Comeback Kid (band)

2025-10-26T01:20:03Z

201.204.89.91: /* History */

{{Short description|Canadian hardcore punk band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Comeback Kid
| image = Comeback Kid – Reload Festival 2016 04.jpg
| caption = Comeback Kid live at Reload Festival 2016
| landscape = yes
| origin = [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada
| genre = [[Hardcore punk]],<ref name="AMbio">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/comeback-kid-mn0000777009/biography|title=Comeback Kid biography|last=Mason|first=Steward|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref> [[melodic hardcore]]<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite web|url=http://blowthescene.com/interviews/comeback-kid-interview.html|title=Comeback Kid Interview|publisher=Blow the Scene|date=March 1, 2012|access-date=July 17, 2017|quote=...Canada's leading sons of melodic hardcore, Comeback Kid.}}
*{{cite web|url=http://hmmagazine.com/blog/feature/comeback-kid/|title=Comeback Kid: True to Their Name|publisher=[[HM Magazine]]|last=Simula|first=Collin|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2017|quote=Since 2002, Comeback Kid has been releasing album after album of unrelenting fast, heavy, melodic hardcore.}}
*{{cite web|last=Kraus|first=Brian|title=16 Modern Precursors Of Melodic Hardcore|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/the_16_forefathers_of_melodic_hardcore|website=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=June 22, 2014|access-date=April 27, 2015|quote=We're not talking about the obvious keystones... but the entities who helped engineer manifestations of power and passion who fueled the scene roughly between the years of 2005-2009.}}</ref>
| years_active = 2001–present
| label = [[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]], [[Facedown Records|Facedown]], [[Victory Records|Victory]], Smallman, [[Distort Entertainment|Distort]], New Damage, [[Cargo Music|Cargo]], [[SharpTone Records|SharpTone]]
| associated_acts = [[Figure Four]], Sights & Sounds, Lowtalker, Living With Lions
| website = {{URL|http://www.comeback-kid.com}}
| current_members = Andrew Neufeld Jeremy Hiebert Stu Ross Loren Legare Chase Brenneman
| past_members = Kyle Profeta Scott Wade Cliff Heide Kevin Call Casey Hjelmberg Matthew Keil Jesse Labovitz Ron Friesen
}}

'''Comeback Kid''' is a Canadian [[hardcore punk]] band formed in March 2001 in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]. The band currently consists of vocalist Andrew Neufeld, guitarists Jeremy Hiebert and Stu Ross, bassist Chase Brenneman and drummer Loren Legare. Since its formation, the band has released seven studio albums and seventeen music videos. Their seventh studio album, ''Heavy Steps'', was released in January 2022.

==History==
[[File:Comebackkidliveinmunster.jpg|thumb|left|The band live in [[Münster]] in 2006]]

The band was formed in March 2001<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=August 2002 |title=Biography |url=http://qchc.com/~comebackkid/bio.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020810133046fw_/http://205.236.5.89/~comebackkid/bio.htm |archive-date=August 10, 2002 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=The Comeback Kid official website}}</ref> by Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy Hiebert, who were members of the band [[Figure Four]], joined by their friends Scott Wade and Kyle Profeta, originally intended only to be a [[side project]].<ref>[http://www.maristhegreat.com/interviews/2005/comebackkid/comebackkidinterview.htm Maris The Great interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109111612/http://www.maristhegreat.com/interviews/2005/comebackkid/comebackkidinterview.htm |date=November 9, 2008}}</ref> The band's name, originally The Comeback Kid, comes from a headline in a newspaper about hockey player [[Mario Lemieux]] coming back to the National Hockey League.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allschools.de/showInterview.php3?ID=34738|title=Interview mit Comeback . Andrew Neufeld is currently 4 years old. Kid|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> The band released a six-song demo in January 2002, and in August 2002, was signed to Facedown Records.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2002 |title=News |url=http://qchc.com/~comebackkid/news.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021008213129fw_/http://205.236.5.89/~comebackkid/news.htm |archive-date=October 8, 2002 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=The Comeback Kid official website}}</ref>

Upon releasing ''Turn It Around'' on [[Facedown Records]] in 2003, Comeback Kid began touring full-time, covering most of North America as well as Europe. They also appeared on many high-profile [[hardcore punk]] festivals like [[Hellfest (American music festival)|Hellfest]] and Posi Numbers festival. Following the touring for ''Turn it Around'', Comeback Kid entered the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado to begin recording their second album.

