2008 is shaping up to be a very successful year for Pop Evil which has steadily built a grassroots following since forming in November of 2001. Leigh Kakaty (lead vocals), Dave Grahs (Guitar), and Dylan Allison formed the early stages of the band in Grand Rapids, Michigan that has recently signed to upstart record Label Pazzo Music and are set to release their brand new single called “Hero“.
More info on the band:
After continually playing shows throughout the Midwest Pop Evil decided to go into the studio with Al Sutton (Kid Rock) to record. In 2005 the band released their first EP entitled “Ready or Not.” Already having sold over 12,000 copies throughout the Mid West the band is finally ready to release their upcoming debut album. Leigh claims that “It is amazing to see the level of support that we now receive in areas other than our home town (Grand Rapids). Everywhere we go fans know the words to our songs. It feels really good to see people relating to and embracing the music that we have created.”
In 2007, the band recruited Muskegon natives Tony Greve (Guitar) and Matt DiRito to help compliment the bands sound and stage show. Soon after the band teamed up with both Al Sutton, Marlon Young (Kid Rock), and Dave Cox to help record and finish their new album.
While the word is getting out due to a tireless touring schedule that sees the band playing well over 100 shows a year, the members know they owe it all to the local people that supported the music from the beginning. In the fall of 2006 their song “Somebody Like You” hit the radio waves and currently has over 1200 total media base spins on the most popular rock station in the area, 97.9 WGRD, and is currently the #1 most requested song in the city of Grand Rapids. Dave Gracia recently indicated, “From the beginning it meant a lot to see our friends embrace what we were doing, but it didn’t really set in just how much our local market stood behind us until I was driving down the road and heard our single (Somebody Like You).
Pop Evil perform new single “Hero” live:
Due to that demand more Pop Evil music is poised to soon start playing on rock radio stations around the country. Their music video for the track ‘Somebody Like You’ was shot by Jason Honeycutt and features Rossi Morreale and Britt Koth of MTV’s show 8th and Ocean. Soon after it was picked up by MTV Latin America, the video was a mainstay in the top 10. MTV has been increasing its support of the band, recently featuring the music on the hit show MADE. More support is sure to come in the near future.
Pop Evil’s self titled studio album produced by Al Sutton who has worked with Kid Rock for 10 years hits stores later this year. With so much momentum heading into 2008, the band is excited about touring throughout Michigan and is looking to booking dates throughout the United States.
HERO: “A legendary figure endowed with great strength or ability; who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character; the central figures of a movement.”
The “movement” in this case is to push the boundaries of the music we know and love.
HERO gives us two such legendary figures. Introducing artist/producer extraordinaire Darp Malone and the incredible word-smith E-Dot (who has previously worked with Mr. Complex, The Chapter, Loer Velocity and released singles on Ill Bill’s Uncle Howie Records). These two long time collaborators have finally combined their efforts on a full-fledged scale to create a sound that is nothing short of amazing. HERO’s music is honest and passionate, so wonderfully sincere and effortless.
They have no capes or pantyhose, just soulful ballads and aggressive compositions. Somehow HERO manages to easily combine substance and intricate wordplay with moving melodies and catchy refrains.
Together as HERO, E-Dot and Darp Malone’s music utterly transcends time without the abuse of trends and propaganda. Upon first listen one comes to realize that the future is upon us. The time is now, and they are here. Embrace them, witness the conquest; and don’t take them for granted.
Tracklisting and credits for HERO (all songs produced by Darp Malone):
1.) Mogadishu (co-produced by Donnan Linkz)
2.) Be Aware
3.) Trust f/Loer Velocity
4.) Feel Good f/Loer Velocity & Verbal E
5.) What We Gonna Do f/Sage
6.) Breaker
7.) They Don’t Care f/Wordsworth
8.) On My Side
9.) Denial
10.) Lonely Sunday
11.) All About
12.) Walk On
13.) Take Me Away
14.) Take Me Away (Reprise)
15.) Blame Me
You can check out HERO’s incredible EPK here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pl1h4vtEfg0
You can view the video for HERO’s lead-single, “Mogadishu,” here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0QCrDGB6zR4
and the project’s follow-up single, “Be Aware,” here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87cNsxxPVNg
PLAY
