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The Funeral Portrait Release “Skinny Lies,” Announce Deluxe Album & Major Tour With Ice Nine Kills

Eric Alper
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The Funeral Portrait Release “Skinny Lies,” Announce Deluxe Album & Major Tour With Ice Nine Kills

THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT keep making serious waves. The emo rock revivalists achieved the #1 spot last November on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay and Mediabase’s Active Rock radio charts with their smash single “Suffocate City (feat. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)” and they’re again enjoying Top Ten success on the same charts with “Holy Water,” which features guest vocals by Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch.

The band—Lee Jennings (Vocals), Cody Weissinger (Guitar), Caleb Freihaut (Guitar/Auxiliary), Robert Weston (Bass), and Homer Umbanhowar (Drums)—is building on their growing success by today (April 25) releasing the lyric video for “Skinny Lies.” The track—sonically bracing and lyrically dark, highlighted by Jennings’ riveting vocal delivery—is one of three brand new songs from the forthcoming deluxe edition release of their critically acclaimed second album GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY, due out June 13 via Better Noise Music.

“‘Skinny Lies’ is about the cracks in a relationship finally breaking open—the little white lies we tell each other stacking up until there’s nowhere left to hide,” explains singer Lee Jennings. “It’s that moment when the truth is out, and you find yourself wishing you could go back to the comfort of not knowing. This song captures the tension, the regret, and the raw emotions that come with facing reality.”

In connection with the release of “Skinny Lies,” THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT is hosting a special giveaway for fans to win a trip to Atlanta for a “Hometown Rock Ritual” concert, with proceeds supporting The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ young people. The grand prize includes round-trip travel to Atlanta, a two-night hotel stay for two, and two VIP tickets to their hometown show with Ice Nine Kills at the Tabernacle on Wednesday, June 4, complete with an exclusive onstage experience. Fans can enter HERE.

Pre-orders for the digital, CD and vinyl copies of the deluxe edition of GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY are available here. The digital deluxe collection will include 24 songs, including “Holy Water” feat. Ivan Moody, songs from the CASSANOVA EP and the FROM BEYOND THE ABYSS EP, as well as the recently released versions of “Hearse for Two” feat. Lilith Czar and three brand new songs: “Skinny Lies,” “Evergreen,” and “Lost Boy.” The vinyl and CD two-disc deluxe packages feature 21 tracks, one of which is exclusive to the physical formats (“Friends Like These”).

GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY, released September 13, 2024 via Better Noise Music, consists of 14 tracks of theatrical, dramatic, unapologetic, full-throated flair with guest appearances from Bert McCracken of The Used, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria, and Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire. Get a copy of GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY on CD or digital download now HERE.

In touring news, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT has been bringing their message to the masses with an aggressive touring plan that continues throughout 2025. The band kicked off their own headlining tour April 18 with support from The Rasmus and Archers. THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT will follow these dates on a bill with Ice Nine Kills starting April 30, as well as appearances as part of the Vans Warped Tour, and other big festivals including Louder Than Life, Rocklahoma, Welcome To Rockville, and Rock Fest. Later this year, the band will head to Europe for shows with The Rasmus.