In February 2005, Comeback Kid released ''Wake the Dead'', their first for Victory Records. After some long tours, vocalist Scott Wade left the band. Neufeld became the band's vocalist, and they began recording their third album, ''Broadcasting...''. The release of ''Broadcasting...'' was followed by more steady touring, culminating with a summer long tour supporting Rise Against in North America, and their first appearance on the "Never Say Die" tour in Europe with Parkway Drive. By the end of 2007, the band was to take a short hiatus. At this time, bass player Kevin Call left the band on good terms, issuing a statement regarding leaving Comeback Kid.

Call was replaced with Matt Keil, who had played in Minneapolis-area bands with Hjelmberg. Two more years of touring followed, with the band visiting South East Asia and Latin America for the first time.

In 2008, a CD/DVD was released called ''Through The Noise,'' which is a line from the song "Industry Standards" on ''Broadcasting...''. The DVD is a documentary of the first six years of Comeback Kid. The CD is a live recording of a show in Leipzig, Germany, filmed in fall 2007. A release tour in Canada followed, named the "Through the Noise Tour." It featured Bane, Misery Signals, Shai Hulud, Grave Maker, and Outbreak. While on this tour, Gravemaker suffered a van accident with Neufeld in the vehicle, which inspired the song "G.M. Vincent and I" on 2010's ''Symptoms and Cures''.

After two years of international touring, the band spent much of 2010 writing and recording their fourth studio album, ''Symptoms and Cures,'' which was released in Canada by Distort Entertainment and internationally by Victory Records. Two more installments of the "Through the Noise" tour followed in North America and Europe.
[[File:20150425 Oberhausen Impericon Festival Comeback Kid 0063.jpg|thumb|right|The band at [[Impericon Festival]] 2015]]

In early 2012, guitarist Casey Hjelmberg announced he was leaving the band. Stu Ross of [[Misery Signals]] and [[Living with Lions (band)|Living with Lions]] replaced him.

On September 21, 2013, Comeback Kid stated on their Facebook page that they had started recording a new full-length album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151923711073489&set=a.449843318488.208287.24160438488&type=1 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/24160438488/10151923711073489 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Comeback Kid|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=November 1, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[Die Knowing]]'', the band's fifth studio album, was released on March 4, 2014, through [[Victory Records]].

On May 13, 2014, drummer and founding member Kyle Profeta announced his departure from the band, to focus on his culinary skills in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/kyle.profeta/posts/10152176723246156 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/711861155/10152176723246156 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Kyle Adam Profeta|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=November 1, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On September 8, 2017, Comeback Kid released their sixth studio album, ''Outsider'', via Nuclear Blast.

In April 2019, the band planned to travel Europe with American rock bands [[Sharptooth]], No Turning Back, and Jesus Piece.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tickets/indoor/ticket/comeback-kid-european-tour-2019.html|title=COMEBACK KID - European Tour 2019|website=Nuclear Blast|access-date=March 16, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Two Comeback Kid songs, "Didn't Even Mind" and "Die Knowing", made a guest appearance in the 2016 novel ''Devaneio'' by Brazilian writer Augusto de Brito.

Their seventh studio album, ''Heavy Steps'', was released on January 21, 2022, via New Damage in Canada and [[Nuclear Blast Records|Nuclear Blast]] worldwide.

On March 15, 2024, the band released their new EP, ''Trouble,'' via Nuclear Blast’s sister label [[SharpTone Records]].

