Complete List Of Better Lovers Band Members

Feature Photo: Jacob Anderson, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

From the ashes of one of hardcore’s most beloved bands arose a new force that would prove the power of creative renewal and musical evolution in the face of personal and professional upheaval. Better Lovers is an American hardcore punk band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 2023 after the dissolution of Every Time I Die, representing both an ending and a beginning for some of the most respected musicians in the hardcore and metalcore scenes. The group consists of vocalist Greg Puciato, guitarists Jordan Buckley and Will Putney, bassist Stephen Micciche, and drummer Clayton Holyoak, bringing together veterans from multiple legendary bands including Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Fit For An Autopsy. The band is signed to SharpTone Records and has released one album, one EP, and several singles since their formation, establishing themselves quickly as a formidable new presence in the hardcore landscape.

Often labeled a supergroup, Better Lovers represents the convergence of different musical worlds and personal journeys that ultimately created something entirely new rather than simply continuing what came before. The band features members formerly of Every Time I Die (Buckley, Micciche, and Holyoak) and The Dillinger Escape Plan (Puciato), as well as a current member of Fit For An Autopsy (Putney), yet they have been careful to establish their own identity rather than trading on past glories. When talking about whether Better Lovers was a supergroup, bassist Steve Micciche said “we don’t look at it that way. While it’s impossible to not acknowledge the past bands that we were in that we’re proud of, this thing is its own thing/beast/entity. We’re not here for a cup of coffee.” This perspective reflects their serious commitment to creating something lasting and meaningful rather than a temporary project or nostalgic reunion.

The formation of Better Lovers emerged from one of the most public and contentious band breakups in recent hardcore history, when Every Time I Die disbanded in December 2021 amid personal conflicts between brothers Keith and Jordan Buckley, along with other band members. Jordan Buckley, Stephen Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak were once part of the metalcore band Every Time I Die, alongside Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley’s brother Keith. In December 2021, Keith took a hiatus from the band citing mental health concerns, but later accused his brother Jordan and bandmates of “ostracizing” him from the band. The dissolution of Every Time I Die left fans devastated but also created the opportunity for the remaining members to explore new creative directions without the personal baggage and family tensions that had complicated their previous work.

Greg Puciato

Greg Puciato serves as the vocalist for Better Lovers, bringing over two decades of experience as one of the most distinctive and powerful voices in heavy music through his legendary tenure with The Dillinger Escape Plan and various other projects. Although raised in a non-practicing home, Puciato attended a Catholic private school and was a good student who skipped grades, graduating one month after he turned 17. He went to college in Maryland and after a year of studying took a break, during which he was invited to join The Dillinger Escape Plan in September 2001, beginning a career that would establish him as one of the most respected vocalists in extreme music.

Puciato joined mathcore pioneers The Dillinger Escape Plan in September 2001 and first performed with the group weeks later at the CMJ music conference in October 2001. He had already played in some bands from the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, but preferred to refine his vocal style rather than commit full-time to a band, waiting for the “right opportunity” to do so. In a scenario mirroring that of young Henry Rollins and Black Flag, Puciato started out as a fan of The Dillinger Escape Plan in their earlier days. When the band split with their singer Dimitri Minakakis, they searched for a replacement and Puciato submitted a recording that included two versions of “43% Burnt” – one in the original style with all the same lyrics, and one with original lyrics written by him. The band offered him the job after just two practice sessions.

During his 16-year tenure with The Dillinger Escape Plan, Puciato helped redefine what extreme music could be, contributing to albums that pushed the boundaries of mathcore, hardcore, and experimental rock. His vocal delivery spans styles from screaming to crooning, and he was encouraged to explore this range by his bandmates. Between Dillinger albums, Puciato has been involved in numerous other projects including the metal supergroup Killer Be Killed (featuring members of Mastodon and Mars Volta), the electronic-influenced The Black Queen, and an active solo career that has showcased his versatility beyond heavy music.

