POP EVIL

Playing a hard-hitting fusion of metal, grunge, and modern rock, Pop Evil went from working bars in their native Michigan to playing across the country and around the world. Their attack is rooted in taut, hard-edged guitar sounds, and booming percussion that shows the influence of hip-hop and industrial production techniques. Their second album, 2008's Lipstick on the Mirror, became their first major-label release, 2013's Onyx gave them a commercial breakthrough with the Rock Radio hit "Trenches," and 2021's Versatile and 2023's Skeletons consolidated their position as a leading post-grunge act.

Pop Evil was formed in 2001 in the Western Michigan town of North Muskegon (not far from Grand Rapids) by vocalist Leigh Kakaty. Kakaty had previously worked in a local band called TenFive, and after they broke up, he recruited their former drummer Dylan Allison to join him in his new project. The first lineup also included guitarist Dave Grahs and bassist Jamie Nummer, and for their first few years they balanced gigs where they played their original material with jobs as a cover band to keep themselves together and raise money for studio time. Pop Evil put out an independent album, War of the Roses, in 2004, followed by an EP, Ready or Not, in 2006. In 2007, the group landed a management deal, and their second album, Lipstick on the Mirror, appeared in 2008. By this time, Matt DiRito took over on bass from Jamie Nummer, and they became a quintet with the addition of Tony Greve on lead guitar. Pop Evil landed a deal with the Universal/Republic imprint Pazzo Music who reissued Lipstick on the Mirror in 2009 with two hidden bonus tracks. The band's relationship with Pazzo Music soured while they were recording their third album, and they severed ties with the label, with eOne Entertainment taking on the group and releasing War of Angels in 2011. Around the time of the album's debut, drummer Dylan Allison suffered a neck injury, and Brian Kuhn took over behind the kit. Within a year, Kuhn was out and Joshua Marunde (who sometimes billed himself as Chachi Riot) became their latest drummer. This period also saw Tony Greve drop out of the band, and Jay Taylor briefly took over as lead guitarist, before Nick Fuelling filled the position in 2012.

The band toured extensively after the release of War of Angels, sharing bills with Puddle of Mudd, Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, and Drowning Pool among many others, as well as headlining shows of their own. In May 2013, Pop Evil issued their fourth LP, Onyx, through eOne, and the track "Trenches" rose to the top of the Rock Radio charts. They also signed a deal with Eleven Seven Music for European release of their music. In 2015, Joshua Marunde left the group, and drummer Hayley Cramer came on board in time to tour with Pop Evil in support of the album Up, released that year. The leadoff track, "Footsteps," became a major hit on streaming services, and the band kept up their usual busy touring schedule. February 2018 brought the long-player Pop Evil, which spawned another streaming hit, "Waking Lions." They hit the road with Disturbed, This Moment, Memphis May Fire, and Messer, and also toured Australia for the first time. After offering several fresh tracks in 2020, including the mainstream rock chart-topping "Breathe Again" and "Survivor," they delivered their sixth studio album, Versatile, in May 2021. Two years later, they returned with Skeletons, which included the hit single "Eye of the Storm," and featured guest spots from Ryan Kirby (Fit for a King) and Blake Allison (Devour the Day).