Beach Slang
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 2013 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
Key people | James Alex (lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter) |
| Products | Rock music, albums, EPs |
Beach Slang was a rock group originating from Philadelphia, established in May 2013. Throughout its existence, the band underwent multiple personnel changes, with lead singer and guitarist James Alex remaining the central figure, primary songwriter, and only founding member.
Formation and The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us (2013–2015)
The band came together in June 2013. Their initial live performances took place in June 2014, coinciding with the release of a 7-inch EP titled Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? through Dead Broke Records. Later that year, in October, they issued a second EP named Cheap Thrills on a Dead End Street via Tiny Engines.
Early on, Beach Slang rotated between lead guitarists Spencer Dorsey (No Summer) and Dan Metzker (The Danger O's). In February 2015, they participated in the split release Strength in Weakness under Lame-O Records, alongside five other bands.
Prior to recording their debut album, Ruben Gallego joined as the permanent lead guitarist. Their first full-length album, The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us, was released on October 30, 2015.
A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings era and lineup shifts (2016–2018)
In April 2016 during a performance in Salt Lake City, Beach Slang seemingly disbanded live when James declared it would be their final show and urged fans to request refunds. During this incident, Ruben smashed his guitar and exited the stage abruptly. Approximately a month later, drummer JP Flexner was removed from the group, held responsible for triggering James' on-stage breakdown. Before Flexner's exit, the band recorded their sophomore album, A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings, which was released in September 2016.
Ruben Gallego departed the band in October 2016 following allegations of sexual assault. By December of that year, replacements were brought in: Aurore Ounjian, formerly of Mean Creek, took over guitar duties, while Cully Symington, known for his work with Afghan Whigs and Cursive, became the new drummer.
James Alex initiated a side project called Quiet Slang to reinterpret Beach Slang songs acoustically and explore different musical styles. In October 2017, he released an EP titled We Were Babies & We Were Dirtbags, featuring four acoustic renditions of earlier tracks.
Everything Matters But No One Is Listening and The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City (2018–2020)
Quiet Slang’s debut full album, Everything Matters But No One Is Listening, arrived in May 2018 and was followed by a tour. Alex described this project as a tribute to Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, aiming to present a softer yet emotionally resonant facet of rock music.
On October 14, 2019, Beach Slang announced their third studio album, The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City, simultaneously releasing its lead single "Bam Rang Rang". The album officially came out on January 10, 2020.
Allegations of emotional abuse and disbandment (2021)
On January 5, 2021, former manager Charlie Lowe accused James Alex of emotional abuse. The band’s social media accounts were taken offline the following day.
A statement issued on January 12 confirmed that Beach Slang had disbanded. It cited Alex’s behavior as linked to serious mental health struggles and noted that he was undergoing inpatient treatment after a suicide attempt.
Previous musical projects
Members of Beach Slang came from a variety of musical experiences:
- James Alex was previously part of Weston (1992–2011) and Cordova Academy Glee Club (2005–2009).
- Ed McNulty contributed to Crybaby between 2012 and 2015.
- JP Flexner’s background includes playing with Ex Friends (2011–2014), No Summer (2013–2014), and touring with Worriers.
- Ruben Gallego formerly performed with Glocca Morra.
- Spencer Dorsey, a solo performer and ex-member of No Summer, has released records through Twin Wasp Records.
- Dan Metzker was involved with The Danger O's.
- Cully Symington served as drummer for Cursive from 2009 to 2018 before joining Sparta.
- Aurore Ounjian played lead guitar for Mean Creek from 2006 to 2015.
- Tierney Tough fronts The Pauses and has collaborated with War On Women and Matt Pond PA.
- Dan Crotts held the role of drummer in Brave Town.
- John Herguth’s projects include AciD, Rocketscience, The Love Scene, and his solo work Atlantic/Pacific.
- Scott Schoenbeck’s previous bands include Self Denial, Cleveland Bound Death Sentence, Alligator Gun, The Promise Ring, and he joined Dashboard Confessional in 2002.
- Benjamin Clapp is recognized as the Junk Percussionist for Skeleton Key.
- Gee Lima drummed for Anthem Grief, Behind Deadlines, Lost In Society and co-founded Philadelphia-based groups Lions Of West Texas and Common Crime.
Band members
- Last lineup
- James Alex – lead vocals, lead guitar (2013–2021)
- Aurore Ounjian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2016–2021)
- Scott Schoenbeck – bass (2019–2021)
- Gee Lima – drums (2019–2021)
- Past members
- Spencer Dorsey – guitar (2013)
- Dan Metzker – guitar (2013)
- JP Flexner – drums (2013–2016)
- Ruben Gallego – guitar (2013–2016)
- Ed McNulty – bass (2013–2018)
- Arik Dayan – drums (2017)
- Cully Syminton – drums (2017–2019)
- Tierney Tough – bass, backing vocals (2018)
- Dan Crotts – drums (2018)
- Maura Weaver – bass (2019)
- John Herguth – bass (2019)
- Jason Draper – bass (2019)
- Benjamin Clapp – drums (2019)
- Timeline
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Discography
Studio Albums
- The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us (2015)
- A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings (2016)
- Everything Matters But No One Is Listening (2018, released under Quiet Slang)
- The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City (2020)
EPs
- Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? (2014)
- Cheap Thrills on a Dead End Street (2014)
- Here I Made This For You: Volume 1 (2016)
- Here I Made This For You: Volume 2 (2017)
- We Were Babies & We Were Dirtbags (2017, as Quiet Slang)
Compilations
- Broken Thrills (2015) [collection of 2014 EP releases]
Compilation Contributions
- Strength in Weakness (2015, Lame-O Records) – features "Too Late to Die Young"
- "About a Girl" (Nirvana cover; featured on tribute album Doused in Mud, Soaked in Bleach) (2016, Robotic Empire)