Pop Evil

Playing a hard-hitting fusion of metal, grunge, and modern rock, Pop Evil progressed from local bar performances in their home state of Michigan to stages throughout the United States and internationally. Their sonic approach centers on tightly wound, aggressive guitar tones paired with powerful drumming that draws from hip-hop and industrial production methods. The 2008 release Lipstick on the Mirror marked their initial major-label effort, while 2013’s Onyx delivered a commercial breakthrough via the Rock Radio chart-topper “Trenches,” and the later albums Versatile in 2021 along with Skeletons in 2023 reinforced their standing among leading post-grunge acts.

Leigh Kakaty launched Pop Evil in 2001 within the Western Michigan community of North Muskegon, situated near Grand Rapids, after previously performing with the regional outfit TenFive. Upon that group’s dissolution he enlisted its ex-drummer Dylan Allison for the new venture, which also featured guitarist Dave Grahs and bassist Jamie Nummer in its original configuration. During the initial years the musicians alternated between original-material concerts and cover-band engagements to sustain operations and finance recording sessions. An independent full-length, War of the Roses, surfaced in 2004, succeeded by the 2006 EP Ready or Not. A management agreement arrived in 2007, and Lipstick on the Mirror followed in 2008; by then Matt DiRito had replaced Jamie Nummer on bass, and the addition of Tony Greve on lead guitar expanded the lineup to five members. Pazzo Music, operating under the Universal/Republic banner, signed the band and reissued Lipstick on the Mirror in 2009 with two hidden bonus tracks. Relations with Pazzo Music deteriorated during work on the third album, prompting a split that led eOne Entertainment to issue War of Angels in 2011. Around the album’s arrival, Dylan Allison sustained a neck injury, after which Brian Kuhn assumed drumming duties; within a year Joshua Marunde, occasionally credited as Chachi Riot, succeeded him. Tony Greve departed during this interval, Jay Taylor served briefly as lead guitarist, and Nick Fuelling assumed the role in 2012.

Following the release of War of Angels the group maintained an intensive touring regimen, appearing alongside Puddle of Mudd, Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, and Drowning Pool, in addition to headlining its own dates. Onyx, the fourth studio album, emerged through eOne in May 2013, propelling “Trenches” to the summit of the Rock Radio charts, while a European distribution pact was secured with Eleven Seven Music. Joshua Marunde exited in 2015, with Hayley Cramer joining in time to support the year’s Up album on the road. Its opening track, “Footsteps,” achieved widespread streaming success, and the band sustained its customary schedule of live performances. The self-titled long-player arrived in February 2018, generating another streaming favorite in “Waking Lions.” Subsequent road work included outings with Disturbed, This Moment, Memphis May Fire, and Messer, plus the band’s inaugural Australian tour. After issuing several new songs in 2020—among them the mainstream rock chart leaders “Breathe Again” and “Survivor”—Pop Evil delivered its sixth studio album, Versatile, in May 2021. Two years later Skeletons appeared, featuring the hit single “Eye of the Storm” together with contributions from Ryan Kirby of Fit for a King and Blake Allison of Devour the Day.