Revis
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in Carbondale, Illinois, United States |
| Headquarters | Carbondale, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Revis is a post-grunge group originating from Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Established in 1999 under the name "Orco," the band built a regional fanbase before moving to Los Angeles in the early 2000s. They secured a contract with Epic Records and launched their major label debut album, Places for Breathing, in 2003. Their track "Caught in the Rain" climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and was included on the soundtrack for Daredevil: The Album. Despite these achievements, Revis disbanded in 2005 amid work on a second album.
The band reunited in 2010 but encountered difficulties releasing new projects. Although they completed an EP titled Fire and Ice and a full-length album Do We Have to Beg?, internal disputes and record label complications prevented official releases beyond promotional singles. After shelving the album, Revis disbanded once more. In 2024, they came back together with intentions to publish new material. That year saw the release of the EP Bottles of Lightning, while their sophomore studio album Killing Time is slated for release on November 7, 2025.
Formative period (1999–2001)
The band initially formed as Orco during the summer of 1999 in Ewing, Illinois. Their significant breakthrough occurred after winning WTAO-FM's Battle of the Bands at the Du Quoin State Fair in August 2000, which led to live radio appearances and airplay. The founding members were Justin Holman (vocals), Robert Davis (guitar), Nathaniel Cox (guitar), Dan Sronce (bass), and Marcus D'Marco (drums).
By July 2001, they had moved to Los Angeles and added Bob Thiemann on bass. Despite drawing audiences as large as 1,500 per week in their hometown, they initially faced obstacles in Los Angeles due to venue difficulties and management challenges. Orco's early sound was notably rawer and less refined compared to Revis’s later style, characterized by heavier vocal delivery evident in tracks like "Feast of the Tabernacles."
Places for Breathing era (2002–2003)
With new management under John Zagata, the band recorded demos including "A Gift," "Seven," and "Straight Jacket Labels" alongside producers Tommy Henriksen and Jeff Pilson, which garnered interest from record labels. To maintain momentum, further demos such as "Caught in the Rain" and "Spin" were produced. In January 2002, they signed with Epic Records and commenced work on their debut album at NRG Recording studios in North Hollywood, blending some demo material with newly written songs.
During this five-week recording period, they adopted the name Revis after discovering another UK band named Orco. The new moniker honored Jason Revis, their guitar technician who had been a steadfast supporter and began receiving compensation following their major label deal.
Their first album, Places for Breathing, was released on May 20, 2003. It entered at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart with initial sales of 10,000 copies in its first week and reached No. 115 on the Billboard 200 chart overall. Two singles achieved notable radio success: "Caught in the Rain" peaked at No. 8 on Mainstream Rock over a span of 26 weeks and reached No. 20 on Alternative Rock during its 16-week chart duration; it was also featured on the soundtrack for Daredevil. The follow-up single "Seven" attained No. 29 on Mainstream Rock across ten weeks. In recognition of their accomplishments, Carbondale proclaimed May 19, 2003, as "Revis Day."
To support their release, Revis toured alongside Oleander and Evanescence and took part in the 2003 Nintendo Fusion Tour.
Hiatus and Disbandment (2004–2009)
In 2004, Revis collaborated with Tony Berg to produce a second demo aimed at re-recording tracks for a follow-up album. Although their popularity was increasing, they were ultimately dropped by Epic Records, likely due to management shortcomings and the BMG-Sony merger. During this time, Davis and Piribauer became members of a band called Hensley, casting uncertainty over Revis' continuity. Meanwhile, Holman and Cox returned to Illinois without Davis, Piribauer, or Thiemann and began composing new material reminiscent of Revis' style. By August 2005, Holman and Tommy Henriksen had developed between 12 and 15 new songs but remained unsure about securing label backing or touring opportunities. Later that year, Revis officially dissolved.
Following the breakup, the members engaged in separate ventures: Piribauer took on drumming duties with Yotokyo; Davis and Cox established Maryandi, which evolved into The Yelling; Holman pursued work with Aujalyn; and Thiemann founded TJ Brown, Dove Lane, and Deep Space Radio.
