Memphis May Fire is an American metalcore band formed in Denton, Texas, and currently signed to Rise Records. The band currently consists of lead guitarist Kellen McGregor, lead vocalist Matty Mullins, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland. Formed in 2006, they have released seven studio albums and two EPs to date.[2] Their fourth album, Unconditional, debuted at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 and atop the Alternative Albums chart.
The band, founded by original vocalist Chase Ryan, guitarist Ryan Bentley and bassist Tanner Oakes, formed in 2006 in Denton, Texas.,[3] but it was not until February 2007 that the group solidified the name Memphis May Fire[4] having previously gone by Oh Captain, My Captain.[5] In early 2007, the band recorded and self-released an EP, and began creating a local following.[6] Shortly thereafter, Memphis May Fire caught the attention of Josh Grabelle, the president of Trustkill Records.
Grabelle commented on his feelings toward the band in a press release stating, "There is a lot of really exciting, young, dangerous music coming out right now, and Memphis May Fire are the cream of the crop. Not since Bullet for My Valentine's Hand of Blood have we heard a more compelling set of songs for an EP, where absolutely every song is bone-chillingly perfect, and timeless. These guys are on their way to something huge."[7][8] In September 2007 the band had officially signed to Trustkill, and their self-titled EP was reissued through the label in December 2007.[4] In 2007, through 2008, the band embarked on Twelve Gauge Valentine's final-tour along with The Handshake Murders.[9][additional citation(s) needed]
Line-up changes and Sleepwalking (2008–2009)
Memphis May Fire had hoped to release their debut album by summer 2008 produced by their guitarist, Kellen McGregor. However, after the recording sessions for the album during tour, lead singer Chase and short time drummer Dooley decided to part ways with the band. Chase explained that he felt that his priorities should be with his child, and not a touring band. Dooley would end his touring back home in St. Louis.
Upon announcing their resignations, bass player Tanner Oakes left the tour and the band. Bassist Austin Radford joined the band to finish the tour but would decide to part ways with the band shortly after creating his own band called, American Mantra as the lead singer. He would be replaced by Daniel De Los Santos as a substitute, and then later by Cory Elder, who is a current member. Open auditions were held shortly after Chase's departure with an instrumental song called "Decade" on their MySpace (later known as "Destiny for the Willing"), and he was eventually replaced by a new vocalist, Matty Mullins (Nights in Fire). By this time, Memphis May Fire had already recorded their instruments for the new album with producer Casey Bates and only needed Mullins to contribute his vocals.[10]
Their debut full-length studio album, Sleepwalking, was released on July 21, 2009, through Trustkill Records. Memphis May Fire has described the album as "a new breed of rock n' roll" and musically it has "more aggressive guitar work and noticeably more melodic, but still retains that southern swagger."[11] Their song "Ghost in the Mirror" was used on the soundtrack for the movie Saw VI. Rhythm guitarist, Ryan Bentley, was not featured in the music video due to his short break away from the band. Joel Seier joined the band as a substitute for Bentley's place until he would join back in late 2009. Seier was featured in "Ghost in the Mirror" and "North Atlantic vs. North Carolina" music videos as the rhythm guitarist.
The official music video for "Ghost in the Mirror" was released February 2, 2010, through the Trustkill YouTube page.[12]
Signing to Rise Records and The Hollow (2010–2011)
Memphis May Fire released a second EP entitled Between the Lies on November 2, 2010, through Bullet Tooth Records (formerly Trustkill Records) with more energy and a different style than their previous releases. On December 9, 2010, the band post in their Facebook that the song "Action/Adventure" will be featured in the video game Rock Band 3. In 2010, Matty Mullins was featured in the song "That's What She Said", from Kid Liberty's debut album Fight with Your Fists.
On January 17, 2011, Rise Records announced that Memphis May Fire signed to the label and that a new album would be released in spring. The band wrapped up the recording of their next full-length record at Chango Studios (Of Machines, I See Stars, Sleeping with Sirens, etc.) in Orlando, Florida. It was expected to be heavier and darker than Sleepwalking and Between the Lies, while further incorporating elements of modern metal and electronics.
On March 3, 2011, a full album teaser for their sophomore album The Hollow was released via Rise Records YouTube page, including its release date of April 26, 2011. On March 22, a full song from The Hollow, titled "The Sinner", was released to Rise Records YouTube page and on iTunes.[13][14] On April 23, the entire album was released on the Rise Records YouTube page.