In early 2025, Comeback Kid announced a US tour for the 20th anniversary of their second album ''Wake the Dead'', playing the album in full.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |date=8 January 2025 |title=Comeback Kid announce 'Wake the Dead' tour with Cancer Bats, Defeater, Koyo, more |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/comeback-kid-announce-wake-the-dead-tour-with-cancer-bats-defeater-koyo-more/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=[[BrooklynVegan]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2025, they announced a Canada tour slated for September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comeback Kid Expand 'Wake the Dead' Anniversary Tour Dates |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/comeback-kid-expand-wake-the-dead-anniversary-tour-dates |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=[[Exclaim!]] |language=en}}</ref>

Former bassist Matt Keil died from ALS in July 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Comeback Kid Bassist Matt Keil Has Died |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/former-comeback-kid-bassist-matt-keil-has-died/ |access-date=15 July 2025 |publisher=Vice |date=14 July 2025}}</ref>

== Band members ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
; Current
* Andrew Neufeld – lead vocals (2006–present), rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2001–2006)
* Jeremy Hiebert – lead guitar, backing vocals (2001–present)
* Stu Ross – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)<ref name="altpress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/comeback_kid_lose_guitarist_announce_fill_in|title=Comeback Kid lose guitarist, announce fill-in - News - Alternative Press|website=Alternative Press|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref>
* Loren Legare – drums (2015–present)
* Chase Brenneman – bass, backing vocals (2021–present, touring 2018–2021)

{{col-3}}
; Former
* Cliff Heide – bass (2001–2003)
* Scott Wade – lead vocals (2001–2006)
* Kevin Call – bass (2003–2007)
* Casey Hjelmberg – rhythm guitar (2006–2012)<ref name="altpress.com"/>
* Kyle Profeta – drums (2001–2014)
* Matt Keil – bass, backing vocals (2008–2014; died 2025)
* Jesse Labovitz – drums (2014–2015)
* Ron Friesen – bass, backing vocals (2014–2018)

{{col-3}}
; Touring
* Terrance Pettitt - drums (2023)
* Ben Mead - drums (2025)
* Joel Neufeld – drums (sporadically){{col-end}}

; Timeline
{{#tag:timeline|
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DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:03/01/2001 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
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Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:backing value:pink legend:Backing_vocals
id:lpline value:black legend:Studio_albums
id:vline value:gray(0.6) legend:Live_&_EP
id:bars value:gray(0.95)

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ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:2002
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at:03/04/2003 color:lpline
at:02/22/2005 color:lpline
at:02/20/2007 color:lpline
at:10/14/2008 color:vline
at:08/31/2010 color:lpline
at:03/04/2014 color:lpline
at:04/18/2015 color:vline
at:09/08/2017 color:lpline
at:01/21/2022 color:lpline
at:03/15/2024 color:vline

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bar:Andrew text:"Andrew Neufeld"
bar:Jeremy text:"Jeremy Hiebert"
bar:Casey text:"Casey Hjelmberg"
bar:Stu text:"Stu Ross"
bar:Cliff text:"Cliff Heide"
bar:Kevin text:"Kevin Call"
bar:Matt text:"Matt Keil"
bar:Ron text:"Ron Friesen"
bar:Chase text:"Chase Brenneman"
bar:Kyle text:"Kyle Profeta"
bar:Jesse text:"Jesse Labovitz"
bar:Loren text:"Loren Legare"

