Dayseeker

Dayseeker
Dayseeker playing in Las Vegas during their Dark Sun tour
Dayseeker playing in Las Vegas during their Dark Sun tour
Background information
OriginOrange County, California, U.S.
Genres
Works
Years active2012–present
Labels
Members
  • Rory Rodriguez
  • Zac Mayfield
  • Ramone Valerio
Past members
  • Matt Steenstra
  • Andrew Sharp
  • Alex Polk
  • Shawn Yates
  • Mike Karle
  • Gino Sgambelluri
Websitedayseeker.band

Dayseeker is an American post-hardcore band formed in Orange County, California, in 2012. They are known primarily by their post-hardcore,[1] metalcore,[2] and emo[3] sound in their musical style. The group consists of vocalist Rory Rodriguez, bassist Ramone Valerio and drummer Zac Mayfield. They are currently signed to Spinefarm Records and have released six studio albums. Their most recent studio album, Creature in the Black Night, was released on October 24, 2025.

History

Formation and What It Means to Be Defeated (2012–2014)

Dayseeker was formed in 2012 by vocalist Rory Rodriguez, guitarists Alex Polk and Matt Steenstra, bassist Andrew Sharp and drummer Mike Karle in Orange near Anaheim, California. Rory Rodriguez and Alex Polk were members of Arms Like Yours, and Mike Karle, Andrew Sharp, and Matt Steenstra were members of Southern Lights before forming Dayseeker.

The band released a series of demos including the songs "What It Means to Be Defeated", "Collision.Survive" and "Resurrect", which were released on their debut record as well as two untitled songs.[4] On July 7, 2013, the band was signed to InVogue Records, which released their debut album What It Means to Be Defeated on October 29, 2013.[5][6] It featured work by Joey Sturgis, who mastered the record.[7] On November 24, 2014, the album was re-released.[8] Tom Denney, a former guitarist of A Day to Remember was involved in producing the re-released version of the album. The re-issue features three acoustic tracks.[9]

In November and December 2013 the band toured the United States on a three-week tour alongside Kingdom of Giants.[10] In April and May 2014 the band was part of the Artery Across the Nation Tour, which featured Upon This Dawning and The Browning in the line-up.[11]

Origin (2014–2016)

On December 23, 2014, the band announced they would be a part of the Hawthorne Heights tour between March and April 2015.[12] After that tour, the band then shared the stage with Silent Planet in April and May 2015 to promote Origin.[13]

In January 2015, the band announced they were to begin recording the follow-up to their debut album What It Means to Be Defeated with producer Nick Ingram, who had worked with Hotel Books and Before Their Eyes in the past.[14][15] On March 9, 2015, it was announced that the album was entitled Origin and would be released on April 21, 2015. The same day the same-titled lead single as well as the pre-orders were announced, the band released a cover of Nick Jonas' song "Jealous".[15][16]

Dreaming Is Sinking /// Waking Is Rising (2016–2018)

The band members Alex Polk and Andrew Sharp departed from the band in the spring of 2016. Shawn Yates, former member of At the Skylines, served as the new guitarist. On December 15, 2016, the band announced their departure from InVogue Records and that they had signed with Spinefarm Records. Shortly after, they announced a U.S. tour with headliner Silent Planet, along with Ghost Key and Hail the Sun, which began in February 2017. A year after the release of Origin, Dayseeker announced a new studio album set to release in 2017.[17] The third album, Dreaming Is Sinking /// Waking Is Rising, was released by Spinefarm on July 14, 2017.[18]

Sleeptalk (2019–2021)

On September 27, 2019, Dayseeker released their fourth studio album entitled Sleeptalk.[19] Just before its second anniversary, the deluxe edition of Sleeptalk was released, including stripped-down reimagined versions of the first four songs: "Drunk", "Crooked Soul", "Burial Plot", and "Sleeptalk".[20]

In the fall of 2021, Oh, Sleeper drummer Zac Mayfield announced that he would be temporarily filling in for Mike Karle for the foreseeable future.[21] Karle returned to the group the following fall.[22]

Dark Sun and Replica (2022–2024)

On March 25, 2022, Dayseeker released the song "Neon Grave".[23] Rodriguez confirmed the progress on a new album, stating that he has found himself immersed in the emotions that came with the loss of his father shortly after his daughter's unexpected birth.[24][25] In an interview with Boolin Tunes, Rodriguez revealed that he initially intended to only write one song about his grief and then 'move on', but it quickly grew to engulf the writing sessions and he knew that it would take the majority of an album to properly represent his emotions.[26] Their fifth studio album, Dark Sun, was released on November 4, 2022.[27]

On February 14, 2024, the band announced Replica, an album containing acoustic versions of songs from Sleeptalk and Dark Sun, in addition to a cover of My Immortal by Evanescence. Alongside the announcement, Dayseeker released the first single from the album, "Burial Plot", featuring Caleb Shomo of Beartooth. Other featured artists include Lucas Woodland from Holding Absence and Amber DeLaRosa. The album was released digitally on April 19 and physically on June 14.[28]

Creature in the Black Night and Sgambelluri's departure (2025–present)

On April 23, 2025, Dayseeker released the song "Pale Moonlight".[29] On July 9, 2025, the band released another single, "Creature in the Black Night". That same day, their sixth studio album, Creature in the Black Night, was announced. It was released on October 24.[30] The band confirmed in a track-by-track with Valentino Petrarca from The Aquarian, they worked closely with producer Dan Braunstein throughout the entire process.[31]

