Biography
Houston's the Suffers blend classic R&B, rock & roll, reggae, and hip-hop into a style the band itself has labeled "Gulf Coast soul." Regional popularity across Texas arrived swiftly, followed by wider notice in the mid-2010s once their debut EP and first full-length appeared. The 2018 release Everything Here marked a shift toward socially conscious material and reached number 12 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart while addressing Houston's recovery from Hurricane Harvey. Following several personnel changes the group returned in 2022 with It Starts with Love, issued as their initial project on the Missing Piece Group label.
Bassist Adam Castaneda and keyboardist, songwriter, and vocalist Pat Kelly launched the Suffers in 2011 with the goal of introducing a fresh sound to Texas. They began by assembling a large ensemble that included guitarist Kevin Bernier, trumpeter Jon Durbin, trombonist Michael Razo, and percussionist Jose "Chapy" Luna. As a deeper soul dimension emerged, the lineup expanded to incorporate saxophonist Cory Wilson, guitarist Alex Zamora, and drummer Nick Zamora. The final addition was lead vocalist Kam Franklin, whose earlier credits included membership in the British outfit the Very Best.
The band made its first Houston appearances and, inside two years, progressed from local club headlining to statewide festival bookings. Its inaugural 2013 single paired "Slow It Down" with "Step Aside," after which the Make Some Room EP surfaced in 2014. Strong live energy and critical notice for the EP led to national exposure the following year, including a performance on The Late Show with David Letterman, features in The New York Times, Paste, and Spin, and an East Coast tour. The self-titled debut album arrived in early 2016, supported by dates alongside Lake Street Drive and Galactic. After Hurricane Harvey struck Houston in 2017, new songs addressed the city's hardships and resilience, shaping the Shanachie-issued Everything Here, which featured Houston rappers Paul Wall and Bun B.
Into the following decade the Suffers experienced further evolution in both songwriting focus and membership when Cory Wilson, Alex Zamora, and founders Castaneda and Kelly all departed. The remaining members paired their established soul approach with more pointed topical lyrics on the 2020 single "Take Me to the Good Times." A follow-up track, the reflective "How Do We Heal," preceded the third album It Starts with Love in early 2022.
Bassist Adam Castaneda and keyboardist, songwriter, and vocalist Pat Kelly launched the Suffers in 2011 with the goal of introducing a fresh sound to Texas. They began by assembling a large ensemble that included guitarist Kevin Bernier, trumpeter Jon Durbin, trombonist Michael Razo, and percussionist Jose "Chapy" Luna. As a deeper soul dimension emerged, the lineup expanded to incorporate saxophonist Cory Wilson, guitarist Alex Zamora, and drummer Nick Zamora. The final addition was lead vocalist Kam Franklin, whose earlier credits included membership in the British outfit the Very Best.
The band made its first Houston appearances and, inside two years, progressed from local club headlining to statewide festival bookings. Its inaugural 2013 single paired "Slow It Down" with "Step Aside," after which the Make Some Room EP surfaced in 2014. Strong live energy and critical notice for the EP led to national exposure the following year, including a performance on The Late Show with David Letterman, features in The New York Times, Paste, and Spin, and an East Coast tour. The self-titled debut album arrived in early 2016, supported by dates alongside Lake Street Drive and Galactic. After Hurricane Harvey struck Houston in 2017, new songs addressed the city's hardships and resilience, shaping the Shanachie-issued Everything Here, which featured Houston rappers Paul Wall and Bun B.
Into the following decade the Suffers experienced further evolution in both songwriting focus and membership when Cory Wilson, Alex Zamora, and founders Castaneda and Kelly all departed. The remaining members paired their established soul approach with more pointed topical lyrics on the 2020 single "Take Me to the Good Times." A follow-up track, the reflective "How Do We Heal," preceded the third album It Starts with Love in early 2022.
Albums
Singles
