Being As An Ocean

Being as an Ocean is an American post-hardcore band from Alpine, California, formed in 2011. Known for their evolving sound and emotionally charged lyrics, they have released five studio albums that showcase their growth from raw post-hardcore roots to more refined melodic and atmospheric compositions. Their works include Dear G-d…, How We Both Wondrously Perish, a self-titled album, Waiting for Morning to Come, and PROXY: An A.N.I.M.O. Story. Notably, How We Both Wondrously Perish, released in May 2014, entered the Billboard 200 at number 57.

History

Years as Vanguard and Dear G-d… (2011–2013)

Originally called Vanguard, the band started out playing extreme metal with a Christian message but soon shifted towards a post-hardcore style as their sound matured. Early demos from their Vanguard days hinted at the raw energy that would define their later work. After changing their name to Being as an Ocean, they recorded their debut album Dear G-d…, with guitarist Tyler Ross writing much of it shortly after the band’s formation. The recording took place in an old hotel, and the title track quickly became a fan favorite. As they gained momentum, the band toured across more than twenty countries, supporting acts like Counterparts and Hundredth, and released additional tracks such as “The People Who Share My Name” as a B-side.

Line-up Changes, How We Both Wondrously Perish and Self-titled Album (2013–2015)

The period around 2013 saw significant lineup shifts when Shad Hamawe and Jacob Prest departed due to the rigors of touring. The band welcomed new members, including drummer Connor Dennis and guitarist Michael McGough, whose addition brought fresh dynamics to their sound. With these changes, they began work on their second album How We Both Wondrously Perish, which was recorded in Atlanta and released in May 2014, further refining their style. Following this, they announced a third self-titled album in 2015, releasing several singles ahead of the album, and played throughout Warped Tour that year.

Waiting for Morning to Come and PROXY: An A.N.I.M.O. Story (2015–2021)

After extensive touring and creative development, the band began teasing new music in 2015. They experienced more lineup changes, including the departure of drummer Connor Dennis, and transitioned to new partnerships such as signing with Equal Vision Records briefly. Delays plagued their fourth album, Waiting for Morning to Come, but eventually, Tyler Ross secured independent release rights, leading to an independent release in September 2017. The band continued to release singles and hinted at future projects, culminating in the 2019 independent release of their fifth album, PROXY: An A.N.I.M.O. Story.

Line-up Changes and Recent Developments (2021–present)

The band underwent further changes in 2021, with founding members Tyler Ross and Ralph Sica departing. They continued moving forward, releasing new music such as the single “Lost” in partnership with Out of Line Music. In 2022, they celebrated an anniversary edition of Dear G-d… featuring unreleased and acoustic tracks. Most recently, in 2023 and 2024, the band announced European tours, released their sixth studio album Death Can Wait, and navigated more lineup transitions, including Michael McGough’s departure while Joel Quartuccio remains the core member committed to the band’s future.

Musical Style and Influences

Being as an Ocean’s music merges post-hardcore with melodic hardcore and atmospheric post-rock elements, often interwoven with spoken word passages. Their sound has evolved significantly over the years, with each album reflecting growth in emotional depth and musical complexity. Influences range from bands like MewithoutYou and Sigur Rós to post-hardcore stalwarts Underoath and La Dispute. The band’s lyrics often explore profound themes of faith, hope, pain, and human experience, delivered with a mix of passionate vocals and spoken word that creates an intimate connection with listeners. While often labeled a Christian band due to the band members’ personal beliefs, they prefer to be seen simply as musicians expressing their truths, avoiding the confines of any single genre label.

Members

Current Members

Joel Quartuccio – lead vocals (2011–present)

Current Touring Musicians

David Baqi – guitars (2021–present)

Former Members

Michael McGough – vocals, bass, rhythm guitar
Tyler Ross – lead guitar (2011–2021)
Ralph Sica – bass (2011–2021)
Shad Hamawe – drums, percussion (2011–2013)
Jacob Prest – rhythm guitar, vocals (2011–2013)
Connor Denis – drums, percussion (2013–2015)
Garrett Harney – drums (2018–2021)