Beartooth has carved a unique and deeply personal space within the modern rock landscape. Emerging from the basement of frontman Caleb Shomo, the project evolved from a solitary creative outlet into a globally recognized force in metalcore, hard rock, and post-hardcore. Characterized by its raw lyrical honesty, visceral instrumentation, and explosive live performances, Beartooth has cultivated a dedicated fanbase that connects with its themes of mental health, struggle, and ultimate perseverance. The band’s journey is one of sonic evolution and thematic depth, securing its place as a significant voice for a generation of listeners and a frequent feature in playlists for events like the Pittsburgh Emo Night.
Formation and Early Era
The genesis of Beartooth is intrinsically linked to Caleb Shomo’s experiences in his previous band, the electronicore outfit Attack Attack!. As a member of that group, Shomo felt an increasing need for a more direct and unfiltered musical outlet to process his struggles with depression and anxiety, free from collaborative compromises or genre constraints.
Origins and Formation
In 2012, while still a member of Attack Attack!, Caleb Shomo began writing songs for a new project, initially called “Noise.” This was intended as a personal endeavor, a way to create aggressive, punk-infused music without any intention of forming a full band or performing live. Shomo handled all vocals, instrumentation, and production himself in his home studio. After departing from Attack Attack! late in 2012, he dedicated his full attention to this new venture. Discovering the name “Noise” was already taken, he renamed the project Beartooth, a nod to Bear Tooth Court, a street where a former bandmate grew up.
The initial Beartooth material was released online for free, consisting of tracks like “Set Me on Fire,” “I Have a Problem,” and “Pick Your Poison.” These songs quickly generated significant online buzz, showcasing a raw, chaotic energy that blended elements of hardcore punk and metal. The sound was a stark departure from the electronic-heavy sound of his previous work, favoring punishing riffs, frantic drumming, and Shomo’s signature combination of melodic singing and ferocious, cathartic screams. The overwhelming positive response prompted Shomo to assemble a live lineup to perform the material, transforming his studio project into a tangible band.
Early Discography
The band’s first official release was the EP titled Sick, which arrived on July 26, 2013, via Red Bull Records. The four-track EP, which included the incendiary “I Have a Problem,” was a concise and powerful mission statement. Shomo wrote, performed, produced, mixed, and mastered the entire EP himself, establishing a precedent of creative control that would define the band’s recording process for years to come. Sick was a critical success in the underground scene, praised for its authenticity and raw emotion. It laid the groundwork for the band’s debut full-length album and solidified its identity as a vessel for Shomo’s unfiltered expressions.
Following the EP’s release, Beartooth embarked on extensive touring, including a spot on the 2013 Vans Warped Tour. Their live shows quickly became a cornerstone of their reputation, lauded for their chaotic energy and Shomo’s commanding stage presence. This early period was crucial for building a grassroots following and proving that the intensity of the recordings could be replicated—and even amplified—in a live setting.
The Mainstream Breakthrough
Building on the momentum of their early work and relentless touring, Beartooth was poised for a larger breakthrough. Their debut album served as the catalyst that propelled them from an underground curiosity to a prominent name in the alternative music scene.
Pivotal Album(s) and Lineup Changes
On June 10, 2014, Beartooth released their debut full-length album, Disgusting. Like the EP, the album was almost entirely a solo effort from Shomo in the studio. Disgusting was a harrowing and deeply personal record, with lyrics that delved unflinchingly into Shomo’s battles with depression, eating disorders, and self-loathing. Tracks like the lead single “Beaten in Lips,” which confronts the trauma of child abuse, and the anthemic “In Between,” which explores the feeling of being caught between hope and despair, resonated powerfully with listeners.
Musically, the album was a masterclass in controlled chaos, blending the ferocity of hardcore with the melodic sensibilities of pop-punk and the heavy grooves of metalcore. The album received widespread critical acclaim for its raw power and lyrical vulnerability. It was during this period that the live band began to solidify, though it would see several changes. The initial touring lineup included guitarists Taylor Lumley and Kamron Bradbury, bassist Nick Reed, and drummer Brandon Mullins. Reed would depart in 2014, with Oshie Bichar taking over bass duties and becoming a core member.
Achieving Critical and Commercial Success
Disgusting was a commercial success, debuting on the Billboard 200 chart and establishing Beartooth as a significant new act. The album’s impact was amplified by the band’s relentless touring schedule, sharing stages with acts like Of Mice & Men, Bring Me The Horizon, and Slipknot, and securing a full run on the 2015 Vans Warped Tour. The success of the album demonstrated a widespread audience for music that was both brutally heavy and emotionally transparent. The band’s raw and honest approach provided a cathartic experience that is often celebrated at events like Emo Night Pittsburgh, where fans gather to connect with music that speaks to genuine life struggles.
Musical Evolution and Key Events
Following the success of their debut, Beartooth faced the challenge of evolving their sound while retaining the raw authenticity that defined them. The subsequent years were marked by sonic experimentation, further lineup changes, and a deepening of lyrical themes.
Mid-career Albums and Sonic Shifts
The band’s sophomore album, Aggressive, was released on June 3, 2016. The album title was a direct reflection of its sound, which saw Beartooth lean into a more refined, riff-centric hard rock and metalcore style. While still intensely personal, the lyrical focus shifted slightly from pure introspection to a more defiant and confrontational tone on tracks like “Hated” and the title track. Songs like “Sick of Me” continued to explore mental health but with a newfound sense of empowerment. Aggressive was more polished than its predecessor, with bigger choruses and a more structured approach to songwriting, yet it retained the band’s signature ferocity. It was another commercial success, charting higher than Disgusting and spawning several successful singles.
