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Militarie Gun

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Militarie Gun
The band performing onstage
Militarie Gun's first live performance in Oceanside, California
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California Seattle, Washington[1]
United States
Genres
Years active2020–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
  • Ian Shelton
  • William Acuña
  • Waylon Trim
  • David Stalsworth
  • Kevin Kiley
Past members
  • Steph Jerkova
  • Max Epstein
  • Nick Cogan
  • Vince Nguyen

Militarie Gun is an American alternative rock band, from Los Angeles, California, currently signed to American record label Loma Vista Recordings.[2] To date, the group have released four extended plays[3][4][5] including, reinterpretative project, Life Under The Sun (2024)[6] and one full length, Life Under the Gun, released June 23, 2023.[7]

History

[edit]

Formed in 2020, Militarie Gun was initially founded as a solo project of lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Ian Shelton, due to his other musical project, Seattle hardcore band, Regional Justice Center undergoing a forced hiatus and the inability to tour, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global lockdowns at the time.[8][9] During this period, Shelton decided to write and record an EP, My Life Is Over, which was released September 10, 2020 via Denver DIY label, Convulse Records.[8][10][11] Following the EP's release, Shelton would expand the project, by recruiting a full line-up, including guitarists, Nick Cogan, William Acuña, bassist, Max Epstein and drummer, Vince Nguyen.[8]

During 2021, Militarie Gun would release their second and third EP's consecutively ; All Roads Lead to the Gun on June 4, 2021, and All Roads Lead to the Gun II on September 10, 2021, via Alternatives Label, with both releases, supplementing each other as a two-part project.[12] The following year, the group would sign to Loma Vista Recordings and the pair of EP's would be combined and reissued through the label as a compilation album, All Roads Lead to the Gun (Deluxe) on October 21, 2022, with additional b-sides, including lead single, "Let Me Be Normal" released October 6, 2022 and featured appearances by Hattiesburg and Vancouver post-punk bands, MSPAINT and Woolworm respectively.[2][13][14][15]

Preceding the announcement of their record deal, the group would also release a pair of singles earlier in the year, including collaborative, standalone track, "Pressure Cooker" with Virginia musical artist and producer, Dazy on March 14, 2022[16] and a cover of John Lennon's 1971 protest song, "Gimme Some Truth", on July 26, 2022, serving as one-half of a split-release alongside, Santa Cruz hardcore band, Glutch and their cover of The Pixies, 1988 classic, "Monkey Gone To Heaven" for the soundtrack of Image Comics series, "What’s The Furthest Place From Here?".[17][18] On January 23, 2023, a remixed version of the former, featuring, Missy Dabice of Philadelphia's, Mannequin Pussy was shared as a follow-up to the original, and would later go on to be featured in a commercial ad campaign for American fast-food chain, Taco Bell.[19][20]

In support of these releases, Militarie Gun would tour extensively across North America, The United Kingdom and Europe, with the likes of Citizen, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Public Opinion, Fiddlehead, Touché Amoré and White Reaper to name a few, throughout 2022 into the next year.[21][22][23][24]

In 2023, Militarie Gun would release their debut album, Life Under the Gun, on June 23, 2023 via Loma Vista,[25] preceded by three singles ; "Do It Faster" (also featured in Taco Bell's campaign),[26] premiered February 21, 2023[27][28] followed by "Very High" and "Will Logic" on April 18, and May 23, 2023, respectively.[29] Following their debut's arrival, Militarie Gun would spend the remainder of the year on the road, accompanying Santa Cruz hardcore band, Scowl as direct support on their 2023 North American fall tour in promotion of that group's third EP, Psychic Dance Routine, along with MSPAINT and Milwaukee's Big Laugh,[30][31] and immediately transition into their own international headlining tour behind the album, beginning in the UK and Europe, before eventually circling back through North America into early 2024, with support from San Francisco's, Spiritual Cramp and Pool Kids from Tallahassee.[32][33]

Due to the demanding tour schedule ahead, band members, Cogan and Nguyen would quietly leave Militarie Gun without public statement, to re-focus on their original primary and respective post-hardcore bands, Drug Church and Modern Color, prior to the North American tour, with their last performance in the group in Tampa, Florida at the annual hardcore music festival, FYA Fest on January 7, 2024.[34][35] In lieu of their departures, temporary fill-in guitarist, Dylan Mikres of Gumm and drummer, David Stalsworth of Oxnard powerviolence band, Torena would be brought on-board within a few weeks after to continue touring,[36][37][38] while Kevin Kiley of Chicago band, Celebrity, would join the group a few months later, in-between tours as their new lead guitarist.[39]

