Blood on the Dance Floor (band)

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Blood on the Dance Floor
Members Jayy Von Monroe (left) and Dahvie Vanity (right) performing in 2013.
Members Jayy Von Monroe (left) and Dahvie Vanity (right) performing in 2013.
Background information
Also known asLove the Fashion, BOTDF
OriginOrlando, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 2006–2016
  • 2017–2019
LabelsDark Fantasy
Associated acts
Past members
  • Dahvie Vanity
  • Fallon Vendetta
  • Jayy Von Monroe
  • Christopher Mongillo
  • Rebecca Fugate
  • Garrett Ecstasy
  • Matty M

Blood on the Dance Floor was an American electronic music group from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2006. The group's longest-standing lineup, from 2009 to 2016, consisted of Jesus David Torres also known as Dahvie Vanity (born 1984) and Jayy Von Monroe (born 1991). The group released nine studio albums before breaking up in 2016 following Von Monroe's departure. It was reformed by Vanity the following year, initially with Fallon Vendetta. After Vendetta's departure, Vanity became the sole member of the group. Since 2019, Vanity has performed under the name Kawaii Monster and most recently the Most Vivid Nightmares.

History[]

Around September 2006, Jesus David Torres, also known as "Dahvie Vanity", on his 22nd birthday, started a trio called Love the Fashion with Christopher Mongillo and Rebecca Fugate. The group was originally a joke, which soon developed into Blood on the Dance Floor in 2007.[1][2] The group self-released their first album, Let's Start a Riot, in April 2008.[citation needed] Not being able to tour, Mongillo and Fugate left the band while Vanity toured the Orlando, Florida area.[3]

During the recording of their second album, It's Hard to be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World, Mongillo and Fugate left, and the band was picked up by producer and writer Rusty Wilmot.[citation needed] During the recording of this album, Garrett Marshal McLaughlin ("Garrett Ecstasy") was recruited to do backup vocals and screaming. The CD was self-released in October 2008. Only 300 copies were made.[citation needed]

Vanity and Ecstasy recorded the singles "Siq With a Q" and "Suicide Club" as a duo in 2008, and released three extended plays over the first half of 2009, I Scream I Scream, OMFG Sneak Peak, and Extended Play.[citation needed] The duo embarked on the OMFG Tour with other local bands Electric Valentine, Weston Buck, The Greenlight District, and The Crush in promotion of their upcoming album then titled OMFG.[citation needed]

As the OMFG tour continued and concluded without Vanity, Ecstasy left the band after accusing Vanity of being a sexual predator and was replaced by Jeremy Brian Griffis, known by his stage name "Jayy Von Monroe". Along with Von Monroe, Vanity and the group's new drummer and rapper, Nick "Nasty" Wenzel, released "Horrifically Delicious".[citation needed]

Many of the songs originally recorded with Ecstasy intended for the upcoming album OMFG were re-recorded with new vocals by Von Monroe. The previous concept of the OMFG album was scrapped, and rebranded as EPIC, set for release in 2010. The band went on tour over spring and summer 2010 to promote the release of Epic. With Jeffree Star they recorded three songs for that album. However, the collaboration was short-lived because during the Looking Hot & Dangerous Tour, Star had accused Vanity of being a pedophile and a predator, claiming to have witnessed questionable behavior. Star later chose to go back on his accusations and sweep what he claimed to have seen under the rug. He was then featured on their 2014 single "Poison Apple", from the album Bitchcraft.[4] As with the previous conflict with Garrett, the three singles featuring Jeffree's vocals were re-recorded with vocals by Von Monroe, and the original tracks were not featured on the final album.

In October 2010, the album Epic charted No. 5 on the dance/electronic Billboard chart.[5] The band headlined the Epic Tour and the Epic Tour Part II in support of the album.[6]

Even before the release of Epic, recording began for Blood on the Dance Floor's fourth album, All the Rage!!. The duo collaborated with several artists for the album, including Lady Nogrady, JJ Demon, and Nick Nasty. The album was preceded by several singles to promote the release, including "Bewitched", "Yo Ho", and "P.L.U.R." The band embarked on Warped Tour 2011 in June 2011,[7] and released the album while on tour.

