Band Bio: Life In Idle
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Life in Idle
Formation Year: 2011
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Band Members:
David French – Vocals
Johnathan Garybush – Guitar/Vocals
Joe Friend – Bass
Shai Pinyo – Guitar
Al Hall – Drums
The Name & The Beginning
Life in Idle first came together back in 2011, when drummer Al coined a phrase that stuck: a name reflecting the monotony of everyday life, and the drive to break out of it. What started as a group of high school friends jamming in Kettering, Ohio has since grown into a polished, five-piece family band.
David and John are cousins, and all five members bonded early through their school’s marching band program. That deep-rooted connection still drives their sound and spirit today.
The Sound
Proudly calling themselves “Ohio Emo”, Life in Idle blends the nostalgia of 2000s emo and pop punk with a modern punch. Their music sits comfortably alongside scene staples like The Story So Far, Hot Mulligan, Transit, and hometown heroes Hawthorne Heights, while adding their own twist of hype and Midwest grit.
Fans describe their live show as loud, crisp, and emotional, with walls of guitars, soaring vocals, and choruses built to be shouted back at the stage.
The Music Journey
Their first release, “Thoughts”, began as a middle school writing project between John and David, eventually finding its way onto their 2017 album She’s Out To Get Me. But it was “Waterwell”, produced with Gary Cioni, that truly cemented their sound. The track became a fan favorite, with crowds shouting back the line: “Way to make me feel like I could make a difference…”
That momentum carried into their sophomore album Continuity Error(s), a project that solidified their post-emo identity and expanded their fanbase.
On Stage
Life in Idle thrives on live performance, where emotion and energy collide. Their debut was a high school talent show (which they insist they should have won), but their professional career took off with Dayton Is For Lovers Festival in 2018.
Since then, they’ve shared stages with some of the biggest names in emo and pop punk: Jimmy Eat World, Underoath, Alkaline Trio, The Wonder Years, Hot Mulligan, and Hawthorne Heights. A major milestone came in 2023 when they opened Ohio Is For Lovers Festival on the main stage at Riverbend Music Center, an unforgettable bucket list moment.
Highlights & Memories
-Performed multiple Is For Lovers festivals alongside legacy emo bands.
-Opened for Hot Mulligan twice in Columbus.
-Shared a stage with William Ryan Key of Yellowcard.
-Built a reputation for tight, emotional live sets where the crowd feels as much a part of the band as the players themselves.
Their wildest road story? On tour in Missouri, David was sleeping on top of the van under a sheet when a cop shined a spotlight, thinking it was a body. One well-timed fart convinced the officer all was fine, and the band lived to play another day.
Looking Ahead
Life in Idle heads into the studio on August 27 to record their next album, with tours planned for late September and beyond. Their long-term vision? Keep building, keep growing, and keep running the band like the small business they know it can be.
They joke about a “10-year plan to success,” but with the momentum they’ve built, that future looks closer than ever.
Fun Facts
-David and John are cousins, making this truly a family band.
-Fans have shared original poems and artwork inspired by the band.
-Life in Idle describes their sound as emo nostalgia reimagined for today.
Life in Idle are proof that Midwest emo never died, it just grew up, sharpened its sound, and found new ways to connect. Loud, heartfelt, and unapologetically real, they’re a band that turns idle life into something unforgettable.
Keep Riffing.
