Kill Hannah
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Mat Devine |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles, DVDs |
Kill Hannah was a rock ensemble originating from Chicago, Illinois, established in 1993. Throughout their career, the group produced six studio albums, seven EPs, two compilation albums, and three DVD releases.
History
The inception of Kill Hannah dates back to 1993 when singer and songwriter Mat Devine founded the band. Its name was inspired by Devine’s former girlfriend. Prior to this, Devine was involved in a group called In a Jar UK as a vocalist and guitarist. Following his breakup with Hannah, Devine distributed stickers bearing the name "Kill Hannah" on In a Jar UK’s 7" records. Between 1996 and 2000, all studio albums, EPs, promotional materials, and demos were financed by entertainment attorney Jack Daulton.
In late 2002, Kill Hannah secured a contract with Atlantic Records under the management of Steve Hutton. Their debut album for Atlantic, For Never & Ever, was recorded in Los Angeles during the winter of 2003 with producer Sean Beavan and mixer Tim Palmer. This record included reimagined versions of earlier tracks alongside songs performed live. Although a music video for "Unwanted" was created, it was only distributed as an online clip in 2006. The band's sophomore Atlantic release, Until There's Nothing Left of Us, came out on August 1, 2006, in the US and later on March 24 in the UK through Roadrunner Records. Collectively, these Atlantic albums have sold upwards of 100,000 copies.
Between 2003 and 2007, Kill Hannah embarked on extensive tours alongside groups such as Chevelle, HIM, Papa Roach, and AFI, while also serving as opening acts for notable artists including Jane's Addiction, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and The All-American Rejects.
The track "Kennedy" gained notable attention through appearances on Last Call with Carson Daly and inclusion in television programs like One Tree Hill.
During their European tour titled Hope for the Hopeless in October 2008, Kill Hannah experienced a setback when their tour bus caught fire in Switzerland. This incident resulted in the loss of most personal items and led to show cancellations in Paris and Belgium. The band resumed touring shortly thereafter in England.
In an interview from 2008, Mat Devine revealed intentions to create a follow-up album to Hope for the Hopeless with a heavier and more intense sound, expressing eagerness to produce a focused record.
Guitarist Jonathan Radtke was absent for part of the 2008 European tour; during this period, Tom Schleiter from Powerspace substituted for him. Radtke eventually departed from the band to pursue other ventures, as confirmed by bassist Greg Corner.
Following a change in their record label affiliation, Kill Hannah canceled their Spring 2009 UK tour to meet deadlines for their upcoming album Wake Up the Sleepers, planned for release in summer. Their subsequent fall US tour was abruptly ended after their van and equipment were stolen in Philadelphia.
Michael Maddox joined the band as guitarist in August 2009 and took part in tours thereafter.
In June 2010, Kill Hannah toured alongside Smashing Pumpkins at a series of smaller US venues.
On October 3, 2010, the group's traditional "New Heart for Xmas" concert in Chicago was postponed due to Mat Devine’s commitments on Broadway combined with scheduling conflicts among band members.
The eighth installment of "New Heart For Xmas" took place on October 11, 2011, at The Bottom Lounge in Chicago featuring opening acts Awaken the Empire and Comasoft. Additionally, the band performed an intimate "Storytellers" session at JBTV studios.
Mat Devine announced plans for releasing new material in 2012. Several new compositions were performed live during 2013 but have not been officially released.
On August 6, 2015, Kill Hannah declared via their Facebook page that their farewell performance would occur at The Metro in Chicago on December 19, 2015. This event marked their twentieth anniversary celebration under New Heart For Christmas X.
Current Roster
- Mat Devine – lead vocalist
- Dan Wiese – rhythm guitarist, backing vocals
- Greg Corner – bassist
- Elias Mallin – drummer
- Jonathan Radtke – lead guitarist, backing vocals
Past Members
- Garrett Hammond – drums
- James Connelly – drums
- Allen Morgenstern – bass guitar
- Daniel Wenberg – drums
- Michael Lee – drums
- Isaac Bender – guitar, keyboards
- Kerry Finerty – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Michael Maddox – lead guitar (touring only)
- Mikey Way – bass (touring only)
Full-Length Albums
| Release Year | Album Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Beauty in Sinking Ships | Independently released |
| 1998 | Here Are the Young Moderns | Independently released |
| 1999 | American Jet Set | Baby Doll Records (CD), Arcadeltic Records (iTunes) |
| 2003 | For Never & Ever | Atlantic Records |
| 2006 | Until There's Nothing Left of Us | Atlantic Records |
| 2008 | Hope for the Hopeless | Independently released |
| 2009 | Wake Up the Sleepers | Original Signal Recordings/Universal Motown Records |
Extended Plays (EPs)
| Release Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Hummingbirds the Size of Bullets | Independently released |
| Sleeping Like Electric Eels | Independently released | |
| 1997 | Stunt Pilots | Independently released |
| 2001 | Unreleased Cuts 2000/2001 | Independently released |
| 2002 | Kill Hannah Tour EP | Independently released |
| 2006 | Lips Like Morphine EP | Atlantic Records |
Compilation Albums
| 2004 | The Curse of Kill Hannah | Independently released |
Promotional Releases
- Lovesick/Nerve Gas (cassette promo; 1997)
- "All That He Wants (American Jet Set)" (3-track single; 1999)
- "Welcome to Chicago, Motherfucker" (single track; 2000)
- Kill Hannah Sampler ("Kennedy"/"Big Shot" excerpts; 2003)
- "Kennedy" (single track; 2003)
- 1993–1999 (5-track CD featuring four early songs plus "Goodnight, Goodbye"; 2003)
- "A New Heart for Christmas" (single track; 2003)
- "Lips Like Morphine" (single track; 2006)
- "Lips Like Morphine" Remixes (2006)
- "Crazy Angel" Remixes (2007)
- "Boys and Girls" (promotional three-track single; 2008)
- "New York City Speed" Remixes (iTunes maxi-single; June 2010)
- "Promise Me" (four-track single; February 7, 2011)
Video Releases
- Welcome to Chicago (December 2005)
- New Heart for X-Mas 6 limited edition (December 2008)
- Seize the Days (December 2008)
Singles
| Year | Track Title | US Hot 100 Chart Position | U.S. Modern Rock Chart Position | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Nerve Gas" | — | — | Trendy Compilation |
| 1999 | "Hummingbirds the Size of Bullets" | — | — | Hummingbirds the Size of Bullets |
| 2003 | "Kennedy" | — | — | For Never & Ever |
| 2006 | "Lips Like Morphine" | — | 35 | Until There's Nothing Left of Us |
|- |"Boys and Girls" ||— ||— |"For Never & Ever" |- |"Strobe Lights" ||— ||— |"Wake Up the Sleepers" |- |"Promise Me" ||— ||— |"Wake Up the Sleepers" |- |"Why I Have My Grandma's Sad Eyes" ||— ||— |"Wake Up the Sleepers" |-
External links
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups founded in 1993 in Illinois
- Illinois musical groups disbanded in 2015
- Alternative rock bands from Chicago
- Artists signed to Atlantic Records
- American electronic rock bands
- Bands that ended in 2015
- Musical acts formed in 1993
- Roadrunner Records artists
- Universal Motown Records artists
- Musical groups disestablished in 2015