Gym Class Heroes is an American
hip hop-
rap rock band from
Geneva, New York, United States. The group formed in 1997 when
Travie McCoy met drummer
Matt McGinley during their high school
gym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including
hip hop,
rock,
funk, and
reggae. After the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts in 2003, the group was signed to
Fueled by Ramen and
Decaydance Records (
Fall Out Boy bassist
Pete Wentz's independent record label), on which they released their debut album,
The Papercut Chronicles. The group gained a strong fanbase while promoting the album, appearing at festivals such as
The Bamboozle and
Warped Tour.