MNRK Music Group (“MNRK”) is proud to announce the acquisition of premier metal label Prosthetic Records, along with its extensive catalog of groundbreaking releases. This strategic move marks a bold expansion of MNRK’s commitment to heavy music, as Prosthetic Records will now operate under the esteemed MNRK Heavy umbrella.
The acquisition kicks off an exciting new chapter with upcoming releases from chaotic hardcore/mathcore band Pupil Slicer and the genre-defying experimental math/noise rock outfit God Alone.
Scott Givens, MNRK’s SVP of Rock & Metal, says, “Prosthetic Records has been a trailblazer in the metal scene. This acquisition is a strategic step in MNRK’s continued investment in heavy music and aligns perfectly with our vision for MNRK Heavy.”
MNRK Heavy plans to amplify the legacy of Prosthetic Records through a dynamic strategy that encompasses digital platforms, physical formats, and special releases. Fans can look forward to anniversary reissues, meticulously remastered editions, and curated collections that celebrate the label’s storied history.
As part of the integration, select artists will transition within the MNRK family, while new talent will join the expanding roster—ushering in an era of bold creativity and sonic exploration.
Founded in 1998, Prosthetic Records has been a driving force in the metal world, with landmark releases from influential acts including Lamb of God, The Acacia Strain, Septicflesh, Venom Prison, and many more.
Pop Evil Release Raw and Emotionally Charged EP "Unleaded"
In a bold departure from their signature sound, Pop Evil unveil a powerful new chapter with the release of their live acoustic EP, Unleaded, a raw and emotionally charged recording captured in the heart of New York City.
Hosted by SiriusXM Octane and set within the edgy, denim-clad atmosphere of the Cult of Individuality showroom, this release strips away the band’s thunderous riffs and high-octane energy, laying bare the soul of their songwriting in an intimate and electrifying performance.
Known for their explosive live shows and heavy rock anthems, Pop Evil have long been a staple of the hard rock scene. But Unleaded reveals a different side of the Michigan-bred outfit—one that trades distortion and fury for shadow and nuance. The setting was intentionally unconventional. Surrounded by Cult of Individuality’s gritty fashion aesthetic and a crowd of superfans, the band leaned into vulnerability and artistry, proving that their songs are just as powerful—if not more so—when stripped to their emotional core.
The EP features raw, acoustic renditions of fan favorites and a surprise cover of Simple Mind classic '80s hit "Don't You (Forget About Me)," reimagined through a minimalist lens. Frontman Leigh Kakaty's vocals take center stage, enriched by the absence of walls of sound, revealing new shades of melody and lyrical depth. Songs like "What Remains" and "Paranoid (Crash & Burn)" gain new emotional resonance, delivered with haunting clarity and personal intensity. Backed by acoustic guitar, delicate percussion, and harmonized vocals, the stripped arrangements emphasize storytelling over spectacle.
"This was a chance to show our fans who we are underneath it all," Kakaty shared during the Octane broadcast. "No lights, no walls of sound—just the songs and the emotion that built them."
Unleaded serves as a reminder that even the heaviest rock bands have roots in melody and meaning. It's a testament to Pop Evil’s versatility and their willingness to challenge themselves creatively. By peeling back the layers, this EP offers an unforgettable glimpse into the soul of Pop Evil — raw, unfiltered, and undeniably powerful.
Pop Evil are wrapping up the last few dates of their current headline tour. All remaining dates are below. The band is playing festivals and fairs this summer. Expect more touring later in 2025.
POP EVIL ON TOUR:
7/3 — Traverse City, MI — National Cherry Festival
7/5 — Algona, IA — ABATE Freedom Rally
7/18 — Timmins, ON — Rock on the River
7/19 — Brantford, ON – Call Home
7/26 — Grover Hill, OH – Wetzelland
8/2 — Davenport, IA – Mississippi Valley Fair
8/16 — Escanaba, MI — Upper Peninsula State Fair
10/5 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock
Pop Evil Release 8th Studio Album "What Remains" and Share Music Video for "Side Effects"
Modern rock powerhouse POP EVIL — vocalist Leigh Kakaty, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser, and drummer Blake Allison — have proudly released their eighth album WHAT REMAINS. It arrived today, March 21, via MNRK. Get it here.
Pop Evil have also shared the video for "Side Effects." Watch the performance clip for the ferocious track, which is loaded with explosive riffs and a tectonic plate-shifting breakdown, below
The song is an arena-ready juggernaut and boasts rueful lines such as "The world I built you tried to tear apart" and "Why did I try so hard to prove / What's killing you is killing me too," serving a powerful, unshielded message for anyone who has found themselves in a toxic situation and seeks the strength to break free for their own happiness and growth.
"Every action causes a reaction, a side effect," says Kakaty. "Toxicity is a virus that spreads and kills, but liberation and healing lies in an antidote you already possess. And now is the time to take it."
The band will also hit the road on a massive Spring 2025 headline tour. They will hit the road on April 8 in Tulsa and the trek runs through May 18 in Bloomington, Indiana. Devour the Day (which features members of Pop Evil), Return to Dust, and Oni will serve as support.
All dates are below. Get tickets and VIP packages here.
POP EVIL ON TOUR:
4/8 — Tulsa, OK — Cains Ballroom
4/10 — Dallas, TX — Echo Soundstage
4/11 — Little Rock, AR — The Hall
4/12 — Colombia, MO — The Blue Note
4/13 — Lincoln, NE — Bourbon Theatre
4/14 — Denver, CO — Oriental
4/15 — Colorado Springs, CO — The Black Sheep
4/17 — Los Angeles, CA — Regent Theater
4/19 — Phoenix, AZ — Marquee Theatre
4/22 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
4/23 — Seattle, WA — The Neptune
4/24 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
4/25 — Salem, OR — Elsinore Theatre
4/26 — Reno, NV — Cargo
4/29 — Vancouver, BC — Rickshaw Theatre
5/1 — Calgary, AB — The Palace Theatre
5/2 — Edmonton, AB — Century Show Room+
5/3 — Saskatoon, SK — Louis
5/4 — Winnipeg, MB — Park Theatre
5/6 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
5/7 — Green Bay, WI — EPIC
5/8 — Des Moines, IA — Wooly's*
5/9 — Grand Rapids, MI — 20 Monroe*
5/10 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore*
5/12 — Lititz, PA — Mickey's*
5/15 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground*
5/16 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues*
5/17 — Louisville, KY — Mercury Ballroom*
5/18 — Bloomington, IL — The Castle Theatre*
^Pop Evil Only
*No Return To Dust
+No Devour The Day
For two decades, Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kataky has needed to mine the deepest of reserves in order to drag the band up from the blue-collar grassroots of his local Michigan scene to stand proud at the top of the modern rock game. Soaring successes, bitter defeats… Leigh Kakaty has survived it all.
