[3] Formation and Early Years (2014-2017) Gamblers was formed in 2014 by Michael McManus and Gary O’Keefe, who initially collaborated while touring with the Long Island-based band Vision Through Sound (later renamed Yankee Longstraw).

McManus,[4] who had developed an interest in hip hop production during his time at Hunter College, and O’Keefe created the band as an outlet for their musical ideas, gradually drawing in other musician friends, including Johnny Hoblin.

[5] In 2016 and 2017, McManus collaborated with rapper/producer Heems of Das Racist/Swet Shop Boys on several projects, including a reworking of the U.S. National Anthem for Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown[6] and a track for the Viceland show Gaycation.

[9] In 2019, drummer Billy Rymer of The Dillinger Escape Plan joined the band, and they released Halloween-themed cover versions of Pet Sematary by the Ramones and Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett.

[12] Small World features themes such as addiction, unhealthy relationships, existential angst, and serial murder, filtered through pop-inspired melodies and harmonies.