Cartel (band)

Last updated
Cartel
Cartellive.jpg
Cartel performing in 2008 with their original lineup (shown are Kevin Sanders on drums and Will Pugh on vocals)
Background information
Origin Conyers, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Years active2003–present
Labels The Militia Group, Epic, Wind-Up, LAB, Field Day Records
MembersWill Pugh
Joseph Pepper
Nic Hudson
Kevin Sanders
Past membersRyan Roberts
Andy Lee
Jeff Lett
Website cartelrocks.com

Cartel is an American pop punk band from Conyers, Georgia, United States, that formed in 2003. [1] The group was featured on the MTV television series Band in a Bubble in 2007 as part of an experiment where they were given 20 days to write and record a full album. The current members of the band include vocalist/bassist Will Pugh, lead guitarist Joseph Pepper, guitarist Nic Hudson, and drummer Kevin Sanders. [2] In April 2020, Pugh released an EP for a new side project, TAURIDS, with fellow Nashville residents Bobby Holland and Adam Bokesch—both musicians and audio producers/engineers from the band The Daybreaks. [3]

Contents

History

Member backgrounds

Early years and Chroma (2003–2006)

Will Pugh performing in August 2005 at The Masquerade in Atlanta. Will Pugh of Cartel, August 25, 2005, The Masquerade, Atlanta, Georgia, US.jpg
Will Pugh performing in August 2005 at The Masquerade in Atlanta.

The five band members of Cartel grew up in Rockdale County, Georgia, and Cartel was formed in late 2003 while they were attending Georgia State University. [10] [11] In 2003 Chris Black (aka Done To Death) started managing Cartel. The band built a strong fan base and eventually was signed to The Militia Group, an independent record company in Long Beach, California, releasing their EP The Ransom . [12] Around this time personal differences between Andy Lee and the rest of the band came to a head; and he was replaced as guitarist by band friend Nic Hudson. [13] With their new lineup, the band released their first full-length album, Chroma , in September 2005. [14] The pop punk album was powered by the melodic hits of "Say Anything (Else)" and "Honestly". [12]

The band grew in popularity putting them on Alternative Press's 2005 list for “Bands You Need to Know”. [15] They were also named Yahoo! Music’s winner in the March 2006 "Who's Next" competition. [16] In April 2006, Cartel signed with Epic Records, then from late 2006 until early 2007 they acted as touring support for New Found Glory with The Early November and Hit The Lights. [17] Progressing from local shows, they kicked off a headlining tour featuring bands Cobra Starship, Boys Like Girls, Quietdrive, New Atlantic, and Permanent Me. [18] On June 8, 2006, Ryan Roberts, the band's bass player, decided to leave the band. Cartel has noted it was an "amicable" breakup. An old friend of the band, Jeff Lett, joined as a replacement for Roberts. [19]

The band continued, re-releasing their debut album Chroma under Epic Records. [20] The new release is packaged with a live EP Live Dudes . [21] After the re-release, "Say Anything (Else)" was featured in Madden 07 and their single "Honestly" became a hit when it was played on New York City's hit music station Z100. It was also featured in the 2006 film John Tucker Must Die .

Cartel (2007)

The band's second, self-titled album was recorded and produced all in an MTV experiment called Band in a Bubble that was sponsored by Dr Pepper. [22] The band had twenty days to write and produce a full-length album while inside a bubble-shaped construction. The experiment was viewable 24/7 by fans through twenty-three webcams sponsored by Dr Pepper. The selected twenty-three cameras coincided with Dr Pepper's promotion of twenty-three flavors in its soft drink. The Band in a Bubble experiment was also a four-part mini-series on MTV. [23] [24] Cartel entered the bubble on May 24, 2007, and left twenty days later on June 12, 2007. Upon "breaking out" of the bubble the band put on a live concert featuring many of the new songs that had been recorded in the bubble; [25] "Lose It", featuring Juliet Simms, was released on iTunes and Napster the same day. [26] The complete album was released in August. [24]