A music video for their hit single from the album, "Bewitched", featured Nicole "Lady" Nogrady, who later said that she felt disrespected by the band during production of the album as well as on the music video, and found herself having to confront the band directly in order for her name to appear on the credits of her work with them.[8] The song was subsequently performed by other female vocalists in place of Nogrady at live shows, and was re-recorded with vocals by Haley Rose for their 2013 acoustic album Blood Unplugged.

The album peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart.[5] At the end of 2011, the duo headlined the All the Rage Tour and was planning the 'Tis the Season to be Killing Tour.[9]

In celebration of BOTDF's fourth anniversary, a digital compilation album entitled The Legend of Blood on the Dance Floor was set to be released on Halloween.[3] The compilation's release date was pushed back, originally planned to be released as a CD, it was released as a SoundCloud playlist instead. The compilation features remastered versions of songs from the band's first four albums.

Blood on the Dance Floor's fifth album, Evolution, was released on June 19, 2012[10] along with a deluxe edition that featured acoustic versions of two songs. Two music videos and four singles were released from the album.

The album featured tracks in collaboration with Haley Rose, Amelia Arsenic, Shawn Brandon, Joel Madden of the band Good Charlotte, Elena Vladimirova, and Deuce.[11]

As a thank you to their fans they released the three-song free EP Clubbed to Death! on June 20, 2012, for free through an app on Facebook.[12] Their sixth EP, The Anthem of the Outcast, was released on October 30, 2012.[13]

Rumors of a breakup in 2013 proved to be a hoax.[14][15] Bad Blood was slated for release in September 2013.[16] On February 18, 2013, the lead single "I Refuse to Sink! (Fuck the Fame)" was released,[15] followed by the second single, "Crucified by Your Lies",[17] and a third, "Something Grimm", on July 2, 2013.[18]

Andrew "Drew" Apathy joined in early 2014,[19] and a new EP, Bitchcraft, was released in June 2014. Their single "We're Takin over!" featuring Deuce was released February 7.[20]

Blood on the Dance Floor released their first single off their EP Cruel Pornography: "The Sexorcist".[citation needed][when?] In August, they released their new project and started planning the "Reign of Blood" tour. On February 14, 2016, the band released the single "Safe Word" on iTunes.[citation needed]

Mid-2016 marked the end of producing and co-writing by Rusty Wilmot (2008–2016).[citation needed]

In April 2016, Blood on the Dance Floor announced a 24-date tour with Steven Joseph and BrokenCYDE.[citation needed] On August 17, BOTDF released their September 30-scheduled album Scissors on Apple Music.[citation needed]

On September 14, 2016, Dahvie Vanity said that the group would be disbanding after one final tour as a result of Jayy's departure earlier that month. For a while afterwards, Vanity created and worked on a new project called Sinners Are Winners, releasing an EP titled For Beginners and full-length The Invocation.[citation needed]

In April 2017, Vanity announced that there would be a new member, and that Blood on the Dance Floor would be returning on May 5 of that year without Jayy Von Monroe. In May 2017, it was revealed that Dahvie's girlfriend, Fallon Vendetta, had temporarily joined Blood on the Dance Floor. With Vendetta, they released the singles "Resurrection Spell", "Love Like Voodoo", "Six Feet Under", "Yo Ho 2 (Pirate's Life)", "Ghosting" and "Destroy". Their album Kawaii Monster was released on October 31, 2017. Kawaii Monster pre-orders included a second disc, a remastered edition of Let's Start a Riot. The band also released an exclusive EP: You Are the Heart. In 2018, they released Haunted, followed by Cinema Erotica and You Are the Heart. Vendetta departed the group shortly afterward, leaving Vanity as the sole remaining member of the group.

In 2019, shortly after the band's second break up, Vanity started a new project: Kawaii Monster.[citation needed] He released the songs "From Heaven to Hell", "Total Nightmare", "Dear Best Friend", "It's a Sunny Place for Shady People", "I Am With You", "Finding Blessings In Dark Places", "The Violet Flame", "It's All Just a Dream" and "Rage Against the Dying Light".[citation needed]

After a five-month break from making music, Vanity rebranded himself again as "the Most Vivid Nightmares"[citation needed] and released "Drowning In the Darkness" on November 13, 2020.[citation needed] He later released a second single: "Love Forever True".[citation needed] On January 1, 2021, Vanity released a new version of Blood on the Dance Floor's "Bewitched" as "Bewitched Reimagined" featuring singer Sammy Beare.

