The Unusual Suspects EPK

The Unusual Suspects band 
The Unusual Suspects (L to R): Matt Kelley, Brian McMickle, Matt Megrue, Al Gardner

The Unusual Suspects are a melody-forward rock band built on the stuff that lasts: ringing guitars, big choruses, and lyrics that feel like postcards from whatever chapter you’re surviving. Rooted in the DIY spirit of punk and emo but wide enough to let a little heartland rock and power-pop shine through, the band’s sound lives in that sweet spot where grit meets hooks: anthemic, emotional, and made to be played too loud in a packed room (think The Killers meets Pearl Jam meets Rancid meets Jack Johnson).

Originally formed in Atlanta, GA in the early-2000s, The Unusual Suspects are now stepping back into the spotlight around a vinyl reissue of their first record, Phonograph: a time-capsule of where they came from, and a reminder of what they do best: honest songs, dynamic builds, and a set that can swing from cathartic singalongs to full-throttle shout-alongs. The Phonograph (21st Anniversary Reissue) is set to be released on Heartcore Industries Friday, June 5, 2026 and features: the original album, remastered with 6 new songs, along with updated visuals and fresh footage as the band gears up for a new run of shows.

Onstage, The Unusual Suspects bring a tight, high-energy performance with an undercurrent of nostalgia: equal parts basement-show sincerity and grown-up road-band punch. Notable bills and bands The Unusual Suspects played on include:

• Take Action Tour (featuring Hawthorne Heights, Early November, and Sugarcult)
• Multiple appearances for 99X events (Unplugged in the Park, Kegs & Eggs, Underground and Downtown Rocks)
• Highlands Festival
• Shawn Mullins
• Cowboy Mouth
• Ross Childress (of Collective Soul)
• Flickerstick (VH1 Bands on the Run)
• Manchester Orchestra

For 2026, the band is routing a Southeast run around Charleston, Atlanta, and Florida dates, with support from friends where it fits, and is actively booking additional shows leading into a bigger announcement of a brand new album coming later in the year.