White Reaper

Last updated
White Reaper
White Reaper (41851623214).jpg
White Reaper in May 2018
Background information
Origin Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres Hard rock, garage rock, garage punk, power pop, glam rock
Years active2012 (2012)–present
Labels Elektra, Polyvinyl
Members
  • Tony Esposito
  • Ryan Hater
  • Hunter Thompson
Past members
  • Nick Wilkerson
  • Sam Wilkerson
Website whitereaperusa.com

White Reaper is an American garage punk band based in Louisville, Kentucky. The band includes Tony Esposito (guitar/vocals), Ryan Hater, Hunter Thompson, Nick Wilkerson, and Sam Wilkerson. The band has released two EPs and four full-length albums, their first album in 2015 White Reaper Does It Again , [1] [2] [3] [4] and The World's Best American Band in 2017. White Reaper released their third studio album You Deserve Love on October 18, 2019, their major label debut. Their fourth studio album, Asking for a Ride, was released on January 27, 2023.

Contents

History

Early years (2012–2014)

White Reaper was formed by Tony Esposito and Nick Wilkerson while they were in high school. When they were 17 years old, they saw an entirely white Grim Reaper prop in a Halloween Express, becoming known as White Reaper thereafter. [5] The duo then recorded two demos, DEMO 2012 and WHITE AURA in 2012. A 7-inch featuring the songs "The Cut" and "Conspirator" was released in 2013 on Earthbound Records. [6] Wilkerson's twin brother Sam Wilkerson then joined the band as the bassist. Elementary school friend of Esposito and keyboardist Ryan Hater would also join the band.

Polyvinyl Records (2014–2018)

White Reaper playing Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in August 2019 White Reaper Bethlehem PA.jpg
White Reaper playing Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in August 2019

After signing to Polyvinyl Records in early 2014, their label debut EP White Reaper was released. [7] The band followed it with a tour with Young Widows. [8] In 2015, White Reaper's first studio album White Reaper Does It Again was released on Polyvinyl Records and they opened for bands such as Twin Peaks and Together Pangea. Guitarist Hunter Thompson joined the band in 2016. [9] Their second album The World's Best American Band was released in 2017. In 2018, White Reaper played at South by Southwest [10] and toured as an opening act for Weezer and Billy Idol. [11] [12]

Elektra years (2019–present)

In 2019, White Reaper would sign with Elektra Records. Three singles were released from their upcoming albums in Summer of 2019. The song "Might Be Right" became the band's highest-charting single, peaking at number six on the US Hot Rock Songs chart and atop the US Alternative Songs chart. White Reaper would play at the music festival Riot Fest and with The Killers. In October 2019, You Deserve Love was released, their major label debut. White Reaper appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in December 2019, playing "Might Be Right" and "Real Long Time". [13] White Reaper contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Sad But True" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist , released in September 2021. [14]

White Reaper released their fourth studio album, Asking for a Ride, January 27, 2023 on Elektra Records. [15] Later that year, a song from the album, "Getting Into Trouble w/ The Boss", was featured in an ad for Taco Bell's $5 Cravings Box, titled 'Family Reunion'. [16]

In June 2024, Nick Wilkerson and Sam Wilkerson announced on Instagram their departure from the band. [17] [18]

Band members

Current
Former

Discography

Bassist Sam Wilkerson performing in Berkeley, California in October 2019 WhiteReaper October2019.jpg
Bassist Sam Wilkerson performing in Berkeley, California in October 2019

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
Heat

[19]
US Indie
[20]
White Reaper Does It Again
The World's Best American Band
  • Released: April 7, 2017
  • Label: Polyvinyl
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, cassette
734
You Deserve Love
  • Released: October 18, 2019
  • Label: Elektra
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP
11
Asking for a Ride
  • Released: January 27, 2023
  • Label: Elektra
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, cassette
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

EPs

TitleDetails
Demo 2012
  • Released: September 17, 2012 [21]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
White Aura
White Reaper

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
AAA

[26]
US
Alt.

[27]
US
Main.

[28]
US Rock
[29]
CAN
Rock

[30]
"Make Me Wanna Die" [31] 2015White Reaper Does It Again
“I Don’t Think She Cares” [32]
“Pills” [33]
“Last 4th of July” [34]
"Judy French" [35] 2017The World's Best American Band
"The World's Best American Band" [36]
"The Stack" [37]
"Might Be Right" [38] 2019413966You Deserve Love
"Real Long Time" [39] 1919 [upper-alpha 1] 27
"1F" [41]
"Pages" [42] 202214 [upper-alpha 2] 3Asking for a Ride
"Fog Machine"202333
"Shimmy" (feat. Spiritual Cramp)2024Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. "Real Long Time" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 30 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. [40]
  2. "Pages" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number six on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. [40]

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References

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