Puciato’s addition to Better Lovers represents a perfect marriage of his vocal abilities with the musical vision of the former Every Time I Die members. His experience with The Dillinger Escape Plan’s intense live performances and complex compositions provides him with the technical skills and stage presence necessary to front Better Lovers, while his collaborative nature and respect for his bandmates’ creative input makes him an ideal frontman for a band seeking to establish its own identity. When Better Lovers was announced, Puciato had been working with various projects including Killer Be Killed, The Black Queen, and as a solo artist, but his joining Better Lovers marked his return to a full-time band commitment for the first time since The Dillinger Escape Plan disbanded in 2017.

Jordan Buckley

Jordan Buckley serves as guitarist for Better Lovers, bringing the songwriting skills and musical vision that helped make Every Time I Die one of the most important bands in modern hardcore and metalcore. As one of the founding members of Every Time I Die, Buckley spent over two decades developing his distinctive guitar style that blended hardcore aggression with southern rock influences, melodic sensibilities, and technical proficiency. His work with Every Time I Die established him as one of the most respected guitarists in the hardcore scene, contributing to albums that influenced countless bands and helped define the sound of 2000s metalcore.

The dissolution of Every Time I Die was particularly painful for Buckley due to the personal nature of the conflicts involved, as the band included his brother Keith as vocalist. Jordan Buckley, Stephen Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak were once part of the metalcore band Every Time I Die, alongside Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley’s brother Keith. The family dynamics within the band created unique pressures and complications that ultimately contributed to the band’s demise, leaving Buckley to navigate both the loss of his primary creative outlet and the strain on his family relationships.

However, Buckley’s perspective on the formation of Better Lovers has been overwhelmingly positive, representing a new chapter rather than simply an attempt to recreate the past. “Looking back, I’m so happy everything got me to where I am,” explains Buckley. “The pandemic and the last few years made me hungrier and more grateful. This isn’t a hobby. This isn’t temporary. This is the next evolution for each of us. Greg and Will rejuvenated me and made me even more confident. Now, everybody needs to know we’re a wild animal that just broke out of the zoo — there’s no trying to put it back in the cage.”

Buckley’s guitar work in Better Lovers builds upon his experience with Every Time I Die while incorporating new influences and approaches that come from working with different musicians. His collaboration with fellow guitarist Will Putney creates a two-guitar dynamic that allows for more complex arrangements and layered compositions than he could achieve as the sole guitarist in Every Time I Die. The addition of Greg Puciato as vocalist has also inspired Buckley to explore new musical territories, as Puciato’s wide vocal range and experimental tendencies encourage more adventurous songwriting approaches. Buckley’s commitment to making Better Lovers a long-term project rather than a temporary outlet demonstrates his dedication to moving forward creatively while honoring the musical legacy he helped create with Every Time I Die.

Stephen Micciche

Stephen Micciche serves as bassist for Better Lovers, continuing the musical journey that began with his foundational role in Every Time I Die and bringing his distinctive bass style to a new creative context. As a core member of Every Time I Die for over two decades, Micciche developed a bass playing approach that perfectly complemented the band’s aggressive yet melodic sound, providing the rhythmic foundation that allowed their complex compositions to maintain both heaviness and accessibility. His bass work was crucial to Every Time I Die’s evolution from a straightforward hardcore band to one of the most innovative and influential acts in modern metalcore.

The transition from Every Time I Die to Better Lovers represented both an ending and a beginning for Micciche, who had to navigate the emotional complexity of his former band’s dissolution while remaining optimistic about future creative possibilities. Jordan Buckley, Stephen Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak were once part of the metalcore band Every Time I Die, alongside Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley’s brother Keith. The personal conflicts that led to Every Time I Die’s breakup affected all the remaining members, but Micciche’s perspective on forming Better Lovers has focused on the positive aspects of creative renewal and the opportunity to work with new collaborators.

When discussing Better Lovers’ identity as a potential supergroup, Micciche has been clear about the band’s intentions to create something new rather than simply trade on their past accomplishments. “We don’t look at it that way,” Micciche said when asked about the supergroup label. “While it’s impossible to not acknowledge the past bands that we were in that we’re proud of, this thing is its own thing/beast/entity. We’re not here for a cup of coffee.” This statement reflects his serious commitment to making Better Lovers a long-term creative endeavor rather than a temporary project or cash grab.

