh. ‘The Papercut Chronicles’ is due to hit our
shelves fast and hard, featuring remixes from Mr. Dibbs from
Atmosphere and a special appearance by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.
Gym Class Heroes will turn a lot heads, converting anyone in an
earshot into fans. The boys will hit the road for a full on UK sell out tour
with Fall Out Boy in January 2006. Be sure to catch them as they
blitz through a town near you!
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