Their third album, Disease, released on September 28, 2018, marked another significant step. For this record, Shomo collaborated with an outside producer, Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones), for the first time to track the instruments in a professional studio, though Shomo retained primary production control. The album was conceived as a direct confrontation with the “disease” of depression. It is arguably the band’s most focused and thematically cohesive work, blending the raw emotion of Disgusting with the polished musicianship of Aggressive. The album’s sound is a dynamic mix of hardcore punk intensity (“Bad Listener”), anthemic rock (“Disease”), and melodic vulnerability (“Clever”).
Hiatus, Reunions, or Significant Member Departures
Beartooth has not had any official hiatus periods, maintaining a consistent cycle of recording and touring. However, the band’s lineup has continued to evolve. Drummer Brandon Mullins departed in 2016 and was replaced by Connor Denis. In 2018, founding guitarist Taylor Lumley left the band and was replaced by Zach Huston, formerly of Like Moths to Flames. In 2020, rhythm guitarist Kamron Bradbury also departed. Despite these changes, the core creative vision, driven by Caleb Shomo, has remained unwavering, with Oshie Bichar and Connor Denis becoming long-term, stable members of the touring and creative unit.
Modern Era
In recent years, Beartooth has continued to push their creative boundaries, releasing some of their most critically and commercially successful work while solidifying their status as a leading act in modern rock.
Recent Albums and Contemporary Activity
Released on June 25, 2021, Below represented the band’s heaviest and darkest album to date. Written during the isolation of the 2020 pandemic, the album is a visceral and suffocating exploration of anxiety and despair. Shomo infused the record with a gritty, sludgy, and doom-metal-influenced sound, built on heavily down-tuned, fuzz-drenched guitar riffs. Tracks like “Devastation” and “The Past Is Dead” are relentless in their sonic assault, while the album as a whole serves as a cathartic release of pent-up negative energy. Below was praised by critics as a bold and powerful statement.
In a remarkable thematic pivot, Beartooth followed their darkest album with their most optimistic. The Surface, released on October 13, 2023, chronicles Shomo’s journey out of the darkness documented on previous albums. The album is a celebration of self-love, mental health recovery, and finding joy. While retaining the band’s heavy foundation, the album incorporates brighter, more melodic, and even pop-influenced elements. The lead single “Riptide” signaled this shift with its life-affirming message. The album also featured the band’s first-ever collaboration, a track with country-rock artist HARDY titled “The Better Me.” The Surface proved to be a landmark achievement, earning the band their first No. 1 single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with “Might Love Myself.” The album showcases a mature and evolved Beartooth, unafraid to explore new sonic territories while staying true to their core message of honesty and resilience.
Cultural Impact and Connection to the Scene
Beartooth’s influence extends beyond their album sales and chart positions. The band has had a profound impact on the modern metalcore and hard rock scenes, primarily through their unwavering commitment to lyrical transparency.
Influence on Their Primary Genres
Within metalcore, hardcore punk, and alternative rock, Beartooth revitalized the focus on raw, personal storytelling. At a time when many bands in the scene were focused on technicality or more abstract concepts, Beartooth brought the conversation back to the raw nerve of human emotion. Caleb Shomo’s willingness to put his struggles at the forefront of his music has empowered countless fans and inspired other artists to be more open about their own experiences with mental health. They have proven that commercial success and artistic integrity are not mutually exclusive and that music can be both brutally heavy and emotionally vulnerable.
Relevance in Nostalgia Events like Emo Night Pittsburgh
While Beartooth’s primary genre is not strictly “emo,” their music shares the same foundational pillar: raw, emotional, and cathartic expression. The lyrical content of their entire discography, from the pain of Disgusting to the hope of The Surface, resonates deeply with audiences who seek music as an outlet for their own feelings. This is why their songs have become anthems at events like the Pittsburgh Emo Night. At a Pittsburgh Emo Night, the collective energy is built around singing along to songs that matter, songs that have helped people through difficult times. Beartooth’s music, with its powerful choruses and deeply relatable themes, fits perfectly within this ethos, bridging the gap between the metalcore scene and the emotionally-driven core of the emo and pop-punk communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beartooth
What year was Beartooth formed?
Caleb Shomo began writing music for the project in 2012, which is considered its formation year. The project was formalized with a live band and a record deal in 2013.
Who is the lead singer and primary songwriter of Beartooth?
Caleb Shomo is the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist for Beartooth. In the studio, he writes, records, and produces nearly all of the music himself.
What is Beartooth’s most commercially successful album?
While all of their albums have charted well, The Surface (2023) achieved a significant milestone by producing the band’s first-ever No. 1 single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart with “Might Love Myself.”
Has the lineup of Beartooth changed over the years?
Yes, the band has had several lineup changes, particularly in its early years. However, the core of the band has been creatively driven by Caleb Shomo since its inception. The current lineup consists of Caleb Shomo (vocals), Oshie Bichar (bass), Connor Denis (drums), and Zach Huston (lead guitar).
What genre of music is Beartooth?
Beartooth’s music is most often classified as metalcore and hard rock. However, their sound incorporates a wide range of influences, including hardcore punk, post-hardcore, alternative rock, and, on recent material, even pop and country elements.
