Los Angeles post-grunge outfit Badflower have gained a meaningful reputation for hard-hitting and melodic rock anthems covering themes around mental health and addiction. Comprising singer/guitarist Josh Katz, guitarist Joey Morrow, bassist Alex Espiritu, and drummer Anthony Sonetti, Badflower's tendency to address human vulnerability makes them a powerful example of how the hard rock genre has evolved in the 21st Century.
Formed in Northridge, California, in 2008, Badflower started out under the name the Cartunes with Katz and Morrow meeting in music school. They soon changed their name and recruited Espiritu and Sonetti to round out the lineup. After gigging around Los Angeles, Badflower found the attention of former NSYNC member Lance Bass, who plugged them on his SiriusXM radio show.
In 2013, Badflower released their debut EP, About A Girl. In 2016, Badflower released their second EP, Temper, via Hundred Handed Inc. The EP featured the single "Animal." In 2018, Badflower had a hit single with "Ghost," which unflinchingly discussed subjects like depression and self-harm.
"Ghost" found a significant audience and peaked at No. 11 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. "Ghost" was also certified Gold by the RIAA. "I was depressed and thinking about self-harm. So I just wrote it," Katz told Loudwire about "Ghost." "I played out the whole scenario and put it into a song because that's what writers do, I suppose. I didn't even know if it was gonna go on the album. I was sorta hesitant to even show it to the rest of my band, but everyone heard it and loved it."
In 2017, Badflower hit the road on the Rock 'N' Roll Now tour alongside Bleeker, Beware Of Darkness and Red Sun Rising. The same year, they began work on their debut studio album, 2019's OK, I'm Sick, which Loudwire named one of the 50 best rock albums of that year. In 2020, Badflower released "30" on Katz's 30th birthday.
Badflower followed up their debut with 2021's This Is How The World Ends, which featured the singles "Family," "Don't Hate Me," "Fukboi," and "Johnny Wants To Fight." Loudwire ranked This Is How The World Ends as the 38th best rock/metal album of 2021. Catch Badflower on tour when they come to a city near you.
