SHVPES

English metalcore band

SHVPES

Shvpes at Rock am Ring (2017)

Background information
Also known as| Cytota (2009–2015)
Origin| Birmingham, England
Genres| Alternative metal, rap metal, nu metal,[1] metalcore,[1] post-hardcore
Years active| 2009–2020
Labels| Spinefarm/Search and Destroy
Past members|

* Joby Fitzgerald
* Griffin Dickinson
* Ryan Hamilton
* Youssef Ashraf
* Grant Leo Knight
* Harry Jennings
* Oliver Pike

Website| shvpes.com

SHVPES ("Shapes") were an English metalcore band from Birmingham. Originally formed in 2009 under the name Cytota, they changed their name in 2015.

They were signed to Spinefarm Records/Search and Destroy Records. In 2016 they released their debut record, Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair, followed by Greater Than in 2018.

Their band's sound experiments by mixing metalcore with aggressive alternative hard rock and touches of hip-hop.[2] The band's frontman, Griffin Dickinson is a son of Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, and the brother of Rise to Remain and As Lions frontman Austin Dickinson.

## History

[edit]

### Cytota and The Prosecutor EP (2009–2014)

[edit]

On 31 October 2009 drummer Harry Jennings and vocalist Joby Fitzgerald met at a concert in London. Shortly afterwards they decided to form a band, along with guitarists Ryan Hamilton and Youssef Ashraf and bass player Oliver Pike, and formed Cytota.[3] In March 2012 they toured in the UK supporting Rise to Remain, Adept and Malefice.[4] On 10 September 2012, they released an EP, The Prosecutor, through independent record label Believe Revolt. The EP was produced by Jim Pinder and Carl Brown.[5] The artwork was created by Bring Me the Horizon's singer Oli Sykes.[6]

In 2013 they performed at the Vans Warped Tour in London and they joined Chiodos and The Color Morale on their UK tour.[citation needed]

In 2014 they supported Memphis May Fire and Funeral for a Friend in the UK.[7] On 23 July, the band split with vocalist Joby Fitzgerald, stating that "we wanted to take the band in different directions, and it simply wasn't working anymore."[8] In October 2014 the band announced that they had found a new frontman, Griffin Dickinson who is the son of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson). About the new line up, Jennings declared: "It feels like being reborn again with the addition of Griffin, already he's bringing so much to the band and it's going to be an exciting future."[9] The following month, they embarked on a tour across Europe and the UK in support of Crossfaith.[10]

### SHVPES and Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair (2015–2017)

[edit]

At the beginning of 2015 the band decided to change their name to SHVPES. Dickinson explained the origin of the name: "It is a metaphor my mum used to use when I was a bit of a problem child going from one school to the next. She taught me about adapting shape to my environment – there are certain shapes people accept of you, whether that be a triangle or a circle or a rhomboid."[11] They had previously released their first song, "SHAPES", on 20 November 2014.[12]

In February 2015 SHVPES joined 36 Crazyfists and Fightstar on their UK tours.[13] On 20 May 2015 they released the track "State of Mine", with an accompanying video directed by Storm + Shelter.[14][15] In December 2015 they supported Nothing More in a few shows in the UK.[16]

At the end of March 2016, SHVPES announced that bassist Oliver Pike had decided to leave the band. He was replaced by Grant Leo Knight.[17]

In May 2016 they toured with Miss May I and We Came as Romans in the UK, and in August performed at Download Festival.[18]

On 14 October 2016, they released their first full-length album, Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair. They teamed with producers Jim Pinder and Carl Brown. The record was preceded by the singles "God Warrior", "False Teeth", "Two Minutes of Hate" and "Skin and Bones". The title track was released on 30 January 2017.[citation needed]

Dickinson revealed the themes of the record: "As a concept, this album is about finding the beauty in whatever situation you're in. Your ability to feel pain/to feel despair is ultimately what allows you to embrace the feeling of joy or ecstasy. It's like yin & yang. Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair gave me a platform to expel 24 years' worth of frustration and turn it into something positive; something I can be proud of and something, I hope, the listener can find solace in."[19]

Shortly after the release, SHVPES started their first UK headline tour, with EMP!RE and Press To MECO.[20]

In February 2017 the band was announced as main support act for Trivium on their tour in Europe and the UK, along with Sikth.[21] They spent most of 2017 on tour, supporting While She Sleeps and appearing at the main festivals in Europe during the summer, including Slam Dunk and Hellfest.[22]

### Greater Than and breakup (2018–2020)

[edit]

In May 2018, the band participated to an Avenged Sevenfold tribute album, "Hail to the King", exclusively available through Metal Hammer. They covered the song "Scream".[23]

