Red Sun Rising was an American rock band from Akron, Ohio[2] that is currently on hiatus.[3] The band has released two studio albums through the Razor & Tierecord label; their first, Polyester Zeal, in 2015, and their second, Thread, on March 30, 2018. The band also released an EP titled Peel on March 22, 2019.
History
Red Sun Rising formed in 2006 when Mike Protich and Ryan Williams, who used to be high school classmates, struck up a conversation about music at a gas station. By 2007, Red Sun Rising's first line-up was formed and they were playing local gigs. In 2011, Tyler Valendza joined the group, bringing a new element to the group's sound.
They built a following by previewing their self-released albums over their social media websites and were touring nationally by 2013.[4] In 2014, the band signed with Razor & Tie records and released their album Polyester Zeal in August 2015 which debuted at number 11 on the BillboardHard Rock album chart.[5] In 2015, Tyler Valendza left the band and was replaced by Dave McGarry, who was first announced as the new guitarist in a Facebook post.[6]
Their singles "The Otherside" and "Emotionless" both reached number 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart, making them the first band since Trapt to reach number 1 twice on their first album.[citation needed] Their third single "Amnesia" peaked at number 6 on the same chart. The band often uses the hashtag #WeAreThread, which is said to be the name of the genre of music they would like to represent. They explain that their influences are like the threads in fabric and they feel they cannot truly be described as one particular genre.[7]
"Deathwish" was featured in the 2018 video game Forza Horizon 4 on its in-game rock radio station Horizon XS.[8]
Red Sun Rising announced an indefinite hiatus on February 28, 2020.[3] Ryan Williams went on to form New Monarch The first single "The Fray" was released May 28, 2021 [1]. Members Mike Protich, Dave McGarry, and Pat Gerasia formed a new band, The Violent. In 2024, drummer Pat Gerasia joined forces with Jibe vocalist Joe Grah and former Gemini Syndrome guitarist, Filter, Theory Of A Deadman bassist Charles Lee Salvaggio to form the hard rock group Inside The Trojan Horse. The video for the first single, Burn, premiered on BraveWords on August 7, 2024. The video for the trio's second single, Savior, premiered on I'm Music Magazine Friday, September 13, 2024. On Friday, October 30, 2024, KRAVE Rock Radio premiered ITTH's third single, How They Run. On Friday, November 22, 2024, BleachedBangs Magazine premiered the power-trio's fourth single and video, Stay Alive. On Christmas morning, Wednesday, December 25, 2024, the trio debuted their fifth single and video, Blood and Teeth, on Youtube.
Band members
Current members
Ryan Williams – lead guitar (2006-2020)
Mike Protich – lead vocals, guitar (2007–2020)
Dave McGarry – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2015–2020)