On November 6, 2025, the band announced that they were parting ways with Sgambelluri.[32]

Band members

Current

  • Rory Rodriguez – lead vocals (2012–present)
  • Ramone Valerio – bass, backing vocals (2017–present)
  • Zac Mayfield – drums, percussion (2022–present)

Former

  • Matt Steenstra – rhythm guitar (2012)
  • Andrew Sharp – bass (2012–2016)
  • Alex Polk – rhythm guitar (2012–2016)
  • Shawn Yates – rhythm guitar (2016–2018)
  • Mike Karle – drums, percussion (2012–2022)
  • Gino Sgambelluri – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–2025); rhythm guitar (2018–2025)

Touring

  • Mitch Stark – lead guitar, backing vocals (2025–present)
  • Devin Chance – bass (2026–present)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

  • What It Means to Be Defeated (2013)
  • Origin (2015)
  • Dreaming Is Sinking /// Waking Is Rising (2017)
  • Sleeptalk (2019)
  • Dark Sun (2022)
  • Creature in the Black Night (2025)

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Nominee / Work Result Ref.
2025 Nik Nocturnal Awards Vocalist of the Year Rory Rodriguez Nominated [33][34]
Feels Are Reals "Pale Moonlight"
Music Video of the Year
Radio Song of the Year
Album of the Year Creature in the Black Night

References

  1. ^ Hickie, James (July 9, 2025). "Dayseeker: "This album is about the personal issues I've dealt with, trying to navigate life as our band becomes a little more successful"". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  2. ^ Opinion: Dayseeker's 'Dark Sun' demonstrates elegance in its theme of death
  3. ^ "Adventure Club & Nurko Unleash Emotive Ballad "Color Blind" ft. Dayseeker [LISTEN]".
  4. ^ Steve Alcala: Minds Equal Blown: Dayseeker – Untitled EP Review
  5. ^ Kriston McConnell: Under the Gun Review: Dayseeker sign to InVogue Records, stream new song Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Michele Bird: Alternative Press: Dayseeker stream new album, 'What It Means To Be Defeated'
  7. ^ Allmusic: DAYSEEKER | What It Means to Be Defeated | Credits
  8. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press: Dayseeker (InVogue Records) to re-release ‘What It Means To Be Defeated’
  9. ^ Top40-Charts.com: Dayseeker Re-Releasing "What It Means To Be Defeated" As Deluxe Edition On 11/24
  10. ^ Lambgoat: Adestria, Kingdom of Giants, Dayseeker tour
  11. ^ Matt Crane: Alternative Press: Upon This Dawning announce U.S. headlining tour
  12. ^ Hayley Hoyle: Infectious Magazine: Hawthorne Heights Announces Acoustic Tour Archived 2015-10-02 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press: Silent Planet to perform 'The Night God Slept' in full on spring headlining tour
  14. ^ Jeanette Hernandez: MUSE Local Artist: M.U.S.E. Local Artist: Orange County Rock Band Dayseeker Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ a b Dan Harr: Musicnews Nashville: Dayseeker Releasing New LP 'Origin' on April 21 Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Tyler Sharp: Alternative Press: Dayseeker (InVogue Records) announce new album, stream Nick Jonas cover
  17. ^ "| SPINEFARM RECORDS WELCOMES DAYSEEKER TO THE ROSTER". Spinefarmrecords.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  18. ^ "Dreaming Is Sinking / Waking Is Rising by Dayseeker on Apple Music". Apple Inc. July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  19. ^ "DAYSEEKER OPEN A PORTAL TO HIGHER GROUND ON 'SLEEPTALK'". altpress.com. Spinefarm. October 2, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  20. ^ ""Dayseeker to Release Deluxe Version of Sleeptalk - Broadway World"".
  21. ^ ""Zac Mayfield on Instagram, November 2021". November 30, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  22. ^ ""Mike Karle on Instagram, September 2022". September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  23. ^ "Dayseeker Have Released An Emotionally Stunning New Track 'Neon Grave'". rocksound.com. March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  24. ^ ""Rory Rodriguez on Instagram, January 2021". January 22, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  25. ^ ""Rory Rodriguez on Instagram, July 2021". July 6, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  26. ^ Eaton, Harry (October 20, 2022). "In Conversation: Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker and Hurtwave". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  27. ^ Eaton, Harry (November 1, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Dayseeker - Dark Sun". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  28. ^ "Dayseeker Announce "Replica" Acoustic Album + Share "Burial Plot" (Feat. Caleb Shomo)". Spinefarm Records. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  29. ^ "Dayseeker Drop Explosive Track 'Pale Moonlight'". Rock Sound. April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  30. ^ "Dayseeker Announce New Album 'Creature In The Black Night'". Rock Sound. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  31. ^ "Dayseeker Creature In The Black Night Track-By-Track". The Aquarian. October 13, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  32. ^ "Dayseeker part ways with guitarist Gino Sgambelluri". Kerrang!. November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  33. ^ "Nominations List". Nocturnal Awards. November 26, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  34. ^ "Nocturnal Awards 2025 (Full Show) | Live Metal Awards". December 15, 2025 – via YouTube.
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