Musical style and influences[]

The group's style couples hypersexual lyrics with electronica[21] or electronic,[22] but also heavily incorporates electropop,[5][23] dance-pop,[24] and crunkcore.[25]

Vanity stated in an interview that Jeffree Star is a huge influence on Blood on the Dance Floor.

Sexual assault allegations against Dahvie Vanity[]

See also: Jessi Slaughter cyberbullying case

Since the allegations first surfaced in 2009, at least 21 women have made sexual assault, child molestation, and rape allegations against Vanity.[26] Former bandmates Garrett Ecstasy, who left the band in 2009, and Jayy Von Monroe, who left in 2016, have described Vanity as a sexual predator. In an interview with television journalist Chris Hansen, Jayy Von Monroe accused Vanity of abuse as well, stating that Vanity forced him to tour without his HIV medication which caused him to nearly contract AIDS. Von Monroe also stated that he later made a full recovery after leaving the band in 2016.[26] Jeffree Star and New Years Day members Ash Costello and Nikki Misery have stated that they observed Vanity engage in questionable or illegal sexual behavior during one of the Vans Warped Tours and also during an "All the Rage Tour 2012" around the early 2010s.[27][28] Many of the accusers were underage during the alleged attacks.[26][29][30][31][32][33] In response to the allegations, Combichrist removed Blood on the Dance Floor from their tour in 2014.[34] Merchandising website Big Cartel removed the band's products in 2018 in response to the allegations,[35] while Spotify and Google Play removed the band's music in April 2019.[36][37][38] Vanity has responded to the accusations on multiple occasions, usually with denial or evasion.[39]

In early 2020, Chris Hansen announced an investigation on Vanity, including having multiple interviews with those who claim Vanity abused or raped them.[40] The FBI has confirmed that they are also currently investigating the allegations against Vanity.[41]

Members[]

Final line-up

  • Dahvie Vanity – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, programming (2006–2016, 2017–2019)

Former members

  • Christopher Mongillo – vocals, guitars (2007–2008)
  • Matty M – vocals, drums (2007)
  • Rebecca Fugate – vocals, keyboards (2007–2008)
  • Garrett Ecstasy – vocals (2008–2009)
  • Jayy Von Monroe – vocals, guitars (2009–2016)
  • Ryan Malory – guitars (2012)
  • Nick Nasty – vocals, drums (2009)
  • Fallon Vendetta – vocals (2017–2018)

Touring musicians

  • Brandy Wynn – violin (2012–2013)
  • Haley Rose – vocals (2012–2013)
  • Nick Nasty – drums, vocals, keyboards (2010–2011)
  • Carter Harris – keyboards (2011–2012)
  • Johnny Awford – bass, drums (2011)
  • Rusty Wilmot – guitars, drums (2009–2011)
  • Alex Gilbertson – bass (2011)
  • Brian Carpenter – drums (2012)

Timeline

Discography[]

Main article: Blood on the Dance Floor discography

Albums as Blood on the Dance Floor[]

  • Let's Start a Riot (2008)
  • It's Hard to Be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World (2008)
  • Epic (2010)
  • All the Rage!! (2011)
  • Evolution (2012)
  • Bad Blood (2013)
  • Bitchcraft (2014)
  • Scissors (2016)
  • Kawaii Monster (2017)
  • Haunted (2018)
  • Cinema Erotica (2018)
  • You Are the Heart (2018)
  • Hollywood Death Star (2019)

Albums as Kawaii Monster[]

  • Poison Love - EP (2019)
  • Love From Hell (2019)
  • The Balance (2020)

Albums as Master of Death[]

  • Master of Death (2015)

Albums as Sinners Are Winners[]

  • For Beginners (2016)
  • The Invocation (2017)

References[]

