about Bad Press

Austin TX based alt rock trio Bad Press is carving out a fresh lane in modern poprock with a sound that blends emotional grit, melodic hooks, and the restless energy of a band built for big stages. The group consisting of Tanner Loach (vocals), Devlin Manning (bass), and Sebastian Erdman (drums) first came together in Dallas TX during the height of the 2020 pandemic. Dissatisfied with the direction their previous project was heading, the band decided it was time for a change. In 2025 the trio formed Bad Press as a way to break new sonic ground and fulfill creative desires that had long been stifled by the box the previous project had fallen into. 

Progression & Label Interest

Their early years were spent honing their craft in backyard shows and intimate dive bars before a breakout moment arrived: an invitation to open for Bon Jovi at a sold-out American Airlines Center show in April 2022. With growing label interest, the band signed a five-album record deal at the start of 2023 and relocated from Dallas to Austin. After months of working closely with the label’s A&R team, the band realized they needed to refine their sound on their own terms before bringing more voices into the creative process. Choosing artistic integrity over industry pressure, they parted ways amicably with the label in 2024. 

It was then that Bad Press began expanding their creative circle, collaborating with a range of producers out of their home studio in Austin. The band’s first partnership with producer Dan Mackenzie, “Not Done Tonight,” is a bold, hardhitting shift that signaled the arrival of a new era. 

Amid this creative momentum, the band caught the attention of lauded producer Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Asking Alexandria) at Pearl Sound Studios in Detroit. Together, they worked on both the Skeletons EP and their highly anticipated debut album, slated for release in Fall 2026.

Influences 

Bad Press pulls from a wide spectrum of musical DNA, everything from the soulful pulse of Motown to the raw edges of West Coast and East Coast grunge/rock. Each member comes from a different part of the country, bringing their own sonic upbringing into the room, and that blend of backgrounds is a huge part of what shapes the band’s identity. 

Lately, the trio has been especially inspired by artists like InColor, little image, The Band Camino, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Spacey Jane, INXS, and many others. Those influences don’t define their sound so much as fuel it, helping Bad Press carve out something that feels familiar yet distinctly their own. 

What Bad Press Is Doing Now 

At the moment, Bad Press is deep in production mode. They have been shooting music videos for their upcoming releases and planning for tour dates for later this year. The shift into this new chapter of the trio’s musical careers has sparked a flurry of inspiration, and they already have their sights set on preproduction for their next full-length album with many more to come.

What To Expect 

Bad Press is focusing on adding finishing touches to their upcoming releases and experimenting with new ways to make their live shows hit even harder. They want to build real connections with the people who come out to see the band live. More than anything, they hope listeners fall in love with the fruits of years of dedication and purpose evident in their music. Bad Press wants the listener to feel both the ups and the downs, like someone out there is listening to them.