Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional performing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in December of 2006
Background information
Origin	Boca Raton, Florida, United States
Genres	Emo, alternative rock, indie rock
Years active	1999–present
Labels	DGC, Vagrant, Fiddler
Associated acts	Further Seems Forever, Vacant Andys, The Enablers, Twin Forks, The Promise Ring, Ratatat
Website	www.dashboardconfessional.com
Members	Chris Carrabba Scott Schoenbeck Mike Marsh John Lefler
Past members	John Ralston Dan Bonebrake Jerry Castellanos Andrew Marshall Ralph Dagza Susan Sherouse

Dashboard Confessional (often referred to as simply Dashboard) is an American acoustic rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba.^[1] The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from their debut album, The Swiss Army Romance.

History

Early history (2000–02)

Dashboard Confessional's first recording was the 2000 LP The Swiss Army Romance, initially a solo side project of Chris Carrabba while he was in the band Further Seems Forever.

The following year, Further Seems Forever, with Chris Carrabba, recorded and released its debut album, The Moon Is Down. Carrabba soon thereafter left the band to record and release his second solo album, The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, and a follow-up EP, So Impossible; both were released under the name Dashboard Confessional.

By 2002, three other musicians had joined the band, including former Further Seems Forever band mate Jerry Castellanos, and started the process of recording the band's next album. After the success of his second album, Carrabba was asked to perform on MTV Unplugged, and the subsequent live release marked the first time many of the songs were recorded with a full band.

Also in 2002, the music video for "Screaming Infidelities" won the MTV2 award at the MTV Video Music Awards, beating out Norah Jones, The Strokes, The Hives, Nappy Roots, and Musiq.^[2][3] This video starred Chris in both the performance and the storyline. The video was directed by Maureen Egan and Matthew Barry.^[4][5]

A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar (2003–05)

In 2003, the band released its third album, A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar. Peaking at No. 2 on the United States Billboard charts, the album proved to be the band's most commercially viable album yet. In the fall of 2003, Dashboard Confessional toured with Brand New.^[6][7][8]

In the summer of 2004, Dashboard Confessional recorded the song "Vindicated" for the film Spider-Man 2. It was featured on the soundtrack and played over the film's end credits.^{[9][10][11][12]} Due to such usage, the band gained a sizable audience for their next release the following summer, Dusk and Summer. "Vindicated" was not, however, released on A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar but was included on most versions and deluxe edition versions of Dusk and Summer.^[13]

Dusk and Summer (2005–06)

In May 2005, Dashboard Confessional entered the studio to record their fourth album with acclaimed producer Daniel Lanois. The album, Dusk and Summer, was released on June 27, 2006; its first single was "Don't Wait".

Following the release of Dusk and Summer, Dashboard Confessional went on a summer tour of the U.S. with special guests Say Anything and Ben Lee,^[14] followed by co-headlining an arena tour with alternative rock band Brand New.^[7]

The Shade of Poison Trees (2007–09)

In 2007, the band released its follow-up to Dusk and Summer, The Shade of Poison Trees. Unlike its predecessor, this album reflects back on the earlier influence of Carrabba's acoustic harmonies from The Swiss Army Romance and The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most.

Alter the Ending (2009–10)

The band began recording their sixth studio album, Alter the Ending, in 2008. Carrabba stated that the album could have turned into a concept album.

"...only with the last three has it become, like, 'All right, these have a continuity and there's something going on,' so I'm excited to see where that leads".^[15]

On February 14, 2009, as a special Valentine's Day gift to fans, Carrabba released a free download on his MySpace page entitled "Even Now (Acoustic Version)" from their forthcoming studio album.^[16]

In June 2009, the band began "sequencing the album", suggesting that the upcoming album was close to completion.

In August 2009, Dashboard Confessional contributed a song to the motion picture soundtrack for dark comedy film Jennifer's Body, titled "Finishing School".^[17] It was not featured on Alter the Ending.

On September 10, 2009, Chris Carrabba confirmed on his Twitter page that the 12-song album would be released on November 10, 2009. It was found out that the album would be released on 2 discs, the first of which consisting of the full-band version of the album and the second consisting of the acoustic version. In addition, Carrabba stated that Dashboard Confessional would be touring with New Found Glory and Never Shout Never in the near future.^[18][19] On October 30, 2009, however, Chris announced via Twitter and Facebook that, due to a last-minute family emergency, the band would be cancelling their Alter the Ending tour with New Found Glory and Never Shout Never with the exception of November 7 with the Louisville Orchestra; although the longer tour with New Found Glory and Never Shout Never was cancelled, Chris announced on his website on November 10, 2009 that he and John will begin a 13-date acoustic tour with New Found Glory (who will be playing an acoustic set as well) on November 30, 2009.

