Gym Class Heroes are an alternative hip hop band from Geneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 when Travis McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley and decided to make a band. After the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts, they were signed to Decaydance Records, on which they released the gold-selling album As Cruel As School Children. Since that release, the band has garnered much success, with the single "Cupid's Chokehold" reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Clothes Off!!" peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart. Rather than using the conventional tools of hip hop production, Gym Class Heroes use live instruments, similar to artists such as Stetsasonic, The Roots, N.E.R.D., k-os, and Crown City Rockers. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song Cupid's Chokehold.

The original Gym Class Heroes formed in 1997 when Travis “Schleprok” McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley became friends during physical education class while at high school in Geneva, New York, and joined forces with guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Ryan Geise. The original GCH began playing birthday parties, clubs, and festivals which eventually led to numerous larger venues throughout the northeast, including two years on Warped Tour (2003, 2004). During this time, GCH released four self-pro