What Remains is the culmination and story of this journey with Pop Evil, laid bare like never before. Continuing in the recent vein of 2023's acclaimed Skeletons, the new opus is both sonically and thematically Pop Evil's heaviest ever offering; a thundering collection of arena-ready modern rock and metal hits in which Kakaty opens heart, mind, and soul.
"There are a lot of issues and things that I've dealt with in this journey of Pop Evil that I've buried for a long time," the frontman explains of this document of resilience, perseverance, and accountability.
Pop Evil were born in North Muskegon, Michigan in 2001, Kakaty drawing on the lessons of a youth first shaped not by music, but by high school basketball — leadership, team work, the drive to improve in the lonely hours put in at the gym at 5am, the will to win suppressing any fear — in order to fight tooth and nail for their break-out moment.
"I was hustling and learning every day to make my dreams come true," Kakaty recalls of his time playing local bars and slinging early EPs out of the back of his truck. "Studying never interested me. Neither did getting a regular job. A knee injury wrecked my shot at playing sports. Music was all I wanted to do from that moment, and I didn't give myself a backup plan. Pop Evil gave me a purpose, and a reason to get up every day. It became a crusade."
Lipstick on the Mirror, their 2008 debut, and its follow-up, War of Angels, brought acclaim and global attention; 2013's Onyx delivered the first of the band's nine No.1 singles and six RIAA-certified gold and platinum plaques, but also a period of darkness brought on by the grief of Kakaty losing his father. "I was completely lost … I had just missed the last five years with my dad, chasing this dream when I could have been with him. I didn’t know if I wanted or could do Pop Evil any more," he says. The band's 2017 self-titled album, opened by the smash-hit "Waking Lions" was written "pretty much to save my life" – but in turn “reminded me of the fire I have inside, and that God put me here to make music that could help people."
It's a mission statement enshrined in Pop Evil to this day — and which provided the spark for the genesis of What Remains.
“You're always chasing that one song that can connect with that one person," Kakaty says. "And that process has to start with yourself. There's a lot of personal healing on this record, a lot of things I wanted to get out for my own mental well-being. I'm finally at a place where I can confront my demons."
Sonically, the album is a riotous explosion of life-affirming noise; a vortex of scything riffs and gut-punch drum beats that regularly give way to Pop Evil's hallmark anthemic choruses.
"We set out to push boundaries," nods Kakaty. "Metal has always been a part of our DNA, but we've never made it such a focal point before. A lot of writing on this record has been about listening to what my soul is saying and letting the songs find their own path, rather than chasing a sound that might fit in on the radio. I think you can really hear the mood and emotion of the album's themes in the music."
Groundbreaking Genre Smashers Ho99o9 Partner With Last Gang Records
Hip hop/punk/metal duo Ho99o9 has signed a global partnership with MNRK Music Group’s Last Gang Records. The inimitable group, consisting of theOGM and Yeti Bones, will release new music in Spring 2025.
Chris Moncada, MNRK's COO, says, “There is no group on earth like Ho99o9. Their unique mix of style, melody, chaos, and danger make them a bonafide musical unicorn, and I am beyond excited to welcome them to Last Gang. We are all humbled for the opportunity to play a part in bringing them to the next level.”
Ho99o9 offers, “We’re incredibly excited to partner Ho99o9 & 999 Deathkult with Last Gang as we embark on this next chapter of our journey and growth. It’s rare and inspiring to have found a partner who not only supports but embraces our art in its many manifestations. Their passion for authentic artistry and forward-thinking vision align perfectly with what we stand for. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been creating with the world.”
Ho99o9 just released a COLORS session a few weeks ago in advance of the release of new music. Watch that HERE.
Ho99o9 is currently working on new music, which will be released this year.
About Ho99o9
Ho99o9 (pronounced Horror) is a sonic wrecking ball—fusing digital hardcore, punk, and trap-infused grime with industrial, metal, and noise. Raw. Unrelenting. Uncompromising.
Breaking out of the New Jersey underground in 2012, Ho99o9 made its mark with a now-legendary guerrilla performance at Brooklyn’s AfroPunk Festival. By 2014, they had relocated to Los Angeles, becoming a disruptive force in the city’s underground scene. The New York Timescalled them “An All-Out Barrage,” while Kerrang! crowned them “one of the most unique and sonically threatening bands in the world today.”
Their global tour history reads like a warpath, sharing stages with icons across every genre—Korn, The Prodigy, Slipknot, Cypress Hill, Rob Zombie, Ministry, Denzel Curry, Ghostface Killah, Lil Uzi Vert, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Whether tearing through the chaos of Berghain and Boiler Room or storming the Museum of Contemporary Art, from Hellfest’s circle pits to the polished stage of Rolling Loud, Ho99o9 refuses to be boxed in.
Their genre-bending, culture-clashing sound has attracted a who’s who of collaborators—Corey Taylor of Slipknot, The Prodigy, JPEGMAFIA, Bun B, Ghostemane, clipping., HEALTH, 3TEETH, Pink Siifu, N8NOFACE, and more. Even Jack Black and Eric Andre have been pulled into the Ho99o9 universe.
With a deep and ever-evolving catalog, Ho99o9 has built a legacy of sonic chaos. Their early EPs—Mutant Freax (2014) and Horrors of 1999 (2015)—laid the groundwork for their explosive blend of punk, rap, and noise. Their debut full-length, United States of Horror (2017), was a dystopian manifesto, merging raw political energy with industrial-laced punk and hip-hop. They followed up with Cyber Cop [Unauthorized MP3.] (2018), a cyberpunk-infused mixtape that pushed their sound into glitchy, distorted new territory.
In 2022, they unleashed SKIN, delivering their most refined yet unrelenting project to date—melding hardcore, metal, and rap with unfiltered aggression. Alongside their albums, Ho99o9 has dropped a string of blistering standalone singles and collaborations, further cementing their place at the intersection of multiple sonic movements.
Ho99o9 isn’t just making music; they’re reshaping the edges of sound and culture.
Photo credit: Marc Aldinger
Pop Evil Announce Spring 2025 Headline Tour + New Album "What Remains" Out 3/21
Modern rock powerhouse POP EVIL — vocalist Leigh Kakaty, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser, and drummer Blake Allison — recently announced their forthcoming eighth album WHAT REMAINS. It arrives March 21 via MNRK. Pre-save it here. The vinyl pre-order lives on the band official store.