  1. ^ "Saturday: Blood on the Dance Floor". Arizona Republic. June 18, 2016. p. A22.
  2. ^ Gomez, Adrian (December 9, 2011). "Duo wants to unite world with music". Albuquerque Journal. p. 52.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Exclusive Interview: Blood On The Dance Floor. Critic Studio (January 26, 2012). Retrieved on October 21, 2015.
  4. ^ "Jeffree Star and BOTDF at war". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Blood on the Dance Floor". Allmusic.
  6. ^ The Epic Tour!!! – Top Spot USA – September 29th 2010 Archived February 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Top Spot USA (September 29, 2010). Retrieved on October 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "Vans Warped Tour / Bands / June 16th – August 5th / Tickets On Sale Now / Blood on the Dance Floor". Vanswarpedtour.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  8. ^ "Lady Nogrady Speaks Out". Lemonade Magazine. July 2012. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013.
  9. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor:. All The Rage [Tour Dates]". Eurotrash Music. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  10. ^ "Evolution – Blood on the Dance Floor". Allmusic.
  11. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor interview w/ Robert Herrera". YouTube. October 16, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  12. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor – Double Header Review: Evolution and Clubbed To Death". Nataliezworld.
  13. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Announce "Anthem of the Outcast" EP Release Date". Alter the Press!. September 2012.
  14. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Not Breaking Up Despite Rumors". Zack Zarillo. February 19, 2013.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "DAMMIT: Blood On The Dance Floor Deny Break Up Rumors; Release New Single". Under the Gun Review. February 19, 2013.
  16. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Confirm New Album". Alter the Press!. February 2013.
  17. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Release New Song; Liken Themselves To Christ & Address Rape Allegations". Under the Gun Review. March 13, 2013.
  18. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Release New Song "Something Grimm"". Alter the Press!. July 2013.
  19. ^ "Id like to announce that @DrewApath..." Blood on the Dance Floor. January 2014.
  20. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor". Blood on the Dance Floor. February 2014.
  21. ^ "Come get messy with Blood on the Dance Floor". Ace of Spades. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013.
  22. ^ Blood on the Dance Floor – 5 Tour Essentials – Fuse. Fuse.tv (October 31, 2012). Retrieved on October 21, 2015.
  23. ^ Phares, Heather. "Blood on the Dance Floor". AllMusic. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  24. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor – Evolution". Alternative Press. June 19, 2012.
  25. ^ Breeding, Kennedy. (January 4, 2012) Concert review: Blood on the Dance Floor | www.themountaineagle.com Archived August 8, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Mountain Eagle. Retrieved on October 21, 2015.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b c Cook, Jesselyn; Murdock, Sebastian (April 5, 2019). "Dahvie Vanity Raped A Child. Police Gave Him A Warning. Now 21 Women Accuse Him Of Sexual Assault". Huffington Post.
  27. ^ Rachel Campbell (August 1, 2018) Blood On The Dance Floor's Dahvie Vanity accused of sexual assault, Alternative Press, accessed March 18, 2020
  28. ^ Schaffner, Lauryn. "Ash Costello Sheds Light on Dahvie Vanity Allegations". Loudwire.
  29. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Discuss Jesus and Allegations in New Song". Music Feeds. April 1, 2013.
  30. ^ "Scene Singer Dahvie Vanity Is A Rapist Who Preys On Minors, A Dozen Women Say". Huffington Post. December 18, 2018.
  31. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor's Dahvie Vanity accused of underage sexual assault by 21 women". April 8, 2019.
  32. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor Accused Of Child Sex By Fans, Support Acts And Crew". Music Feeds. March 1, 2013.
  33. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor's Dahvie Vanity Accused of Sexually Assaulting Multiple Women, Many While They Were Underage". MetalSucks. August 1, 2018.
  34. ^ Hartmann, Graham. "Combichrist Boot Blood on the Dance Floor From Tour Due to Allegations". Loudwire.
  35. ^ "Big Cartel drops Dahvie Vanity store after more sexual assault allegations". December 19, 2018.
  36. ^ Murdock, Sebastian; Cook, Jesselyn (April 23, 2019). "Spotify Drops Dahvie Vanity After HuffPost Investigation into Alleged Rapes". HuffPost.
  37. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor off Spotify following Dahvie Vanity allegations". April 23, 2019.
  38. ^ "Blood on the Dance Floor". www.facebook.com.
  39. ^ Summan, Yasmin. "Dahvie Vanity has responded to Spotify removing his music | DISCOVERED MAGAZINE".
  40. ^ Murdock, Sebastian; Cook, Jesselyn (March 10, 2020). "Chris Hansen To Investigate Alleged Rapist Dahvie Vanity Following HuffPost Coverage". HuffPost.
  41. ^ Tenbarge, Kat (July 2, 2020). "Myspace-famous musician Dahvie Vanity was accused of child sex abuse for years. Now the FBI is involved". Insider. Retrieved July 26, 2020.

External links[]

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