Mixtape 1 was released on 6 July 2018 and included single "Undertones" and "Calloused Hands", as well as "I'm Stuck" and "War".[24] The three other mixtapes, set for separate releases, have been merged into the final result, the sophomore record, Greater Than, that was released on 9 November 2018. The album was preceded by single "Afterlife", and it features Matt Heafy of Trivium on "Rain".[25] It was produced by Jim Pinder and Carl Brown.[citation needed]

In November 2018, they joined Bullet for My Valentine, Nothing More and Of Mice & Men for two shows in the UK,[26] before embarking on a headlining tour.[27] In January/February 2019, they toured in the UK.[28]

During spring 2019, they played in the US supporting We Came as Romans and Crown the Empire, and performed at different festivals including Welcome to Rockville and Epicenter.[29]

On 10 July 2020, the band stated on their social media that they have disbanded and left on good terms with the rest of the band.[30]

## Members

[edit]

Final Lineup

* Youssef Ashraf – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2009–2020)
* Harry Jennings – drums (2009–2020)
* Ryan Hamilton – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–2020)
* Griffin Dickinson – lead vocals (2014–2020)
* Grant Leo Knight – bass (2017–2020)

Past members

* Joby Fitzgerald – lead vocals (2009–2014)
* Oliver Pike – bass (2009–2016)

Timeline

### Timeline

[edit]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

* Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair (2016)
* Greater Than (2018)

### EPs

[edit]

* The Prosecutor as Cytota (2012)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b DiVita, Joe (10 July 2020). "Shvpes Announce Band Breakup After Two Albums". Loudwire. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
2. ^ "SHVPES | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
3. ^ "Cytota biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
4. ^ Blabbermouth (11 February 2012). "RISE TO REMAIN Announces New Bassist, Drummer". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
5. ^ "EP: Cytota – The Prosecutor | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than 'just music' to us". deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
6. ^ "Face to face with //// CYTOTA". Rock Britain. 9 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
7. ^ "Cytota Release New Music Video For Sinnocence". Rocksins. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
8. ^ "Cytota Part Ways With Vocalist Joby Fitzgerald". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
9. ^ "NEWS: Cytota confirm new frontman, Griffin Dickinson! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than 'just music' to us". deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
10. ^ "CYTOTA announce new frontman Griffin Dickinson and Crossfaith tour support". Circuit Sweet. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
11. ^ "SHVPES". Raw Power Management. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
12. ^ SHVPES - SHAPES, retrieved 5 September 2019
13. ^ "It's Time To Say Goodbye To Cytota And Hello To SHVPES". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
14. ^ "Shvpes unveil video for 'State of Mine'". punktastic.com. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
15. ^ Bring Me The Horizon / Release Show / Shvpes - Sunday 6th September at The Rose Theatre, retrieved 5 September 2019
16. ^ "| SHVPES TO HEAD OUT ON UK TOUR WITH NOTHING MORE + DEBUT ALBUM DUE IN 2016". spinefarmrecords.com. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
17. ^ skinbackalley (31 March 2016). "SHVPES part ways with bassist Ollie Pike". Skin Back Alley. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
18. ^ Finney, Graham. "SHVPES to Support ASKING ALEXANDRIA on August 2016 UK Tour Dates". puregrainaudio.com. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
19. ^ "NEWS: SHVPES detail debut album, 'Pain. Joy. Ecstasy. Despair.', out October 14th 2016! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than 'just music' to us". deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
20. ^ "SHVPES Have Announced A Lengthy UK Tour". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
21. ^ "NEWS: SikTh & SHVPES to support Trivium on UK tour in February 2017! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than 'just music' to us". deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
22. ^ Stanley, Rebecca. "Birmingham band SHVPES talk about playing Slam Dunk Festival". Express & Star. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
23. ^ "There's An Avenged Sevenfold Tribute Album Coming Out With Covers By Betraying The Martyrs, Upon A Burning Body and More / the NOISE". the NOISE. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
24. ^ "NEWS: SHVPES announce new EP, 'Mixtape 1'! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than "just music" to us". deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
25. ^ "SHVPES have announced their second album, 'Greater Than'". Upset. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
26. ^ "NEWS: Shvpes added to Bullet For My Valentine shows! – Metal Noise". Retrieved 5 September 2019.
27. ^ "SHVPES Announce November Tour". Kerrang!. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
28. ^ "NEWS: SHVPES announce UK tour for January/February 2019! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than 'just music' to us". deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
29. ^ "SHVPES Begin US Tour Supporting We Came As Romans & Crown The Empire". Digital Beat Magazine. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
30. ^ "SHVPES Feat. BRUCE DICKINSON's Son GRIFFIN: 'We Have Decided To Call It A Day'". Blabbermouth.net. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.