View their latest dates here:
With Ice Nine Kills:
Thu 4/30 Raleigh, NC The Ritz
Sat 5/3 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (KUPD UFEST)
Tue 5/6 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
Fri 5/9 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Sat 5/10 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple (FESTIVAL)
Tue 5/13 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore Minneapolis
Sat 5/17 Daytona Beach, FL Welcome To Rockville (FESTIVAL)
Sun 5/18 Chicago, IL Riviera Theater
Tue 5/20 Grand Rapids, MI GLC at 20 Monroe
Sat 5/24 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
Thu 5/29 San Antonio, TX Aztec Theatre
** Fri 5/30 Dallas, TX RBC Deep Ellum
** Sat 5/31 Austin, TX Come And Take It Live
Sun 6/1 Houston, TX House of Blues
Wed 6/4 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle
** Fri 6/6 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
** Sat 6/7 Destin, FL Club LA
Sun 6/8 New Orleans, LA The Fillmore (New Orleans)
** Tue 6/10 Birmingham, AL Saturn
Wed 6/11 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
** Headlining with The Word Alive and Melrose Avenue
Festivals:
Thu 7/17 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum (WHQG Radio Show)
Fri 7/18 Grand Rapids, MI Upheaval Festival
Sat 7/19 Cadott, WI Rock Fest
Sat 7/26 Long Beach, CA Warped Tour
Sun 7/27 Long Beach, CA Warped Tour
Sun 8/31 Pryor, OK Rocklahoma
Sat 9/20 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life
With The Rasmus:
11/11 Hamburg, Markthalle (DE)
11/12 Berlin, Metropol (DE)
11/13 Warsaw, Stodola (PL)
11/14 Brno, Sono Centrum (CZ)
11/15 Budapest, Barba Negra (HU)
11/16 Vienna, Simm City (AT)
11/17 Munich, Technikum (DE)
11/18 Milan, Alcatraz (IT)
11/20 Zurich, Komplex 457 (CH)
11/21 Karlsruhe, Substage (DE)
11/22 Saarbrucken, Garage (DE)
11/23 Frankfurt, Batschkapp (DE)
11/25 Cologne, Live Music Hall (DE)
11/26 Utrecht, Tivoli (NL)
11/27 Antwerp, Trix (BE)
11/28 Paris, La Cigale (FR)
11/30 Glasgow, SWG3 Galvanizers (GB)
12/1 Manchester, O2 Ritz (GB)
12/2 Cardiff, Great Hall (GB)
12/4 London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (GB)
12/5 Southampton, 1865 (GB)
12/6 Nottingham, Rock City (GB)

CORY MARKS Releases Rallying Cry To His Fans, “Are You With Me?” Along With Lyric Video For “Lit Up” From ‘Sorry For Nothing’ Album

Eric Alper
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CORY MARKS Releases Rallying Cry To His Fans, “Are You With Me?” Along With Lyric Video For “Lit Up” From ‘Sorry For Nothing’ Album

Canadian country rocker CORY MARKS was so musically inspired by his recent European tour, that he decided to release a brand-new song and lyric video to today (April 25), a musical rallying cry to his fans, “Are You With Me?” via Better Noise Music. MARKS also wanted to share the new lyric video for “Lit Up” from his SORRY FOR NOTHING album, which was released December 6, 2024 via Better Noise Music. The songs have just been released as a double-single on digital outlets HERE (“Are You With Me?”) and HERE (“Lit Up”).

“‘Are You With Me?’ is a song for my fans, for the people loving my music and loving this country rock sound,” exclaims CORY MARKS. “They’re the reason we do this and want to get out on the road and play live no matter how hard, long, tough and unfair smoke and mirrors this music industry can be. There’s nothing like playing live and watching the crowd sing a long and rock out with you. Are you with me?”

With over 350 million global streams to date, CORY has been captivating fans across the country and rock spectrum. Unafraid to stand out and stay true to himself, his third album SORRY FOR NOTHING is an unapologetic double-barreled blast of 13 songs produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch, Shania Twain, Papa Roach), plus Kile Odell (Nita Strauss, David Draiman), and Andrew Baylis (Jelly Roll, Brantley Gilbert). The album comes as a follow-up to CORY’s successful debut, WHO I AM, which included the hit single “Outlaws & Outsiders.” The song made history as the first-ever Top 10 rock radio-charting single from a Canadian country act and over 230 million global streams to date. The single received Platinum certification in Canada and Gold in the U.S.

SORRY FOR NOTHING’s tracks range from Haggard-like country and virtual bluegrass to straight-up arena anthems and almost Pantera-like hard metal as well as mashing both styles in a single song. Guest appearances include Sully Erna of Godsmack, Travis Tritt and Mick Mars on the Top 20 Active Rock radio-charting single “(Make My) Country Rock” and DL of Bad Wolves on “Guilty.”

CrypticRock.com described the album as one that, “…showcases MARKS’ ability to navigate the deep waters of soulful country ballads and high-energy Rock anthems, creating a barrage of sound that verges on magic, once it permeates your anticipating ears…SORRY FOR NOTHING positions CORY MARKS as a trailblazer in modern Country Rock, a true force to be reckoned with on the international stage, and if he continues pushing boundaries while staying true to his roots, there is truly no stopping this young man. A must-listen..”

