Dan Vapid & The Cheats

ByLets Go Punk
Dan Vapid and the Cheats is a Chicago-based pop-punk band formed in 2011. With members from iconic punk acts
Robman94

Dan Vapid and the Cheats is a pop-punk band from Chicago, formed by musicians who previously played in influential punk bands such as Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales, The Methadones, Noise By Numbers, The Vindictives, Sludgeworth, and The Bomb. Known for their catchy hooks and punk roots, the band has continued to evolve since their formation in 2011.

History

Dan Vapid and the Cheats were formed following the disbandment of Screeching Weasel after the notorious SXSW incident in 2011. Dan Schafer, also known as Dan Vapid, launched the band alongside bassist Simon Lamb (Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales), guitarist Mike Byrne (The Methadones, The Vindictives), and drummer Mike Soucy (The Methadones, The Bomb). Originally meant to be a one-off project, the band’s performance over Memorial Day weekend 2011 inspired Vapid to continue the project. They recorded their self-titled debut album in October 2011, produced by Justin Perkins at the Mystery Room.

In 2012, the band played at Riot Fest as a trio after Mike Byrne’s departure. By 2013, a new lineup emerged with Simon Lamb transitioning to guitar and Rick Uncapher (Noise By Numbers, Textbook) joining on bass. That same year, the band released their sophomore album titled Two.

By the time the band recorded their third album Three in 2019, Dillon Dunnagan (bass/vocals) and Gabe Usery (drums/vocals) had replaced Uncapher and Soucy. The band’s fourth album, Escape Velocity, was released in 2021, followed by Welcome to Dystopia in 2022.

Band Members

  • Dan Vapid: Lead vocals, guitar
  • Simon Lamb: Guitar, vocals (formerly bass/vocals)
  • Dillon Dunnagan: Bass, vocals
  • Gabe Usery: Drums, vocals

Former Members:

  • Mike Byrne: Guitar
  • Rick Uncapher: Bass
  • Mike Soucy: Drums

Discography

Singles

  • Dan Vapid and The Cheats / Jetty Boys (split 7-inch, 2012 – Merman Records)
  • Dan Vapid and The Cheats / Masked Intruder (The Wedding 7-inch, 2013 – Solidarity Recordings)

Albums

  • Dan Vapid and the Cheats (Torture Chamber, 2012)
  • Two (Torture Chamber, 2013)
  • Three (Eccentric Pop, 2019)
  • Escape Velocity (Eccentric Pop, 2021)
  • Welcome to Dystopia (Eccentric Pop, 2022)

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