Gym Class Heroes

About Gym Class Heroes

Gym Class Heroes are an inventive hip/hop band based in Geneva, New York. This group is famous for their diverse rock, rap, funk and R&B mixed music style. Instead of the traditional hip/hop music production style, they practice an exceptional live instrumentation music style. The members in Gym Class Heroes band are Travis McCoy (vocalist), Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo (guitarist), Eric Roberts (bassist) and Matt McGinley (drummer).nnThe Gym Class Heroes band was conceived in 1997, by two high-school friends Travis McCoy and Matt McGinley. Later in 2001, the band Gym Class Heroes was officially formed including two more high-school friends, Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and Eric Roberts. The aim of the band is to create a new palette for hip/hop music. At first, the band performed for local festivals, clubs and birthday parties. Eventually, they participated in Warped Tour festivals in 2003 and 2004. nnGym Class Heroes self-released their first album, "For the Kids," in 2001. The lead singer McCoy won Direct Effect MC Battle Award by MTV for this album. The exceptional personal lyricism and inventive music attracted Pete Wentz (founder of Decaydance Records) and they were officially signed to the Decaydance label. From 1999-2004, the band released three other collections, "Hey Candy," "Papercut Chronicles EP" and "Greasy Kinds Stuff."nnIn 2005, Gym Class Heroes released the second album "The Papercut Chronicles" under the new Emo/punk label Decaydance Records/Fueled by Ramen. The single "Cupid's Chokehold" reached no.4 in Billboard Hot 100, no.1 in Billboard pop 100 and no.3 in UK chart. The third album, "As Cruel as School Children, was released in 2006. The single "7 weeks" in the album features William Beckett, the lead singer from The Academy Is. Other famous tracks include "The Queen and I," Shoot Down the Stars," "New Friend Request" and "Cupid Chokehold" (re-release).nnThe Gym Class Heroes group participated in the Warped Tour 2005-2006, SXSW and Bamboozle festivals. They also appeared on The All-American Rejects tour. The Gym Class Heroes have toured with other bands including Midtown, Academy Is and Fall Out Boy. At present, they are planning to participate in "The Sweet Escape Tour" with Gwen Stefani .