Dream State

Biography

Dream State are a Welsh rock band, formed in 2014 in Carmarthen. They signed to Australian record label UNFD in 2017 and have released two EPs (their debut Consequences in 2015 and Recovery in 2018) as well as a studio album Primrose Path.
The band currently consists of guitarist Aled Evans, along with bassist Jake Bowen, drummer Tom Connolly and vocalist Jessie Powell.

Formation and Consequences

Dream State was formed in Carmarthen in South Wales, UK, in 2014 practising in the Golden Lion pub by vocalist CJ Gilpin, guitarists Aled Evans and Sam Harrison-Little, bassist Danny Rayer and drummer Jamie Lee.
They released their first single, "Burn Them Down", on 8 January 2015. Later that year, on 20 November, they released their first EP Consequences, which was recorded at The Boneyard Studio in South Wales.

Line-up change, UNFD and Recovery

In March 2017 the band released their single "White Lies". That summer they had their first festival appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivals. It was later announced, that Dream State had signed to independent record label UNFD at the festival.
2017 also saw a change in line-up. Founding member Sam Harrison-Little was replaced by Rhys Wilcox.
On 18 May 2018, the band's second EP Recovery was released through UNFD.
Dream State is featured on the 2018 compilation album Songs That Saved My Life in aid of mental health and suicide prevention charities. For the compilation, the band recorded a cover of Linkin Park's "Crawling".

Primrose Path and departure of Danny Rayer

On 6 March 2019, Dream State released the single "Hand in Hand".
The band released their single "Primrose" on 10 July 2019. It is their first release after the departure of bassist Danny Rayer, who "has decided to focus his time on his wonderful family."
On 20 August 2019, the band released their single "Open Windows" and also announced that their debut album Primrose Path, produced by Dan Weller, would be released on 18 October 2019.
Dream State released their single "Twenty Letters" on 8 October 2019, a day after its premiere on Annie Mac's Radio 1's Future Sounds on BBC Radio 1.
On 18 October 2019 their debut album Primrose Path was released and opened on position 100 in the official UK Albums Chart. Loudwire named it one of the 50 best rock albums of 2019. Following the release, the band went on a UK headliner tour beginning on 27 October 2019 in Glasgow and went on to support Being as an Ocean on their tour through Europe afterwards. In the beginning of 2020, Dream State supported I Prevail on their Europe tour. The final leg of the tour had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dream State released their music video for "Are You Ready To Live?" on 24 June 2020. The video features clips sent in by fans as well as live footage of the band.
On 28 October 2020 the band released their single "Monsters". Two days later, Dream State announced the amicable departure of drummer Jamie Lee.

Departure of CJ and Rhys, new lineup

On 24 February 2022 a statement from guitarist Aled Evans was posted on the bands social media, announcing that CJ Gilpin and Rhys Wilcox have left the band. It was also revealed that the band had brought in a new drummer and a new bassist, who were unnamed at that time. The new lineup has been unveiled on 14 October 2022 through their social media accounts, bassist Jake Bowen, drummer Tom Connolly and vocalist Jessie Powell were introduced as the new members. Along with the new lineup, the band released a new song and music video for "Taunt Me".
In December 2022, they announced their EP "Untethered" with a release date of 3rd of February 2023 and released the single "Comfort in Chaos". In February 2023, they released "Chain Reactions", the 3rd and final single from their "Untethered EP" and embarked on a UK tour.
In June, it was announced Dream State would tour the UK and Europe alongside As December Falls in late 2023.
In October, they supported Funeral For a Friend at Cardiff Utilita Arena.
On the 18th of October, they announced their upcoming mini album "Still Dreaming" for a release date of 26th of January 2024.

Musical style and influences

Dream State's musical style has mostly been described as post-hardcore, alternative rock, and metalcore. Jake Richardson of Kerrang! wrote about the band's sound: "It can loosely be described as post-hardcore, but the quintet throw in elements of math-rock, metal and punk and impress at every point."
They have cited influences including Bring Me the Horizon, the Plot In You, Alexisonfire, Thrice, the Used, the Fall Of Troy, Deftones, the 1975, Nirvana, FKA Twigs, Idles, Beartooth, While She Sleeps, A Day to Remember, Slipknot, Tool, Linkin Park, Modern Error, Holding Absence, Caskets, Dayseeker, Windwaker, Spiritbox, Architects, Polaris, Animals as Leaders, the Mars Volta, Jinjer, the Home Team, Vukovi, Smash Mouth, Funeral for a Friend and Motionless in White.

Members

Current

Aled Evans – lead guitar (2014–present), rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2022–present), bass (2019–2021)
Jake Bowen – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)
Tom Connolly – drums (2021–present)
Jessie Powell – lead vocals (2022–present)
Former

Sam Harrison-Little – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–2017), bass (2019–2021)
Danny Rayer – bass (2014–2019)
Jamie Lee – drums (2014–2020)
Charlotte-Jayne "CJ" Gilpin – lead vocals (2014–2021)
Rhys Wilcox – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2017–2021)

Compilation appearances

Songs That Saved My Life (2018) – "Crawling" (originally performed by Linkin Park)