Reunion, Postponed Releases, and Final Split (2010–2012)
At the start of 2010, Revis reassembled without original guitarist Nathaniel Cox and bassist Bob Thiemann. They announced plans for two projects: an EP titled Fire and Ice and a full-length album named Gone So Long. The release of the EP on July 27 was postponed; ultimately, both projects were consolidated into the album Do We Have to Beg?.
In June 2010, the band released the single "A Better Day (Relief)" followed by "Are You Taking Me Home" in October 2010, both mixed by Jay Baumgardner. Their first live performance since reuniting took place in October 2010, where they introduced "Remember When" and unveiled an acoustic version of "Searching for Someone." Additionally, they re-recorded "From That Point On," originally a B-side from their debut album.
Do We Have to Beg? was initially scheduled for release on May 20, 2011, coinciding with the eighth anniversary of Places for Breathing. The album was planned to include 12 tracks selected from approximately 25 recorded songs. Though "Searching For Someone" was intended as the lead single, they opted instead to release "Save Our Souls" on April 1.
Although the Turnstyle Tour was announced to promote the album, it was canceled on May 13 due to undisclosed reasons. Subsequently, the album's release was postponed indefinitely amid ongoing legal challenges. In June, as a gesture of appreciation to their supporters, the band released "Fire and Ice." By August, they disclosed that legal constraints prevented releasing the album in its current form and that re-recording efforts were underway. Drummer David Piribauer later mentioned that a severe leg injury he sustained contributed to delays.
Almost a year after the initial release date had passed, guitarist Robert Davis confirmed that Revis had disbanded once more. The legal disputes centered around what the band perceived as an inequitable contract with their label. Divergent views on how to proceed led to halting re-recording sessions and ceasing communication among members. No plans exist to issue the second album.
Davis summarized the situation regarding label complications and the breakup:
Initially we operated without a formal contract; although tours were financed by the label early on, they later presented an unsustainable agreement. Financial disagreements cut our touring short; while he sought security, I wanted to continue touring for our fans. Eventually communication broke down completely. Many quality songs remain unreleased; I am trying to share them through other projects.
Some of these tracks might feature on an upcoming soundtrack for "Save Our Souls," a documentary unrelated to Revis’ song but focusing on Hurricane Katrina’s effects on New Orleans burlesque.
Second reunion, Bottles of Lightning, and Killing Time (2024–present)
On March 15, 2024, Revis revealed their second reunion, reuniting Holman, Davis, Cox, Thiemann, and Piribauer, accompanied by three scheduled live performances. Subsequently, on May 2, 2024, they released a six-track EP titled Bottles of Lightning across streaming services.
This EP showcases Holman as the lead vocalist, with Robert Davis and Nathaniel Cox handling guitar duties, and David Piribauer on drums. The writing, production, and mixing were managed by Cox and Davis.
In August 2025, the band announced their forthcoming second studio album, Killing Time, which is slated for release on November 7, 2025.
Band members
- Justin Holman – lead vocals (1999–2005, 2010–2012, 2024–Present)
- Robert Davis – lead guitar (1999–2005, 2010–2012, 2024–Present)
- David Piribauer – drums (1999–2005, 2010–2012, 2024–Present)
- Kyle Needham – guitar (2011)
- Simon Huber – bass guitar (2011)
- Nathaniel Cox – rhythm guitar (1999–2005, 2024)
- Bob Thiemann – bass guitar (1999–2005, 2024)
- Touring musicians
- Kevin Haaland – guitar (live) (2010)
- Brad Smith (Blind Melon) – bass guitar (live) (2010)
Albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US Heat. | ||
| 2003 | Places for Breathing
|
115 | 1 |
| 2012 | Do We Have to Beg?
|
× | × |
| 2024 | Bottles of Lightning EP
|
× | × |
| 2025 | Killing Time
|
× | × |
Singles
| Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Alt. |
US Main. | |||
| 2003 | "Caught in the Rain" | 20 | 8 | Places for Breathing |
| "Seven" | — | 29 | ||
| 2011 | "Save Our Souls" | — | — | Do We Have to Beg? |
| 2025 | "Killing Time" | — | — | Killing Time |
| "Stardust (All Around Us)" | — | — | ||
| "Cool Blacktop" | — | — | ||