Dropout Kings

Dropout Kings
Also known as
  • Phoenix Down (2016-2017)
OriginPhoenix, Arizona, U.S.
GenresNu metal,[1][2] rap metal[3][4]
Years active2016–present
Labels
Suburban Noize Records (2021-present)[5]
Stay Sick Records (2019-2020), Napalm Records (2017-2019)[6]
Members
  • Adam Ramey
  • Black Cat Bill
  • Rob Sebastian
  • Joe Lana Jr.
Past members
  • Charlie Mumbles
  • Tre Scott
  • Trevor Norgren
  • Staig Flynn
  • Chucky Guzman
Websitedropoutkingsmusic.com

Dropout Kings (formerly Phoenix Down) is an American nu metal band from Phoenix, Arizona, United States, that formed in 2016. They are currently signed to Suburban Noize Records.[5] Dropout Kings have released two albums: Audiodope (released August 10, 2018) and Riot Music (released 5 May 2023), and one EP: GlitchGang (released April 6, 2021).

History

Dropout Kings was founded by Adam Ramey after his previous band The Bad Chapter broke up in 2015.[7] As a way to stay active musically, he approached rapper Eddie Wellz to do a cover of Linkin Park's "Lying from You" after seeing a video of Wellz performing on YouTube.[8] Due to positive reception, Ramey approached previous members of The Bad Chapter; Trevor Norgren and later Staig Flynn and Rob Sebastian[9] and previous bandmate Chucky Guzman from We The Collectors[10] to form a new band called Phoenix Down, which by 2017 had changed its name to Dropout Kings.

On April 6, 2018, it was announced that Dropout Kings signed with Napalm Records, & the band released the music video for '"NVM", their first single from their debut album AudioDope the same day.[11] On June 8, 2018, the band released the music video for "Scratch & Claw", the second single from AudioDope.[12] AudioDope was released on August 10, 2018.[13] AudioDope reached 2 US Charts, #52-Top New Artist Albums & #112-Record Label Independent Current Albums.[6]

In July–August 2018, the band toured the United States and Canada with OTEP.[14] During the Otep tour, the band announced that they were managed by Dez Fafara, the lead vocalist for DevilDriver & Coal Chamber.[15]

In February–March 2019, the band toured with Outline in Color, Deadships and Dead Crown.[16]

On March 19, 2019, Dayshell featured the band on their single “KOMBAT."[17]

In May–June 2019, the band joined Crazy Town as direct support on their 20th Anniversary Tour.[18]

On May 26, 2019, it was announced that the band would be playing the Main Stage at the 20th Annual Soopa Gathering of the Juggalos on August 3, 2019.[19]

On April 6, 2021, it was announced that Dropout Kings had signed to Suburban Noize Records.[5]

On June 15, 2021, Dropout Kings embarked on their first headlining tour.

On September 8, 2021, “Virus” peaked at #33 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Radio Charts while spending 12 weeks in the Top 40.

On October 26, 2021, it was announced that “Virus” was being considered for a Grammy nomination in the Best New Artist category.

On January 24, 2022, it was announced that Dropout Kings would be playing at UFest 2022 on April 24, 2022.[20]

On April 30, 2023, Staig parted ways with the band after his mother got into an accident.

On June 6, 2023, Chucky parted ways with the band, and Rob switched to guitar, converting the band into a permanent quartet.

Members

Current Members

  • Adam Ramey - lead vocals (2016–present)
  • Eddie "Black Cat Bill" Wellz - rap vocals (2016–present)
  • Rob Sebastian - guitar (2023–present), bass (2017–present)
  • Joe Lana Jr. - drums, percussion (2021–present)

Former Members

  • Staig Flynn - guitars (2017–2023)
  • Chucky Guzman - guitars (2016–2023)
  • Trevor Norgren - drums, percussion (2016–2021)
  • Tre Scott - guitar, bass (2016–2017)
  • Charlie Mumbles - turntables, programming (2016–2017)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

  • AudioDope (2018)[21]
  • Riot Music (2023)[22]

EPs

  • GlitchGang (2020 Stay Sick Recordings, reissued 2021 on Suburban Noize Records)[23]