Cycles (2008–2010)

Cartel announced that they would be working on a new album during the summer of 2008. The group also announced their transition to Wind-up Records from their previous label Epic Records. [27] The band also mentioned “I think we've written or entertained the idea of about 30 songs at this point”, [28] The album saw the band continue their use of tight hooks and bass heavy tracks with "The Perfect Mistake", "Retrograde" and "Cycles." The band began the writing and recording stage in May 2009. [29] On July 8, the band announced that the album would be called Cycles . The album's first single "Let's Go", was released digitally on July 28, 2009. [30] On August 25, 2009, the band announced the track listing for the album [31] and on September 6, "The Perfect Mistake" was released for digital download. [32] The album's pre-order on iTunes also included a special, bonus song otherwise unavailable titled "In No Hurry.". [33] Cycles was officially released on October 20, 2009. Their single "The Perfect Mistake" was featured in the pilot episode of The CW series Hellcats .

Following the release of Cycles, the band supported All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, and LMFAO for part of The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010, along with numerous other supporting acts, including 3OH!3, Good Charlotte, Forever The Sickest Kids, and Simple Plan.[ citation needed ]

In Stereo EP and the departure of Jeff Lett (2011–2012)

The single off the new EP, "Lessons in Love", was released on July 26, 2011; however the single was leaked online on July 22. The rest of the five song EP was released via iTunes, [34] on October 4, 2011, to good reviews.[ which? ] On April 7, 2011, Cartel confirmed that bassist Jeff Lett has left the band to finish school. The band and Lett split on good terms and have left no grievances against each other. [35] Nic Hudson has taken over Lett's role as bassist, and singer Will Pugh is now rhythm guitarist.

The band released a deluxe version of In Stereo via LAB Records in the UK & Europe on May 20, 2012. It featured the five original songs as well as acoustic versions and one unreleased track, "No Motivation". [36]

Collider and Chroma anniversary tour (2012–2022)

The band co-headlined a space tour in the spring. After which, singer/guitarist Will Pugh was available to produce artists/bands in the Atlanta area in the summer of 2012. [37] On Facebook, the band also announced that they will be recording for their next, full-length album August 20, 2012. On January 20, 2013, the band announced that their new album would be titled Collider. The album was released on March 26, 2013.

From October 11, 2013, to November 30, 2013, Cartel headlined for Mayday Parade on their Glamour Kills tour along with bands Man Overboard and Stages & Stereos. [38]

On July 24, 2014, the band tweeted that they are planning a 10-year anniversary tour for their debut album Chroma. The band was announced as one of the acts to perform in the South by So What?! festival in March at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie. [39]

On February 2, 2015, the Chroma 10 Year Tour was officially announced on the band's official networks. [40] They were joined by Hit The Lights, TEAM* and Driver Friendly on the selected dates, starting on March 20 with 24 dates in the United States, and one in London.

On April 19, 2015, the concert held on New York City for the Chroma tour was transmitted on live streaming by Yahoo! Screen, being available during the following 24 hours.

On December 21, 2015, the band released an acoustic album titled Bare Essentials, which included some of their more popular tracks, including "Honestly" and "Faster Ride".

In December 2016, the band members performed a DJ set at Emo Nite in Los Angeles. [41]

Reunion and new music (2022-present)

Cartel supported Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness on select dates of the Hello Gone Days tour in the summer of 2022. [42]

On July 15, 2022, the band released their first new single in nine years, "17", along with an accompanying lyric video. [43] On August 18, 2022, they followed up with a second single, "The End". [44]

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Cartel (band)

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Hot Chili Peppers</span> American rock band

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, and psychedelic rock. Their eclectic range has influenced genres such as funk metal, rap metal, rap rock, and nu metal. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the top-selling bands of all time. They hold the records for most number-one singles (15), most cumulative weeks at number one (91) and most top-ten songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. They have won three Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockdale County, Georgia</span> County in Georgia, United States