On September 15, the video for the lead single from The Hollow, "The Sinner", directed by Thunder Down Country was released on YouTube.[15]
On February 15, 2012, a live music video recorded in Orlando, Florida for the song titled "The Unfaithful" was released on their YouTube Page.[16]
It was announced through the Vans Warped Tour's website on December 7 that Memphis May Fire would be participating in the 2012 Vans Warped Tour. The band was called to perform on the Monster Energy stage for the majority of the tour, and both Kia Rio and Kia Soul main stages on selected dates.
Departure of Ryan Bentley and Challenger (2012–2013)
On February 11, it was announced by Kellen McGregor that the band would be working with Cameron Mizell shortly again at Chango Studios, to record their third studio album.
On April 11, rhythm guitarist and original member, Ryan Bentley, announced on Twitter he has parted ways with the band in a tweet saying "I'm no longer in Memphis May Fire. Details later.", around midnight. On the band's direct-to-fan fanbridge, Kellen McGregor responded saying that they had to let go of Ryan because he did not have the right attitude and was not willing to push the band to a positive direction.[17] On April 17, the band announced that Anthony Sepe (ex-Decoder) would be replacing Ryan Bentley as their new guitarist: "For those who may not know already, we recently decided to part ways with our guitarist, Ryan Bentley, and wish him nothing but the best. He's a talented individual and we have no doubt that he will be successful no matter where life leads him. With that said, we'd like all of you to give a warm welcome to our new guitarist Anthony Sepe."[18]
Bentley's departure from the band makes guitarist Kellen McGregor the only remaining original member of Memphis May Fire.
Their third studio album, Challenger was released on June 26 through Rise Records. The album debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Charts while the band was on tour as part of the Warped Tour.[19]
The band continued to tour following the album throughout the USA, Europe,[20] and the UK.[21]
On August 4, the band announced that they will be supporting Sleeping With Sirens, on the Feel This Tour. Breathe Carolina, Issues, and Our Last Night will be supporting the tour with them on selected dates.[23]
Memphis May Fire has announced that they are hoping to release their new album in early 2014. Kellen McGregor finished writing the album demos after the band got off of the Vans Warped Tour. Currently, the band is recording at Chango Studios with Kellen and Cameron Mizell as the producers. In an interview with PropertyOfZach, vocalist Matty Mullins stated the expected the album release date to be in February–March 2014. He also divulged that Memphis May Fire will set out on a US headlining tour in support of the album.[24][25]
In an Alternative Press interview released on September 7, 2013, the band stated that their new album will "have more of a theatrical feel, as well as orchestral presence" also describing their new album as a "soundtrack to an action film".[26]
In an interview with Propertyofzack on September 9, 2013, the band described the sound of their new album, "[It] Just shows maturity. The newest record is very theatrical. It almost feels like a movie soundtrack from start to finish. It's really awesome. A lot of orchestra stuff playing a big role in the record. It's just – it's more mature. I think that our younger audience is going to love it – certain aspects of it – and our older audience is going to really appreciate how far we've come as artists. They're really going to love the record too. It's great."[27]
On December 14, 2013, the band tweeted that they had finished recording their forthcoming album with vocalist Matty Mullins expressing on how proud he is of the album. The album is expected to be an early 2014 release.[28] On December 18, the band announced "The Unconditional Tour" beginning late February through March with fellow acts The Word Alive, A Skylit Drive, Hands Like Houses and Beartooth in the US.[29]
On January 4, 2014, the band released their first studio update for their forthcoming album via Alternative Press.[30]
In the third and final studio update for the album, it was announced that it would be titled "Unconditional" and was released on March 25, 2014, through Rise Records.[31]
On February 6, 2014, the first single, "No Ordinary Love" was streamed through the Rise Records YouTube channel. Pre-order bundles for the album were also made available on this date.[32] The second single, "Sleepless Nights" was released on February 24, via Facebook and Rise Records YouTube Channel.[33]
On March 13, 2014 the full "Unconditional" album was streamed through Rise Records YouTube channel.[34]
Mullins announced on August 12, 2014, that he would be releasing his debut solo record, "Matty Mullins", on September 23, through Rise Records. Pre-orders were made available that same day.[35]
On May 25, 2015, the band announced that they would be releasing the deluxe edition of "Unconditional" on July 17. The first new track, 'My Generation' was released that same day. The album will contain two new tracks, as well as acoustic versions of 'Beneath the Skin' ,'Need to Be' and a remixed/remastered version of the album.[36]
This Light I Hold (2016–2017)
Memphis May Fire performing in 2016
