He is the original vocalist for the heavy metal bands Haste the Day, Trenches, and Upheaval.

Jimmy Ryan began in the hardcore punk scene when he was 13, identifying with the straight edge and vegan culture.

[4] In 2002, Ryan joined Christian metal outfit, Haste the Day, being 8 years older than all the members except for the drummer, Devin Chaulk.

[4] The band would go to record their sophomore album, When Everything Falls, with Garth Richardson (Rage Against the Machine) in Vancouver, Canada.

In 2005, Ryan quit the band to focus on his relationship, being replaced by ex-New Day Awakening vocalist Stephen Keech.

[4] A year after leaving Haste the Day, Ryan formed Trenches with Phil Hook, Eli Larch Chastain, Bill Scott, and Joel David Lauver.

Following the festival, Ryan shared that he would no longer make appearances with Haste the Day and that Trenches was on an indefinite hiatus.