Bad Suns
The band onstage
Bad Suns at Comic-Con 2015
Background information
OriginWoodland Hills, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2010–present
LabelsVagrant, Epitaph Records
Members
  • Gavin Bennett
  • Christo Bowman
  • Miles Morris
Past membersRay Libby
Skyler Leon

Bad Suns is an American rock band from Woodland Hills, California, formed in 2010. The band currently consists of Christo Bowman, Gavin Bennett, and Miles Morris.[1][2] All of the band members are from Los Angeles, California. The group has been signed to Vagrant Records, where they released their debut album Language & Perspective in 2014.[3][4] The band's sound is inspired from 1970s and 1980s post-punk pioneers like The Cure and Elvis Costello. Their second album was released on September 16, 2016, titled Disappear Here. Their third album, Mystic Truth, was released on March 22, 2019. Their fourth album, Apocalypse Whenever, was released on January 28, 2022. Their second extended play, Infinite Joy, was released on November 17, 2023.

Background

Bad Suns onstage
Bad Suns in 2012

Bad Suns formed in 2010. The original line-up constisted of Christopher "Christo" Bowman (vocals), Gavin Bennett (bass/keyboard), Miles Morris (drums, son of Athena Lee & James Kottak, nephew of Tommy Lee[5]), and Skyler Leon (guitar).[6] "I grew up with a lot of world music playing in the house. When I was 10, I started getting heavily interested in the guitar, and my dad began introducing me to his records from the '70s and the '80s. Initially Elvis Costello, then to The Clash, The Cure, and so on," notes Bowman, "all of these artists and bands had a big impact on me, at a young age, as far as song composition goes." The debut EP Transpose features angst-ridden riffs and ethereal vocals reminiscent of post-punk legends of the early '80s. "I started writing my first songs at that time," Bowman continues, "Though we can now reflect on that era of music, those artists were ahead of their time in a lot of ways. That's what's most inspiring."[7]

The band released "Cardiac Arrest" online,[8] where it went viral.[9] The Transpose EP was recorded in the studio with producer Eric Palmquist (the Mars Volta, Wavves, Trash Talk) and preceded the band's debut 2014 album, Language & Perspective. "The writing and recording process is always exciting, because it's constantly changing and unique to each song. Inspiration comes and goes as it pleases, so a night when a song gets written is a very good night," says Bowman.[10] In 2014, the band opened for British indie-pop band The 1975 and later headlined a tour in small venues, such as The Troubadour in West Hollywood.[11] The bands rising fame has led them to perform in music festivals. In 2015, they played in the Mojave Tent at Coachella.

Bad Suns released their second album, Disappear Here, on September 16, 2016.[12] Bowman came up with the name of the album while reading Less than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis, "Maybe the second or third time the 'Disappear Here' billboard appears in the narrative, it sort of just hit me like a ton of bricks. It encapsulated absolutely everything."[13] On October 6, 2017, Bad Suns released the single "This Was a Home Once".

On November 13, 2018, they announced that they had signed with Epitaph Records and released their first new music in over a year, "Away We Go." On January 14, 2019, Bad Suns announced their next album called Mystic Truth, which was released on March 22, 2019.[14] The band later released two singles that were originally intended for release on Mystic Truth but were later removed from the album.[15] "I'm Not Having Any Fun" and "Unstable" were released on April 24, 2020, and May 15, 2020, respectively.

Bad Suns Mystic Truth Tour at House of Blues Boston on April 20, 2019

On September 28, 2020, Bad Suns released the first single from their forthcoming fourth album, "Baby Blue Shades". The single was produced by Eric Palmquist, who worked with the band on their first two albums, Language & Perspective and Disappear Here.[16]

The band has ventured into film and television for the first time by performing Mark Knopfler's score from the Quibi exclusive short film Home Movie: The Princess Bride which aired in June and July 2020. The band released their second single, "Heaven is a Place in My Head" on May 31, 2021. On September 21, 2021, they announced that they will release their fourth album, Apocalypse Whenever in four months and released the single "When The World Was Mine". They released the singles "Wishing Fountains", "Peachy", and "Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me", ahead of the album's release. Apocalypse Whenever dropped on January 28, 2022, consisting of 13 tracks, including six previously released singles. On June 14, 2022, guitarist Ray Libby announced his departure from the band via social media, stating "I've decided to take some time away from playing with Bad Suns so I can explore other sources of joy."[17]

The band released their first song with a featured artist on August 1, 2022. The song "Maybe You Saved Me" features electropop band Pvris.