PlotData=
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bar:Andrew from:03/11/2006 till:end color:vocals
bar:Scott from:03/01/2001 till:03/11/2006 color:vocals
bar:Casey from:04/01/2007 till:01/22/2012 color:rhythm
bar:Stu from:01/22/2012 till:end color:rhythm
bar:Jeremy from:03/01/2001 till:end color:lead
bar:Cliff from:03/01/2001 till:07/01/2003 color:bass
bar:Kevin from:07/01/2003 till:12/01/2007 color:bass
bar:Matt from:01/15/2008 till:09/01/2014 color:bass
bar:Ron from:09/01/2014 till:10/06/2018 color:bass
bar:Chase from:10/06/2018 till:end color:bass
bar:Kyle from:03/01/2001 till:05/13/2014 color:drums
bar:Jesse from:05/13/2014 till:09/01/2015 color:drums
bar:Loren from:09/01/2015 till:end color:drums
width:3
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bar:Stu from:01/22/2012 till:end color:backing
bar:Matt from:01/01/2008 till:09/01/2014 color:backing
bar:Ron from:09/01/2014 till:10/06/2018 color:backing
bar:Chase from:10/06/2018 till:end color:backing
}}

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{|class="wikitable"
| rowspan="2"| Year
| rowspan="2"| Title
| rowspan="2"| Record label
| colspan="4"| Chart peaks<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p555367|pure_url=yes}} Comeback Kid album charts on AMG] Retrieved on June 11, 2008</ref>
|-
| width="80"| [[Billboard 200|US 200]]
| width="80"| [[Top Heatseekers|US Heat]]
| width="80"| [[Top Independent Albums|US Indie]]
| width="80"| [[Hard rock|US Hard Rock]]
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Turn It Around (Comeback Kid album)|Turn It Around]]''
| [[Facedown Records|Facedown]]
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Wake the Dead]]''
| rowspan="4"| [[Victory Records|Victory]]
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| 16
| align="center"| 27
| align="center"| —
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Broadcasting...]]''
| align="center"| 129
| align="center"| 3
| align="center"| 10
| align="center"| —
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Symptoms + Cures]]''
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| 22<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/search/albums/symptoms+cures|title=Album Search for "symptoms cures"|website=AllMusic|access-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref>
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Die Knowing]]''
| align="center"| 161
| align="center"| 7
| align="center"| 39
| align="center"| 15
|-
| 2017
| ''Outsider''
| rowspan="2"| [[Nuclear Blast]]
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
|-
|2022
|''Heavy Steps''
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
| align="center"| —
|}

===EPs and singles===
* ''Demo'' (2002, self-released)
* "Should Know Better" (2014, Victory)
* "Somewhere, Somehow" (2017, self-released)
* "Absolute" (2017, self-released)
* "Beds Are Burning / Little Soldier" 7" (2018, New Damage)
* "Reality Is A Ride On The Bus" (2020, self-released)
* ''Trouble'' 12" (2024, New Damage)
* "Wake The Dead" 7" (2025, New Damage)

===Live albums===
* ''Through The Noise'' CD/DVD (2008, Smallman/Victory)
* ''Rain City Sessions +1'' 10"/12" (2015, Victory)

==Videography==
*"Die Tonight"
*"Wake The Dead"
*"Broadcasting..."
*"Defeated"
*"False Idols Fall" (live in [[Leipzig]] in 2008)
*"Because of All"
*"G.M. Vincent & I"
*"The Concept Stays"
*"Do Yourself a Favor"
*"Should Know Better"
*"Wasted Arrows"
*"Didn't Even Mind"
*"Surrender Control"
*"Hell Of A Scene"
*"No Easy Way Out"
*"Heavy Steps"
*"Crossed" (featuring [[Joe Duplantier]] of [[Gojira (band)|Gojira]])

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050211050556/http://www.comeback-kid.com/ Official website]
* Simula, Collin. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812042014/http://hmmagazine.com/blog/feature/comeback-kid/ |title="Comeback Kid" |date=August 12, 2016}}. ''[[HM Magazine]]''
* {{discogs artist|Comeback Kid}}
* {{imdb name|2076977}}

{{Comeback Kid}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Canadian hardcore punk groups]]
[[Category:Canadian melodic hardcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2001]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Winnipeg]]
[[Category:Victory Records artists]]
[[Category:Canadian musical quintets]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Manitoba]]
[[Category:Mennonite musicians]]

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Comeback Kid (band)