Music >> Artists >> Alternative
Formed:
1999 in Boca Raton, FL

Genre:
Alternative

Years Active:
'90s, '00s, '10s






Dashboard Confessional

Biography

Singer/songwriter Christopher Carrabba became the poster boy for a new generation of emo fans in the early 2000s, having left behind his former band (the post-hardcore Christian outfit Further Seems Forever) to concentrate on vulnerable, introspective solo musings. Armed with an acoustic guitar and soul-baring song lyrics, he christened his new project Dashboard Confessional — named after a lyric in "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" — and began releasing material in 2000. By 2001's The Place You Have Come to Fear the Most, Dashboard Confessional had evolved into a full-fledged band, but Carrabba nevertheless remained the focal point of both the group and the rejuvenated emo genre.. Singer/songwriter Christopher Carrabba became the poster boy for a new generation of emo fans in the early 2000s, having left behind his former band (the post-hardcore Christian outfit Further Seems Forever) to concentrate on vulnerable, introspective solo musings. Armed with an acoustic guitar and soul-baring song lyrics, he christened his new project Dashboard Confessional — named after a lyric in "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" — and began releasing material in 2000. By 2001's The Place You Have Come to Fear the Most, Dashboard Confessional had evolved into a full-fledged band, but Carrabba nevertheless remained the focal point of both the group and the rejuvenated emo genre.

Dashboard Confessional took root in Boca Raton, FL, Carrabba's home since the age of 16. The singer had previously fronted the Vacant Andys and the Agency before joining the ranks of Further Seems Forever, but the desire to pursue something simpler led him to create Dashboard Confessional as a side project. Carrabba molded simple acoustics with passionate, personal wordplay on his 2000 debut, Swiss Army Romance, and a devout audience began to gather around the naked honesty of his lyrics. Further Seems Forever entered the studio that September to record their inaugural full-length, but Carrabba's plans to mount a solo career had already taken precedence over his current band. Nevertheless, he and his bandmates finished the album before amicably parting ways, with Further Seems Forever later recruiting former Affinity frontman Jason Gleason to replace their departed vocalist.

By late 2000, Carrabba was free to devote his undivided time to Dashboard Confessional. The Drowning EP was released in early 2001, with the full-length album The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most following soon after. The latter release featured a full band on several tracks — a vast departure from Carrabba's previously unaccompanied material — and the heart-rending single "Screaming Infidelities" found an immediate home on modern rock radio. Dashboard Confessional toured for several months, and Carrabba rounded out the year by collaborating with former Sunny Day Real Estate guitarist Dan Hoerner on the So Impossible EP, which was released in mid-December.

Dashboard Confessional issued Summers Kiss, a companion piece to the So Impossible EP, in April 2002. Later that year, Carrabba recorded an installment for the MTV Unplugged series, accompanied by a devoted studio audience that sang along to every word. The show was released as MTV Unplugged 2.0 and served as his breakthrough performance, eventually going platinum. Now a staple on both radio and MTV, Carrabba returned in 2003 with a permanent lineup — including bassist Scott Schoenbeck, guitarist/pianist Johnny Lefler, and drummer Mike Marsh — and a new album, A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar. The record topped the Billboard charts and spawned another hit single, "Hands Down," which peaked at number eight. However, it was the band's contribution of the song "Vindicated" to 2004's Spider-Man 2 soundtrack that truly resonated with a wide audience, with the song rising to number two.

Carrabba collaborated with producers Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel) and Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Pearl Jam) on the band's intimate 2006 release Dusk and Summer. Released in June, the album entered the Billboard charts at number two and was supported by nationwide tour dates alongside Ben Lee, Say Anything, and Brand New. Dashboard Confessional then returned to the studio with Gilmore, recording the band's fifth album, The Shade of Poison Trees, in March 2007. The album was released the following October, with its acoustic-heavy sound marking a return to the band's introspective roots. Chris Carrabba explored both sides of his personality — the acoustic, campfire-worthy songwriter and the full-band frontman — with 2009's Alter the Ending, which featured songs from both camps and even included a second disc comprised of stripped-down performances of the track list.

