Jeromes Dream

Jeromes Dream is a screamo band from Connecticut, originally active from 1997 to 2001, and again from 2018 onwards.

History[edit]

Jeromes Dream began on September 13, 1997^[1] after a short jam session that was held in the basement of guitarist Nick Antonopoulos in his mother's house with bassist Jeff Smith and drummer Erik Ratensperger. According to Ratensperger, their first recorded material was intended to be used for a demo release; however, it caught the attention of Rice Control Records, resulting in the intended demo material being released as a split album with Amalgamation.^[2]

Most of the band's music was released as splits with other artists, including other notable screamo acts such as Usurp Synapse. Their most well known split release would be their split with Orchid, a 10" record shaped in a 3/4ths view of a skull, which is sought after by both collectors and fans alike, and considered a definitive work of the genre. They toured the United States frequently, and their first proper full-length album, titled Seeing Means More Than Safety, was released in May 2000.

Their second full-length, Presents, which was released on July 9, 2001, featured a significant change in sound for the band. They eventually broke up in August that same year. Jeff Smith began a career in experimental drone music by creating the band The Wind-Up Bird with Joseph Grimm,^[3] while Erik Ratensperger became the drummer for The Virgins, a dance punk band from New York.^[4]

Along with artists such as Orchid, Saetia and Pg. 99, they are considered as one of the most influential bands of the late 1990s screamo movement and have been called as "probably the most original" band of their time.^[5] Their music has influenced many bands, such as Lord Snow,^[6] Brighter Arrows,^[7] and Vein.^[8]

In mid-2016, Ratensperger posted a previously unreleased video on the new official Jeromes Dream YouTube channel.^[9] He also opened an official archival band Instagram page, mostly for the purpose of uploading previously unreleased photos of the group. In the spring of 2017, it was announced that Zegema Beach Records and Coniine Records would release a Jeromes Dream tribute compilation, titled It's More Like A Homage To You, with all proceeds going to Flint, Michigan.^[10] The compilation featured covers done by 29 bands from multiple countries.

On September 3, 2017, it was announced through Jeromes Dream's official Instagram account that all three members of the band had talked that day through a three-hour phone call for the first time since their disbandment, all of which was recorded by drummer Erik Ratensperger, and later posted on the band's YouTube channel.

Reunion[edit]

On March 5, 2018, Jeromes Dream created a new website, jeromesdreamforever.com, featuring a mailing list. On March 8, the band posted a YouTube video, titled "Something is happening.", which linked to their website.

On March 22, 2018, Jeromes Dream announced that they were writing a new full-length album, which was set to be recorded in the fall of 2018 by Kurt Ballou at GodCity Studios.^[11] This record would be self-released, and to finance this the band set up an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign as a pre-order for the record. In less than 24 hours, 90% of their $15,000 goal was reached, and in less than 4 days, 100% of the goal was reached.

The LP was confirmed to no longer be recorded by Kurt Ballou, but instead by Jack Shirley, at Atomic Garden studios. It was released on July 19, 2019. Later in January 2019, it was announced that the reformed group would tour with Loma Prieta in the summer of that year.^[12]

On July 30, 2021, Jeromes Dream announced that they were working with the Boston-based label Iodine Recordings and reissuing their album "Presents" on vinyl for its 20th anniversary.^[13]

On October 3, 2021, Jeromes Dream announced via social media that Sean Leary (Loma Prieta, Ełłe, Stormlight) had officially joined the band as a second guitarist.

On February 28, 2023, the band announced a new album, titled "The Gray In Between," and released the single "Stretched Invisible from London."^[14] The album released on May 5 of the same year.^[15]

Style and live performances[edit]

Vocalist and bassist Jeff Smith would scream from the top of his lungs during live performances without the use of a microphone. During live shows, both Smith and Antonopoulos would perform with their backs facing the audience. They always performed on the floor, and would refuse to play on stage.

Jeromes Dream is mainly categorized as a screamo band.^{[16][17][18][1][19]} Their music includes influences from powerviolence, grindcore,^[10] noise rock, and math rock.^[20] Those influences include bands such as Don Caballero, 1.6 Band, Bloodlet, and Deadguy.^[21]

Their first full length, Seeing Means More Than Safety, was very violent and destructive musically, and included many noise interludes composed of guitar feedback and radio samples. Their second full length, Presents, however, was much more angular musically. The vocal style also changed dramatically, having "a more traditional hardcore-shout kind of approach," as described in a review.^[22]

Band members[edit]

Current members

• Jeff Smith – bass, vocals (1997–2001, 2018–present)
• Erik Ratensperger – drums (1997–2001, 2018–present)
• Sean Leary – guitars (2021–present)

Former members

• Nick Antonopoulos – guitars (1997–2001, 2018–2021)

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Split releases[edit]

Compilation albums[edit]

Compilation appearances[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• Official Jeromes Dream Instagram Page
• Discogs Page, Including Pressing Information
• Alone Records Information On Jeromes Dream