Memphis May Fire

Memphis May Fire is a metalcore band based in Dallas, Texas, with southern rock influences; earlier in its career it is described as post-hardcore. The band forms in December 2006 and takes its current name in February 2007, after first using the name O Captain, My Captain!.

Early releases and label changes

In early 2007, the band records and self-releases an EP and begins building a local following. It then attracts the attention of Trustkill Records president Josh Grabelle and signs to the label in September 2007. The self-titled EP is reissued through Trustkill in December 2007.

During the recording sessions for the debut album, lead singer Chase Ryan leaves the band, saying he wants to focus on his newborn child. Bass player Austin Radford also departs shortly afterwards and is replaced by Cory Elder. Open auditions lead to Matty Mullins becoming the new vocalist. By then, the band has already recorded the instrumental parts for the album with producer Casey Bates.

Albums and EPs

The debut full-length album Sleepwalking is released through Trustkill Records in 2009. The band describes the record as a harder rock sound with more melodic elements while keeping a southern feel. Its song “Ghost in the Mirror” appears on the soundtrack to Saw VI, and the video for the track is released in 2010.

A second EP, Between the Lies, follows in 2010 through Bullet Tooth Records. In 2011, the band signs to Rise Records and releases The Hollow, its second studio album. The single “The Sinner” is released ahead of the album, and the title appears in a video later that year. The band also releases a live video for “The Unfaithful” in 2012.

Challenger appears in 2012 through Rise Records. Around the same period, guitarist Ryan Bentley leaves and Anthony Sepe joins the band.

The band continues with Unconditional in 2014, This Light I Hold in 2016, Broken in 2018, and Remade in Misery in 2022, all on Rise Records. The latest album listed is Shapeshifter, released in 2025. Across its career, the band releases two EPs and six full-length albums.

Members

Current members are Kellen McGregor, Matty Mullins, Cory Elder and Jake Garland. McGregor plays lead guitar, backing vocals, programming and keyboard, and is also listed as the band’s lead vocalist in 2006. Mullins is lead vocalist, Elder plays bass, and Garland plays drums and percussion. Touring members include Samuel Penner on rhythm guitar from 2017 to 2019 and Lucas Chandler on rhythm guitar from 2021.

Former members include Tanner Oakes, Ryan Dooley, Chase Ryan Robbins, Jeremy Grisham, Austin Radford, Daniel De Los Santos, Joel Seier, Eric Molesworth, Ryan Bentley and Anthony Sepe.

Other appearances

The band’s song “Action/Adventure” is announced for use in Rock Band 3. Matty Mullins also appears as a featured vocalist on Kid Liberty’s “That’s What She Said”, from the album Fight with Your Fists in 2010.