In the midst of the North American leg of the tour, Militarie Gun unveiled their fourth EP, Life Under The Sun, a re-imagined sampling and deconstruction of Life Under The Gun, released January 26, 2024 via Loma Vista. Initially, teased through the limited release of double single, "Very High (Under The Sun)" and "Never Fucked Up Twice" featuring Nashville musical artist, Bully on November 30, 2023,[40][41] the project, consists of stripped-back acoustic and ambient reinterpretations of a few selections from the original, save for the project's last track, a NOFX cover, "Whoops I OD'd", plus additional contributions from Mannequin Pussy and Manchester Orchestra, featured on the EP's lead and third single, "My Friends Are Having A Hard Time" on January 23, 2024.[42]

Throughout 2024, Militarie Gun would continue ceaseless touring domestically and internationally, back and forth across the globe[35][39][43][44] to significant prominence, supporting the likes of Manchester Orchestra,[45] A Day To Remember,[46] The Story So Far, Gel,[47] Hockey Dad,[48] Lip Critic,[49] while also performing their own sold-out shows, and a slew of high-profile music festival appearances including, Lollapalooza,[50] Coachella,[51] Primavera Sound,[52] Welcome to Rockville,[53] Bonnaroo[54] and Reading/Leeds[55] during the year.

On June 24, 2024, Militarie Gun would drop "Gun Under The Gun (MFG)", a primarily instrumental hardcore track, specifically requested and penned, as an entry theme for American musical artist, Post Malone and the use of his likeness in the pro wrestling video game series, WWE 2K24 as a playable DLC character.[56][57] Soon after, the group would release another standalone single, "Thought You Were Waving" on July 14, 2024.[58]

Militarie Gun would close out their 2024, as the opening act on Knocked Loose's North American fall tour, supporting the Oldham County band's third album, You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To, alongside with The Garden and Drain,[59] plus additional special guests, Danny Brown,[60] Hatebreed,[61] The Black Dahlia Murder[62] and Counterparts[63] on select dates, before concluding the year, with California punk band, Ceremony on December 6, 2024, for a special benefit show performance in the San Fernando Valley. The concert, hosted by local music shop, The Midnight Hour Records, was organized in solidarity of the Palestinian people,[64] afflicted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis and ethnic cleansing occurring within the age-long Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[65] All proceeds from the event would go to non-profit organizations, Palestine Children's Relief Fund and Care for Gaza, to provide financial aid and resources directly to the Palestinian civilians effected.[66]

In 2025, the group would continue to support charitable relief efforts by contributing a demo version of "My Friends Are Having A Hard Time" to the compilation Good Music To Lift Los Angeles for fundraising album series "Good Music" (not to be confused with Kanye West-owned label GOOD Music), devised and curated by politically active, literary and music industry figures Dave Eggers and Jordan Kurland.[67]

The limited-time collection, featuring previously unreleased material from the likes of Modest Mouse, R.E.M., TV On The Radio, Faye Webster, Mac DeMarco, Tenacious D, among many others, was only available to purchase within a 24-hour period on February 7, 2025, exclusively via Bandcamp, with net proceeds distributed to the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund and Los Angeles Food Bank, following the aftermath of the 2025 Southern California wildfires a month prior that year.[68][69] Preceding the compilation, the band would embark on a short run of winter shows across the American East coast, with Mannequin Pussy. [70][71]

Militarie Gun were scheduled to support English rock band High Vis on their 2025 North American spring tour.[72] However, just a few weeks before the tour was set to begin, High Vis frontman Graham Sayle would sustain an undisclosed injury, requiring emergency medical treatment and extended recovery time, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the entire tour.[73] Soon after, the band would once again work with Dazy on their second collaborate single, "Tall People Don’t Live Long", released April 18, 2025.[74]

Band members

[edit]
Current
  • Ian Shelton – lead vocals, production (2020–present) all instruments (2020)
  • William Acuña – rhythm guitar (2020–present)
  • Waylon Trim – bass guitar, backing vocals (2022–present) lead guitar (2023)
  • David Stalsworth – drums (2024–present; touring 2023)
  • Kevin Kiley – lead guitar, backing vocals (2024–present)
Former
  • Steph Jerkova – backing vocals (2020)[75]
  • Max Epstein – bass, backing vocals (2020–2022)
  • Nick Cogan – lead guitar (2020–2024)[76]
  • Vince Nguyen – drums (2020–2024)[35]
Touring
  • Che Hise-Gattone – bass (2023)
  • Linda Susan – bass, backing vocals (2023)[77]
  • Dylan Mikres – lead guitar (2024)[78]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

