Ever heard a scream so intense it made you stop in your tracks? That’s Knocked Loose for you.
This Kentucky hardcore band has been shaking up the music scene since 2013. Their aggressive sound and wild live shows have earned them millions of fans worldwide.
But who are the people behind this sonic assault? The knocked loose members include talented musicians who’ve turned basement shows into something huge.
If you’re a longtime fan or just getting into them, understanding the band members and their story adds a whole new layer to the music. Let’s get into the story behind the screams.
What Is Knocked Loose?
Knocked Loose is a hardcore band from Oldham County, Kentucky. The band formed in June 2013 and originally went by the name Manipulator.
They signed with Pure Noise Records and have released several albums. Their most recent album came out in 2024.
The band has toured extensively across the United States and internationally. They’ve played major festivals and opened for well-known acts in the heavy music scene.
Knocked Loose plays a mix of hardcore punk and metalcore. Their sound also includes elements of beatdown hardcore.
The band is known for aggressive, heavy music with intense vocals. Their style focuses on raw energy and visceral sound. If you like bands such as Terror, The Acacia Strain, or Every Time I Die, you might enjoy Knocked Loose.
Early Releases, Influences, and Musical Themes
Before signing with Pure Noise Records, Knocked Loose released their first songs, “Manipulator” and “The Have Nots,” in 2013, which were re-released as 2013 Demos in 2014.
Their debut Pop Culture EP (2014), released through Little Heart Records, established their underground presence.
Key standalone singles include Mistakes Like Fractures (2019), one of their most-streamed tracks, and the Upon Loss Singles series (2023) featuring “Deep In The Willow” and “Everything Is Quiet Now,” which built massive hype before Coachella.
Lyrically, Bryan Garris explores personal struggle, emotional trauma, and inner turmoil.
The band draws from hardcore legends like Terror and The Acacia Strain, fusing beatdown hardcore with metalcore technicality and death metal brutality to create their signature sound of punishing breakdowns and high-pitched screams.
Major Achievements and Milestones
Knocked Loose has released three studio albums and one EP since 2016, each earning critical acclaim and expanding their influence within the hardcore and metalcore scenes.
1. LaughTracks (2016)
Laugh Tracks was Knocked Loose’s debut album through Pure Noise Records. The album received critical acclaim and helped the band gain national attention.
2. A Different Shade of Blue (2019)
A Different Shade of Blue was their second full-length album. It showed the band’s growth while maintaining their aggressive sound. The album solidified their place as one of the standout acts in modern hardcore.
3. A Tear in the Fabric of Life (2021)
A Tear in the Fabric of Life was an EP that incorporated death metal elements. An animated short film accompanied the release. The EP received widespread critical praise.
4. You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To (2024)
You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To is their third studio album. It topped the UK Hard Rock & Metal chart. The album reached number 23 on the US Billboard 200.
Notable Performances and Tours
Knocked Loose played the Vans Warped Tour in 2017. They performed on the Full Sail stage throughout the entire tour. The band made a breakthrough appearance at Coachella in 2023.
Their performance created massive mosh pits and drew some of the wildest crowd reactions at the festival. They also played Bonnaroothat same year on June 16.
They have appeared at major festivals including Sonic Temple, Welcome to Rockville, and LDB Fest. The band has toured with acts like Every Time I Die, Parkway Drive, The Acacia Strain, and Gojira.
Knocked Loose Members
The current Knocked Loose lineup features five dedicated musicians who have helped shape the band’s aggressive sound and energetic live performances.
1. Bryan Garris
Bryan Garris (born September 6, 1993) is the lead vocalist and founding member of Knocked Loose, known for his wild, high-pitched screaming style.
He writes most of the band’s lyrics, often focused on personal struggle. Outside the band, he plays bass in XweaponX and has collaborated with Motionless in White.
2. Isaac Hale
Isaac Hale co-founded Knocked Loose in 2013. He handles lead guitar and backing vocals for the band. Before Knocked Loose, Hale played in the band Speaker.
Hale writes much of the band’s guitar work. His riffs blend hardcore and metalcore styles. He also provides deeper backing vocals that contrast with Garris’s high-pitched screams.
3. Kevin Otten
Kevin Otten is a founding member of Knocked Loose. He joined the band in 2013. His bass work provides the low-end foundation for the band’s aggressive style.
Otten plays bass and helps create the band’s heavy sound. Before Knocked Loose, he was part of the band Speaker with Garris and Hale.
4. Kevin ‘Pacsun’ Kaine
Kevin Kaine joined Knocked Loose in 2015. He goes by the nickname “Pacsun.” Before joining Knocked Loose full-time, Kaine worked at UPS and Domino’s Pizza.
Kaine handles drums and anchors the band’s rhythm section. His drumming style is powerful and precise. He plays a key role in creating the band’s intense live performances.
5. Nicko Calderon
Nicko Calderon is the newest member of Knocked Loose. He joined in 2020 after Cole Crutchfield left the band. He contributes to the band’s creative direction alongside the other members.
Calderon plays rhythm guitar and provides backing vocals. His guitar style brings a darker, more melodic approach to the band’s sound.
Past Members And Lineup Changes
Knocked Loose has had a few lineup changes since 2013. The drum position changed twice in the early years. The rhythm guitar spot also saw one major change in 2020.
Most of the original members have stayed with the band. Garris, Hale, and Otten remain from the founding lineup.
The other former members are Dylan Isaacs, the original drummer when the band formed in 2013. He left in 2014. Nate Woods played drums briefly in 2014.
He was with the band for a short time before Kevin Kaine joined. Cole Crutchfield played rhythm guitar and backing vocals from 2015 to 2020. He was replaced by Nicko Calderon when he departed.
Industry Recognition
Their song “Suffocate,” featuring Poppy, received a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place in 2025, with nominations announced in 2024. This was the band’s first Grammy nomination.
Knocked Loose performed on Jimmy Kimmel Liveon November 26, 2024.They played “Suffocate” with Poppy. The performance brought hardcore to mainstream late-night television.
The band’s signing to Pure Noise Records in 2016 marked a major turning point. The label helped them reach wider audiences while maintaining their hardcore roots.
Conclusion
The knocked loose members have built something special together. Five musicians are a sound that’s reshaping modern hardcore. Their commitment to staying heavy and authentic has paid off.
From their start to Grammy nominations, they’ve proven that aggressive music can reach mainstream audiences.
Each member brings unique skills to the table. Together, they create the chaos that fans love.
Understanding who’s behind the music makes every song hit differently. You’re not just hearing screams and breakdowns.
You’re experiencing the work of dedicated artists who’ve poured everything into their craft.
Have you seen Knocked Loose live yet? Drop a comment about your favorite member or song. Share thiswith fellow fans who want to learn more about the band.
