Skillet is a Christian rock band that has been around ever since I can remember. They formed in 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee. For members, the current lineup consists of John Cooper (Frontman and Bassist), Korey Cooper (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboard, and Backing Vocals), Jen Ledger (Drums, Vocals), and Seth Morrison (Lead Guitar). Together, they have a chemistry unmatched by anyone. Continue reading
1989 was the birth year for the band Pezz. Forming in the hometown of Elvis Presley this Memphis quartet brought punk rock to a town with the blues. Pezz is Memphis’ longest-running socially conscious punk band. The band is currently comprised of founding members Marvin Stockwell and Ceylon Mooney. Having performed as a trio previously and several lineup changes the remainder of the band is currently Shawn Apple, and Christian Walker. Ben Nichols the vocalist of American country-punk rock band Lucero also was once a member of Pezz as a bassist from 1997 until 1998 when he left the band to form Lucero. The bands first demo was recorded in 1991, just as the band were cutting their teeth in the all ages hardcore and punk scene based at the legendary Antenna Club. The band followed up and released two 7″ EPs in 1992 and 1993. It wasn’t until 1995 that the band would release their debut album ‘Livin’ The Life Of Riley’ on the Memphis based Truant Records label. Two years later the band signed with Los Angeles punk rock label BYO Records that was owned and ran by two of the brothers in the California punk rock band Youth Brigade. It was after signing to the label that the band would attain more national attention and thus the band began a non-stop 4 year tour taking them through the U.S., Canada, UK and Europe. Since 1997 the band has 8 releases the last of which was the EP ‘The Wicked Leading the Blind’ in 2010. Fast forward 8 years and the band has now recorded and released a new full length album titled ‘More Than You Can Give Us’, their first full length since 2001. The album contains 10 lyrically inquisitive tracks and released on August 25, 2018. The album was recorded by the band in January of 2012 at their practice space and later mixed by engineer Alan Burcham. ‘More Than You Can Give Us’ was then mastered by sough-after-loud-rock mastering engineer Brad Boatright (Sleep, American Standards) at Audioseige in Portland, Oregon. Pezz is no longer the touring juggernaut they once were and they stay relatively close to home and work to apply the ideals and concepts they sing about and improve their local community. Continue reading
*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*
This month’s State is Tennessee!
Memphis, Tennessee’s DAWN PATROL help make crossover relevant again. Their ability to blend thrash and punk influences makes for amazing output from the band. The power trio is comprised of brothers Tommy Gonzales- Guitar/Vocals, Kyle Gonzales- Drums/Backup Vocals, and rounded out with Spencer Martin on Bass/Backup Vocals. The band lists some of their influences as Dead Kennedys, Exodus, Leftover Crack, and Megadeth. The band has released some independent EPs in the past but they consider ‘Democracy Delivered’ their debut as it’s when the band truly started finding their signature sound. The album was released on July 3, 2015. Continue reading
