Pop Evil

Pop Evil is an American rock band that was formed in North Muskegon, Michigan in 2001 by Leigh Kakaty. He then added Dave Grahs, Dylan Allison, and Jamie Nummer. Later, guitarist Tony Greve was added as a temporary studio musician for the band but was invited to become a full-time member in early 2007. Around that time, bassist Jamie Nummer left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by Matt DiRito, formerly of Archangel and Before the Fire. In 2011 Allison had major neck surgery and Chachi Riot (formerly of "Saraph") filled in. In 2012 Riot became a mainstay as Pop Evil's drummer. In 2012 due to personal reasons, Greve quit the band on his own accord and Nick Fuelling stepped up to fill his shoes.

Pop Evil won the Radio Contraband Rock Radio Award for "Song Of The Year" for "Trenches" in 2013.

Early years (2001–2007)
The band was formed from pieces of other Michigan bands in 2001, originally known as TenFive.

They then released independently an album and a 3–song EP, "War of the Roses" (2004) and "Ready or Not" (2006), the latter featuring the concert favorite "Somebody Like You". They also have filmed a music video of the single released in 2006 starring Rossi Morreale and Britt Koth.

In November 2007, Pop Evil signed a management deal with G&G Entertainment.

Lipstick on the Mirror (2008–2009)
Pop Evil's debut studio album, Lipstick on the Mirror, was released August 12, 2008, and it features radio favorites "Hero", "Somebody Like You", "100 in a 55", and "Stepping Stone." The album was released on independent label Pazzo Music that is distributed by Universal Music Group subsidiary, Fontana Distribution. The band distributed a special edition of the album free of charge to their devoted local fans at a concert at the Intersection in Grand Rapids, MI, on May 29, 2008.

The band worked with producer Al Sutton (Kid Rock) from Rust Belt Studios in Royal Oak, MI and Chuck Alkazian of Pearl Sound in Canton, MI on Lipstick on the Mirror.

In April 2008, Pazzo Music released their first national radio single "Hero" which peaked inside the top 25 at Active Rock radio.

In November 2008, Pazzo Music released "100 in a 55" to rock radio.

On March 6, 2009, it was announced at a live show in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that Pop Evil signed with Universal Records on March 5 and shortly after the band went back into the studio Mackinaw Harvest Music Studios in Grand Rapids, MI to Re-Mix and Re-Master "Lipstick on the Mirror", and an acoustic version of "100 in a 55" produced by Michael Crittenden (Drew Nelson, Kimber Cleveland).

In April 2009 Pop Evil officially inked a deal with Cherry Lane Publishing.

In May 2009 the band officially released the Remixed/Mastered "Lipstick on the Mirror" through major label Universal Republic Records. The Republic release was Engineered/Produced/Mixed by Chuck Alkazian & mastered by Chris Bellman of Bernie Grundman Mastering. The single "100 in a 55" peaked on the Active Rock charts at No. 8 making it one of the longest standing singles at Active Rock in 2009. The song was on the chart for 30 weeks. A "Pop Edit" version of "100 in a 55" was released to Mainstream/Top 40 radio. The vocals are mixed louder in this version while the guitars and drums are less intense.

In July and August 2009, Pop Evil, along with Whitesnake, supported Judas Priest on the Judas Priest, British Steel (album) 30th Anniversary North American tour.

In July 2009 the band gave the fans the chance to pick their next single. After the voting had concluded, "Breathe" was announced as the new single after winning the vote. The single peaked at No. 29 on the Active Rock charts.

War of Angels (2010–2012)
In January 2010, the band announced they were heading back into the studio to record a new album, War of Angels. In June 2010, the band announced that Johnny K would be the producer of the album. The name of the album signifies the struggle people experience when trying to leave their pasts behind.

In September 2010, the band debuted the first single from War Of Angels, "Last Man Standing", in an exclusive video with UFC fighter Frank Mir. The single was later featured on the NHL Network for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, the NFL on Fox Post game show for the 2011 NFC Championship game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, several episodes of NASCAR on Fox and ESPN's SportsCenter, and on the July 8th 2011 episode of ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights. "Last Man Standing" peaked at No. 5 on the Active Radio charts.

In April 2011, the band played "Monster You Made" live acoustically on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show and stated it was a song the band hoped might be an album single.

War of Angels was originally expected to be released February 8, 2011 but in a press release on February 1, 2011, the band announced that War of Angels would be delayed due to "conflicts out of the bands control."