Today, the band has announced its Spring 2025 headline tour. The "What Remains" Tour begins on April 8 in Tulsa, OK and the trek runs through May 18 in Bloomington, IN. Devour the Day (which features members of Pop Evil, Joey and Blake), Return to Dust, and Oni will serve as support.
All dates are below. Get tickets and VIP packages here.
Additionally, Pop Evil have announced details of a private "Album Release Even"t with SiriusXM Octane on March 20. The event will be held at Cult of Individuality in NYC and the band will do an acoustic performance along with a Q&A hosted by Jose Mangin. Details to enter to win this experience with SiriusXM Octane to come.
"The 'What Remains North America Tour' is coming, and we're bringing the chaos with us," the band says. "This isn't just a lineup, it's a sonic onslaught. But this tour isn't just another run of shows, it's a statement. A reckoning. A test of endurance for those who crave something more. Are you ready?"
POP EVIL ON TOUR:
3/20 — New York NY — SiriusXM Octane Album Release at Cult of Individuality^
4/8 — Tulsa, OK — Cains Ballroom
4/10 — Dallas, TX — Echo Soundstage
4/11 — Little Rock, AR — The Hall
4/12 — Colombia, MO — The Blue Note
4/13 — Lincoln, NE — Bourbon Theatre
4/14 — Denver, CO — Oriental
4/15 — Colorado Springs, CO — The Black Sheep
4/17 — Los Angeles, CA — Regent Theater
4/19 — Phoenix, AZ — Marquee Theatre
4/22 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
4/23 — Seattle, WA — The Neptune
4/24 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
4/25 — Salem, OR — Elsinore Theatre
4/26 — Reno, NV — Cargo
4/29 — Vancouver, BC — Rickshaw Theatre
5/1 — Calgary, AB — The Palace Theatre
5/2 — Edmonton, AB — Century Show Room+
5/3 — Saskatoon, SK — Louis
5/4 — Winnipeg, MB — Park Theatre
5/6 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
5/7 — Green Bay, WI — EPIC
5/8 — Des Moines, IA — Wooly's*
5/9 — Grand Rapids, MI — 20 Monroe*
5/10 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore*
5/12 — Lititz, PA — Mickey's*
5/15 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground*
5/16 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues*
5/17 — Louisville, KY — Mercury Ballroom*
5/18 — Bloomington, IL — The Castle Theatre*
^Pop Evil Only
*No Return To Dust
+No Devour The Day
For two decades, Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kataky has needed to mine the deepest of reserves in order to drag the band up from the blue-collar grassroots of his local Michigan scene to stand proud at the top of the modern rock game. Soaring successes, bitter defeats… Leigh Kakaty has survived it all.
What Remains is the culmination and story of this journey with Pop Evil, laid bare like never before. Continuing in the recent vein of 2023's acclaimed Skeletons, the new opus is both sonically and thematically Pop Evil's heaviest ever offering; a thundering collection of arena-ready modern rock and metal hits in which Kakaty opens heart, mind, and soul.
"There are a lot of issues and things that I've dealt with in this journey of Pop Evil that I've buried for a long time," the frontman explains of this document of resilience, perseverance, and accountability.
Pop Evil were born in North Muskegon, Michigan in 2001, Kakaty drawing on the lessons of a youth first shaped not by music, but by high school basketball — leadership, team work, the drive to improve in the lonely hours put in at the gym at 5am, the will to win suppressing any fear — in order to fight tooth and nail for their break-out moment.
"I was hustling and learning every day to make my dreams come true," Kakaty recalls of his time playing local bars and slinging early EPs out of the back of his truck. "Studying never interested me. Neither did getting a regular job. A knee injury wrecked my shot at playing sports. Music was all I wanted to do from that moment, and I didn't give myself a backup plan. Pop Evil gave me a purpose, and a reason to get up every day. It became a crusade."
Lipstick on the Mirror, their 2008 debut, and its follow-up, War of Angels, brought acclaim and global attention; 2013's Onyx delivered the first of the band's nine No.1 singles and six RIAA-certified gold and platinum plaques, but also a period of darkness brought on by the grief of Kakaty losing his father. "I was completely lost … I had just missed the last five years with my dad, chasing this dream when I could have been with him. I didn’t know if I wanted or could do Pop Evil any more," he says. The band’'s 2017 self-titled album, opened by the smash-hit "Waking Lions" was written "pretty much to save my life" – but in turn “reminded me of the fire I have inside, and that God put me here to make music that could help people."
It's a mission statement enshrined in Pop Evil to this day — and which provided the spark for the genesis of What Remains.
“You're always chasing that one song that can connect with that one person," Kakaty says. "And that process has to start with yourself. There's a lot of personal healing on this record, a lot of things I wanted to get out for my own mental well-being. I'm finally
at a place where I can confront my demons."
Sonically, the album is a riotous explosion of life-affirming noise; a vortex of scything riffs and gut-punch drum beats that regularly give way to Pop Evil's hallmark anthemic choruses.
"We set out to push boundaries," nods Kakaty. "Metal has always been a part of our DNA, but we've never made it such a focal point before. A lot of writing on this record has been about listening to what my soul is saying and letting the songs find their own path, rather than chasing a sound that might fit in on the radio. I think you can really hear the mood and emotion of the album's themes in the music."
ABOUT MNRK MUSIC GROUP:
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists plus distributing premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. Its catalog across divisions consists of 65,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
Pop Evil Announce New Album "What Remains" + Share "Wishful Thinking" Video
Modern rock powerhouse POP EVIL — vocalist Leigh Kakaty, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser, and drummer Blake Allison — are pleased to announce their forthcoming eighth album WHAT REMAINS. It arrives March 21 via MNRK. Pre-save it here.
The vinyl pre-order on the band website begins this Friday, January 10.
To celebrate the news, the band has shared the video for the third single "Wishful Thinking." Watch it below.
"'Wishful Thinking' pushes us into a realm that's deeper, darker, and more intense than ever before," says Kakaty.
For two decades, Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kataky has needed to mine the deepest of reserves in order to drag the band up from the blue-collar grassroots of his local Michigan scene to stand proud at the top of the modern rock game. Soaring successes, bitter defeats… Leigh Kakaty has survived it all.
What Remains is the culmination and story of this journey with Pop Evil, laid bare like never before. Continuing in the recent vein of 2023's acclaimed Skeletons, the new opus is both sonically and thematically Pop Evil's heaviest ever offering; a thundering collection of arena-ready modern rock and metal hits in which Kakaty opens heart, mind, and soul.
"There are a lot of issues and things that I've dealt with in this journey of Pop Evil that I've buried for a long time," the frontman explains of this document of resilience, perseverance, and accountability.
