Dashboard Confessional founder Chris Carrabba honed his musical skills in Florida’s hardcore scene, going on his first tour at age 16 and playing in such bands as Vacant Andys. ∙ Before turning to music full time, Carrabba worked as a special education teacher and wrote songs between classes. ∙ Carrabba initially formed Dashboard Confessional as a solo acoustic outlet for songs he wrote while still lead vocalist of emo band Further Seems Forever. ∙ The band’s 2002 breakthrough single, “Screaming Infidelities,” won the MTV2 Video Music Award and became known for igniting emotional audience sing-alongs. ∙ Their 2004 single “Vindicated” became the band’s biggest alternative radio hit and was featured in the movie Spider-Man 2. ∙ In 2011, Carrabba founded the group Twin Forks, which was inspired by country, indie-folk, and roots music.