Evidence of a Struggle - Eddy Derecho

Chicago alternative rock outfit Evidence of a Struggle releases their sophomore album 'Eddy Derecho' on May 2 via The Glue Factory and The Orchard, offering due pushback against incentivized control by media, government, religion, business, pharma, banking and mass media.

Centred around the musings of multi-instrumentalist W P C Simmons V a.k.a. Rev. Billy Simmons,  Evidence of a Struggle also involves Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, of1000faces, Garbage, Filter) on drums and synths, with bass contributions by Alan Berliant (Chris Connelly, Mavis Staples, Saint Asonia) and Solomon Walker (Liz Phair, Bryan Adams, Morrissey). 

With recording, mixing and final production by Sanford Parker (Voivod, Russian Circles, Yob, Eyehategod, Wovenhand, Darkthrone), Grammy-nominated sound engineer Chris Gelin (Smashing Pumpkins, Trent Reznor, RZA, Tom Morello, Korn) handled post-production and mastering. Also an essential part of EOAS, Chicago John Airo created the visual art, animations and videos.

Evidence of a Struggle spent most of 2024 weaving a dense tapestry of sonic, musical, lyrical and "visual observations” of what’s happening in our world now, in the past and what may happen in the future. Rooted within the chaos of our world, this album is a loud and thoughtful sonic exploration of our unique ability as a species to harm, destroy, thoughtlessly marginalize, and discard with reckless disregard for anyone or anything outside of our immediate orbit.

Following the lead tracks 'Eddy Derecho' and 'Give Us A Kiss', Evidence of a Struggle has also shared the latest explosive video for 'Le Caution'. The lyrical emphasis for this album is a departure from the 2023 debut eponymous album, which was instrumental with the exception of the final track.

Rev. Billy Simmons explains, "We wanted to utilize more AI-assisted generative video, as some would say — it's a horrible curse, as others would argue it's a surreal blessing. this video is another disturbing observation, a dreamlike looking glass into everything affecting us, traveling within the same currents as the other songs or videos are flowing, such as religion, money, war, inequity, inequality, pain, suffering, anger and, at the end of it all a visual statement of a profound change in our surroundings".

Transforming into a musical chameleon at night, Rev. Billy's day to day entails running Rev. Billy's Chop Shop, a salon with a creative space that regularly showcases artists' work (declared by Chicago Reader as the city's best gallery). The forthcoming 'Eddy Derecho' album is a lyrical departure from Evidence of a Struggle's debut instrumental album.

Rev. Billy previously collaborated with notable artists, such as RCA artist Ké, Urge Overkill, Touch and Go, and major labels like BMG and Universal. In 2020, he returned to music in the midst of lockdown boredom, allowing him a continued creative outlet. Playing every instrument and recording his debut album at The Glue Factory studio, he then joined forces with Sanford Parker.

'Le Caution' is out now, available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.  On May 2, The full 'Eddy Defecho' album will be released on vinyl, CD and digitally.