EPs

  • My Life Is Over (2020)
  • All Roads Lead to the Gun (2021)
  • All Roads Lead to the Gun II (2021)
  • Life Under The Sun (2024)

Compilations

  • All Roads Lead to the Gun (Deluxe) (2022)

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Alt.
"Dislocate Me" 2020 - My Life Is Over
"Don’t Pick Up The Phone" 2021 - All Roads Lead To the Gun
"Big Disappointment" - All Roads Lead To the Gun II
"Pressure Cooker" (with Dazy) 2022 - Non-album single
"Gimme Some Truth"
(John Lennon cover) 		- What’s The Furthest Place From Here? - Vol. 6
(7" Split w/ Glutch)
"Let Me Be Normal" - All Roads Lead To the Gun (Deluxe)
"Pressure Cooker" (Remix)
(with Dazy featuring Mannequin Pussy) 		2023 - Non-album single
"Do It Faster" 29[79] Life Under the Gun
"Very High" -
"Will Logic" -
"Very High (Under The Sun) / Never Fucked Up Twice"
(featuring Bully) 		- Life Under the Sun
"My Friends Are Having A Hard Time"
(featuring Manchester Orchestra) 		2024 -
"Gun Under the Gun (MFG)" - Non-album singles
"Thought You Were Waving" -
"Tall People Don’t Live Long"
(with Dazy) 		2025 -
[edit]
Title Year Album
"No Sum"
(Cold Mega featuring Militarie Gun) 		2022 COLD MEGA
"Delete It"
(MSPAINT featuring Militarie Gun) 		2023 Post-American