While Rocknloadmag.com declared, “MARKS returns with a banger of an album alongside some of the biggest names in the business for a whole host of killer collaborations. What you get is an album overflowing with stadium-sized anthems, banger after banger, that just grips you right from the off….From start to finish this is a great album, if you love your country-rock you’ll be in your element, Marks is a revelation and can only go on great things, 2025 could be his year!”

In touring news, MARKS is currently out in support of Dorothy as part of their “REDEMPTION” tour, which kicked off April 16 in Nashville, TN and lasts through May 2 in Albuquerque, NM. MARKS will then head back to his native Canada for more headlining shows on his “Sorry For Nothing Tour,” which has spanned North America, the U.K. and Europe!

Canadian Tour:
5/9 Sainte-thérèse, QC – Odyscène Cabaret BMO Sainte-Thérèse
5/10 Gatineau, QC – Salle Odyssée
5/11 Drummondville, QC – Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville
5/15 Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
5/16 Saint-victor, QC – Salloon Desjardins
5/17 Ottawa, ON – Ink & Wheels Big Show
5/22 Oshawa, ON – The Biltmore Theatre (with Drew Taylor)
5/23 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern (with Dayna Reid, Drew Taylor)
5/24 Hamilton, ON – Mills Hardware (with Drew Taylor)
5/25 St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse Concert Hall (with Drew Taylor)
6/13 Ayer’s Cliff, QC – Rodeo Ayer’s Clife 2025
7/11 Amos, QC – Festival H20 2025
7/19 Timmons, ON – Rock on the River 2025
7/31 Dolbeau-mistassini, QC – Festival Du Bleuet 2025

Katherine Yeske Taylor’s Book ‘She’s A Badass’ Celebrates 20 Women In Rock Who Redefined Feminism

Eric Alper
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Katherine Yeske Taylor’s Book ‘She’s A Badass’ Celebrates 20 Women In Rock Who Redefined Feminism

Feminism has always been a complex and controversial topic, as female rock musicians know especially well. When they’ve stayed true to their own vision, these artists have alternately been adored as role models or denounced as bad influences. Either way, they’re asked to cope with certain pressures that their male counterparts haven’t faced. With each successive feminism movement since the 1960s, women in rock have been prominent proponents of progress as they’ve increasingly taken control of their own music, message, and image. This, in its way, is just as revolutionary as any protest demonstration.

In She’s a Badass, music journalist Katherine Yeske Taylor interviews twenty significant women in rock, devoting an entire chapter to each one, taking an in-depth look at the incredible talent, determination—and, often, humor—they needed to succeed in their careers (and life). Interviewees range from legendary artists through notable up-and-comers, including Ann Wilson (Heart), Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s), Suzanne Vega, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Orianthi, Amanda Palmer, and more. Their experiences reveal the varied and unique challenges these women have faced, how they overcame them, and what they think still needs to be done to continue making progress on the equality front. Their stories prove that promoting feminism—either through activism or by living example—is undeniably badass.

The women interviewed for the 20 chapters are: Suzi Quatro, Ann Wilson (Heart), Exene Cervenka (X), Gina Schock (the Go-Go’s), Lydia Lunch, Suzanne Vega, Cherie Currie (the Runaways), Joan Osborne, Donita Sparks (L7), Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, the Breeders, Belly), Paula Cole, Tobi Vail (Bikini Kill), Laura Veirs, Catherine Popper, Amanda Palmer, Bonnie Bloomgarden (Death Valley Girls), Orianthi, Fefe Dobson, and Sade Sanchez (L.A. Witch).

10 Ways to Grow Your Listeners and Beat Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Minimum

Eric Alper
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10 Ways to Grow Your Listeners and Beat Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Minimum

In 2024, Spotify dropped a cold hard truth on indie artists everywhere: songs must hit at least 1,000 streams annually before they generate royalties. For some, this felt like a digital death sentence. For the rest of us? It’s a wake-up call.

So what now?

Whether you’re just getting started or building back better, here’s how to turn your passion project into a repeat-listen magnet using modern methods that work—from someone who’s seen it all, and another who’s still pressing play every day.

1. Make Music Worth Sharing, Not Just Streaming
Spotify’s algorithm is a mysterious thing. But you know what it loves? Songs people send to friends. Write music that hits a nerve, tells a story, sparks a meme, or makes someone say “You have to hear this.” People don’t share background music—they share identity.

