You, Me, and Everyone We Know
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Ben Liebsch |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Products | Music recordings (EPs and albums) |
You, Me, and Everyone We Know is a rock ensemble originating from Washington, D.C. After more than ten years marked by numerous member rotations and pauses, the band primarily functions as the creative outlet for vocalist and songwriter Ben Liebsch. Their discography includes ten EPs—one of which is a live recording—and two full-length studio albums.
History
The group was established in 2006 with Ben Liebsch as the lead vocalist, accompanied by guitarists Ryan Sherrill and Noel Milford, bassist Dan Lee, and drummer Paul Martinez. They collaborated with Trevor Simpson to produce their debut EP, Party for the Grown and Sexy, which was met with favorable critiques that highlighted its energetic pop-punk vibe.
After the release of this EP, You, Me, and Everyone We Know caught the attention of Richard and Stefanie Reines from Drive-Thru Records, who took on a managerial role. The band embarked on tours supporting artists like The Color Fred, The Dear Hunter, and I Am The Avalanche. By late 2007, Mike O'Rourke replaced Dan Lee on bass, and early 2008 saw the addition of keyboardist Rico Vigil.
The free digital launch of Party for the Grown and Sexy amassed approximately 30,000 downloads swiftly. In 2010, they contributed a rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup" to the compilation Rockin' Romance 2. Spring 2008 featured their participation in Drive-Thru Records' Small Fries Tour alongside Socratic and Say No More. Their profile grew as they were dubbed "one of the east coast's biggest bands that you've never heard of," performing at prominent events such as South by Southwest and The Bamboozle.
June 2008 included touring with Just Surrender, Every Avenue, and The Morning Light. Drummer Aaron Stern—formerly of Matchbook Romance—replaced Paul Martinez shortly thereafter. This refreshed lineup took part in Warped Tour 2008. The New York Times described their Warped Tour set as "charming and skilled," emphasizing their independent status.
During an August 2008 tour with The Dear Hunter and Lydia, their van caught fire on I-85 in South Carolina, resulting in the loss of most belongings. This event spurred them to concentrate on creating new recordings.
The subsequent EP So Young, So Insane, produced by Joshua Cain of Motion City Soundtrack, reflected lineup changes with the departures of Ryan Sherrill and Mike O'Rourke. Max Bemis contributed guest vocals on "I Can Get Back Up Now," and critics responded positively to the release. Tours supporting this EP included performances with Sing It Loud, Take Cover, and I Set My Friends On Fire.
By early 2009, all members except Liebsch had exited. Liebsch along with Vigil brought in guitarist Augustine Rampolla and various other musicians over the following two years. They toured with Valencia, Houston Calls, Forgive Durden’s Razia's Shadow Tour, and returned to Warped Tour. Alternative Press recognized them in their 2009 list titled 100 Bands You Need To Know.
In 2010, after headlining a spring tour featuring Breathe Carolina among others, they released their initial single "Some Things Don't Wash Out" from their first full-length album bearing the same name under Doghouse Records. Subsequent tours included opening for Hit The Lights, Cartel, The Bigger Lights, and The Graduate. They also led the "Can We Do Laundry At Your House Tour" with Take Cover and Queens Club.
Their album Some Things Don't Wash Out, released on October 12, 2010, earned praise for its eclectic blend of big-band swing influences intertwined with pop-punk sounds. Supporting tours saw them sharing stages with Man Overboard, Sparks the Rescue, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business, and Hellogoodbye.
Early 2011 involved joining Hellogoodbye's Winter Tour followed by participation in the Glamour Kills Tour alongside The Ready Set and others; however, they withdrew before completing the latter for reasons not publicly disclosed.
On April 20, 2011, the band announced its dissolution amid internal disputes linked to Liebsch’s actions affecting members both personally and professionally. Liebsch issued a public apology citing struggles with alcoholism that impacted financial aspects of the band. Former guitarist Augustine Rampolla contested these statements by alleging financial improprieties on Liebsch’s part.
Following the breakup, they released the EP Things Are Really Weird Right Now in May 2011. Later that year, Liebsch continued performing solo shows under the band's name.
In November 2012, Liebsch independently released two new EPs—A Great Big Hole and I Wish More People Gave A Shit—recorded once again with longtime collaborator Trevor Simpson. A headline tour occurred in spring 2013 without a full band lineup.
By late 2014, You, Me, and Everyone We Know signed with South By Sea Music to issue the EP Dogged, which received acclaim for its inventive yet recognizable sound. That year also saw the release of a holiday-themed EP titled A Mutty Christmas.
Supporting tours included engagements with Have Mercy and Weatherbox as well as participation in the "Rather Be Dead Than Cool Tour" alongside Forever Came Calling and Like Pacific.
In March 2016, Liebsch declared the band's retirement after a decade marked by fluctuating activity levels. A farewell performance was held at Creep Records in Philadelphia.
A brief reunion occurred in February 2017 for a benefit concert in Chicago; this show was later issued as a live album called Alive in Chicago in 2020.
Resuming activity in 2019 with the single "(Still) Basically A God," Liebsch spoke openly about mental health struggles rooted in childhood trauma that contributed to previous hiatuses. He emphasized adopting a sustainable model focused on selective touring opportunities that would financially support members while safeguarding their wellbeing.
Approaching ten years of sobriety in early 2020, Liebsch announced upcoming music releases including the single F.I.N.E. He shared intentions to distribute songs quarterly to maintain audience engagement amid today’s fast-paced attention landscape.
This was followed by a two-track EP titled Radical! Change, inspired by nationwide protests against police brutality in the United States.
Personnel
- Ben Liebsch: Lead Vocals (2006–present)
- Ben Roth: Rhythm Guitarist (2014–present)
- Joe Fuscia: Bass Guitarist (2014–present)
Past members
- Trevor Simpson: Co-writer (2012–2015)
- Kory Gable: Lead Guitarist (2014–2020)
- Rico Vigil: Keyboard, guitar, mandolin, percussion bass, vocals (2008–2009, 2010–2011)
- John Farrell: Keyboard and trumpet (2010–2011)
- Augustine Rampolla: Guitar and vocals (May 2009–2011)
- Noel Milford: Guitar and vocals (2006–May 2009)
- Josh Poole: Guitarist (2006–2007)
- Ryan Sherrill: Guitar and vocals (2006–2008)
- Mike Ghazarian: Bass and vocals (2010–2011)
- Mike O'Rourke: Bass and vocals (2007–2008)
- Dan Lee: Bassist (2006–2007)
- Blain Herman: Drummer (2014–2019)
- Kyle Gibson: Drums (2010–2011)
- Aaron Stern: Drums (2008–2010)
- Paul Martinez: Drums (2006–2008)
Studio albums
- Some Things Don't Wash Out
Released in 2010 via Doghouse Records - Something Heavy
2021 release on Know Hope Records, a subsidiary of Refresh Records
EPs
- Party for the Grown and Sexy
2008, Rushmore Records - So Young, So Insane
Self-released in 2008 - Things Are Really Weird Right Now
Issued in 2011 through Topshelf Records - A Great Big Hole
Released by Thunderbeard Records in 2012 - I Wish More People Gave A Shit
Independent release in 2013 - A Very Mutty Christmas
Self-published in 2014 - Dogged
Distributed by South By Sea / Rude Records in 2015 - Little Elephant Sessions (Live)
Published by Little Elephant Records in 2016 - Radical! Change
2020 release on A Few Good Records - F.I.N.E.
Issued in 2020 via VRP Records