Chicago-based outfit Evidence of a Struggle presents their new single ‘Eddy Derecho’, the first offering from their sophomore album by the same name, which will be released on May 9 via The Glue Factory and The Orchard.
Centred around the musings of multi-instrumentalist W P C Simmons V a.k.a. Rev. Billy Simmons, Evidence of a Struggle has grown since releasing their 2023 eponymous album to also involve Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, of1000faces, Garbage, Filter) on drums, synths and bass, and John Airo, who provides visual art for the projects.
Evidence of a Struggle creates lush, cinematic, beautiful and sometimes chaotic compositions. In creating this album, Evidence of a Struggle spent most of 2024 weaving a dense tapestry of sonic, musical, lyrical and visual ”observations” of what’s happening in our world now, what’s happened in the past, and what may happen in the future.
”The music and videos we’ve created for this record have really helped us make sense – personally and as a collective – of what’s going on in our world, how it’s effecting and affecting everyone regardless of their race, religion, color, ability or socioeconomic standing,” says Rev. Billy.
“Maybe our music can help us recognize a better way to approach the idiocy happening in this world. The wars, inequity, inequality, pain, suffering, anger, maybe it can help everyone else really look at themselves a little closer and not become part of the problem”
The new album also sees contributions from several other notable artists, including bassist Alan Berliant (Chris Connelly, Mavis Staples, Saint Asonia) and Solomon Walker (Liz Phair, Bryan Adams, Morrissey, Eastern Shadows, Year of the Rabbit) with Grammy-nominated sound engineer Chris Gelin (Smashing Pumpkins, Trent Reznor, RZA, Tom Morello, Korn) engaged in mastering and post-production, including in-studio assistance at The Glue Factory studio.
‘Eddy Deracho’ is a lyrical departure from Evidence of a Struggle’s debut instrumental album. Rooted honestly within the chaos of our world, it is a loud and thoughtful sonic exploration of our unique ability as a species to harm, destroy, thoughtlessly marginalize, and discard with reckless disregard for anyone or anything outside of our immediate orbit.
“This record brings 13 musical stories of sonic solidarity, woven out of an unfortunate reality and understanding that Evidence of a Struggle is humbly presenting to encourage each one of you again to wake up, look in the mirror, and find a way to fix what we’re still fucking up,” says Rev. Billy.
Transforming into a musical chameleon at night, Rev. Billy’s day to day entails running Rev. Billy’s Chop Shop, a salon with a creative space that regularly showcases artists’ work (declared by Chicago Reader as the city’s best gallery).
Earlier in his journey, Rev. Billy collaborated with RCA artist Ké and artists (like Urge Overkill) on Touch and Go, and other majors like BMG and Universal. In 2020, he returned to music in the midst of lockdown boredom, allowing him a continued creative outlet. Playing every instrument and recording his debut album at The Glue Factory studio, he joined forces with renowned sound engineer Sanford Parker (Voivod, Russian Circles, Yob, Eyehategod, Wovenhand, Darkthrone) for additional production, recording and mastering.
As of February 12, ‘Eddy Derecho’ is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album will be released on vinyl and CD, as well as digitally, on May 9.
ALBUM TRACK LIST
01 Eddy Derecho
02 The Whale
03 Le Caution
04 Alma
05 Coulda
06 Ophan
07 Charity
08 Church Key
09 Bastion
10 Aethyrs
11 Give us a Kiss
12 Earthburner
13 We Want War
LYRICS
The day has come
We knew it would
Exactly like they say
We’ll help you burn it down
And blow it all away
Twist it
Turn it
Lie
And hold it down
Society is carrion
We’ll help you burn it down
And blow it all away
We’ll help you burn it down
And blow it all away
SINGLE CREDITS
All music written by William P C Simmons V (aka Rev. Billy)
William P C Simmons V – Vocals, Guitar, Synth
Matt Walker – Drums, Synth
Alan Berliant – Bass guitar
Recorded at The Glue Factory, Ming Music Studios, and Hypercube
Mixed & produced by Sanford Parker at Hypercube
Mastered by Chris Gelin at Opus Audio Labs.
Cover art and animations for Eddy Derecho by John Airo
Loveless Publishing ASCAP
ISRC code QM4TW2516369
Video and cover artwork by John Airo
Artist photos by Jeremy Glickstein
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR