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, which reissued their 2008 sophomore LP, Lipstick on the Mirror, 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) was considered by the bandmembers to be their best release. In 2018 the group dropped its eponymous sixth studio long-player. ~ Corey Apar & Andy Kellman