2. Build a “First 50” Street Team
Before chasing 1000, chase your first 50 champions. DM them. Text them. Thank them. Ask them to follow, share, and playlist your track. These fans become your foundation. If you don’t know 50 people who will play your track three times, your problem isn’t Spotify—it’s community.

3. Hack the Algorithm With Consistency
Post every week. New content, new clips, new singles—even alternate versions or 30-second voice memos. Spotify watches for activity, not just art. Consistency trains the algorithm and trains your audience to check back in.

4. Use Smart Links and Pre-Saves Like a Pro
Want people to stream your track? Stop sending them to random search pages. Use smart links (like ToneDen or Linkfire) to drive fans directly to Spotify. And pre-save campaigns? They’re like opening weekend for your song—everything rides on that initial spike.

5. Drop Vertical Videos and Reels with a Hook at 0:00
Spotify numbers are now downstream from TikTok and Instagram. Post short-form vertical content where the first second stops the scroll and the next 15 keeps them watching. Use your song. Use captions. Be weird. Be real. Just be there.

6. Make Playlists—Then Pitch to Them
Don’t just beg curators. Become one. Create a playlist that fits your genre, sprinkle your music in, and promote it like it’s a blog. Tag artists. Share it. Build from the inside out. Playlist culture is tribal—lead the tribe.

7. Focus on Listener Habits, Not Vanity Metrics
Spotify gives you data on skips, saves, replays, and sources. Use it. If your skip rate is high in the first 30 seconds, change your intro. If your saves are low, write something stickier. If your repeat rate is high, promote that track harder.

8. Build with Collaborations and Features
Every collaboration is a door to a new audience. Don’t just look for big names—look for artists at your level with passionate listeners. If each of you brings 500 monthly listeners, and you drop a duet or remix, you’ve just cross-pollinated into 1000 streams easy.

9. Email Isn’t Dead. Use It.
Start an email list. It’s your lifeline. No algorithm. No ads. Just you and the people who care enough to click. Share stories, process, and direct Spotify links. Think of it as your fan club. Your tiny label. Your indie empire.

10. Celebrate Every 100 Streams Like You Hit the Charts
People respond to momentum. Post thank-yous when you hit 100, 300, 500 streams. Screenshot your “most played in” cities. Make people feel like part of your win. Gratitude travels fast. And you’ll turn passive listeners into lifelong fans.

Spotify’s new rules may seem harsh—but they’re also an invitation. An invitation to stop waiting for discovery and start building it.

You don’t need a label. You need listeners who care. And they’re out there—scrolling, saving, streaming—waiting for someone like you to remind them why they fell in love with music in the first place. If you’re still looking for help, or have any questions, or looking for more information, email me, I’ll be happy to chat – Eric@ThatEricAlper.com and talk soon!

20 of the Grooviest Songs of All Time

Eric Alper
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20 of the Grooviest Songs of All Time

You can’t teach groove. You can’t bottle it. You just feel it—from the first bassline, the second snare hit, the way the rhythm finds your bones before your brain. Some songs are the party. Others start the party. All of these? They own the dance floor. Here are 20 of the grooviest songs ever released, alphabetized so nobody gets jealous.

“Back in Love Again” – L.T.D.
There’s a reason this ‘70s funk anthem still shows up in DJ sets: it’s all groove, no filler. Jeffery Osborne’s vocals soar over a silky rhythm section built for body movement.

“Brick House” – Commodores
The bassline. The brass. The attitude. “Brick House” isn’t just groovy—it’s practically a masterclass in how to make funk feel cool and effortless.

“Can You Feel It” – The Jacksons
This disco-funk explosion from the post-Motown Jacksons is pure groove architecture. That thumping beat and glittering production make it impossible to sit still.

“Cissy Strut” – The Meters
No vocals, no problem. This instrumental groove-fest delivers New Orleans funk straight to your soul. Zigaboo Modeliste’s drumming alone is a groove clinic.

“Dance to the Music” – Sly and the Family Stone
One of the earliest calls to funk unity, this track fuses rock, soul, and psychedelia into something fully physical. You don’t listen to this song—you join it.

“Fantastic Voyage” – Lakeside
Smooth vocals and spaceship funk combine in this slow-burn party starter. If you weren’t dancing at the beginning, you will be by the bridge.

