Melodic post-grunge outfit Pop Evil formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2001. The band developed a sound and performance style that took cues from the likes of
Kiss,
Soundgarden, and
Pearl Jam that aptly put them right in line with popular modern rock acts such as
Crossfade,
Shinedown, and
Puddle of Mudd.
Including former members of various area bands such as TenFive, the band released its debut independent album, War of the Roses in 2004 before signing with
Universal/Republic imprint
Pazzo, who reissued their sophomore LP Lipstick on the Mirror (2008) in the summer of 2009. The album featured three singles that hit Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, including the Top Ten "100 in a 55." The band enjoyed greater success with the
E1 label, beginning with War of Angels (2011) and Onyx (2013), both of which peaked around number 40 on the Billboard 200. Up (2015), their fifth album, was considered by the bandmembers to be their best release. ~ Corey Apar & Andy Kellman, Rovi