Pop Evil were born in North Muskegon, Michigan in 2001, Kakaty drawing on the lessons of a youth first shaped not by music, but by high school basketball — leadership, team work, the drive to improve in the lonely hours put in at the gym at 5am, the will to win suppressing any fear — in order to fight tooth and nail for their break-out moment.
"I was hustling and learning every day to make my dreams come true," Kakaty recalls of his time playing local bars and slinging early EPs out of the back of his truck. "Studying never interested me. Neither did getting a regular job. A knee injury wrecked my shot at playing sports. Music was all I wanted to do from that moment, and I didn't give myself a backup plan. Pop Evil gave me a purpose, and a reason to get up every day. It became a crusade."
Lipstick on the Mirror, their 2008 debut, and its follow-up, War of Angels, brought acclaim and global attention; 2013's Onyx delivered the first of the band's nine No.1 singles and six RIAA-certified gold and platinum plaques, but also a period of darkness brought on by the grief of Kakaty losing his father. "I was completely lost … I had just missed the last five years with my dad, chasing this dream when I could have been with him. I didn’t know if I wanted or could do Pop Evil any more," he says. The band’'s 2017 self-titled album, opened by the smash-hit "Waking Lions" was written "pretty much to save my life" – but in turn “reminded me of the fire I have inside, and that God put me here to make music that could help people."
It's a mission statement enshrined in Pop Evil to this day — and which provided the spark for the genesis of What Remains.
“You're always chasing that one song that can connect with that one person," Kakaty says. "And that process has to start with yourself. There's a lot of personal healing on this record, a lot of things I wanted to get out for my own mental well-being. I'm finally
at a place where I can confront my demons."
Sonically, the album is a riotous explosion of life-affirming noise; a vortex of scything riffs and gut-punch drum beats that regularly give way to Pop Evil's hallmark anthemic choruses.
"We set out to push boundaries," nods Kakaty. "Metal has always been a part of our DNA, but we've never made it such a focal point before. A lot of writing on this record has been about listening to what my soul is saying and letting the songs find their own path, rather than chasing a sound that might fit in on the radio. I think you can really hear the mood and emotion of the album's themes in the music."
ABOUT MNRK MUSIC GROUP:
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists plus distributing premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. Its catalog across divisions consists of 65,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
Pop Evil Share "Deathwalk" Video
Modern rock powerhouse POP EVIL follow their scorching single "What Remains" with new, dark track "Deathwalk," produced by Zach Jones & KJ Strock.
The band shared the cinematic music video, directed by Sam Shapiro. Fans will plunge into the dark, fragmented landscape of lead singer Leigh Kakaty's psyche, unraveling the thin line between self-identity and survival. Kakaty confronts existential questions of his own mortality and legacy.
Watch it below.
"We are the accused, the guilty, the damned," the singer says about the harrowing track. "At the end of our 'Deathwalk,' judgment awaits. Are you at peace with what you will leave behind?"
Pop Evil returned in August by showcasing their new sound with single "What Remains." It was produced by Wage War's Cody Quistad and serves as the dawn of a new era for Pop Evil, which the band promises will be its most sonically heavy. "What Remains" currently sits at No. 8 on the Mainstream Active Rock Chart.
The six-time RIAA gold-certified band, plus newly platinum-certified track, "Torn to Pieces," is gearing up for its forthcoming eighth studio album, set for release in Spring 2025.
Pop Evil are currently finishing up the final dates of The Animal Instinct Tour with Bad Wolves. Sierra Pilot and Oni are serving as support. All remaining tour dates are below. Get tickets here.
Kakaty previously confirmed the band’s new lineup, saying, "We are also proud to officially announce the newest member of the Pop Evil lineup — Blake Allison." Allison is replacing departed member Hayley Cramer on drums, joining Kakaty and fellow bandmates, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, and bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser.
Pop Evil first rose to international prominence with debut album Lipstick on the Mirror, featuring RIAA Certified Gold Single "100 in a 55." After Kakaty famously tore up the band's major label contract onstage, Pop Evil signed with MNRK Heavy (formerly eOne Music). 2011's War of Angels debuted in the Top 10 of the Rock Albums chart and produced three Top 10 singles.
The band's 2013 album Onyx put them in the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 for the first time and boasted three consecutive No.1 rock songs, two RIAA Gold Singles, and one Platinum Single with "Torn to Pieces." Pop Evil's next release, Up, was the No.1 Independent Album in America and made it to #25 on the Billboard 200. It featured several Top 5 rock songs and a chart-topper with "Footsteps," which also went Gold.
Pop Evil's 2018 self-titled set included the No.1 hit and newly certified Gold single "Waking Lions" and two other Top 10 hits. 2020's Versatile, meanwhile, scored two No.1 rock songs: "Breathe Again" and "Survivor." In 2023, the band released its seventh studio album Skeletons, which spawned their eighth and ninth No.1 singles: "Eye of the Storm" and "Skeletons."
ABOUT MNRK MUSIC GROUP:
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists plus distributing premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. Its catalog across divisions consists of 65,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
New Video Alert: Texas Hippie Coalition - "Bones Jones"
Texas rockers TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION release the hilariously entertaining animated video for their recently released track, "Bones Jones." The video was directed by musician Edsel Dope and co-directed by David Perada, and animated by Makinita Silva. The video tells the crazy story of the character Bones Jones, with the heavy riffs on the tracks setting the manic mood.
“In our hometown, there was a guy named ‘Bones’," says Ritch. "He was about six-foot-seven-inches tall like Lurch from The Addams Family. I’d get weed from him, but he sold everything you could think of. Just weed for me though,” he chuckles.
Texas Hippie Coalition released their new album, Gunsmoke, via MNRK Heavy earlier this month. On Gunsmoke, Big Dad Ritch and his crew wholeheartedly embrace their country and Southern rock stylings as well as a lifelong passion for westerns.
With drinks poured, fists raised, and smiles wide, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION (THC) always know how to have a good time. A collective of tried-and-true rabble-rousers and dyed-in-the-wool storytellers, the Texas quintet—Big Dad Ritch [vocals], Cord Pool [guitar], Nevada Romo [guitar], Rado Romo [bass], and Joey Mandigo [drums]—spike ass-whopping hard rock with a kick of country swagger and a whole lot of Texas grit and gusto.
Stream / Get Gunsmoke HERE
Pop Evil Announce Fall 2024 Headline Tour Plans
Modern rock powerhouse POP EVIL recently returned with the utterly scorching new single "What Remains." It serves as the dawn of a new era for Pop Evil, which the band promises will be its most sonically heavy. The song was No. 1 Most Added with 55 stations and just debuted at 33 on the active rock radio charts, and is climbing.