On May 22, 2011 at a concert in Columbus, OH, the band symbolically ripped up their contract with Universal Music and announced a new deal with eOne Music. The band would later announce that "War of Angels" would be released nationally on July 5, 2011. The album was also later released as a Deluxe Edition with 4 bonus tracks only available on iTunes and at the band's live shows.

In June 2011, the band released the 2nd single from its upcoming "War of Angels" album called "Monster You Made". Shortly after the band filmed a video for the single, drummer Dylan Allison had emergency surgery on a fractured vertebra in his neck and would not be able to perform with the band for an unspecified amount of time. Michigan drummer Josh Marunde (nicknamed "Chachi Riot") began filling in for the missing Allison. The band has not specified when or if Allison will return. The video for "Monster You Made" debuted on July 13, 2011.

Over the course of 2011, the band toured with Drowning Pool, Trust Company, and Anew Revolution, later heading out with Papa Roach, Finger Eleven, and Escape the Fate, and late in the year with 3 Doors Down and Theory of a Deadman, while rounding out 2011 on a small tour with Puddle of Mudd as well as a few headlining shows of their own.

Being noted fans of the Michigan Wolverines football team, Pop Evil released "In the Big House", a single that appropriates many of the lyrics from the University of Michigan fight song, "The Victors". The song title refers to an unofficial name for Michigan Stadium, "The Big House", itself referring to its status as the largest stadium in the United States and the third largest stadium in the world. The song was released to Amazon.com and the iTunes Store on August 30, 2011 with an accompanying YouTube video showing highlights from current and former Michigan football teams. The song has played in the Big House itself as a pump-up song for the team and fans during home football games.

In January 2012, the band released its 3rd single from "War of Angels" called "Boss's Daughter" and announced they would tour with Theory of a Deadman in April & May.

On April 6, 2012, the band announced on its Facebook page that guitarist Tony Greve departed Pop Evil. Though the band toured with fill in guitarist Nick Fuelling, who eventually was named as permanent replacement for Greve.

On April 24, 2012, it was announced that the band would join the "Trespass America Festival", a tour featuring the bands Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage with its original lineup, Trivium, Emmure, God Forbid and Battlecross. The tour ran from July 13 to August 28.

In May 2012, the band debuted the music video for "Boss's Daughter", which features appearances by guitarist Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe and Playboy Playmate Miss July 2011, Jessa Hinton.

The "Boss's Daughter" single reached No. 8 on Active Radio charts.

In June 2012, the band's 4th single from "War of Angels," "Purple" was released.

In October 2012, the band made their first appearance touring in Canada with Black Label Society.

In November 2012, the band did one tour date in Sweden with Seether and Avatar.

Onyx (2013–2015)
In January 2013, just after the New Year, Pop Evil entered a recording studio in Chicago, IL with Grammy nominated Producer Johnny K to record their 3rd studio album. The 1st single, called "Trenches", from their upcoming album "Onyx" debuted online by the band on February 28, 2013. On April 11, 2013, the band debuted a second song from "Onyx" called "Goodbye My Friend". Pop Evil announced via Twitter on March 3 that Onyx will be released on May 14.

In June 2013, Pop Evil scored their first national #1 single on Rock Radio with "Trenches".

February 2014 saw the band sign a deal with Eleven Seven Music for distribution of their current and forthcoming material in Europe. This will see "Trenches" released on March 17, and the album Onyx sometime in the first half of the year. In addition, their first European live dates will be supporting new labelmates Five Finger Death Punch from March into April.

Up (2015-2017)
In 2015, the band released their fourth studio album, "Up", on August 21 via eOne Music. The mayor of Grand Rapids, George Heartwell, visited the band on the set of WXMI (Fox 17) and declared the album's release date "Pop Evil Day" in Grand Rapids.

Pop Evil released "Take It All", their third single off of "UP" on iTunes on April 29, 2016.

Pop Evil (2017-present)
In October 2017, the ensemble announced that they planned to release their self-titled album Pop Evil in February 2018. In November Pop Evil announced 2018 tour dates with Palaye Royale and Black Map.

Current members

 * Leigh Kakaty – lead vocals (2001–present)
 * Dave Grahs – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2001–present)
 * Matt DiRito – bass, backing vocals (2007–present)
 * Nick Fuelling – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
 * Hayley Cramer - drums (2016-present)

Former members

 * Jamie Nummer – bass, backing vocals (2001–2007)
 * Tony Greve – lead guitar (2007–2012)
 * Dylan Allison – drums (2001–2011)
 * Joshua Marunde (AKA Chachi Riot) – drums (2011–2016)

Discography

 * Lipstick on the Mirror (2008)
 * War of Angels (2011)
 * Onyx (2013)
 * Up (2015)
 * Pop Evil (2018)