The Night Shift: Don't Sleep, Bring The Light

Don't Sleep is a hardcore punk band from Pennsylvania, featuring Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, DYS, and Down By Law. Their debut track, Bring the Light, was released in 2018 and marked Smalley's return to vocal duties in a hardcore band. The song is described as aggressive, fast, and energetic, with a quick intro that launches into a minute-long posi-core banger. It was co-written and features bass tracks by Chris Bavaria of Mindset and Praise. The band has described their music as a homage to the sounds of bands like 7 Seconds, Judge, Black Flag, and Bad Brains.

Don't Sleep is a hardcore punk band from Pennsylvania

Don't Sleep is a hardcore punk band from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The band was founded in 2017 by Dave Smalley, who had previously been involved in the birth of US hardcore punk with DYS and the creation of the blueprint for melodic hardcore with Dag Nasty. Other members include Garrett Rothman, Tony Bavaria, Jim Bedorf, and Tom McGrath, who are all East Coast punk rockers. Don't Sleep's music has been described as aggressive, fast, and energetic, with influences from bands like 7 Seconds, Judge, Black Flag, and Bad Brains. Their first recorded track, "Bring the Light", was released in 2022, and their second full-length album, "See Change", was released in June 2023.

Don't Sleep is signed to Victory Records and has released music on Mission Two, Reaper Records, and Unity Worldwide Records. The band's sound combines the distinct styles of its five members, creating a unique and powerful blend of hardcore and punk. Their music is also described as melodic and purposeful, with modern production that sounds contemporary.

Dave Smalley's involvement in the band has been a significant draw for fans of his previous work, with "Bring the Light" marking his triumphant return to vocal duties in a hardcore band. Don't Sleep's debut album, "Turn the Tide", was set to be released in 2020 but was delayed due to the global pandemic. Despite this setback, the band persevered and continued to create new music, ultimately releasing their second album, "See Change", to critical acclaim.

The band's positive attitude and energy extend beyond their music. Bassist Garrett Rothman elaborates on their outlook: "I think we've always had the perspective of seeing music and punk/hardcore as a positive force, where the people involved can make a difference in the world around them. It's been reflected in our name and in our album title 'See Change.' If you see injustice or something that needs to change in your surroundings, make it happen, visualize it, 'See Change,' know it's possible, and work to make it better."

The track Bring the Light is the band's first recorded song

"Bring the Light" is the first recorded track by Pennsylvania's hardcore punk band Don't Sleep. The song features Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, DYS, and Down By Law on vocals, marking his return to vocal duties in a hardcore band. The track is described as aggressive, fast, and energetic, with influences from bands like 7 Seconds, Judge, Black Flag, and Bad Brains.

"Bring the Light" was co-written by Chris Bavaria of Mindset and Praise, who also provided the bass tracks. The song was released in 2018 as a 3-song debut 7” EP, along with other tracks including "Lazarus" and "Bloody But Unbroken". The EP was released on vinyl through Reaper Records and Unity Worldwide Records, with 200 copies pressed. The band reported that 50 out of the 200 copies were damaged during shipping.

The song has a quick intro that has been compared to Rise Against's "Black Masks and Gasoline". It launches into a minute-long posi-core banger with an absolutely stellar two-step-inspiring breakdown. Smalley's vocals sound inspired and energized by the youthful instrumentation. The song has been described as a decent start for the band, with a sound reminiscent of Dag Nasty's early material.

Don't Sleep's "Bring the Light" is a throwback to the hardcore style that Dave Smalley is known for. The song showcases the band's chemistry and talent, with a mix of melodic and aggressive elements that are sure to appeal to fans of hardcore punk music.

The song was co-written by Chris Bavaria, who also provided the bass tracks

"Bring the Light" is a song by Pennsylvania hardcore punk band Don't Sleep, featuring Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, DYS, and Down By Law. The track is the band's first recorded release and marks the return of Dave Smalley to vocal duties in a hardcore band. The music has been described as aggressive, fast, and energetic, with influences from bands like 7 Seconds, Judge, Black Flag, and Bad Brains.

