Comeback Kid

Comeback Kid

Comeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore punk band from Winnipeg, Canada. The group forms in 2001 and remains active. Its sound sits within hardcore punk and melodic hardcore.

Formation and early years

The band begins as a side project involving Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy Hiebert, who both play in Figure Four. They are joined by Scott Wade and Kyle Profeta. The name comes from a newspaper headline about hockey player Mario Lemieux returning to the NHL. Early attention comes largely through word of mouth in the hardcore scene.

The band's early releases build its profile on the touring circuit. Turn It Around appears on Facedown Records and leads to full-time touring across North America and Europe. The band also plays major hardcore festivals including Hellfest and Posi Numbers.

Albums and touring

Comeback Kid releases Wake the Dead in 2005 on Victory Records. After extensive touring, Scott Wade leaves and Neufeld becomes the vocalist. The band then records Broadcasting, followed by further touring, including a summer support slot with Rise Against in North America and an appearance on the Never Say Die tour in Europe with Parkway Drive.

By the end of 2007 the band takes a short hiatus. Bassist Kevin Call leaves and is replaced by Matt Keil. More touring follows, including first visits to South East Asia and Latin America. In 2008 the band releases Through the Noise, a CD/DVD package combining a live recording from Leipzig, Germany, with a documentary covering the first six years of the group. A Canadian release tour follows, with Bane, Misery Signals, Shai Hulud, Grave Maker and Outbreak.

The album Symptoms + Cures follows in 2010, released in Canada by Distort Entertainment and internationally by Victory Records. Material on the record includes “G.M. Vincent and I”, inspired by a van accident involving Neufeld and members of Gravemaker during the Through the Noise tour.

In 2012 guitarist Casey Hjelmberg leaves and Stu Ross takes over guitar duties. The band records a new full-length later on and releases Die Knowing in 2014 through Victory Records. Founding drummer Kyle Profeta leaves in 2014 to focus on culinary work in South Africa.

Line-up

Current members include Andrew Neufeld on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jeremy Hiebert on lead guitar and backing vocals, Matt Keil on bass and backing vocals, and Stu Ross on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. The group is also associated with Jesse Labovitz.

Labels and activity

Comeback Kid is associated with Facedown Records and Victory Records, and is described as a Canadian hardcore band with a long touring history across North America, Europe, South East Asia and Latin America.