Accolades

Jessica Goodman and Ryan Kistobak of The Huffington Post included the band's debut album, Language & Perspective, on their list of 2014's best releases, calling it "a rare indie release with little excess amongst its singles".[18] The music video for "Salt" has been praised by Out magazine and MTV for its depiction of a transgender woman's struggles with her identity and transition.[19][20]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Peak chart positions Label
US
[21]		 US
Indie
[22]
2014 Transpose (EP) 41 — Vagrant
2014 Language & Perspective[23][24] 24 6 Vagrant
2016 Disappear Here[25][26][27] 109 13 Vagrant/BMG
2019 Mystic Truth[28] Epitaph Records
2022 Apocalypse Whenever[29] Epitaph Records
2023 Infinite Joy[30] Epitaph Records
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

Title Year Peak positions Album
US
AAA
[31]		 US
Alt.
[32]		 US
Rock
[33]
"Cardiac Arrest" 2013 101425 Language & Perspective
"Salt" 2014  —54 —
"We Move Like the Ocean" 2015  — — —
"Disappear Here" 2016  —89 — Disappear Here
"This Was a Home Once" 2017  — — — Non-album single
"Away We Go" 2018  —69 — Mystic Truth
"I'm Not Having Any Fun" 2020  — — — Non-album single
"Unstable"  — — —
"Baby Blue Shades"  —39 — Apocalypse Whenever
"Heaven is a Place in My Head" 2021  —49 —
"Maybe You Saved Me"
(featuring Pvris)		 2022  —— — Apocalypse Whenever (Deluxe)
"Astral Plans" 2023  — — — Infinite Joy
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Band members

  • Christo Bowman – lead vocals, guitar
  • Gavin Bennett – bass, keyboard piano
  • Miles Morris – drums

Touring

  • Sam Plecker – guitar (2022)

Former

  • Skyler Leon ; guitar (2010-2012)
  • Ray Libby - guitar (2012–2022)

References

  1. ↑ "From Bonnaroo to Boulder Theater Bad Suns thrill live". FOX31 Denver. 2017-06-17. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  2. ↑ Swedlund, Eric. "Bad Suns Rising: Bad Suns". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  3. ↑ "Bad Suns". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ Kristobak, Ryan (2014-08-13). "Bad Suns' 'Language & Perspective' Explores Growing Spaces Through Duality". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  5. ↑ https://alternazine.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/interview-bad-suns/
  6. ↑ https://letsgetpromotional.blogspot.com/2011/03/up-and-coming-local-band-bad-suns.html
  7. ↑ "Bad Suns". (Le) Poisson Rouge. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Bad Suns Talk Fast Rise of 'Cardiac Arrest,' Silencing the Doubters". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  9. ↑ Gomez, Adrian. "Song 'Cardiac Arrest' thrust Bad Suns into the spotlight". The Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Fred. "Bad Suns Biography". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ Roos, Meghan (September 23, 2016). "Bad Suns return with Disappear Here". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  12. ↑ "Bad Suns to Release Sophomore Album 'Disappear Here'". Bestnewsbands.com. 30 June 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Bad Suns". Bonnaroo Music&Arts Festival. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Bad Suns Sign to Epitaph, Release New Song "Away We Go"". Music News Net. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  15. ↑ "Bad Suns share new b-side, "Unstable"". Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  16. ↑ Rosky, Nicole. "Bad Suns Releases New Single, 'Baby Blue Shades'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  17. ↑ Libby, Ray. "❤️❤️❤️". Twitter. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  18. ↑ Goodman, Jessica; Kristobak, Ryan (December 15, 2014). "The 23 Best Albums of 2014". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  19. ↑ Walker, John. "Bad Suns' Stunning 'Salt' Video Takes You On An Emotional Journey Through Gender Identity". MTV News. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  20. ↑ "Bad Suns' Salt Video Explores Trans Identity". Out magazine. 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  21. ↑ "Bad Suns – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Bad Suns – Chart History: Billboard Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  23. ↑ Murphy, Anna. "Album review: Bad Suns – Language & Perspective". Earmilk. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  24. ↑ Thomas, Fred. "Language & Perspective – Bad Suns". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Album Review: Bad Suns – 'Disappear Here'". New Noise Magazine. 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  26. ↑ "'Disappear Here' offers Bad Suns most dynamic, introspective work yet – Reviews – Alternative Press". Alternative Press. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  27. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Disappear Here – Bad Suns". AllMusic. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  28. ↑ Weatherby, Taylor (January 14, 2019). "Bad Suns Announce 'Mystic Truth' Album, Unveil Punchy Single 'Hold Your Fire': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  29. ↑ "BAD SUNS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM 'APOCALYPSE WHENEVER' OUT JANUARY 28". Epitaph Records. September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Bad Suns Announce New Project 'Infinite Joy' Out Nov. 17th". Epitaph Records. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  31. ↑ "Bad Suns – Chart History: Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Bad Suns – Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Bad Suns – Chart History: Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
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