On February 9, 2016, the band announced through their Facebook page that they were entering the studio with material that was written and prepared over the last year. They recorded in Good Sounds Studio with Matt Good producing and mixing the instrumentals and Cameron Mizell producing the vocals.[2]
The band premiered the single "Carry On" on BBC Radio 1 on August 28, 2016 and announced their fifth studio album, This Light I Hold, on the same day.[37] The album was released on October 28, 2016 through Rise Records. The band toured as headliners on the Rise Up Tour with The Devil Wears Prada and Silverstein as special guests and supporting act Like Moths to Flames in North America and the United Kingdom from October 11 to December 10, 2016.[38]
On September 23, 2016, Memphis May Fire released the title track as the second single to their new album, "This Light I Hold," which featured Jacoby Shaddix (of Papa Roach). On January 30, 2017, the band announced the departure of guitarist Anthony Sepe.[39] Samuel Penner, former guitarist for In the Midst of Lions and For Today, announced that he would be filling in for the band.[40]
Broken (2017–2019)
On June 20, 2017, Memphis May Fire released a single titled "Virus". According to Matty Mullins the song is a "one-off song" and won't appear on the next album. On October 20, 2017, Matty Mullins shared a photo of them working on their new album in The Hideout Studio with Kane Churko as producer. On March 24, 2018, Matty Mullins shared a photo of Drew Fulk working on the mixes of the new album.[41]
On September 19, 2018, the band released a new track titled "The Old Me", and information was later leaked that the new album would be titled Broken. It was released on November 16, 2018.[42]
In April 2019, the group performed multiple shows with Pop Evil and Messer.[43]
Remade in Misery (2020–2023)
In early 2020, frontman Matty Mullins stated he had started work on new Memphis May Fire music as well as his solo material, and that it would mark a return to their heavier roots.[44] On June 4, 2021, the band released a new single titled "Blood & Water" which confirmed a return to their earlier, heavier sound.[45]
Over the course of late 2021 and early 2022, the band released more singles; "Death Inside", "Bleed Me Dry", "Somebody", "Left for Dead", and "The American Dream". On February 18, 2022, the band released another single entitled "Make Believe" whilst also announcing their upcoming seventh studio album Remade in Misery set for release on June 3, 2022.[46][47] On April 1, 2022, the band released another single entitled "Only Human" featuring AJ Channer from Fire from the Gods. On May 6, one month before the album release, they unveiled the last single "Your Turn". After the album's release, the band proceeded with a tour for the album with From Ashes to New, Rain City Drive, and Wolves at the Gate, during which Matty Mullins broke two ribs after a fall, but chose to finish the tour.[48][49]
On September 1, 2023, the band released a new version of "Misery" featuring Brandon Saller of Atreyu.[50][51] On October 10, following the song and subsequent tour with Atreyu, the alternative band Anberlin announced that lead singer Stephen Christian would be taking an indefinite hiatus from touring, and that Matty Mullins would be his live replacement for all upcoming tours starting in 2024.[52]
Shapeshifter (2024–present)
On April 17, 2024, Memphis May Fire unveiled a brand new single "Chaotic" and its corresponding music video.[53] On June 26th, "Paralyzed", a second single, was released with a music video.[54] More singles followed, with "Necessary Evil" dropping on July 31st,[55] "Infection" on September 4th,[56] "Hell Is Empty" on October 9th,[57] and then "Shapeshifter" on November 20th, 2024, which coincided with the announcement of their upcoming album of the same name, which will release on March 28, 2025.[58]
Members
Current
Kellen McGregor – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards, programming (2006–present); rhythm guitar (2006, 2017–present); lead vocals (2006)
Matty Mullins – lead vocals, keyboards, programming (2008–present)
Cory Elder – bass (2008–present)
Jake Garland – drums (2010–present)
Former
Tanner Oakes – bass (2006–2008)
Ryan Dooley – drums (2006–2007)
Chase Ryan Robbins – lead vocals (2006–2008)
Jeremy Grisham – drums (2007–2009)
Austin Radford – bass (2008–2009)
Daniel De Los Santos – bass (2008)
Joel Seier – rhythm guitar (2009–2010)
Eric Molesworth – drums (2009–2010)
Ryan Bentley – rhythm guitar (2006–2009, 2010–2012)
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Remade in Misery is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Memphis May Fire. It was released on June 3, 2022, through Rise Records and was produced by Kellen McGregor, the band's guitarist. The album was released four years after the band's sixth studio album, Broken (2018), their longest gap between albums and marks a return to their metalcore and post-hardcore sound.
↑ "Memphis May Fire Finish Recording New Album"(News post). Propertyofzack. Property of Zack. December 14, 2013. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2013. Memphis May Fire have finished recording their new album for an early-2014 release via Rise Records.
↑ Penner, Sam (March 2, 2017). "@samuelpenner Here's the dates!". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2017. Here's the dates! I'm gonna be playing guitar in Memphis May Fire for the next good while so come say hi!!
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