Watch the lyric video for the song, which was produced by Wage War's Cody Quistad, below.
Today, the band announces its Fall 2024 tour plans. The band will embark on "The Animal Instinct Tour," which is a co-headline run with Bad Wolves. Sierra Pilot and Oni will serve as support. The trek kicks off October 30 in Jacksonville, North Carolina and runs through November 30 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Additional Pop Evil shows are also on deck. All tour dates are below. Get tickets here.
"We are stoked to announce 'The Animal Instinct Tour' with our friends in Bad Wolves," says Pop Evil singer Leigh Kakaty. "This tour will be full of high energy and radio hits from start to finish. We can't wait to see you all out there!"
"It's difficult to express how excited I am to get back on the road again with the boys," says Bad Wolves guitarist Doc Coyle. "Co-headlining with a powerhouse like Pop Evil will be a real treat for fans of both bands and will keep us on our toes to bring our A-game every night. It's a true honor to share the stage with them, Sierra Pilot, and ONI. Bad Wolves will be performing an eclectic set including songs from Die About It that we haven't played yet, and I'm sure some surprises. The band is firing on all cylinders right now, and this will be a hell of a way to close out 2024. LFG, Wolfpack!!!"
About the new single, Kakaty stated, "Over the years, I've been faced with torment; departures, failures, and uphill climbs. It takes a reckoning to strip us to our core and confront our true selves. What endures beyond these trials is who you are, your essence. That is what remains. On our upcoming album, we have dared ourselves to make the most lyrically raw and sonically heavy album of our career. 'What Remains' sets the tone of what is to come."
Kakaty also confirmed the new lineup, saying, "We are also proud to officially announce the newest member of the Pop Evil lineup — Blake Allison." Allison is replacing departed member Hayley Cramer on drums, joining Kakaty and fellow bandmates, guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, and bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser.
POP EVIL ON TOUR:
ONE-OFF:
8/30 — Pryor, OK — Rocklahoma
9/13 — Hutchinson, KS — Kansas State Fair
THE ANIMAL INSTINCT TOUR:
10/30 — Jacksonville, NC — Hooligans*
10/31 — Spartanburg, SC — The Hall*
11/1 — Orlando, FL — Addition Financial Arena — WJRR Halloweenie Roast**
11/2 — Jacksonville, FL — Jack Rabbits (Acoustic Show)***
11/3 — Greensboro, NC — Hangar*
11/6 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogarts
11/7 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian
11/8 — Glenside, PA — Keswick Theatre
11/9 — Albany, NY — Empire
11/10 — Norfolk, VA — The NorVa
11/12 — Cleveland, OH — TempleLive
11/13 — Indianapolis, IN — Vogue
11/14 — St Louis, MO — Red Flag
11/15 — Huntsville, AL — Mars Music Hall
11/16 — Mobile, AL — Soul Kitchen
11/17 — Tuscaloosa, AL — Druid City
11/19 — Fort Smith, AR — TempleLive
11/20 — Wichita, KS — TempleLive
11/22 — Springfield, MO — Gillioz
11/23 — Milwaukee, WI — Rave II
11/24 — Omaha, NE — Admiral
11/26 — Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl
11/27 — Ft Wayne, IN — Piere's
11/29 — Columbus, OH — The Bluestone
11/30 — Lexington, KY — Manchester Music Hall
*No Bad Wolves
**Supporting Wage War
***Pop Evil Only
Pop Evil's 2018 self-titled set included the No.1 hit and newly certified Gold single "Waking Lions" and two other Top 10 hits. 2020's Versatile, meanwhile, scored two No.1 rock songs: "Breathe Again" and "Survivor." In 2023, the band released its seventh studio album Skeletons, which spawned their eighth and ninth No.1 singles: "Eye of the Storm" and "Skeletons."
ABOUT MNRK MUSIC GROUP:
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists plus distributing premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. Its catalog across divisions consists of 65,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
A Killer's Confession Share "Martyr" Video — WATCH + Touring Through Spring + Summer
A KILLER'S CONFESSION, newly signed to MNRK HEAVY, have shared their second single.
Today, they drop the video for "Martyr." Watch it Below.
"'Martyr' is the second step into the lore of Victim 1," the band says. "This song is the embodiment of acceptance of who you are and what you have to do. Tossing aside what others might think of your actions knowing in the end, it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks."
Regarding the accompanying video, AKC say, "The video for 'Martyr' is the idea of how soldiers from The Crusades will go to church to ask for penance for their actions. The scenery of a simpler time and the camaraderie between the knights says it all. "What we do is for the greater good.'"
"Martyr' follows the band's previously released video for "Greed." Watch it here.
Overall, A Killer's Confession explore the captivating repugnance of true crime, set to a soundtrack of melodic hard rock dosed with elements of metal and industrial, on their forthcoming album, the details of which will be announced in due course.
After three seminal albums with Mushroomhead, Reavis retreated from music, only for it to draw him back in 2016. He resurfaced at the helm of A Killer's Confession, delivering three cult favorite albums — Unbroken [2017], The Indifference of Good Men [2019], and Remember [2021]. Along the way, the band tallied tens of millions of streams in addition to collaborating with everyone from Brian "Head" Welch of Korn and Love And Death to Chad Gray of Mudvayne and HELLYEAH. Joined by bassist JP Cross, guitarist James Skritch, and the duo drums of Will Spodnik and Kegan King, they also captivated crowds on tour.
During 2022, Waylon experienced an epiphany. "I had never thought about following a concept like this before," he said. "However, I decided to focus, live up to the name, and be A Killer's Confession."
A Killer's Confession are on the road. All dates are below, including a trio of appearances with Mudvayne.