The song "Bring the Light" was co-written by Chris Bavaria, who also provided the bass tracks. Bavaria is known for his work with Mindset and Praise. He also contributed to the song's recording and photography. The song was released in 2018 as a 7-inch vinyl EP by Reaper Records and included two other songs, "Lazarus" and "Bloody But Unbroken." The release was limited to 200 copies, with 50 of them reportedly damaged during shipping.

Bavaria's involvement in the creation of "Bring the Light" extended beyond his role as a bassist. As a co-writer, he contributed to the song's structure, melody, and lyrics. His bass playing provided the foundation for the song's energetic and aggressive sound, driving the rhythm and complementing the vocals and guitar work. Bavaria's experience and skill as a musician likely contributed to the song's overall impact and success.

In addition to his musical contributions, Bavaria also played a role behind the camera. He is credited with the photography for the song's release, capturing images that visually represent the band, their energy, and the essence of the music. This dual role as a musician and photographer showcases Bavaria's diverse talents and his commitment to the project.

The song "Bring the Light" by Don't Sleep is a testament to the collaborative efforts of its creators, with Chris Bavaria's contributions as a co-writer and bassist being integral to its success. His involvement in multiple aspects of the song's creation, including its musical composition, performance, and visual representation, showcases his dedication and passion for the project.

Bring the Light is aggressive, fast, and energetic with homages to bands like 7 Seconds and Judge

"Bring the Light" is the debut track by Pennsylvania hardcore punk band Don't Sleep, featuring Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, DYS, and Down By Law. The song is an aggressive, fast, and energetic homage to bands like 7 Seconds and Judge, with powerful vocals from Smalley that recall his earlier work with Dag Nasty.

The song opens with a quick intro that builds anticipation, before launching into a minute-long posi-core banger that evokes the classic sound of hardcore punk. It's an intense and exhilarating listen, with a stellar two-step-inspiring breakdown that will have listeners moving. The track is a strong return to form for Smalley, with his vocals sounding inspired and energised by the youthful instrumentation of the band.

"Bring the Light" is a testament to the enduring appeal of hardcore punk and a reminder of the power and energy that the genre can evoke. It's a fast-paced and furious listen, with a runtime of just five minutes, but it leaves a lasting impression. The song is a tribute to the influential bands that came before Don't Sleep, while also showcasing the band's unique and contemporary sound.

The track is a collaboration between Don't Sleep and Chris Bavaria of Mindset and Praise, who co-wrote the song and provided bass tracks. It was released in 2018 as a 7-inch vinyl EP and digitally, and it marked the first recorded output from the band. The song is a powerful statement of intent from Don't Sleep and a taste of what listeners can expect from the band in the future.

The band features Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, DYS, and Down By Law

"Bring the Light" is a song by the hardcore punk band Don't Sleep, which features Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, DYS, and Down By Law. Smalley is an American musician, best known as the lead singer for the hardcore punk bands DYS and Dag Nasty, and skate punk band All, as well as lead singer and guitarist with Down by Law.

Smalley has had a long and varied career in music, starting with his early work in the '80s with DYS and Dag Nasty. He has a distinct performance style and is known for his influence on pop-punk music and early contributions to the emo genre. He also founded a side project called The Sharpshooters, whose music is influenced by mod revival bands.

In the '90s, Smalley headed Down by Law, a melodic punk band with material that brings to mind the '70s power pop of early Stiff Records singles. He has also produced and appeared on Canadian punk band Penelope's second album, "Face au silence du monde," recorded in Virginia.

In 2016, Smalley released a solo album, "Punk Rock Days," featuring acoustic arrangements of Dag Nasty and Down by Law material, as well as new songs and Irish folk music. The album included contributions from guitarists from Down by Law and Dag Nasty, as well as his family members.

In 2017, Smalley started a new band called Don't Sleep, which has released two EPs: a self-titled EP and "Bring the Light" on Reaper Records. Don't Sleep's music has been described as aggressive, fast, and energetic, with homages to bands like 7 Seconds, Judge, Black Flag, and Bad Brains.

Smalley's involvement in Don't Sleep marks a return to his hardcore roots, showcasing once again his versatility and enduring passion for music.

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