The band performed as the opening act for the Bon Jovi Circle Tour in 2010.^[20][21]

On July 31, 2010, Carrabba performed at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado for the second annual Love Hope Strength Foundation and Health ONE Pikes Peak Rocks benefit, honoring cancer survivors and raising money and awareness for research and treatment.^[22]

The Swiss Army Romance re-release (2010–present)

On October 4, 2010, it was announced that Dashboard Confessional's first album, The Swiss Army Romance, would be re-released as a deluxe vinyl album on November 16.^[23] The limited edition box set (only 1,000 copies available) included remastered versions of the album's track listing, extended artwork, handwritten lyrics, unreleased photos, guitar picks, a commemorative tour laminate, all encased in an intricate Swiss army knife case.^[23]

The day after the release, Chris embarked on a solo tour playing The Swiss Army Romance in its entirety for the tenth anniversary of the release of the album.^[24][23] On December 1, it was announced that Chris Conley of Saves the Day was added to the tour as main support for the West Coast dates. Three-piece band Lady Danville joined them as well.

Artistry

Style and influences

The band's style is emo^{[25][26][27][28]} that takes the sound of indie rock^[26] and acoustic rock.^[28]

Dashboard Confessional cites Jawbreaker, Jawbox, The Beatles, Refused, Nirvana, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Minor Threat, The Beach Boys, The Descendents, Embrace, Sunny Day Real Estate, Rites of Spring, Weezer and Fugazi as their influences.^[29][30][31]

Band members

Current members Chris Carrabba — lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano (1999–present) Scott Schoenbeck — bass (1999–present) Mike Marsh — drums, percussion (1999–present) John Lefler — lead guitar, piano, backing vocals (1999–present)

Live members Dan Bonebrake — bass guitar, backing vocals (2002) John Ralston — guitar (2000, 2002, 2006) Mike Stroud — strings (2007) Jerry Castellanos — guitar, backing vocals (2000,2003) Andrew Marshall — guitar (2007) Susan Sherouse — violin (2006–2007)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions							Certifications (sales threshold)
		US [32]	US Rock [33]	US Indie [34]	AUS [35]	CAN [36]	GER [37]	UK [38]
The Swiss Army Romance	Release date: November 14, 2000 Label: Fiddler Records Formats: CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most	Release date: March 20, 2001 Label: Vagrant Records Formats: CD	108	—	5	—	—	—	—	US: Gold[39]
A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar	Release date: August 12, 2003 Label: Vagrant Records Formats: CD	2	—	1	61	—	—	93	US: Gold[40]
Dusk and Summer	Release date: June 27, 2006 Label: Vagrant/Interscope Records Formats: CD, music download	2	1	—	22	6	52	91	US: Gold[41]
The Shade of Poison Trees	Release date: October 2, 2007 Label: Vagrant Records Formats: CD, vinyl, music download	18	6	1	83	—	—	173
Alter the Ending	Release date: November 10, 2009 Label: Interscope Records Formats: CD, vinyl, music download	19	6	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Live albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions		Certifications (sales threshold)
		US [32]	US Indie [34]
MTV Unplugged 2.0	Release date: December 17, 2002 Label: Vagrant Records Formats: Video longform	111	1	US: Platinum[42]

Compilation albums

Title	Details
The Wire Tapes Vol. 1	Release date: 2007 Label: self-released Formats: CD

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions								Album
		US [43]	US Pop [44]	US Mod [45]	US Adult [46]	AUS [47]	GER [48]	NZ [49]	UK [50]
2002	"Screaming Infidelities"	—	—	22	—	—	—	—	—	The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most
	"Saints and Sailors"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	"Hands Down"	—	—	8	—	—	93	—	60	A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar
2004	"Rapid Hope Loss"	—	—	37	—	—	—	—	75
	"Vindicated"	—	31	2	—	46	—	23	—	Spider-Man 2 (soundtrack)
2006	"Don't Wait"	80	—	17	—	—	—	—	68	Dusk and Summer
	"Rooftops and Invitations"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007	"Stolen"	44	28	—	36	—	15	—	—
2008	"Thick as Thieves"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	The Shade of Poison Trees
	"These Bones"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009	"Belle of the Boulevard"	—	—	—	36	—	—	—	—	Alter the Ending
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

EPs

Year	Title
2001	The Drowning EP
2001	So Impossible EP
2002	Summer's Kiss
2006	Sessions@AOL
2010	Swiss Army Bro-Mance (Split EP with New Found Glory)

References

1. Ambrose, Anthony. "inTuneMusicOnline: Dashboard Confessional / River City Extension / Cory Branan / John Lefler @ NYC 12/7/2010". Retrieved 2011-03-08.
2. Wilcha, Kristin (6 September 2002). "SuperMega/Palomar and FM Rocks Top MTV Awards". SHOOTonline.com.
3. Carrabba talks new LP. MTV.com. Retrieved on July 9, 2009.
4. "Dashboard Confessional - "Screaming Infidelities"". MTV. 5 February 2002.
5. "Dashboard Confessional - "Screaming Infidelities"". Vimeo. 10 October 2010.
6. Cocoran, James (6 October 2003). "Brand New gives the teenage girls tremors; Dashboard goes unnoticed". The Chicago Maroon.
7. "Dashboard, Brand New Re-Team for Fall Tour". Billboard.
8. O'Donnell, Kevin (19 November 2010). "Q&A: Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba". Spin.
9. Valmero A. (2010.) Chris Carrabba shares stories behind Dashboard Confessional's music, loQal.ph
10. Richardson S. (2004.) Vindication: Emo superhero Chris Carrabba puts a new spin on Spider-Man, The Boston Phoenix, 18–24 June.
11. Segovia J.-A. Q. (2010.) Chris Carrabba knows how to be funny, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 29 May.
12. Dashboard Confessional - Vindicated on YouTube
13. "Dashboard Confessional - Dusk and Summer: Deluxe Edition". Discogs. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
14. Spin Staff (11 May 2006). "Dashboard to Tour Through Dusk, Summer". Spin.
15. Carrabba Already 14 Songs Into Next Dashboard CD
16. Mahan, Ian (10 November 2009). "Dashboard Confessional's new album doesn't Alter the style". Rocky Mountain Collegian.
17. Archived August 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
18. ChrisCarrabba. "Chris Carrabba (ChrisCarrabba) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
19. "Dashboard Confessional Doubles Down With 'After The Ending'". Billboard. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
20. "Tours: Dashboard Confessional to Support Bon Jovi". Punknews.org. 2 December 2009.
21. Graff, Gary (2 December 2009). "Dashboard Confessoinal's Carrabba "Can't Wait" to Tour with Bon Jovi". Billboard.
22. Gary Graff. "Dashboard Confessional Singer to Play Pikes Peak for Charity". Billboard.
23. Karan, Tim (4 October 2010). "Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba to play Swiss Army Romance solo tour; announces vinyl set". Alternative Press.
24. "Tours: Dashboard Confessional (Swiss Army Romance Anniversary)". Punknews.org. 4 October 2010.
25. "Interview: Dashboard Confessional's Lead Singer, Chris Carrabba". Rolling Stone. June 30, 2006.
26. "Getting Confessional: I Still Like Dashboard Confessional". Behind the Hype. July 31, 2011.
27. "Dashboard Confessional Grows Up, and Emo Gets Its Own Generation Gap". New York Times. June 22, 2006.
28. "Dashboard Confessional". Allmusic.
29. "Dashboard Confessional". Fantasy Music League.
30. Dashboard Confessional influences - Inflooenz
31. "Carrabba confessional: Early aughts pop star on life after Dashboard". Chicago Maroon. October 19, 2012.
32. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
33. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
34. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
35. "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
36. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
37. "Media Control Charts - German Albums Charts - Dashboard Confessional". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
38. "Chart Log UK: Asher D - Dyverse". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
39. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - January 12, 2011: The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most certified awards". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
40. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - January 12, 2011: A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar certified awards". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
41. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - January 12, 2011: Dusk and Summer certified awards". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
42. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - January 12, 2011: MTV Unplugged 2.0 certified awards". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
43. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
44. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
45. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
46. "Dashboard Confessional Album & Song Chart History - Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
47. "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
48. Peak chart positions for singles charting in Germany:
    • "Media Control Charts - German Singles Charts - Dashboard Confessional". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
    • "Media Control Charts - German Singles Charts - Dashboard Confessional featuring Juli". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
49. "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
50. "Chart Stats - Dashboard Confessional". chartstats.com. Retrieved January 12, 2011.

External links

• Official website
• Review of The Shade Of Poison Trees on Rocklouder Music Website
• Review of The Shade... at The Album Project
• In-depth interview with Chris Carrabba on Rocklouder – Jan 2008
• Polish website