Balance and Composure is an American rock band from Doylestown, Pennsylvania.[2] They formed in the winter of 2007, after the breakup of two local Doylestown bands.[5]
On December 14, 2017, on Taylor Madison's Strange Nerve podcast, vocalist Jon Simmons announced that their upcoming anniversary tour would be their last.[10] On January 14, 2019 a press release went out on the band's Twitter account announcing a farewell tour. Six dates were confirmed, saying that "These shows are the only shows we have planned in our future, we would love if you joined us one last time."[11] The band later added extra dates due to high demand. These shows had select support from Tigers Jaw, mewithoutYou, and Touche Amore.
On April 11, 2023, the band reunited and surprise released the 7-inch single Too Quick to Forgive with two new songs, "Savior Mode" and "Last to Know". The release was produced by longtime collaborator Will Yip and released via his label, Memory Music. The band also announced a handful of reunion shows with select support from Webbed Wing, Grist Mil, Fleshwater, Seahaven, Death Bells, Choir Boy, and Toledo.[12] Simmons, Andy Slaymaker (guitar), Erik Petersen (guitar), and Matt Warner (bass) returned in the formation of the 2023 iteration of the band. They were joined by new drummer Dennis Wilson, formerly of Saves the Day and Every Avenue.
The band released their fourth studio album (and first in eight years), With You in Spirit, on October 4, 2024, via Memory Music.
Members
Current members
Jon Simmons – lead vocals (2007–2019, 2023–present), rhythm guitar (2010–2019, 2023–present), lead guitar (2007–2010)
Andy Slaymaker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2007–2019, 2023–present)
Matt Warner – bass (2007–2019, 2023–present)
Erik Petersen – lead guitar (2010–2019, 2023–present)
^ abCohen, Ian (December 30, 2014). "The Year In Post-Hardcore: Has the New Wave Crested?". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 15, 2016. He was also joking, but then again, post-hardcore isn't known for its sense of humor. Despite his claims that he was making a tongue-in-cheek statement, this so-called new wave of friends and scene compatriots were some of the most exciting bands going; Touché Amoré, La Dispute, Defeater, Pianos Become the Teeth, and Make Do and Mend were considered the core, and the already-elastic boundaries stretched to include classicist alt-rock acts like Balance and Composure, melodic punk such as Title Fight and even Into It. Over It., a decidedly non-hardcore singer-songwriter vehicle.
