Armor for Sleep
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States |
| Founder | Ben Jorgensen |
| Headquarters | Teaneck , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Ben Jorgensen, Nash Breen, Erik Rudic, Chad Sabo |
| Products | Studio albums, music tours |
Armor for Sleep is a rock ensemble originating from Teaneck, New Jersey, United States. The founding members consisted of vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Ben Jorgensen, lead guitarist PJ DeCicco, bassist Anthony DiIonno, and drummer Nash Breen. Presently, the lineup features Jorgensen and Breen alongside lead guitarist Erik Rudic and bassist Chad Sabo, both affiliated with Cold Seas, a band that also includes Breen.
Following the release of their initial demo recordings, the band secured a contract with the New York–based independent label Equal Vision Records. Under this label, they launched their concept albums Dream to Make Believe (2003) and What to Do When You Are Dead (2005). Later, they transitioned to Sire Records under the Warner Bros. umbrella, issuing Smile for Them (2007) before entering an extended hiatus. The group officially disbanded in October 2009 but reunited briefly for tours in 2012 and 2015. Their formal reunion took place in 2020, leading to the release of two subsequent albums: The Rain Museum (2022) and There Is No Memory (2025).
Throughout their tenure, Armor for Sleep has been acknowledged for their fusion of alternative rock with elements of atmospheric emo and dream pop, complemented by introspective and emotionally resonant lyrics.
History
Formed in 2001 by Ben Jorgensen in Teaneck, New Jersey, Armor For Sleep's initial lineup was completed when Nash Breen and Peter James "PJ" DeCicco joined after departing from the New Jersey band Prevent Falls. The band's name was inspired by Jorgensen’s personal battles with insomnia, reflecting his use of music as an outlet.
Jorgensen produced a two-track demo featuring "Dream to Make Believe" and "Slip Like Space," both of which were later re-recorded for their debut studio album Dream to Make Believe. Notably, former guitarist Paul Abrahamian went on to establish It's Called the Ghost Town Symphony in 2002.
Their first record deal was with Equal Vision Records, through which they released Dream to Make Believe (2003) followed by What to Do When You Are Dead (2005). In 2006, they signed with Warner Brothers/Sire Records aiming for a new direction.
A remix of "Remember to Feel Real" by Machine Shop Recordings was featured on the soundtrack for Snakes on a Plane (2006). Additionally, their song "End of the World" premiered on the soundtrack for the film Transformers in 2007 and was subsequently included in an altered form on their following album.
Their third studio album, Smile for Them, was released on October 30, 2007. Later, on August 20, 2008, they announced the EP titled The Way Out Is Broken.
Disbandments and reunions
After a period of inactivity exceeding one year, Armor For Sleep officially announced their breakup on October 28, 2009. This decision was confirmed by frontman Ben Jorgensen through an official statement.
The band briefly reunited to perform farewell sets at the 2012 Bamboozle Festival held in New Jersey. Later, in July 2015, they revealed plans for an eight-city tour commemorating the tenth anniversary of their album What To Do When You Are Dead.
Post-disbandment projects
In January 2009, Paul Abrahamian established a new musical group named 1984.
Following the band's dissolution, Ben Jorgensen embarked on an electronic venture called God Loves a Challenge and independently released a solo EP titled There Is Nowhere Left to Go in 2010.
In October 2014, Nash Breen initiated the formation of the band the Cold Seas alongside Erik Rudic, Chad Sabo, and Matt Castoral. Subsequently, Rudic and Sabo joined Armor for Sleep in 2024, reuniting with Breen and Jorgensen. Breen, Rudic, and Sabo continue to perform actively with both ensembles.
Return and subsequent albums
On February 24, 2020, Armor For Sleep announced plans for a reunion tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of What to Do When You Are Dead. Originally scheduled for the summer of that year, the tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with new dates rescheduled for 2021.
In July 2022, the band revealed their album The Rain Museum, which was released on September 9, 2022 through Equal Vision Records and Rude Records.
During that summer, they participated in select performances on the Hello Gone Days tour, co-headlined by Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The following spring in 2023, they co-led the Pitch Black Forever tour alongside Hawthorne Heights.
Towards the end of 2023, Armor For Sleep embarked on a tour celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their debut album Dream to Make Believe, supported by the Early November and the Spill Canvas.
In February 2024, they appeared on the Emo's Not Dead Cruise event headlined by Yellowcard.
On July 18, 2024, the band released the single "In Another Dream," followed by another single titled "What a Beautiful World" on October 11, which was accompanied by a lyric video.
They announced a twentieth anniversary tour for What to Do When You Are Dead on November 12, 2024. This tour is set to commence on March 6, 2025 in Boston and will feature supporting acts Boys Night Out and Hellogoodbye.
On September 10, 2025, Armor For Sleep unveiled "Breathe Again" along with news of their fifth studio album titled There Is No Memory, which was released on November 7, 2025 via Equal Vision Records. To promote this album, they will open for Senses Fail and Story of the Year during the Scream Team Tour starting November 17 in Atlanta.
Additional singles from this album include "The Outer Ring," released on October 10, and "Last Days," which came out on November 8 accompanied by a music video.
Current members
- Ben Jorgensen – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
- Erik Rudic – lead guitar
- Chad Sabo – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Nash Breen – drums and percussion
Former members
- PJ DeCicco – lead guitar
- Anthony DiIonno – bass guitar, backing vocals
- AJ Resnick – drums
- Paul Abrahamian – lead guitar
Touring members
- Nate Novarro (Cobra Starship) – drums and percussion
Discography
Studio Albums
- Dream to Make Believe (2003)
- What to Do When You Are Dead (2005)
- Smile for Them (2007)
- The Rain Museum (2022)
- There Is No Memory (2025)