Tropidelic

Tropidelic was formed by founding members Matthew Roads and Kyle Cheuvront[2] while jamming together in the dorms at Kent State University,[3] located in Kent, Ohio, in 2005.[4] After collaborating with rapper Skillzz, the two recruited him as their hype man. Then in 2006, they found bassist Neal Badlato and drummer Rob Patemiter on MySpace. With the band now complete, Tropedelic self-produced their first raw album, Funk Love the same year.[5]

Tropidelic built up a following after they self-distributed over 10,000 free copies of their first self-produced EP, Rebirth of the Dope.[6]

In 2008, the band's self-produced second release, and first studio recording, was Tree City Exodus,[5] named after the city of Kent's nickname. They followed it up with another EP, Erie Vibes & Irie Tides in 2010.

Over the years, the band has evolved through several member changes (the original lineup moved or got married) and the addition of a horn section, led up to their first full-length major-released album, All Heads Unite, being released on November 15, 2012.[7] Special guests featured on the album were Echo Movement, Jul Big Green, Shrub and Alex Fagan.[8]

Since the release of All Heads Unite, Tropidelic has released six additional albums and EPs.[9] Including their follow-up self-produced album Police State, which released on March 21, 2015. It included their first big single "Alcoholic" featuring Brandon Hardesty of Bumpin Uglies and their second single "If I Die Tomorrow" with Zach Fowler of Sun-Dried Vibes.

Tropidelic released their third independent album, Go Down With The Ship on April 2, 2016 and featured the songs "Bad Cookie" and "Too Loose". Later that year on December 2, The Hard North (EP) was released. It featured two new tracks plus remixes of their previous songs.

Their fourth album, Heavy is the Head, was released on November 10, 2017 on Pepper's LAW Records[10][11] and reached #3 on the Billboard charts on December 2, 2017.[12] The band won Reggae 360's inaugural contest for Album of the Year in 2017 with their Heavy Is The Head album. [13]

Tropidelic's fifth album, Here in the Heights was released on June 7, 2019 through Ineffable Music Group. This full-length album features other notable artists such as Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Howi Spangler of Ballyhoo!, and Zach Deputy, among others.[14] Here in the Heights peaked at #2 on the Billboard reggae charts on June 22, 2019.[15] The band also finished out 2019 by releasing a five-track EP, Flyover Renaissance, with Ineffable Music Group on December 13, 2019.[16]

Tropidelic's latest album, titled Of Illusion was released on November 13, 2020. It features artists Bumpin Uglies, Devin the Dude, Dirty Heads, The Elovaters, Matisyahu, and Shwayze. Of Illusion was Reggae 360's 2020 Album of the Year winner. The album went up against Arise Roots Pathways album in a tournament-style bracket in the final round.

Tropidelic has been featured at Electric Forest Festival,[17] California Roots Music & Art Festival,[18] 311 Caribbean Cruise VI,[19] and Warped Tour.[20] Since 2017, Tropidelic has also hosted their own annual grassroots music festival,[21] The Freakstomp Music Festival.[22]

Tropidelic started hosting a music festival in 2017. The Freakstomp Music Festival is named after their song "Freakstomp" off of their 2015 album Police State and is hosted in annually in August. After hosting the first two events in Medina, Ohio, the event has most recently moved to Clear Fork Adventure Park in Butler, Ohio. The weekend event hosts national and local acts, including artists such as Too Many Zooz, Bumpin Uglies, Mike Pinto, and Afroman.[23][24][25]

Current members:[28]

• Matthew "Roads" Andrle: Lead Vocals/Guitar (2005–present)
• James Begin: Vocals/Trombone (2012–present)
• Bobby "Chronic" Markouc: Lead Guitar (2012–present)
• David "Pags" Paglisotti: Bass (2012–present)
• Rex Larkman: Drums (2017–present)
• Derek McBryde: Trumpet (2012–present)

Former members:[29]

• Kyle "Chevontez" Chevoront: Guitar (2005–2010)
• Eric "Skillzz" Steckel: Rapper (2005–2010)
• Neal Badlato: Bass (2006–2010)
• Rob Patemiter: Drums (2006–2010)
• Darrick Willis: Drums (2012–2017)
• Tim Younessi: Saxophone (2016)
• Frank Toncar: Keyboard, Saxophone and Percussion (2017)

• Official website