Singles

  • "Street Sharks" (2016; as Phoenix Down)
  • "NVM" (2018)
  • "Scratch & Claw" (2018)
  • "Going Rogue" feat. Landon Tewers (2018)
  • "GlitchGang" (2020)
  • "I Ain't Depressed" feat. Hacktivist (2020)
  • "Virus" feat. Shayley Bourget (2021) – No. 33 Mainstream Rock Songs[24]

Music videos

  • "Street Sharks" (2016; as Phoenix Down)[25]
  • "NVM" (2018)[26]
  • "Scratch & Claw" (2018)[27]
  • "Going Rogue" (2018)[28]
  • "Bad Day" (2019)[29]
  • "Something Awful" (2019)[30]
  • "GlitchGang" (2020)
  • "Virus" (2020)
  • "I Ain't Depressed" (2020)
  • "PitUp" (2021)
  • "Hey Uh" (2022)[31]

References

  1. ^ DiVita, Joe (31 May 2022). "Nu-Metal Band Calls Out Headliner After Last-Minute Tour Drop-Off". Loudwire. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  2. ^ JorgeM93 (31 May 2022). "Opening Band Calls Out Rapper After Last-Minute US Headlining Tour Drop-Out". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved 31 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Dropout Kings | Discography, Members".
  4. ^ "The Kings of Trap Metal, Dropout Kings – New Full Length Album Dropping!, Trapmetal Arsenal Magazine".
  5. ^ a b c "Dropout Kings Sign to Suburban Noize Records". 6 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Jb Leo ➰ (@jbleo29) • Instagram photos and videos". Archived from the original on 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  7. ^ "Dropout Kings". Artery Global. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  8. ^ Dyroff, Denny. "The Coatesville Times The Downingtown Times Contact Us Home D: Arts & Entertainment On Stage: Want to go seriously retro? Check out Blackmore's Night". The Times of Chester County. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  9. ^ Crane, Matt (2014-07-11). "Ex-Attack Attack! vocalist Phil Druyor starts new band, releases new song". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  10. ^ "We The Collectors". bandcamp. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  11. ^ "News Blog :: DROPOUT KINGS - Sign with Napalm Records!". Napalm Records. Archived from the original on June 8, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  12. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS Release Official Music Video For "Scratch & Claw" Album Cover Artwork & Track Listing!". HeavyMag. 8 June 2018. Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  13. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Dropout Kings – Audiodope". Dead Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  14. ^ "Dropout Kings announced as direct support for OTEP Summer Tour". CB Entertainment. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  15. ^ "Dropout Kings". The Oracle Management. 2018-07-30. Archived from the original on 2019-06-23. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  16. ^ "Outline in Color Tour Dates". OutlineinColor.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  17. ^ "Kombat (feat. Dropout Kings) - Single by Dayshell". 19 March 2019. Retrieved Apr 18, 2020 – via music.apple.com.
  18. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS Kick Off US Tour Dates w/ Crazy Town | Freeman Promotions". www.freemanpromotions.com. Archived from the original on 2019-06-23. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  19. ^ "dropout-kings". Gathering of the Juggalos. 2019-05-27. Archived from the original on 2019-06-23. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  20. ^ Becher, Amee (2022-01-24). "UFEST 2022 – 98KUPD – Arizona's Real Rock". 98KUPD - Arizona's Real Rock. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  21. ^ "AudioDope by Dropout Kings". 10 August 2018. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved Apr 18, 2020 – via music.apple.com.
  22. ^ Riot Music by Dropout Kings - RYM/Sonemic, retrieved 2023-09-08
  23. ^ GlitchGang by Dropout Kings - RYM/Sonemic, retrieved 2023-09-08
  24. ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Week of September 11, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  25. ^ https://youtube.com/chwXFeyagV4 [dead link‍]
  26. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS - NVM (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-11-17. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  27. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS - Scratch & Claw (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 3 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-04-19. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  28. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS Ft. Landon Tewers - Going Rogue (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 7 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  29. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS - Bad Day (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 13 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-20. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  30. ^ "DROPOUT KINGS - Something Awful (Official Live Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 2019-06-05. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  31. ^ "Dropout Kings - Hey Uh (Official Music Video) - YouTube". YouTube. 2022-01-28. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29.