With a band name like Menace TX, most people would probably guess they were a hardcore or metal band, but they would be off the mark. "[Bassist] Brandon [Jimenez] and I are in a hardcore band, Beyond Reach, at one point I casually floated the idea of starting a pop-punk project," vocalist Kevin Cale tells No Echo about Menace TX's origins.
"Next thing I knew, I was in a group chat with Colby (Soul Exchange) on drums and Sawyer on guitar—both new faces to me. We met up for practice and vibed hard. Initially, I was going to play guitar, but I felt the pull to take on lead vocals full-time.
"So, we decided to bring in another guitarist. Colby suggested Bryce (Soul Exchange/Virtue) might be down for something different. Bryce joined us, and we all clicked instantly. Since then, we’ve been jamming non-stop, perfecting our tracks that we are currently planning to release early 2025."
The Austin quintet's debut single, "Waiting (2005)," recently hit music streaming outlets. "We’re a group of hardcore musicians who decided to dive into the pop-punk scene," says bassist Brandon. "Our sound draws inspiration from bands like Title Fight, No Pressure, Koyo, and Anxious. We aim to blend the raw energy of hardcore with the catchy melodies of pop-punk."
Menace TX singer Kevin told No Echo a bit about the inspiration behind their single. "I’ve always dreamed of playing music full-time, but breaking through has felt like an endless wait. This song channels those feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness, with the belief that one day, all the hard work will pay off. Until then, I’m just waiting.
"The intro features a clip from the 2005 movie Waiting…—a dumb, inappropriate, yet kinda funny film—which inspired the song’s title."
As far as 2025 plans, Brandon clued No Echo in on their next moves. "We’re in the studio right now, tracking new music and experimenting to craft a sound that’s true to us. It’s been an amazing ride so far, and we can’t wait to share the results.
"Our goal is to release new tracks in early 2025. In the meantime, we’re laying the groundwork to play as many shows we can next year."
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Menace TX on social media: Instagram
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