A KILLER'S CONFESSION ON TOUR:
5/11 — Grantville, PA — Hollywood Casino*
5/14 — Ferndale, MI — The Loving Touch+
5/15 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave/Eagles Club*
5/16 — Columbus, OH — The Basement+
5/17 — Syracuse, NY — The Song and Dance+
5/18 — Mashantucket, CT — Foxwoods Resort Casino*
6/11 — Las Vegas, NV — Sinwave#
6/12 — West Hollywood, CA — Whisky A Go Go#
6/14 — San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick#
6/15 — Tucson, AZ — The Rock#
6/16 — El Paso, TX — RockHouse Bar & Grill#
6/18 — Lubbock, TX — Jakes#
6/19 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live#
6/20 — Houston, TX — Scout Bar#
6/21 — Corpus Christi, TX — House of Rock#
6/22 — Dallas, TX — Tree’s#
6/23 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street#
6/25 — Sioux Falls, SD — Remedy at 611#
6/26 — Iowa City, IA — Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon#
6/27 — Urbana, IL — Canopy Club#
6/28 — Joliet, IL — The forge#
6/29 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave/Eagles Club#
6/30 — Ringle, WI — Q&Z Expo Center#
7/20 — Dover, AR — BROOKSTOCK#
*With Mudvayne
+With Hyro The Hero
#With Ill Nino
CREDIT: No Barricades Photography
ABOUT MNRK MUSIC GROUP:
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, with recording, music publishing, and management divisions operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists and works with some of the greatest musical talent including The Lumineers and Pitbull, the music publishing catalog of Chuck Berry, plus premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. The company’s music department services Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning producers. Its catalog across divisions consists of 54,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
High On Fire announce new album 'Cometh the Storm'
Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire , will release its new LP, ' Cometh the Storm ', on April 19 via MNRK Heavy. The GRAMMY Award-winning group, celebrating its 25th anniversary, recorded ' Cometh the Storm ' at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou. The 11-song effort -- the band's ninth studio album -- marks the release of the first new High on Fire music since 2018's 'Electric Messiah' and the first to feature drummer Coady Willis (Big Business, Murder City Devils), alongside bassist Jeff Matz , and guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike .
'Cometh the Storm ' is advanced by the lead track, "Burning Down", and a haunting, fever dream video, directed by Lars Kristoffer Hormander.
“Burning Down” kicks off with a classic Pike riff,” says Jeff Matz . “I think this song harkens back to the early High On Fire sound, but infused with fresh, new elements. It has a killer groove that you can really sink into. The body of the song took shape in our PNW rehearsal space, and we came up with the bridge/solo section and finalized the arrangement while we were at GodCity. Kurt Ballou’s input as a producer was also hugely helpful. His keen ears and fresh perspective were invaluable in making this album.”
High on Fire - Cometh The Storm Compact Disc
“I think this band’s always had a really good drive,” states Matt Pike . “It’s a different entity. It’s its own thing. Which, I think, makes all of us very proud to be a part of it. It’s not an average band.”
“Being a fan of each other’s bands for a long time, it feels like all bets are off and anything goes which is a liberating feeling,” shares Willis . “That feeling of making something out of all of these imperfect parts and it becomes this magical, weird, new idea that none of us ever anticipated. Against all odds. That’s the joy of it.”
“It’s interesting, whenever there’s a lineup change in a band,” offers producer Kurt Ballou . “It can take a little while to rebuild. But it’s also an opportunity to reinvigorate the band and I think that’s what’s happened here.”
Ace Frehley Announces New Studio Album, 10,000 Volts
Stream / Get "10,000 Volts" Single Here
(November 28, 2023) Grammy-nominated R&RHOF inductee and guitar legend ACE FREHLEY announces the release of his new studio album, 10,000 Volts, due out on February 23, 2024. Produced by Ace and Steve Brown (Trixter), the 11-track 10,000 Volts sees Ace perform electrifying, hard-hitting, riff-heavy rock'n' roll.
Today, he releases the first single and title track. Written and produced by Ace and Steve Brown, the track kicks off with a surging riff, and Ace's swaggering delivery takes hold and never lets go. It culminates on the chantable chorus, “She hit me like 10,000 volts, when I saw her face,” giving way to a fret-burning guitar solo.
The accompanying visual for the single was directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging and shows Ace and his band performing the powerful, riff-heavy track live.
Watch below:
Rock ‘n’ roll and heavy metal simply wouldn’t sound, look, or feel the same without Ace Frehley. Among hundreds of accolades, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® inducted him in 2014 as a Co-founder and the original lead guitarist of Kiss. Guitar World named him in the Top 15 of its “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time” and plugged the lead from “Shock Me” on the “50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time.” Magnifying the imprint of his catalog as a solo artist, Foo Fighters cut a fan favorite cover of “Ozone,” and he even jammed out “New York Groove” alongside The Roots on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The late Dimebag Darrell of Pantera proudly sported a tattoo of Frehley on his chest, while Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine celebrated him on X/Twitter as “My first guitar hero.”
10,000 Volts upholds an incredible legacy for Frehley, spanning 50-plus years in the limelight. Back in 1978, he delivered his solo debut, Ace Frehley. It reached platinum status and exploded as “the highest-selling of the four Kiss solo albums in the Soundscan era.” Pitchfork even retrospectively rated it a rare “8.5” score. In 1987, he dropped Frehley’s Comet. Following Anomaly in 2009, he went on to make history once again. His 2014 Space Invader LP captured #9 on the Billboard 200 and emerged as “The only solo album by a past or current Kiss member to reach the Top 10 on the chart.” 2016’s Origins Vol. 1, bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart and in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart. He notably maintained his momentum with Spaceman [2018].
Pop Evil Announce Headlining Flesh & Bone Tour!
Michigan-based hard rock group Pop Evil has announced the Flesh & Bone Tour, with special guests Fame on Fire and Lylvc. The Flesh & Bone Tour is an 18-date, headlining U.S. tour that commences in Fort Smith, AR, on October 28, 2023, and wraps in the band's hometown of Grand Rapids, MI, on November 22, 2023. Tickets to these shows go on sale to the public this Friday, September 8, at 10 a.m. local time. Full dates are below.
The band's current single (and titled track to recent album), "Skeletons," is now Top 10 on the Billboard Chart. The single has quickly become a staple for Pop Evil and is now approaching 8 million streams to date.
The recent album, Skeletons, was released on March 17 via MNRK Heavy and features Ryan Kirby (Fit For a King), Blake Allison (Devour The Day), and Zillion. The 11 tracks also include the single “Eye of the Storm,” which landed at the #5 Most Played Song in 2022 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart, and recent singles, “Paranoid (Crash & Burn)” (Top 10 at Rock Radio), and, “Dead Reckoning (Ft. Fit For A King).”
Skeletons U.S. Flesh & Bone Headlining Tour:
October 28 - Fort Smith, AR - Temple Live
October 29 - Wichita, KS - Temple Live
October 31 - Madison, WI - The Sylvee
November 1 - Angola, IN - Electric Ballroom
November 3 - Reading, PA - Reverb
November 4 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony
November 5 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
November 7 - Columbia, SC - The Senate
November 9 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
November 10 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
November 11 - Johnson City, TN - Capone’s
November 12 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City
November 14 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
November 16 - Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
November 18 - Cleveland, OH - Temple Live*
November 19 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart’s
November 21 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
November 22 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
* No Fame on Fire
Pop Evil has massive anthems and built a new rock’n’roll institution on a foundation of showmanship, raw relatability, and hard rock hooks, both forward-thinking and timeless from frontman Leigh Kakaty, lead guitarist Nick Fuelling, rhythm guitarist Dave Grahs, bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser and drummer Hayley Cramer. No matter the headline-grabbing declarations from legendary icons lamenting the changing of the guard, the slow-burning success of Pop Evil demonstrates the hunger for hard-hitting, honest music persisting worldwide. The band has amassed 8 #1 singles, 5 Top 5 singles, and 8 Top 10 singles, totaling an incredible 20 top 10 singles throughout their career.