Rockdale County is a county located in the North Central portion in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 93,570 up from 85,215 in 2010. The county seat is Conyers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nile (band)</span> American death metal band

Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup consists of founding member Karl Sanders, George Kollias (drums), Brian Kingsland, Dan Vadim Von, and Zach Jeter. The band is known for their dedicated lyrical and musical style, which is inspired by Egyptology and works of H. P. Lovecraft. Since its formation, the band has released ten studio albums, two compilations, three extended plays, two demos, three singles, and five music videos. Their latest studio album, The Underworld Awaits Us All, was released on August 23, 2024, through Napalm Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porno for Pyros</span> American alternative rock band

Porno for Pyros was an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992, following the first break-up of Jane's Addiction. The band currently consists of Jane's Addiction members, Perry Farrell (vocals) and Stephen Perkins (drums), alongside Peter DiStefano (guitar) and Mike Watt (bass). Founding bass guitarist Martyn LeNoble was a member of the band between 1992 and 1995, and was initially committed to the band's reunion between 2022 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mastodon (band)</span> American heavy metal band

Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2000, the band's lineup of Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher and Brann Dailor (drums/vocals) has remained unchanged since 2001. Mastodon has released eight studio albums, as well as a number of other releases. The band's 2002 debut album, Remission, garnered significant critical acclaim for its unique sound. Mastodon's second full-length release, Leviathan, is a concept album based on the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. Three magazines awarded the record "Album of the Year" in 2004: Revolver, Kerrang! and Terrorizer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue October</span> American rock band

Blue October is an American rock band originally from Houston, Texas, formed in 1995. It currently consists of singer/guitarist Justin Furstenfeld, drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld, multi-instrumentalist Ryan Delahoussaye, bassist Matt Noveskey, and lead guitarist Steve Schiltz.

Gatsbys American Dream is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Since their founding in 2001, they have released four full-length albums and one EP. The band's self-titled fourth album, their second released with Fearless Records, peaked at number 22 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and number 28 on the Top Independent Albums chart. The band drew their name from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby.

<i>Chroma</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Cartel

Chroma is the debut studio album by the American rock band Cartel. Formed in mid-2003, they self-released an EP the following year. Shortly afterwards founding guitarist Andy Lee left the band and was replaced by Nic Hudson. Following a performance at a music conference in Atlanta, the band signed to The Militia Group. With songs planned out, the band went to record with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. Recording took place at Treesound Studios in Atlanta in May and June 2005. Chroma released through The Militia Group in September 2005. The album sold 3,000 copies in its first week and charted at number 140 on the Billboard 200 chart. Chroma is the only full-length Cartel album to feature bassist Ryan Roberts, who departed the band in 2006.

<i>Live Dudes</i> 2006 live album by Cartel

Live Dudes is a three song live EP by American rock band Cartel. The EP is packaged for free with the re-release of the group's 2005 debut album, Chroma, available only at independent retail stores. The re-release was the same as the original, with a full band performance of "Save Us" instead of the all piano version, and the addition of this EP, new artwork, and exclusive access to the band's online fanclub.

Band in a Bubble is a television series that consists of round-the-clock live broadcasting, during which a band spends an extended period of time inside a "bubble," writing and recording an album. The Band in a Bubble concept was created by Paul Curtis, a band manager, tour promoter, owner of Valve Records, and visual artist based in Australia. The concept was developed in conjunction with Australian rock band Regurgitator and XYZ Networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Hinds</span> American guitarist and singer

William Brent Hinds is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the Atlanta, Georgia heavy metal band Mastodon, in which he shares guitar duties with Bill Kelliher and vocal duties with Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor.

