Former Such Gold guitarist Nate Derby spent years sitting on the songs that would eventually become Bitter Man, a new hardcore band out of Tampa, Florida. Written before the pandemic and carried through a period of relocation, changing priorities, and adulthood's ever-growing responsibilities, the material lingered in limbo until Derby decided it was finally time to bring it to life.
After moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, Derby found himself increasingly frustrated with letting the songs collect dust. Rather than continuing to wait for the perfect circumstances, he started reaching out to musicians in the local scene to see who might be interested in helping turn the project into a functioning band.
"Nate got sick of years of sitting on these songs and started cold-calling guys locally to see who was available," Bitter Man vocalist Brett tells No Echo. A mutual friend connected Derby with Brett, who helped recruit Cold Steel drummer Brandon. The lineup was rounded out by bassist Kellen, formerly of I Am the Avalanche, who was coaxed back into playing after spending several years focused on family life.
With a fleshed-out lineup in fighting shape, Bitter Man went into the studio to work on their debut offering, a 3-song demo released by always-reliable Tampa-based label, Armageddon Records:
Bitter Man draw inspiration from the speed and guitar work of Southern California punk staples like Descendents and Bad Religion. On the other, they embrace the groove and toughness of traditional New York hardcore. The group also cites newer bands such as GEL, SPY, Gumm, and Ceremony among their influences, creating a sound that feels both familiar and contemporary.
"Three songs of fast, in-your-face hardcore," Brett says about the material on the demo. "A quick showcase of what's to come that sets the tone very succinctly."
While the demo serves as an introduction, Bitter Man's members already have their sights set on something larger. Balancing jobs, families, and other adult responsibilities means progress may not move at the pace of a younger touring band, but the goal is clear. The group hopes to have a full-length written by the end of the summer, enter the studio in the fall, and release a record sometime in early 2027. In the meantime, they're looking to build momentum through local and regional shows across Florida.
The Tampa Bay hardcore scene has no shortage of talent to draw inspiration from. Brett specifically points to fellow Florida bands such as Cold Steel, Watch List, Days Spent, Holy Dose, Losing Vision, Age of Refuge, Bang Out, Common Bond, Dull Mourning, and Excide, while also encouraging listeners to pay attention to the broader Armageddon Records roster.
***
The Bitter Man demo is available on cassette via Armageddon Records.
Bitter Man on social media: Instagram
Tagged: bitter man, cold steel, i am the avalanche, such gold
