Beartooth

Seeking another creative outlet, Caleb Shomo, the frontman for Attack! Attack!, an Emo/Metalcore band, founded the Punk/Metal Beartooth. But as often happens, a side project becomes the main focus – which resulted in Shomo’s departure from Attack! Attack!

After Beartooth’s debut EP “Sick,” where Shomo sang, produced and played all the instruments, he decided for form a band.

The original Beartooth line-up had Shomo, guitarist Taylor Lumley, bassist Nick Reed and drummer Brandon Mullins.

“We just want to make fun, Punk-Rock, Hardcore, wild music, play crazy shows and have a good time without any pressure from anything,” stated Shomo.

Prior to the ’14 release of the group’s debut full-length set, “Disgusting,” City Lights guitarist Kamron Bradbury was added and Reed was replaced by another City Lights vet, bassist Oshie Bichar for a U.S. tour.

“Disgusting,” went to #6 on the U.S. Hard Rock chart. It also cracked the Top 20 in the Indie and Rock chart. The set peaked at #20 in the U.K.

Two songs from the album, “Beaten Lips” and “In Between,” landed on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The latter was certified gold by the RIAA.

In Between

Beartooth played a date on the ’13 Van’s Warped Tour. A year later, they were featured on the entire trek.

Appearances at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the U.K. were followed by an opening slot on Slipknot’s tour. Beartooth closed out the year with a U.K. headlining trek.

Next, drummer Brandon Mullins bailed prior to the release of the group’s ’16 sophomore set “Aggressive,” which debuted at #25 on the Billboard 200, but went to #1 on the Alternative Albums chart. That was enough to warrant a deluxe edition of the album, containing bonus tracks and an acoustic version of “Hated,” the breakthrough single that went to #5 on the Rock Radio chart.

Hated (Original Version)

Hated (Acoustic)

Lumley exited two years later to focus more “on my life and my art.”

Months later, Shomo took to Twitter to introduce two new members: former Like Moths To Flames guitarist Zach Huston and touring drummer Connor Denis.

Moving forward, Beartooth released its third album, “Disease.” “I would say sonic photo album is the best way to describe this record,” Shomo offered. “”I wanted to get a different vibe on this record.” The ’18 set was produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Deftones, KoЯn, Foo Fighters) at BlackBird studio in Franklin, TN.

The Past Is Dead

In ’20, Beartooth shared that their longtime guitarist Kamron Bradbury had left for personal reasons. Touring guitarist Will Deely stepped in.”Below” arrived a year later.

“‘Below’ is by far my favorite album I’ve made to date,” claimed Shomo. The set included the single “The Past Is Dead.”

Shortly after the release of the Beartooth’s fourth studio effort, the band unveiled “The Journey Below,” a Z2 Comics’ graphic novel that served as a prequel to the album.

Five singles were released from the band’s fifth album “The Surface.” “Might Love Myself,” the band’s first Mainstream Rock #1, “The Better Me,” which featured Country singer/songwriter Hardy and “I Was Alive” were highlights.

Might Like Myself

The Better Me

I Was Alive

In the run-up to the ’26 release of “Pure Ecstasy,” the band released a set of singles – the title track, “Free” and “Bullshit.” Shomo had the following to say about each.

“‘Pure Ecstasy’ was birthed in a studio with (guitarist) Misha Mansoor, ridiculous loudspeakers, and the dumbest heaviest chugs we could chug. Once it was brought home and expanded on with (producer) Jordan Fish, there was no question it was the album opener. Play loud and kick ass.”

Pure Ecstasy

“‘Free’ is the start of the next chapter of my music and my life. The emotional roller coaster that is living can be very complicated at times. In one day you can equally experience pure fear and pure joy.”

“‘Bullshit’ is a familiar song I’ve written many times. I wanted to revisit the musical style that was the catalyst of so much healing and discovery in my earlier years of Beartooth. It’s an exercise in letting the truth out about what you’re sick of in your own life. it felt as amazing to do this exercise now as I’d did when I was 19.”