Gym Class Heroes

Members: Travis McCoy, Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, Matt McGinley, Eric Roberts

Active: 1997 - present

HISTORY

Gym Class Heroes are a four-member indie hip hop band from Geneva, New York. Instead of the conventional looped samples and pre-recorded beats, Gym Class Heroes use live instruments, similar to artists such as Mos Def and The Roots.

THE EARLY YEARS

The Gym Class Heroes were formed in late 1997 by four high school students. Their first record, For the Kids, was released in 2002. After this release, lead singer Travis McCoy won MTV's Direct Effect MC Battle and as a prize, he appeared in Styles P's video "Daddy Get That Cash".

DECAYDANCE AND BEYOND

After hearing the song "Taxi Driver", (which pays homage to various rock artists), Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy became interested in the Gym Class Heroes and invited the band to one of his shows. Travis met with Wentz on June 10th 2004 in Buffalo and struck up a rapport. The Gym Class Heroes then went on to join Wentz's label, Decaydance Records, which is an imprint of Fueled By Ramen. Travis later said that Wentz's support, coupled with the label's touring ethos and family atmosphere, is what drew him to Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen.

2006

As of October 31st 2006, the Gym Class Heroes are touring with The All-American Rejects.

ALBUMS AND EP'S

1999 - Hed Candy

2000 - Greasy Kid Stuff

2001 - For the Kids

2004 - The Papercut EP

2005 - The Papercut Chronicles

2006 - As Cruel as School Children

2007 - Music On A CD