EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE – “EDDY DERECHO”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE
Last year we introduced our readers to the debut album from Chicago alternative rock outfit Evidence of a Struggle and we are pleased to once again be the first to get behind their new single “Eddy Derecho”. This happens to be the first offering from their sophomore album, out May 9 via The Glue Factory and The Orchard.
Evidence of a Struggle, a project that has largely centered around the musings of multi-instrumentalist W P C Simmons V (aka Rev. Billy Simmons), has ascended to a new level. Since their 2023 eponymous release, the band has expanded to include music luminary Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, of1000faces, Garbage, Filter) on drums, synths, and bass, solidifying their place among the elite. Walker’s addition, alongside visual artist John Airo, elevates Evidence of a Struggle into a truly exceptional creative force.
Clearly, with this new release, Evidence of a Struggle has undergone a dramatic transformation, most notably with the introduction of vocals (their debut album was all instrumental with the exception of one track). The band has unleashed a raw, emotionally charged dimension to their work, a cathartic outpouring that demands to be heard. Conjuring breathtaking, widescreen, and frequently exquisitely turbulent soundscapes, “Eddy Derecho” seizes your attention with an undeniable, instinctual grip.
Their newest single, a visceral and in-your-face reflection of the current aggressive American zeitgeist, exemplifies this perfectly. Weaving a dense tapestry of sonic, musical, lyrical and visual “observations” for their upcoming album, Evidence of a Struggle explores what’s happening now, what’s occurred before, and what the future might hold.
”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.
“Eddy Derecho” will be available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album will be released on vinyl, CD and digitally on May 9.
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
Video and cover artwork by John Airo
Artist photos by Jeremy Glickstein
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
And for their previous single “Keep It” and self-titled debut album:
Evidence Of A Struggle
[Single]
(The Glue Factory/The Orchard)
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Jeremy Glickstein
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