Max is at KOKO to speak to fans at the Gym Class Heroes gig
Blending elements of hip-hop, rap, rock and punk, ‘Gym Class Heroes’ have gained a large fan base and with their interesting sound, have carved out a musical niche for themselves. The band’s origins can be found when lead singer Travie McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley met each other in their high school at gym class, hence the name ‘Gym Class Heroes’. Hitting the big time with their breakthrough album ‘The Papercut Chronicles’, it was this album that was recorded whilst on tour that caught the attention of ‘Fall Out Boy’s’ Pete Wentz and subsequently led to a record deal. After the huge success of ‘The Papercut Chronicles’ album, the band enjoyed a series of lengthy tours whilst experiencing a number of band member changes with Eric Roberts coming in for original bass player Ryan Geise and seeing guitarist and vocalist Milo Bonacci leave. Albums ‘As Cruel as Children’ and ‘The Quilt’ soon followed and by 2009, the band went on a slight hiatus with members exploring other side and solo projects. People may be most familiar with Travie McCoy’s work with pop singer Bruno Mars for their smash hit collaboration “Billionaire” and also his appearance on Taio Cruz’s single “Higher”. The music world welcomed back ‘Gym Class Heroes’ with the release of their new album ‘The Papercut Chronicles II’, back in November 2011. Featuring leading single “Stereo Hearts”, which showcased Adam Levine from ‘Maroon 5’ on guest vocals, the track reached number four on the US billboard and with this made a welcome return for the band in the US. Now back on the scene, ‘Gym Class Heroes’ will soon be embarking on anther US tour which will kick off in February and conclude in May. With this tour soon upon them, the band thought they would pay their UK fans a visit and were set to play a gig at the intimate music venue KOKO in Camden on Monday 30th January 2012. WinkBall citizen video reporters Stefan and Max were at this eagerly awaited performance of ‘Gym Class Heroes’ to speak to their adoring army of fans. Fans were asked what they loved about the band, what they particularly like about their unique blend of music and what had brought them down to the show at KOKO that evening?