Micciche’s bass playing in Better Lovers builds upon his extensive experience while adapting to the new musical directions that come from working with Greg Puciato and Will Putney. His rhythmic partnership with drummer Clayton Holyoak continues the effective collaboration they developed during their Every Time I Die years, providing Better Lovers with a solid rhythmic foundation that can support both the band’s aggressive hardcore elements and their more experimental or melodic passages. His professionalism and positive attitude have been crucial to Better Lovers’ successful transition from concept to active touring and recording band.

Clayton Holyoak

Clayton “Goose” Holyoak serves as drummer for Better Lovers, bringing the powerful and precise drumming style that made him a crucial component of Every Time I Die’s rhythm section and one of the most respected drummers in the hardcore and metalcore scenes. Throughout his tenure with Every Time I Die, Holyoak developed a drumming approach that could handle both the band’s most aggressive moments and their more melodic or experimental passages, demonstrating the versatility and technical skill that made him an ideal choice for Better Lovers’ more varied musical palette.

Like his bandmates Buckley and Micciche, Holyoak had to navigate the emotional and professional challenges of Every Time I Die’s dissolution while remaining open to new creative opportunities. Jordan Buckley, Stephen Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak were once part of the metalcore band Every Time I Die, alongside Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley’s brother Keith. The band’s breakup in December 2021 left Holyoak without the primary musical outlet he had known for over two decades, but also created the opportunity for him to explore new musical directions and collaborate with different artists.

The formation of Better Lovers has allowed Holyoak to continue his musical partnership with Buckley and Micciche while expanding his playing style through collaboration with new bandmates Greg Puciato and Will Putney. His drumming provides the rhythmic foundation that supports both the hardcore aggression that fans expect from the former Every Time I Die members and the more experimental or technical elements that come from working with a vocalist of Puciato’s caliber and a guitarist/producer of Putney’s experience.

Holyoak’s stage name “Goose” has been part of his identity throughout his career, and his drumming style combines power, precision, and creativity in ways that have made him a fan favorite and respected peer among other musicians. His commitment to Better Lovers as a long-term project rather than a temporary outlet demonstrates his dedication to moving forward creatively while building upon the musical foundation he helped establish during his years with Every Time I Die. The positive reception of Better Lovers’ early releases and live performances has validated Holyoak’s decision to continue pursuing music at the highest level despite the personal and professional challenges that led to his previous band’s dissolution.

Will Putney

Will Putney serves as guitarist and producer for Better Lovers, bringing a unique perspective as both a performer and behind-the-scenes architect of the band’s sound. As a current member of Fit For An Autopsy and an established producer who has worked with numerous bands in the hardcore and metalcore scenes, Putney brings both musical and technical expertise that has been crucial to Better Lovers’ rapid development and professional presentation. His role as frequent Every Time I Die producer created a pre-existing working relationship with Buckley, Micciche, and Holyoak that made his integration into the band both natural and effective.

Putney’s addition to Better Lovers represents the convergence of his roles as both musician and producer, allowing him to contribute to the band’s creative process from multiple angles. The band revealed that Putney was officially a member of the group as a guitarist, rather than simply serving as their producer, though his production skills have undoubtedly influenced their recorded output. His experience working with Fit For An Autopsy has given him extensive knowledge of heavy music production and performance, while his previous work producing Every Time I Die albums provided him with intimate knowledge of how Buckley, Micciche, and Holyoak work together musically.

The dual-guitar dynamic between Putney and Buckley has allowed Better Lovers to explore more complex arrangements and layered compositions than might be possible with a single guitarist. Putney’s production background also means that he approaches guitar playing with an understanding of how different parts fit together in the overall mix, contributing to the band’s polished and professional sound from their earliest releases. His technical knowledge helps ensure that Better Lovers’ recordings capture the full intensity and complexity of their compositions.

Putney’s commitment to Better Lovers as a full band member rather than just a hired producer demonstrates his belief in the project’s long-term potential and his desire to be part of the creative process rather than simply documenting it. His combination of musical talent, technical expertise, and professional experience has been crucial to Better Lovers’ ability to quickly establish themselves as a serious force in the hardcore scene rather than simply a side project or temporary outlet for musicians between other commitments.