Meet the Band: Matt Miller (vocals, guitar), Scott Drazdik (drums), and Nick Reinmann (bass).
Kid Rock: Shred Rot formed in September 2010 after the trio met as students at the School of Rock. Seasoned by performances, they made it all the way to the finals of the 2011 Tri-C High School Rock Off.
Music for Outcasts: Miller says their music is all about spreading hope. "None of us were exactly flourishing in the social realm of our lives, but we found ourselves through music," he says. "We want to give off a feeling of hope to anyone who feels they're not good enough or having trouble staying afloat. Sometimes music can get a message across better than words can, and we want to be the ones to deliver that message."
Blame Game: Inspired by the tragic story of a gay high-school student who committed suicide, the Cleveland band's song "Who's to Blame" was adopted by the Trevor Project, a national crisis hotline for LGBT youth.
Why You Should Hear Them: Combining classic-rock punch with alt-rock sting on songs like "Hollow," "Misery," and "Nuthing Extra Special," Shred Rot balance strong melodies with crunching guitar riffs. Their debut album is set for release later this year.
Where You Can Hear Them: reverbnation.com/shredrot
Where You Can See Them: At the Phantasy on July 13. — John Patrick Gatta