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Meet MILITARIE GUN". Stereogum via YouTube. Mar 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Militarie Gun Signs To Loma Vista Recordings". Prescription Music PR. October 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "It Isn't Defenseless: Militarie Gun's My Life Is Over". CVLT Nation. September 18, 2020.
  4. ^ Renshaw, David (May 11, 2021). "Militarie Gun enter an altered state on "Don't Pick Up The Phone". The Fader.
  5. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 10, 2021). "Stream Militarie Gun's Great New EP All Roads Lead To The Gun II". Stereogum.
  6. ^ McGinty, Stephen (January 28, 2024). "Militarie Gun brighten up January with "Life Under The Sun". All The Alt Things.
  7. ^ Ehrlich, Brenna (June 21, 2023). "Militarie Gun's Raucous Debut Is An Emotional Breakdown Dressed Up Like A Sugar Rush". Rolling Stone.
  8. ^ a b c Pappis, Konstantinos (October 26, 2022). "Artist Spotlight: Militarie Gun". Our Culture Mag.
  9. ^ Hughes, Mia (August 17, 2021). "Band To Watch: Militarie Gun". Stereogum.
  10. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 15, 2020). "Stream Militarie Gun's Ferocious, Hugely Impressive Debut EP My Life Is Over". Stereogum.
  11. ^ "MILITARIE GUN - MY LIFE IS OVER 7". Convulse Records.
  12. ^ Moore, EM (May 11, 2021). "Militarie Gun announce two new EPs, release video". Punknews.
  13. ^ Corcoran, Nina (2022). "Militarie Gun: All Roads Lead to the Gun (Deluxe)". Pitchfork.
  14. ^ Schube, Will (October 6, 2022). "Militarie Gun Announces 'All Roads Lead To The Gun (Deluxe Edition)'". udiscovermusic.com.
  15. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (October 6, 2022). "Militarie Gun – "Let Me Be Normal"". Stereogum.
  16. ^ https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/dazy-militarie-gun-pressure-cooker/
  17. ^ Breihan, Tom (July 26, 2022). "Militarie Gun – "Gimme Some Truth" (John Lennon Cover)". Stereogum.
  18. ^ "WHAT'S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? #6 Deluxe Edition w/ 7". What’s The Furthest Place From Here? (Official Shop via Shopify).
  19. ^ Breihan, Tom (January 12, 2023). "Dazy & Militarie Gun – "Pressure Cooker (Remix)" (Feat. Mannequin Pussy)". Stereogum.
  20. ^ Elton, Toni (April 21, 2023). "News: Taco Bell Set To Release Two New Ads Featuring Militarie Gun And Cobra Man". New Noise Magazine.
  21. ^ Moore, Em (2021). "Citizen/Prince Daddy and The Hyena/Militarie Gun/Restraining Order (US & CAN)". Punknews.
  22. ^ Sacher, Andrew (June 16, 2021). "Fiddlehead announce tour dates with Ekulu, Blair, Move, Worn, Militarie Gun & more". Brooklyn Vegan.
  23. ^ Moore, Em (2021). "Scowl and Closer added to Touche Amore tour". Punknews.
  24. ^ Geiger, Amy (October 26, 2022). "White Reaper announce new album & tour dates with Militarie Gun, Mamalarky, Narrow Head, more". Brooklyn Vegan.
  25. ^ Corcoran, Nina (April 18, 2023). "Militarie Gun Announce Debut Album, Share Video for New Song "Very High": Watch". Pitchfork.
  26. ^ "Taco Bell TV Spot, 'Build Your Own Deluxe Cravings Box' Song by Dazy, Militarie Gun". ispot.tv. May 31, 2023.
  27. ^ Enis, Eli (February 21, 2023). "Hear MILITARIE GUN's catchy new song "Do it Faster"". Revolver.
  28. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (February 21, 2023). "Militarie Gun Release Video for New Single 'Do It Faster'". Our Culture Mag.
  29. ^ Farrell, Margaret (May 23, 2023). "Militarie Gun Long for a More Trustworthy World on New Single "Will Logic"". Flood Magazine.
  30. ^ Enis, Eli (May 17, 2023). "SCOWL ANNOUNCE U.S. TOUR WITH MILITARIE GUN". Revolver.
  31. ^ Breihan, Tom (October 19, 2023). "The Scowl/Militarie Gun Tour Is The Future That Was Promised". Stereogum.
  32. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (August 2, 2023). "Militarie Gun announce 2023 UK and European tour". NME.
  33. ^ Corcoran, Nina (November 29, 2023). "Militarie Gun Announce 2024 North American Tour". Pitchfork.
  34. ^ Singh, Sunny (Mar 11, 2024). "[hate5six] Militarie Gun - January 07, 2024 (FYA 2024)". Youtube.
  35. ^ a b c Beckner, Justin (July 11, 2024). "Militarie Gun: the band that exploded out of the pandemic to become one of the exciting live bands in hardcore". guitar.com.
  36. ^ "Gumm". Let's Go Publicity. 2023.
  37. ^ "Sunday February 25th, 2024 at Record Bar in Kansas City, MO Militarie Gun, Pool Kids, Spiritual Cramp, & Spaced". Too Much Rock. February 25, 2024.
  38. ^ Newton, Caleb R. (August 10, 2023). "INTERVIEW: MIKA RYAN AND DAVID STALSWORTH OF TORENA TALK 'EVIL EYEZ'". New Noise Magazine.
  39. ^ a b Burke, KT (September 19, 2024). "Militarie Gun's touring brings them to PYGMALION". smilepolitely.com.
  40. ^ Coward, Teddy (November 29, 2023). "Militarie Gun Release Two New Versions Of 'Very High' And 'Never Fucked Up Once'". Rock Sound.
  41. ^ Topete, Daniel (November 30, 2023). "Militarie Gun share new versions of two previously release tracks, Announce 2024 North American tour". lambgoat.com.
  42. ^ Lapierre, Megan (Jan 23, 2024). "Militarie Gun Announce New EP 'Life Under the Sun'". Exclaim!.
  43. ^ "MILITARIE GUN Announce Aussie Tour". HEAVY Music Magazine. May 22, 2024.