“Flash Light” – Parliament
One of George Clinton’s finest intergalactic groove bombs. That synth-bassline (played by Bernie Worrell) is straight-up immortal.

“Get Down On It” – Kool & The Gang
A disco-funk motivational anthem that asks all the right questions: How you gonna do it if you really don’t wanna dance?

“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” – Parliament
Funk in its purest form. The chants. The groove. The attitude. A track that doesn’t just move the crowd—it rewires it.

“Groove Is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite
The ’90s called, and it brought the funk with it. Sampling Herbie Hancock and featuring Bootsy Collins, this dancefloor staple never stopped sparkling.

“I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” – Hall & Oates
Slick and stylish, this track blends blue-eyed soul and R&B with a drum machine groove that still feels way ahead of its time.

“I Got You (I Feel Good)” – James Brown
James Brown practically invented groove as we know it. This might be his most famous, and still the most contagious.

“Jungle Boogie” – Kool & The Gang
Less polished, more primal. This one is all about the groove as force of nature. Horns, handclaps, growls—it’s chaos with a backbeat.

“Le Freak” – Chic
Nile Rodgers’ guitar alone is enough to qualify this as one of the grooviest. But combined with Bernard Edwards’ bass and those disco strings? Next level.

“Move On Up” – Curtis Mayfield
A groove built for uplift, Curtis Mayfield’s anthem pulses with brass, congas, and optimism. It’s motivational funk at its finest.

“Once in a Lifetime” – Talking Heads
You may ask yourself… how does this groove work? A brilliant blend of Afrobeat, art-rock, and existential dance vibes. Brian Eno at the boards doesn’t hurt.

“Outstanding” – The Gap Band
The title says it all. This slow jam groove melts into your bloodstream. Ideal for head-nodding, back-seat singing, and good times with good people.

“Rock with You” – Michael Jackson
MJ’s smoothest song? Maybe. Its groove is soft and subtle, yet hypnotic. A perfect blend of Quincy Jones magic and disco’s golden hour.

“September” – Earth, Wind & Fire
Joy in musical form. That rhythm guitar. Those horns. That falsetto. “September” doesn’t just have a groove—it is a groove.

“You Dropped a Bomb on Me” – The Gap Band
Funk meets synth warfare. A groove so explosive, it practically defined the early ‘80s dance floor.

lenny duncan’s ‘Psalms Of My People’ Treats Hip-Hop Lyrics As Sacred Texts In Bold Exploration Of Black Liberation

Eric Alper
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lenny duncan’s ‘Psalms Of My People’ Treats Hip-Hop Lyrics As Sacred Texts In Bold Exploration Of Black Liberation

If you want to understand the Black experience in the US, you have to understand hip-hop.

James Baldwin, in his famous talk “The Struggle for the Artist’s Integrity,” suggests that “the poets (by which I mean all artists) are finally the only people who know the truth about us.” And to understand the truth about the history of Black peoples in America, argues lenny duncan, we must look to the modern Black poet: the hip-hop artist.

In Psalms of My People,artist, scholar, and activist lenny duncan treats the work of hip-hop artists from the last several decades–from N.W.A, Tupac, and Biggie to Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar–like sacred scripture. Their songs and lyrics are given full exegetical treatment–a critical and contextual interpretation of text–and are beautifully illustrated, with a blend of ancient and modern art styles illuminating every page.

All the while, duncan traces the history of hip-hop, revealing it as a conduit to tell the modern story of Black liberation in this country, following the bloody trail from the end of the Civil Rights Era through the day George Floyd was sacrificed on the streets of America.

“Who else but the hip-hop artist,” asks Duncan, “has embodied the cries, pain, and secret concrete ? Whose art? Our art. Whose story is written in the book of life with crimson lines dipped in a well that is 400+ years deep? Whose story? Our story. For whom does God bring down empires? Us.”

‘Hardcore’ Book Offers Rare Look Behind Pulp’s ‘This Is Hardcore’ With Unseen Photos & Artist Tributes

Eric Alper
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‘Hardcore’ Book Offers Rare Look Behind Pulp’s ‘This Is Hardcore’ With Unseen Photos & Artist Tributes

A rich visual celebration of Pulp’s sixth album, This is Hardcore, featuring unseen photography and behind-the-scenes interviews.