Connect with Pop Evil:
The Contortionist Release Career-Defining Live Set Digitally
(July 21, 2023) – Progressive rock band The Contortionist release their recent live box set, Retrospective: Live from Atlanta, today on all digital service providers. This definitive collection features 31 tracks of live audio recordings from the band’s 2021 live-stream performances. The 3 live streamed performances cover every facet of the band’s career, including a full album performance of the critically acclaimed full-length Clairvoyant as well as an entire set focused on the band’s heavier catalog.
About the release, guitarist Cameron Maynard, says, “When we initially conceived this project, our objective was to give something to our fans amidst the inability to physically perform to a live audience. As it turns out, we were so happy with the end result that we thought it would only be appropriate to release in a more tangible way.”
Keyboardist Eric Guenther, adds, “This is the best representation of The Contortionist to date, and to us, the recording that defines the identity of this band and how we sounded in the first 10+ years.”
Earlier this year, the band released the collection as a limited edition, physical box set and released two videos taken from the live-stream performances, for tracks “Clairvoyant,” and “Geocentric Confusion.” Watch them below.
Texas Hippie Coalition Releases "The Name Lives On" Today
Heavy southern rock band Texas Hippie Coalition release their highly-anticipated new album, The Name Lives On, today via MRNK Heavy. The pummeling, riff-heavy album showcases the "Red Dirt Metal" sound of Texas Hippie Coalition.
"The Name Lives On is a gritty, down-home and refreshing listen." - Blabbermouth
"There may be plenty of riffs that will draw in rock fans, but it’s Big Dad Ritch’s singing that will keep them coming back again and again." - Metal Trenches
The band released the catchy and gritty single "Hell Hounds" last month. Watch the video below.
The band continues to tour across the U.S. Dates are below:
APR 21 Wild Goose Saloon - Parker, CO
APR 22 Wild Goose Saloon - Parker, CO
APR 23 Sunshine Studios Live - Colorado Springs, CO
APR 28 Yukon Czech Hall - Yukon, OK
APR 29 Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
MAY 19 Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall - Fort Worth, TX
MAY 20 Scout Bar - Houston, TX
MAY 21 Southport Hall - Jefferson, LA
MAY 25 The Crafthouse Stage & Grill - Pittsburgh, PA
MAY 26 Blue Note Harrison, Harrison, OH
JUN 8 The Forge - Joliet, IL
JUN 9 The Eclectic Room - Angola, IN
JUN 10 The King of Clubs - Columbus, OH
JUN 11 Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY
JUN 14 The Big House - Laconia, NH
JUN 15 The L, Horseheads, NY
JUN 16 The Winchester - Lakewood, OH
JUN 17 Tri-State Raceway - Earlville, IA
JUN 18 - Royal Grove - Lincoln, NE
JUL 13 - New Brookland Tavern - West Columbia, SC
JUL 14 - Sidetracks - Bristol, TN
JUL 15 - KVA Rally - Dugspur, VA
JUL 16 - Tally Ho Theater - Leesburg, VA
JUL 18 - The Song & Dance - Syracuse, NY
JUL 20 - Empire Live Albany - Albany, NY
JUL 21 - Artie's Bar and Grill - Frenchtown, NJ
JUL 22 - Lovedraft's Brewing Co. - Mechanicsburg, PA
JUL 23 - Smugglers Wyandotte - Wyandotte, MI
AUG 10 - 13 - Kickstands Campground and Venue - Sturgis, SD
AUG 15 - The Pub Station - Billings, MT
AUG 17 - Bossanova Presents - Portland, OR
AUG 18 - The Vessel - Lynnwood, WA
AUG 20 - Cruisers Bar & Grill - Stateline, ID
AUG 22 - The Newberry - Great Falls, MT
Texas Hippie Coalition are:
Big Dad Ritch
Cord Pool
Nevada Romo
Larado Romo
Joey Mandigo
Connect with Texas Hippie Coalition:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Texas Hippie Coalition Releases Video For "Hell Hounds"
Heavy Southern Rock band Texas Hippie Coalition is set to release their new album, The Name Lives On, on April 21, 2023, via MNRK Heavy. The band's seventh studio album is a hard-hitting, riff-heavy sonic assault from beginning to end. Starting today, fans can presave/preorder the album here. Texas Hippie Coalition is currently on the road, with U.S. dates through mid-June (full dates below).
The band also releases the punishing video for their first single, "Hell Hounds." directed by Justin H. Reich. Watch below.
Texas Hippie Coalition is often compared to the many great Southern Rock and Texas bands that came before them. But they are proving to the world that THC is not just following in their footsteps, they are leaving giant footprints. THC has etched out a place for themselves in the multi-genre fields of music, and have also created their own genre, "Red Dirt Metal." You have to hear it to understand it. Words are not enough to convey how powerfully big their sound is.
Mar 29 Arizona Bike Week- Scottsdale, AZ
Mar 30 Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar - Las Vegas, NV
Mar 31 Juggernaut Music - Gallup, NM
Apr 1 Lauter Haus Brewing Co. - Farmington, NM
Apr 2 The Liberty - Roswell, NM
Apr 13 Southbound - Springfield, MO
Apr 14 Royal 66 Mountain - Home, AR
Apr 15 Kansas Crossing Casino - Pittsburg, KS
Apr 16 Brooksto - Dover, AR
Apr 20 Moxi Theatre - Greeley, CO
Apr 21 Wild Goose Saloon - Parker, CO
Apr 22 Wild Goose Saloon - Parker, CO
Apr 23 Sunshine Studios Live - Colorado Springs, CO
Apr 28 Yukon Czech Hall - Yukon, OK
Apr 29 Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
MAY 19 Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall - Fort Worth, TX
MAY 20 Scout Bar - Houston, TX
MAY 21 Southport Hall - Jefferson, LA
MAY 25 The Crafthouse Stage & Grill - Pittsburgh, PA
MAY 26 Blue Note Harrison, Harrison, OH
JUN 8 The Forge - Joliet, IL
JUN 9 The Eclectic Room - Angola, IN
JUN 10 The King of Clubs - Columbus, OH
JUN 11 Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY
JUN 14 The Big House - Laconia, NH
JUN 15 The L, Horseheads, NY
JUN 16 The Winchester - Lakewood, OH
Texas Hippie Coalition are:
Big Dad Ritch
Cord Pool
Nevada Romo
Lorado Romo
Joey Mandigo
Connect with Texas Hippie Coalition:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Texas Hippie Coalition Releases "Hell Hounds"
TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, THE NAME LIVES ON, TO BE RELEASED ON APRIL 21, 2023
FIRST TRACK "HELL HOUNDS" OUT TODAY
Heavy Southern Rock band Texas Hippie Coalition announces the release of their seventh studio album, The Name Lives On, on April 21, 2023 via MNRK Heavy. The hard-hitting, 10-track collection is another riff-heavy, sonic assault from beginning to end.
