Jonny Craig was once one of the most unique voices in post-hardcore music. Known for his soulful vocals and emotional delivery, he gained early recognition with bands like Dance Gavin Dance, Emarosa, and Slaves. But despite his talent, Craig’s career has been marked by controversy, addiction struggles, and public fallouts. Here’s a closer look at what happened to the frontman.
A Voice That Defined A Genre
Craig first rose to prominence with Dance Gavin Dance, where his mix of R&B-inflected singing and raw emotional style set the band apart. His work on albums like ‘Downtown Battle Mountain’ (2007) helped shape the band’s early sound and earned a devoted fanbase, AllMusic notes.
After leaving the band due to personal and professional issues, he joined Emarosa, delivering standout vocals on ‘Relativity’ (2008). Later, he formed Slaves, further showcasing his vocal abilities on tracks like ‘The Fire Down Below.’ However, each of these projects eventually fell apart due to internal tensions and Craig’s personal struggles.
Struggles With Addiction And Scandals
Craig’s issues with substance abuse have been widely documented over the years. His heroin addiction led to multiple stints in rehab and public scandals, including a notorious PayPal scam in 2011, where he was accused of taking money from fans under false pretenses, as reported by Altpress. He later admitted to the scam and entered rehab.
“I’m embarrassed with my past actions, I want to make amends to everyone I hurt. Again, sorry to all my fans, family, band mates and colleagues. I’m truly sorry,” Craig later said in a blog post.
Despite periods of sobriety and attempted comebacks, controversy continued to follow him. In 2019, Slaves announced they had removed Craig from the band after further allegations of misconduct and relapse.
Life After The Spotlight
Since his departure from Slaves, Craig has remained mostly out of the public eye. He released solo music through platforms like Bandcamp, occasionally teasing new material on social media. In March 2024, Craig started a new project called Old Flame and released the first single, ‘Pray,’ East Portland Blog reports. In May 2024, he released a second single titled ‘Thank You For The Patience.’
While his music career has slowed down, some fans still hold out hope for a return, albeit on a smaller scale.
