Santa Barbara, CA

A melodic, post-hardcore/pop-punk unit from Santa Barbara, California, Versus the World was formed in 2005 by vocalist/songwriter Donald Spence and longtime Ataris bass player Mike Davenport. Prior to the band's formation, Spence and Davenport would periodically perform acoustically under the Pencapchew moniker. They issued their first studio album as Versus the World in 2005, followed by a string of shows with bands like No Use for a Name, Suicide Machines, Bouncing Souls, and Social Distortion, as well as appearances at the Vans Warped Tour. The group spent the ensuing years working on other projects, returning in 2010 with a new lineup that included Spence, Davenport, drummer Bryan Charlson (Crooks and Liars), and Lagwagon's Chris Flippin on guitar. They released their long-awaited sophomore long-player Homesick/Roadsick via Kung Fu Records in 2015. ~ James Christopher Monger