Honey Revenge is an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in 2021. The band consists of lead vocalist Devin Papadol and guitarist Donovan Lloyd. Formed after Lloyd moved to Los Angeles from Georgia and joined a five-piece band Papadol was in, the pair continued working together after the other three members left, and released their debut album, Retrovision, in June 2023.

Honey Revenge
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Years active2021–present
LabelsThriller Records
Members
  • Devin Papadol
  • Donovan Lloyd
Websitehoneyrevenge.com

History edit

2021-2022: Formation and early singles edit

While studying at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Devin Papadol formed a band with four of her classmates, which achieved minor local success; one video, of the band performing at a skate shop,[1] went viral. One of the video's viewers was Donovan Lloyd,[2] who had been the guitarist as a freshman in high school with several seniors in high school, and was about to move to Los Angeles from Georgia.[3] They[4] contacted the band to ask if they knew of any bands in need of guitarists; as it happened, the band had just lost theirs, so Lloyd sent in an audition video.[2]

Initially a five-piece, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted three of its remaining members to leave.[2] In 2021,[5] Papadol and Lloyd released their debut single, "Miss Me", under the name "Honey Revenge";[6] their name, which took Papadol and Lloyd six months to decide upon, was intended to describe the aesthetic of the band, as Papadol had wanted to make pop rock, and wanted something cutesy but rigid.[7] The song had been initially written by Papadol while in her previous band three and a half years earlier,[2] and featured a voicemail from the song's subject;[8] the track's release was delayed so the band had a collection of singles ready.[9]

2022-present: Retrovision edit

In June 2022, the band released "Distracted" alongside a music video,[5] before signing to Thriller Records and releasing "Ride" the following August, a track about experiencing good things after low periods.[10] A November 2022 single, "Rerun",[11] was part of a batch of singles produced between making "Miss Me" and releasing it,[9] and was written about Papadol's pandemic experience of living the same day repeatedly.[2] In February 2023, the band released "Are You Impressed?", a track about the stresses of the internet, alongside a music video.[12] The following month, they announced their debut album Retrovision,[13] and released "Airhead", Papadol's take on her own impulsive thinking.[14]

In April 2023, it was announced that Honey Revenge would support Arrows in Action on tour,[15] and later that month the band released a further Retrovision single, "Worst Apology", about stubborn people.[16] A further single, "Favorite Song", was released from the same album that May and was a sarcastic track about an intermittent texter.[17] In June 2023, the pair released Retrovision, which received positive reviews from Kerrang![18] and Distorted Sound Magazine, and which included "Distracted", "Rerun",[19] "Are You Impressed?",[18] "Worst Apology", "Favourite Song", and "Habitual",[19] the last of which a music video was released for.[20]

In October 2023, it was announced that they would support Meet Me at the Altar on their "Say It To My Face" North American Tour,[21] and in March 2024, they announced that they would tour that May.[22] That month, they released "Recipe For Disaster", which had been written on a TikTok Live around the same time as "Habitual" and "Favourite Song" about Papadol's emotions around the time of the band's first tour, and announced an extended version of Retrovision.[23]

Artistry edit

In January 2023, Papadol used an interview with Rock Sound to assert that her biggest inspirations were You Me at Six, Paramore, The Band Camino, and "Disney rock" such as Hannah Montana, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, and Aly & AJ.[7] She sung on stage with Paramore on 19 June 2018, after the band's lead singer Hayley Williams invited audience members on stage to sing "Misery Business".[24] She used a May 2023 interview with Dork to assert that she spent much of her teenage years infatuated with Sleeping with Sirens and was so obsessed with Paramore's "Turn It Off" that she created an email account incorporating its lyric, while Lloyd used it to assert that they took up the guitar after playing Guitar Hero and that they wanted to become a live guitarist after seeing State Champs in concert.[3]

In an interview with Kerrang! in June 2023, Papadol stated that her "first introductions" to music were the "punk-rock chicks" Hannah Montana and Demi Lovato and the "edgier pop" of P!nk and Katy Perry and that she was also influenced by Paramore and the metalcore scene, while Lloyd told the publication that they were influenced by shapeshifting "chameleon" bands such as You Me at Six and Pierce the Veil.[4] Scene Queen is a fan of the band.[25]

Members edit

Band members

  • Devin Papadol – lead vocals (2021–present)[10]
  • Donovan Lloyd – guitar (2021–present)[10]

References edit

  1. ^ Teggert, Linsey (2023-06-26). "Honey Revenge: "Confidence is a state of mind"". Dork. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  2. ^ a b c d e Taylor, Sam (1 December 2022). "ABOUT TO BREAK: HONEY REVENGE". Dork. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b Dork (2023-05-11). "Check out Honey Revenge's Teenage Kicks playlist, feat. Paramore, You Me At Six, Sleeping With Sirens and more". Dork. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  4. ^ a b "Honey Revenge: "Bands who don't provide safe spaces are f*cking up big time"". Kerrang!. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b Weaver, James (29 June 2022). "Honey Revenge release new music video for 'Distracted'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Honey Revenge". Deaf New. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  7. ^ a b Rock Sound (2023-01-06). Honey Revenge's Devin On 'Rerun', 'Distracted' & Album Plans | Interview. Retrieved 2024-05-25 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Sanders, Naomi (2023-07-23). "Honey Revenge: Presented In Retrovision". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  9. ^ a b McGonigal, Caitlyn (2023-03-29). "The Genius of Honey Revenge, & Why They Deserve All The Buzz". Ascribe Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  10. ^ a b c Carter, Emily (19 August 2022). "Listen to Honey Revenge's summery new single Ride". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Listen to Honey Revenge's relatable new single, Rerun". Kerrang!. 2022-11-11. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  12. ^ Carter, Emily (17 February 2023). "Honey Revenge share new single and video, Are You Impressed?". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  13. ^ Carter, Emily (23 March 2023). "Honey Revenge announce debut album, Retrovision". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  14. ^ Weaver, James (26 March 2023). "Honey Revenge announce debut album 'Retrovision'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  15. ^ Vigil, Dom (17 April 2023). "Arrows in Action Announce Headlining Tour Dates". Prelude Press. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  16. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (28 April 2023). "Honey Revenge Drop Spiky, Danceable New Single 'Worst Apology'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  17. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (26 May 2023). "Honey Revenge Drop Their New 'Favorite Song'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Album review: Honey Revenge – Retrovision". Kerrang!. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  19. ^ a b Bird, Katie (2023-06-20). "ALBUM REVIEW: Retrovision - Honey Revenge". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  20. ^ Taylor, Sam (2023-06-23). "Honey Revenge have announced their first UK show, and shared a new video for 'Habitual'". Dork. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  21. ^ "Meet Me @ the Altar Will Kick Off 2024 With 'Say It to My Face' North American Tour". Rolling Stone. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  22. ^ Taylor, Sam. "HONEY REVENGE HAVE BOOKED A NEW UK TOUR FOR SPRING". Dork. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  23. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (2024-05-24). "Honey Revenge are cooking up a 'Recipe For Disaster'". Dork. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  24. ^ "Singer Credits Paramore Fan Moment Onstage for Changing Her Career". Loudwire. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  25. ^ Taylor, Sam (2023-02-03). "About To Break 2023: Scene Queen". Dork. Retrieved 2024-05-25.