Top Albums

A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar, Dashboard Confessional
1. A Mark, a Mi..
Dusk and Summer, Dashboard Confessional
2. Dusk and Sum..
The Shade of Poison Trees, Dashboard Confessional
3. The Shade of..
The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, Dashboard Confessional
4. The Places Y..
The Swiss Army Romance, Dashboard Confessional
5. The Swiss Ar..
Alter the Ending (Deluxe Version), Dashboard Confessional
6. Alter the En..
MTV2 Album Covers: Dashboard Confessional & R.E.M., Dashboard Confessional
7. MTV2 Album C..
Alter the Ending (Bonus Track Version), Dashboard Confessional
8. Alter the En..
AOL Sessions - EP, Dashboard Confessional
9. AOL Sessions..
So Impossible EP, Dashboard Confessional
10. So Impossibl..
MTV Unplugged v2.0, Dashboard Confessional
11. MTV Unplugge..
The Places You Have Come To Fear the Most, Dashboard Confessional
12. The Places Y..
The Swiss Army Romance, Dashboard Confessional
13. The Swiss Ar..
The Shade of Poison Trees, Dashboard Confessional
14. The Shade of..
Thick As Thieves - Single, Dashboard Confessional
15. Thick As Thi..

Top Songs

NameAlbumTimePrice
1.
VindicatedDusk and Summer3:21$1.29
2.
StolenDusk and Summer3:19$1.29
3.
Hands DownMark, a Mission, a Brand, a..3:06$1.29
4.
Screaming InfidelitiesPlaces You Have Come to Fea..3:46$1.29
5.
Best DeceptionsPlaces You Have Come to Fea..4:14$1.29
6.
Ghost of a Good ThingMark, a Mission, a Brand, a..3:44$1.29
7.
As Lovers GoMark, a Mission, a Brand, a..3:29$1.29
8.
Don't WaitDusk and Summer4:05$1.29
9.
Belle of the BoulevardAlter the Ending (Deluxe Ve..4:02$1.29
10.
Swiss Army RomanceSwiss Army Romance3:06$1.29
11.
Screaming InfidelitiesSwiss Army Romance3:33$1.29
12.
Saints and SailorsPlaces You Have Come to Fea..2:33$1.29
13.
Brilliant DancePlaces You Have Come to Fea..3:02$1.29
14.
Remember To Breathe (MTV Unplugged V..MTV Unplugged v2.03:48$1.29
15.
For You to NoticeSo Impossible EP4:23$0.99
16.
Again I Go UnnoticedSwiss Army Romance2:24$1.29
17.
Hands DownSo Impossible EP3:11$0.99
18.
Belle of the Boulevard (Acoustic)Alter the Ending (Deluxe Ve..4:11$1.29
19.
Get Me RightAlter the Ending (Deluxe Ve..3:15$0.99
20.
Shade of Poison TreesShade of Poison Trees2:58$1.29
21.
Dusk and SummerDusk and Summer4:35$1.29
22.
So Long, So LongDusk and Summer4:15$1.29
23.
This Bitter PillPlaces You Have Come to Fea..3:13$1.29
24.
Places You Have Come to Fear the Mos..Places You Have Come to Fea..2:54$1.29
25.
Warmth of the SandAnother Year On the Street,..4:14$1.29

Top Music Videos

Don't Wait, Dashboard Confessional
1. Don't Wait
Stolen, Dashboard Confessional
2. Stolen
Don't Wait (Live), Dashboard Confessional
3. Don't Wait (L...
The Secret's In the Telling (Live), Dashboard Confessional
4. The Secret's ...
Belle of the Boulevard, Dashboard Confessional
5. Belle of the ...
Hands Down, Dashboard Confessional
6. Hands Down
Saints and Sailors, Dashboard Confessional
7. Saints and Sa...
Thick As Thieves, Dashboard Confessional
8. Thick As Thie...
Rapid Hope Loss (Closed-Captioned), Dashboard Confessional
9. Rapid Hope Lo...
Saints And Sailors (Closed-Captioned), Dashboard Confessional
10. Saints And Sa...
Hands Down (Closed-Captioned), Dashboard Confessional
11. Hands Down (C...
Thick As Thieves, Dashboard Confessional
12. Thick As Thie...


Comments



US iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store
US iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store

Become a fan of the Show Up Music on Facebook for exclusive offers, the inside scoop on latest and most exclusive music albums, singles and videos.