<i>Cartel</i> (Cartel album) 2007 studio album by Cartel

Cartel is the second studio album American rock band Cartel. It released in stores on August 21, 2007, despite being announced by the band's lead singer as coming out on July 24, 2007. It was officially completed at sometime around 8:00 p.m. on June 10, 2007, and features "Lose It" as the first single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Klinghoffer</span> American musician (born 1979)

Josh Adam Klinghoffer is an American musician best known for being the guitarist for the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, with whom he recorded two studio albums, I'm with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), and the B-sides compilation I'm Beside You (2013). Klinghoffer took the place of his friend and frequent collaborator John Frusciante in 2009, after a period as a touring member. At age 32, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012, making him the youngest inductee at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cab</span> American rock band

The Cab is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Their debut album, Whisper War, was released on April 29, 2008. They have been called "The Band You Need to Know 2008" by Alternative Press magazine. They were also featured in the '100 Bands You Need to Know in 2010' by the magazine and were one of the three bands featured on the cover page, along with Never Shout Never and Hey Monday.

<i>Cycles</i> (Cartel album) 2009 studio album by Cartel

Cycles is the third full-length studio album by American rock band Cartel, released through Wind-up Records on October 20, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsea Grin</span> American deathcore band

Chelsea Grin is an American deathcore band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed in 2007, the group have released two EPs and seven full-length albums. Since 2018, no founding members remain in the band. Despite not being in the original line-up, bassist David Flinn has been the only constant member on all the group's studio albums.

<i>In Stereo</i> (EP) 2011 EP by Cartel

In Stereo EP is Cartel's second EP and fifth release. The band released the recording independently after a recent departure from Wind-up Records.

<i>Collider</i> (Cartel album) 2013 studio album by Cartel

Collider is the fourth studio album by American rock band Cartel. In 2008 Cartel left Epic to sign with Wind-Up. Following this the group released Cycles (2009). Bassist Jeff Lett left to focus on school, and the band parted ways with Wind-Up. In October 2011 the group self-released In Stereo. The band called the idea of self-releasing music as "experiment[al]". Following a tour with Set Your Goals in March and April 2012 the group started writing new material. In August, the band started recording, and they finished in January 2013. The album was produced by vocalist Will Pugh and guitarist Joseph Pepper. After making a few songs available for streaming, the album was self-released on March 26, 2013. It charted at number 141 on the Billboard 200 chart. To support the album, the band toured the U.S. and the UK alongside New Found Glory, State Champs, Kids in Glass Houses and Mayday Parade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team (American band)</span>

TEAM* is an American indie rock band from Dallas, Texas, formed by sole members Caleb Turman and Rico Andradi in May 2013. In August 2013, The band released "Am I Alive", with a line-up consisting of Caleb Turman, Rico Andradi, Bryan Donahue, and Jay Vilardi. The band has independently released a self-titled EP through Andradi's label worldwide in December 2013. In October 2014, they released their debut album, Good Morning, Bad Day, through Nashville record label South By Sea.