From the mid- to late 1990s, Paul Burgess was invited by Jarvis Cocker to document the British band Pulp, taking photographs during video shoots, live gigs, and other events for what has become one of the landmark albums of the period, This Is Hardcore. Written and designed by Burgess and Louise Colbourne, Hardcore contains a candid selection of previously unseen images of the band, behind the scenes and on set, from the four main video shoots made to promote the album. Twenty-five years have passed since Pulp released this extraordinary album, and this book holds up a mirror to the ingenious creative processes and characters behind the seminal record.

With carefully curated images from Burgess’s archive, Hardcore also includes quotations and interviews from then and now by the video directors, band members, and other artists involved with the album. The book contains contributions from Doug Nichol, John Currin, Stephen Mallinder, Sergei Sviatchenko, John Stezaker, and Florian Habicht, all of whom have a connection to the album, the band, or the era. There are also visual responses from a selection of younger artists and designers, such as Alexa Vieira, who have been inspired by Burgess’s photographs and the band’s legacy.

New Book ‘NoMeansNo: From Obscurity To Oblivion’ By Jason Lamb Chronicles Punk Legends’ DIY Legacy

Eric Alper
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New Book ‘NoMeansNo: From Obscurity To Oblivion’ By Jason Lamb Chronicles Punk Legends’ DIY Legacy

They were unlike any other band in the punk scene they called home. NoMeansNo started in the basement of the family home of brothers Rob and John Wright in 1979. For the next three decades, they would add and then replace a guitar player, sign a record deal with Alternative Tentacles and tour the world. All along the way, they kept their integrity, saying “NO” to many mainstream opportunities. It was for this reason the band (intentionally) never became a household name, but earned the respect and love of thousands of fans around the world, including some who became big rock stars themselves. They were expertly skilled musicians playing a new kind of punk: intelligent, soulful, hilarious, and complex. They were also really nice Canadian dudes.

NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion by Jason Lamb is the fully authorized oral and visual history of this highly influential and enigmatic band which has never been told before now. Author Jason Lamb obtained exclusive access to all four former members and interviewed hundreds of people in their orbit, from managers and roadies to fellow musicians, friends, and family members. The result is their complete story, from the band’s inception in 1979 to their retirement in 2016, along with hundreds of photos, posters, and memorabilia, much of which has never been seen publicly before.

For established fans, this book serves as a “love letter” to their favorite group and provides many details previously unknown. For those curious about the story and influence of NoMeansNo, it reveals an eye-opening tale of how a punk band could be world class musicians while truly “doing it themselves.” Their impact and importance cannot be overstated, and NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion is the essential archive.

10 Bands With More Members Than You’d Think Fit on a Stage

Eric Alper
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10 Bands With More Members Than You’d Think Fit on a Stage

Rock duos are cool, power trios are tight, and five-piece groups are the industry standard. But some bands blow right past the conventional lineup and go full orchestra. Whether they’re fueled by funk, driven by jazz, or operating like a small nation, these bands prove that sometimes, the more the merrier—especially when the groove’s that good.

Here are 10 bands known for having a lot of members. Like, “you need a bus and a backup bus” levels of big.

Arcade Fire
This Canadian indie rock collective often features 9 or more musicians on stage, and each one plays multiple instruments. From hurdy-gurdies to French horns, they’ve redefined what a rock band can sound like—equal parts chaotic and cathartic.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The lineup for this psych-rock cult favorite has included over 40 different members across its history. At any given time, you might see up to 10 musicians on stage. The only constant? Frontman Anton Newcombe and a commitment to beautiful, messy unpredictability.

The Polyphonic Spree
How many people does it take to sound like joy itself? Apparently about 20. With their choral robes and symphonic arrangements, The Polyphonic Spree is less a band and more a pop cult in the best way possible. Choir, strings, brass—you name it.

Earth, Wind & Fire
The mighty EW&F created timeless funk with a full horn section, multiple vocalists, and a rhythm army. During their peak, the group could roll 12-15 members deep, bringing a wall of sound and a lifetime of groove to every stage.

Snarky Puppy
This genre-defying fusion band packs jazz, funk, soul, and rock into one set, and they do it with a rotating lineup of 25+ musicians. Their live performances are communal, improvisational, and packed with more musical degrees than a conservatory.