The first single, “Hell Hounds,” was released today and proves this dog hunts right out of the gate. With a punishing riff, Big Dad Ritch growls, "And I know that you think you're so strong/And I've been sent to prove you wrong."
THC frontman Big Dad Ritch says, “Where there once was an appetite for this style of music, I witnessed a hunger grow and now I see the lovers of real music starving for it. “The name lives on” is an album that is a dinner bell ringer… I was sent to ring that bell!!!”
Texas Hippie Coalition is often compared to the many great Southern Rock and Texas bands that came before them. But they are proving to the world that THC is not just following in their footsteps, they are leaving giant footprints. THC has etched out a place for themselves in the multi-genre fields of music, and have also created their own genre, "Red Dirt Metal." You have to hear it to understand it. Words are not enough to convey how powerfully big their sound is.
The Contortionist Release New, Limited Edition Box Set Today
PROGRESSIVE ROCK BAND THE CONTORTIONIST RELEASE LIMITED EDITION, NEW BOX SET
RETROSPECTIVE: LIVE FROM ATLANTA
TODAY VIA MNRK HEAVY
Live-stream videos for
“Geocentric Confusion” and “Clairvoyant” out now
Progressive rock band The Contortionist release a new box set, Retrospective: Live from Atlanta, today. The box set boasts three double LPs comprised of recordings from the band’s 2021 live-stream performances. The 3 live streamed performances cover every facet of the band’s career, including a full album performance of the critically acclaimed full-length Clairvoyant, as well as an entire set focused on the band’s heavier catalog.
Featuring over 30 tracks, the impressive package is a limited-edition set, with only 1500 copies available worldwide. It comes housed in a 12x12x2 embossed box and features translucent acetate overlay alternate covers for each of the three live stream sets. Each live stream set comes pressed on 12” 180g double vinyl in a beautiful gatefold package. Fans can purchase the box set here.
Guitarist Cameron Maynard says, “When we initially conceived this project, our objective was to give something to our fans amidst the inability to physically perform to a live audience. As it turns out, we were so happy with the end result that we thought it would only be appropriate to release in a more tangible way. We have always wanted to release a box set like this, and after seeing some original ideas for the art, we knew it had to be done.”
Keyboardist Eric Guenther adds, “Although the motivation for this project was born out of uncertainty and cancellations, the opportunity to perform and create the definitive musical artifact for this band’s history became a silver lining. To me, this is years of work finally realized, and thanks to our fans’ response, we were able to make this project timeless with a proper release. This is the best representation of The Contortionist to date, and to us, the recording that defines the identity of this band and how we sounded in the first 10+ years. Thanks to our fans for making this band real. Also, we can’t wait to share what we have been working on.”
MNRK Music Group Signs The Slugganauts
MNRK Music Group announces its newest signing, heavy metal band The Slugganauts! The Slugganauts are featured in the BunnyKitty universe, an animated world created by legendary graffiti artist Dave ‘Persue’ Ross. The Slugganauts will release a new single, “No More Gimmicks,” in February, followed by more new music in 2023, all real-world compositions by musicians on the MNRK Music Group roster. About this new project, Persue says, “The resurrection will be televised.”
In 2001, Persue’s graffiti propelled him forward into the world of skateboarding and aesthetics, eventually helping him pioneer the marketing space of some of the most iconic streetwear brands, including DC, Circa, and Osiris. In 2001, amidst his abstract letterforms, Persue created the character BunnyKitty, the beloved cat in a bunny suit character, which took on a life of her own, and forever changed the trajectory of Persue’s career.
BunnyKitty was born on a wall, but now she lives on the page and on the blockchain, first in The Origins of BunnyKitty (2016), then in her newly-released adventure, BunnyKitty in the City (December 2022), and most recently an NFT sale in collaboration with Web3 studio, Notables, which sold out in just 3 minutes. The Slugganauts' first single will release in February, followed by more new music this year. MNRK plans to release vinyls, band merch, music videos and stage live performances.
For more information, go to:
BunnyKitty:
website
Instagram
Dave ‘Persue” Ross:
Instagram
ABOUT MNRK Music Group
MNRK Music Group is one of the largest independent music companies in the world, with recording, music publishing, and management divisions operating in every major music market. MNRK is committed to discovering and guiding top music creators and artists and works with some of the greatest musical talent including The Lumineers and Pitbull, the music publishing catalog of Chuck Berry, plus premier music companies Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang. The company’s music department services Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning producers. Its catalog across divisions consists of 54,000 music tracks, including multiple GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling hits.
ABOUT Notables
Serving as both a creator's platform and an online sales platform, Notables is an NFT ecosystem that works with influential individuals and cultural icons to build unique, utility-based digital asset collections. Notables is a full-service blockchain solution for developing and designing NFT projects, building online communities, and returning value to the community long into the future. Its highly-curated platform and ecosystem provide a seamless user experience for both the creator and the user. With the unique ability to allow artists to push the boundaries of fan engagement, Notables is designed to deliver unique, one-of-a-kind, digital items aimed at super-fans or consumers who support specific creatives and influencers.
ABOUT Persue
Multi-hyphenate San Diego-based artist David "Persue" Ross is known across fields and mediums for his prowess as a painter, graffiti artist, muralist, author, designer, and curator. Armed with a unique and innate ability to integrate art in all facets of life, Persue (pronounced per-SWAY) established himself as an undeniable pioneer in the west coast aerosol art and skateboarding industries. His portfolio predates almost any example of street aesthetics being paired with the skateboarding industry, making his earliest designs the catalyst that helped create the look of today's streetwear aesthetic. His thriving career has yielded several milestone collaborations, his abstract approach known as Liminal Space, his Wet Paint practice, and of course, the BunnyKitty Universe. From walls around the world to picture books, BunnyKitty has taken on a life of her own.