PVRIS formed in Lowell, Massachusetts[2] in 2012[3] under the name Operation Guillotine.[4] They were originally a metalcore band,[4] consisting of five members,[2] one of which did screaming vocals,[4] which were performed by Kyle Anthony. Their line-up soon changed to vocalist/guitarist Lyndsey Gunnulfsen, guitarist Alex Babinski, bassist Brian Macdonald[5] and drummer Brad Griffin.[3] Babinski had previously been in I Am the Fallen.[2] When the band went into the studio their sound changed drastically, incorporating pop and electronic elements into their music.[6] Gunnulfsen claimed this incorporation was done subconsciously.[6] On March 26, 2013, PVRIS released their self-titled EP.[7] The sound had been described as post-hardcore.[8] They played sporadic shows through the Spring, including a successful mini-tour with Love, Robot.
During the summer of 2013 the band played a week on Ernie Ball‘s Battle of the Bands stage at Warped Tour after winning a contest.[2] On July 17, the band signed to Tragic Hero.[9] It was also during this time that they officially changed their name from ‘Paris’ to ‘PVRIS’ citing legal reasons, which was officially made on July 26. The band went on The Rise Up Tour supporting A Skylit Drive[9] in September and October.[10] Shortly after the end of the tour, they parted ways with their drummer Brad Griffin, and continued as a trio. PVRIS began teasing fans that they would soon be hitting the studio to write and record new material around this time. That recording process began in December when PVRIS entered the studio with Blake Harnage of Versa. On February 7, 2014 they officially announced that they were apart of an Acoustic 4 Way Split with A Loss For Words, Wind In Sails and After Tonight which was set to release on April 1, 2014. Coinciding with the release of their Acoustic EP PVRIS joined A Loss For Words, Veara, City Lights, and Moms on the 5th anniversary of The Kids Can’t Lose Tour from March 29, 2014 to April 13, 2014.
Signing to Rise/Velocity and White Noise (2014–present)[edit]
In June 2014[11] it was announced the band had signed to Rise and Velocity.[2] A music video was released for “St. Patrick” on June 24,[11] and the song was also released as a single on the same day.[12] In an interview with The Huffington Post Lyndsey elaborated on the excitement that came with being able to release new music to the public. “We’ve been waiting over six months to release anything… It feels incredible to finally unleash it to the world. So many more people are into it than we even imagined!” [13] The band played two weeks on the Battle of the Bands stage at Warped Tour.[2] During their time spent on Warped Tour The Huffington Post released a second article listing them as one of “18 Artists You Need To Know Halfway Through 2014”. “Lynn Gunn is a force that cannot be denied, redolently poignant in both her most excitable and serene vocalizations. The first female-led signing of Rise Records, a label that has almost implausibly made metalcore music equally accessible and desirable, the label may have just made its smartest acquisition yet.”[14]
The band supported Mayday Parade in October and November[15] on their The Honeymoon Tour.[16] In early September, the band supported Emarosa on the Up Close and Personal tour.[17] PVRIS also joined the Ice Grills 2014 Tour in Japan from September 16, 2014 to September 21, 2014. The tour featured Lyndsey and Brian playing with A Loss For Words, State Champs, as well as PVRIS providing acoustic support. On September 22, 2014 PVRIS announced their debut album “White Noise” due for release on November 4, 2014. The following day, PVRIS released a music video for “My House”. On October 6, 2014 PVRIS released “The Empty Room Sessions” of My House. On October 16, 2014 PVRIS released the self-titled track “White Noise” off of their upcoming debut album. On November 10, 2014 it was announced that PVRIS would be supporting Pierce the Veil and Sleeping with Sirens on the second leg of their World Tour, and Mallory Knox will also be supporting them. The tour runs from January 23 to March 4, starting in San Diego and ending in Oklahoma City.[18] On March 25, 2015, PVRIS released the official video for ‘White Noise’.[19]
On June 11, 2015, PVRIS won the Relentless Kerrang! Awards 2015 for Best International Newcomer.[20] On June 22, 2015, PVRIS released their cover of Chandelier by Sia off Punk Goes Pop 6‘s deluxe edition. On July 2, 2015, PVRIS released the official music video for “Holy”. On July 21, 2015, PVRIS released the official music video for “Fire”. The following day, at the Alternative Press Music Awards, they took home the award for Breakthrough Band.[21] The band supported Bring Me the Horizon in the U.S. in October,[22] then supported them the following month in the UK.[23] In February and March, the band are set to support Fall Out Boy on their tour of the U.S.[24