Parliament-Funkadelic
George Clinton’s wild, psychedelic, genre-shattering collective was a movement. With over 30 members across its various incarnations, P-Funk turned every stage into a mothership and every performance into a cosmic trip.

Slipknot
Nine members. All masked. All heavy. From multiple percussionists to a dedicated sampler and DJ, Slipknot’s live shows are pure audio assault. It’s metal-meets-theater—and their on-stage chaos is tightly choreographed for maximum impact.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Part revival, part indie-folk caravan, this group often hit the road with 10 or more members. The communal vibes, layered harmonies, and spontaneous energy made their concerts feel more like a celebration than a performance.

Broken Social Scene
Canada strikes again with this indie-rock supergroup that seems to add members like most bands add pedals. Their lineup has included 15+ musicians, often featuring artists from Feist, Metric, and Stars. Think controlled chaos with horns.

Chicago
Blending rock with a full brass section since the late ‘60s, Chicago’s original lineup had 7 core members—and some shows featured up to 10 or more musicians. The had the massive hits still on the radio today, and built a sound that took up every inch of sonic space.

Your Life Is Your Music: 10 Habits That Mute the Soundtrack of Your Potential

Eric Alper
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Your Life Is Your Music: 10 Habits That Mute the Soundtrack of Your Potential

Every great artist has a routine. Every band has a rhythm. And every music lover knows that the best songs don’t happen by accident—they’re the result of daily practice, a little risk, and a lot of heart. Your life works the same way. Whether you’re a touring musician or just singing along in the shower, your habits shape the way your story sounds.

These aren’t just “bad habits.” They’re the off-key notes that can drain your time, your creativity, and your spark. So here’s a list, in the spirit of your favorite setlist, of 10 daily habits that might be wasting 90% of your energy—and what to do instead to crank the volume back up.

Hitting Replay on the Same Old Patterns
You wouldn’t listen to the same failed demo a thousand times and expect it to chart. So why keep living the same way and expect change? The chorus of your life will only shift when you start writing different verses.

Waiting for the Perfect Opening Act
If you wait for the “right time,” you’ll still be tuning your guitar long after the encore ends. The right time isn’t something you wait for—it’s what you create when you step into the spotlight, even if you’re not sure the mic is on.

Believing Stardom Happens Overnight
Nobody wakes up onstage at Madison Square Garden without thousands of hours in the garage. The same goes for happiness, purpose, and momentum. Make your peace with the grind—it’s your most loyal bandmate.

Avoiding the Stage Fright of Risk
Every performance is a gamble. Every new song is a leap of faith. If you’re not willing to risk the wrong chord, you’ll never play the ones that move people. Play anyway.

Letting Yesterday’s Booed Show Ruin Today’s Soundcheck
So the last gig bombed. Big deal. That doesn’t mean you cancel the tour. It means you recalibrate. A rejection isn’t the end of your story—it’s just a skipped track. Don’t let it define the album.

Blaming the Audience for a Flat Show
The crowd doesn’t owe you applause. You owe yourself growth. You can’t control the venue, the weather, or the noise—but you can rewrite your setlist. Own your next move, even if it’s a quiet acoustic reset.

Turning Down the Volume on New Sounds
Imagine if Dylan had refused to go electric. Or if the Beatles never let George Martin take the wheel. Stay open. Stay curious. Every great career is full of unexpected collaborations and evolving genres.

Letting Critics Write Your Liner Notes
There will always be someone who says your music sucks. Play it anyway. And turn it up. Don’t let the people who never bought a ticket keep you from hitting your notes.

Clinging to an Old Version of the Song
Maybe that chorus used to work. But if it’s no longer in tune with who you are, let it go. Not every idea becomes a classic—and that’s okay. Rework it, remix it, or leave it behind.

Expecting Every Show to Be a Standing Ovation
Sometimes the audience is quiet. Sometimes the lights glitch. Sometimes you forget the words. That doesn’t mean the show’s a failure. It means you’re human. Adjust your expectations, not your dreams.

Because here’s the truth: you are the producer, the songwriter, the headliner, and the roadie of your own life. And every day is a chance to record something new.

So tune up, soundcheck your mindset, and step out into the light.

The encore is waiting.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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