Bloodline Severed is a Christian metal band that originated in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The band started in 1998, and has toured with acts such as Battlecross, Aletheian, Phinehas and many more. The band is independent with their own label named Don't Need One Records.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Cartel Archived 2012-10-23 at the Wayback Machine . (2008). "freewebs.com". Accessed 2010-03-28.
  2. ↑ "Cartel Band". Mahalo.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  3. ↑ "Introducing: TAURIDS". instagram.com. 6 April 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. ↑ Cartel Bio. (September 2, 2009). "wma.com". Accessed 2010-03-28.
  5. ↑ "Alt Press "Ready to Pop" interview with Cartel Drummer Kevin Sanders and guitarist Nic Hudson had been friends since 3rd grade, but it was not until the high school years when Pugh, Hudson, and Sanders teamed with guitarist Joseph Pepper to form the original core of Cartel". Altpress.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-16. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  6. ↑ "Caitlin & Will – The Atlanta Bride". Blog.belfiorebridal.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-08. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  7. 1 2 Chesler, Josh (25 August 2022). "Odd Jobs: Cartel's Will Pugh Brings His Pop-Punk Legacy To The Golf Industry". Spin. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  8. ↑ "JSYK". Teens.aol.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  9. ↑ "Mammoth Press". Mammoth Press. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  10. ↑ "Cartel - Will Pugh interview". Highwiredaze.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  11. ↑ "Cartel". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Cartel". Oxford Music Online. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  13. 1 2 "Features". Alt Press. Archived from the original on 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  14. ↑ Futterman, Erica (28 September 2005). "Cartel, 'Chroma' (The Militia Group)". Spin.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  15. ↑ Label, Record. "Cartel Biography - Yahoo! Music". New.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  16. ↑ "Yahoo! Music". 2006-06-15. Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  17. ↑ "New Found Glory with The Early November and Cartel at House of Blues Anaheim Tickets | Thu, October 26". Houseofblues.com. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2011-07-16.[ permanent dead link ]
  18. ↑ "Energizer Presents Cartel plus Cobra Starship also plus Boys Like Girls also plus Permanent Me at The Parish @ House of Blues New Orleans Tickets | Wed, February 14". Houseofblues.com. 2007-02-14. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Cartel Biography, Music News, Discography @ 100 XR - No. 1 Rock Web Station!!!". 100xr.com. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-07-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. ↑ Buell, James (2008-07-13). "Q&A with Will Pugh of Cartel". Baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  21. ↑ "Cartel (3) - Live Dudes (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  22. ↑ Ambrose, Anthony. "inTuneMusic Online: Bamboozle Day 1 @ East Rutherford 5/2". Archived from the original on 2009-06-17. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  23. ↑ "Band in a Bubble | Full Episodes, Photos, Episode Synopsis and Recaps". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  24. 1 2 "Cartel". Oxford University Press . Retrieved 27 October 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  25. ↑ Billboard - Google Books. 2007-05-19. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  26. ↑ "Cartel by Cartel on Napster". Home.napster.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ "Melodic Net - Cartel 's Cycles in october". Melodic.net. 2009-09-02. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  28. ↑ "Hitlijsten, muziek top 100 | Myspace Music". Imeem.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  29. ↑ "Front Row with Rob Nagy: CARTEL PLAYS THE NOTE, SUMMER RELEASE NEARING COMPLETION. - The Tri-County Record". Allaroundphilly.com. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  30. ↑ "Let's Go: Cartel: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  31. ↑ "Melodic Net - Cartel Splits With Epic, Signs With Wind-Up". Melodic.net. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  32. ↑ "iTunes Pre-order: get a brand new song right now! van Cartel op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  33. ↑ "Cartel's Cycles Available For Pre-Order On iTunes - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  34. ↑ "In Stereo - EP by Cartel on iTunes". iTunes . Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  35. ↑ "Fans Report In: Cartel - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  36. ↑ Kelham, Andy. "CARTEL SIGN WITH LAB RECORDS AND STREAM NEW EP AHEAD OF SLAM DUNK APPEARANCE". RockSound.tv. Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  37. ↑ Tate, Jason. "Will Pugh of Cartel Available To Produce". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
  38. ↑ Gallo, Alex (5 August 2013). "Support bands announced for Glamour Kills fall tour". Idobi.com. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  39. ↑ "South By So What?! 2015 announces new bands". Lambgoat.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  40. ↑ "Cartel announce 'Chroma' 10-year anniversary tour". Altpress.com. Alternative Press. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  41. ↑ "Emo Nite Announces Insane Two-Year Anniversary Lineup". Alternative Press.
  42. ↑ Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Announce 2022 Co-Headlining Tour
  43. ↑ "Cartel Return With First Single in Nine Years, "17"". preludepress.com. Prelude Press. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  44. ↑ "Cartel Debuts New Single 'The End'". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.