  44. ^ "Militarie Gun suman Madrid a su gira española". Mondo Sonoro. February 5, 2025.
  45. ^ Cai, Genevieve (September 13, 2024). "MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ALBUM "COPE" W/ MILITARIE GUN AT STARLAND BALLROOM SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2024". WMSC Radio.
  46. ^ "A Day To Remember, The Story So Far, Four Year Strong, Militarie Gun, Pain Of Truth & Scowl Reveal North American Tour". theprp.com. Mar 19, 2024.
  47. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (February 20, 2024). "Gel announce May shows with Militarie Gun, Spy, Jivebomb, Korine & more". Brooklyn Vegan.
  48. ^ "Hockey Dad Announce Rebuild Repeat Australian Tour With Special Guests Militarie Gun And The Belair Lip Bombs - Presented By Triple J and Volcom". Live Nation. February 26, 2024.
  49. ^ Bruce, Tom (September 10, 2024). "Live Review: Militarie Gun, Lip Critic and Tripsun Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff * 27/08/2024". noizze.co.uk.
  50. ^ Topete, Daniel (May 29, 2024). "Militarie Gun announce Lollapalooza aftershow performance". lambgoat.com.
  51. ^ King, Matt (April 8, 2024). "Modern Hardcore: Coachella Performer Militarie Gun Helps With Punk's Renaissance by Pushing the Figurative Envelope". Coachella Valley Independent.
  52. ^ "Artist - Militarie Gun (US)". primaverasound.com.
  53. ^ Nick, Pizza. "Militarie Gun - Pressure Cooker (Live at Welcome to Rockville 2024)". Youtube.
  54. ^ Obenschain, Philip (May 3, 2024). "Bonnaroo 2024 Artist Spotlight: Militarie Gun". No Country For New Nashville.
  55. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (August 26, 2024). "Militarie Gun talk friendship with Post Malone and plans for a new album at Reading Festival 2024". NME.
  56. ^ Carter, Emily (June 28, 2024). "Militarie Gun drop new 53-second track as part of the WWE 2K24 Post Malone & Friends Pack". Kerrang.
  57. ^ Eden, Rose (June 26, 2024). "INTERVIEW: MILITARIE GUN'S IAN SHELTON ON CRAFTING POST MALONE'S WWE THEME SONG". New Noise Magazine.
  58. ^ Corcoran, Nina (July 16, 2024). "Militarie Gun Share Video for New Song "Thought You Were Waving": Watch". Pitchfork.
  59. ^ Sacher, Andrew (August 13, 2024). "Knocked Loose tap Militarie Gun, Drain & The Garden for fall tour". Kerrang.
  60. ^ Sunde, Mary (November 6, 2024). "DS Gallery: Genre-defying Knocked Loose perform epic show in Chicago with DRAIN, Militarie Gun and Danny Brown (Aragon Ballroom, 11/1/24". Dying Scene.
  61. ^ Eggert, Ashley (November 7, 2024). "KNOCKED LOOSE, HATEBREED, DRAIN, MILITARIE GUN - INDIANAPOLIS, IN (REVIEW + PHOTOS)". do317.com.
  62. ^ Dearborn, Veronica (November 7, 2024). "KNOCKED LOOSE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, MILITARIE GUN, DRAIN AT GLC LIVE AT 20 MONROE". localspins.com.
  63. ^ Leatherman, Jim; Ramos, Kurt (November 14, 2024). "Review: Hardcore stars Knocked Loose, Counterparts and Militarie Gun whipped up a joyous rage in Orlando". Orlando Weekly.
  64. ^ "Ceremony & Militarie Gun announce CA Palestine benefit show". Brooklyn Vegan. November 4, 2024.
  65. ^ "Amnesty International investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza". Amnesty International. December 5, 2024.
  66. ^ Raquel Norris, Semantha (December 4, 2024). "Ceremony Plays at The Midnight Hour Records to Raise Funds for Palestine". San Fernando Valley Sun.
  67. ^ Renshaw, David (February 4, 2025). "MJ Lenderman, Faye Webster, R.E.M., and more contribute to wildfire recovery compilation". The Fader.
  68. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (February 7, 2025). "GOOD Music's 90-Track LA Wildfire Relief Comp Has New Water From Your Eyes, New, & More". Stereogum.
  69. ^ Hardman, Neville (February 4, 2025). "Good Music announces 90-track benefit comp for LA fire relief". Alternative Press.
  70. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (November 19, 2024). "Mannequin Pussy & Militarie Gun playing East Coast shows together". Brooklyn Vegan.
  71. ^ Harvey, Carolin (February 10, 2025). "Live Review: Mannequin Pussy w/ Militarie Gun @ Baltimore Soundstage — 1/31/25". parklifedc.com.
  72. ^ Garner, Emily (February 20, 2025). "High Vis announce North American spring tour with Militarie Gun". Kerrang.
  73. ^ Garner, Emily (April 3, 2025). "High Vis cancel North American tour after Graham Sayle undergoes emergency surgery". Kerrang.
  74. ^ "Militarie Gun collaborate with Dazy on "Tall People Don't Live Long"". Northern Transmissions. April 18, 2025.
  75. ^ Adams, Gregory (October 2, 2020). "Border limbo and ACAB cookies: a conversation with Punitive Damage's Steph Jerkova". Gut Feeling.
  76. ^ Starkey, Arun (December 31, 2023). "Guitarist of the Year 2023: Unfettered dynamism from Militarie Gun and Drug Church's Nick Cogan". Far Out Magazine.
  77. ^ Singh, Sunny (September 5, 2023). "[hate5six] Militarie Gun - July 22, 2023". Youtube.
  78. ^ "Militarie Gun - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)". KEXP via Youtube.
  79. ^ Needham, Mark. "Mark Needham Singles Projects on the Billboard Chart & Mediabase Charts". markneedham.com.
[edit]
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