Wikipedia

Koe Wetzel

Ropyr Madison Koe Wetzel[2] (born July 14, 1992)[3][4] is an American singer and songwriter. His music has been described variously as a "blend of rock and country",[4] outlaw country,[5] and "fusing country and grunge".[1]

Koe Wetzel
Wetzel in 2017
Wetzel in 2017
Background information
Birth nameRopyr Madison Koe Wetzel
Born (1992-07-14) July 14, 1992 (age 32)
Pittsburg, Texas
OriginFort Worth, Texas
Genres
Years active2014-present
Websitekoewetzelmusic.com

Life and career

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Wetzel was born in Pittsburg, Texas, with one of his names being a reference to outlaw country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe.[2] His mother was a touring country singer, bringing the young Koe along and his father worked in construction. He would perform on stage for the first time at age six.[6] Later, Wetzel was a linebacker at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where he decided to pursue a career as a musician instead.[2]

Wetzel formed "Koe Wetzel and Konvicts", and self-released an EP and one full-length album. His "rowdy" music and lyrics became popular among college students and young adults, and Noise Complaint, released in 2016, was considered to be his breakout album.[6] Beginning with Noise Complaint, the full name of the band was dropped, though Wetzel still performs with a bassist, one drummer, and two guitarists.[7] The band signed with Red 11 Music in Austin, TX in early 2018 while being managed by 4-Tay Management out of Stephenville, TX until 2019 when the band signed a management deal with Floating Leaf Entertainment, establishing a joint venture between Wetzel and Jeb Hurt who had previously been the band's agent at Red 11 Music.

Harold Saul High was released in 2019,[8][9] however sales were strong, and the album charted on the Billboard 200.[10]

In 2020, Wetzel released Sellout, named in reference to his signing with major label Columbia Records.[11]

In 2023, Wetzel became[12] a partner in the opening of a highly successful restaurant-bar and live music review in Fort Worth, Texas called Koe Wetzel's Riot Room.

Musical style

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Wetzel's music is usually described as fusing genres, especially rock and country while he has been rumored to personally refer to his blend of music as "Hillbilly Punk-Rock". In his youth, Wetzel was exposed to country, hip-hop, rap, and grunge including the music of Nirvana. In an interview for American Songwriter, Wetzel described his album Harold Saul High as "...90s country meets early 2000s punk rock with early ’90s grunge and hip-hop music in the background."[11]

His lyrics often deal with mature subject matter, and are known for containing explicit language.[1] One example is the song "February 28, 2016": a song about drunkenness, and a reference to his arrest for public intoxication in Stephenville on that day.[13]

In 2019, Wetzel's performance at the Great Texas Balloon Race was the subject of some controversy, after some festival goers were offended at his refusal to make his songs more family friendly. Wetzel responded in a tongue in cheek manner, taking credit for breaking attendance records.[14]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details[15] Peak chart positions
US
[16] 		US
Country
[10] 		CAN
[17]
Out on Parole
(as Koe Wetzel and the Konvicts)
  • Release date: January 10, 2015
  • Label: none (self-released)
  • Formats: CD, digital
 — — —
Noise Complaint
  • Release date: August 17, 2016
  • Label: YellaBush
  • Formats: CD, digital, vinyl
 — — —
Harold Saul High
  • Release date: June 21, 2019
  • Label: YellaBush
  • Formats: CD, digital, vinyl
 65 10 —
Sellout
  • Release date: November 20, 2020
  • Label: Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital, vinyl
 88 — —
Hell Paso
  • Release date: September 16, 2022[18]
  • Label: Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital, vinyl
 12 3 —
9 Lives
  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Label: Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital, vinyl
 15 5 54

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected details
Title EP details
Love and Lies
  • Release date: June 12, 2015[15]
  • Label: none (self-released)
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[19] 		US
Cou.
[20] 		US
Cou.
Air.
[21] 		US
Alt.
[22] 		US
Main.
Rock
[23] 		US
Rock
[24] 		AUS
[25] 		CAN
[26] 		NZ
Hot
[27] 		WW
[28]
"Austin"[29] 2017 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Kuntry & Wistern"[30] 2020 — — — — — — — — — — Sellout
"Sundy or Mundy"[32] — — — — — — — — — —
"Good Die Young"[33] — — — — — — — — — —
"Creeps"[34] 2022 —[A] 28 — 31 25 12 — — — — Hell Paso
"April Showers"[36] — — — — — 16 — — — —
"Damn Near Normal"[37] 2024 —[B] 29 — — — 12 — — — — 9 Lives
"9 Lives (Black Cat)"[39] — — — — — — — — — —
"Sweet Dreams" 35 10 — — — — — 86 40 168
"High Road"
(featuring Jessie Murph) 		22 5 4 — — — 46 30 8 72
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List of singles as featured artist, with showing year released, peak chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Bub.
[35]
"Wasted"[41]
(Diplo featuring Kodak Black and Koe Wetzel) 		2023 20 Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 2: Swamp Savant
"That's Why We Fight"
(Ella Langley featuring Koe Wetzel) 		— Excuse the Mess

Other charted and certified songs

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List of other charted and certified songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[19] 		US
Cou.
[20] 		US
Rock
[24]
"Something to Talk About" 2016 — — — Noise Complaint
"February 28, 2016" — — —
"Love"
(featuring Parker McCollum) 		— — —
"Ragweed" 2019 — — — Harold Saul High
"Drunk Driving" 2020 — — — Sellout
"Money Spent" 2022 — 45 25 Hell Paso
"Cabo" —[C] 28 15
"Oklahoma Sun" — — 28
"Sad Song" — — 34
"Depression & Obsession" 2024 — — 36 9 Lives
"Casamigos" —[D] 34 — Non-album single

Notes

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  1. ^ "Creeps" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[35]
  2. ^ "Damn Near Normal" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[38]
  3. ^ "Cabo" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[35]
  4. ^ "Casamigos" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 16 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Stefano, Angela (2020-11-20). "Interview: Koe Wetzel Sticks to His Guns on First Major-Label Album, 'Sellout'". Taste of Country. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  2. ^ a b c Durchholz, Daniel (16 June 2021). "Outlaw country artist Koe Wetzel has moved to a major label, but don't call him a sellout". STLtoday.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  3. ^ "Koe's Black & Red Birthday Bash". dailytexascountry.com. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  4. ^ a b Nicholson, Jessica (2021-06-22). "Texas Artist Koe Wetzel Talks His First Major Label Album: "We're Not Going To Change for Anybody"". CMT News. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  5. ^ Kent, Roy (2021-06-04). "Country music artist Koe Wetzel to perform July 3 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  6. ^ a b Deming, Mark. "Koe Wetzel: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  7. ^ "KOE WETZEL". Chilifest 2020 Official Website. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  8. ^ Fox, Chris (2019-06-19). "Koe Wetzel Earns High Marks in "Harold Saul High" |". Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  9. ^ Kephart, Zackary (2019-06-27). "Album Review: Koe Wetzel – 'Harold Saul High'". The Musical Divide. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  10. ^ a b "Black Pumas, Hatchie and Koe Wetzel Debut On Emerging Artists Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  11. ^ a b "Koe Wetzel Reassures the Masses That He'll Never Change on 'Sellout'". American Songwriter. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  12. ^ "Fort Worth hospitality vets partner with musician Koe Wetzel on new country venue". CultureMap Fort Worth. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  13. ^ Langeler, Wes (2021-02-28). "Happy February 28th, AKA Koe Wetzel Day". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  14. ^ "Koe Wetzel throws shade at Great Texas Balloon Race over apology". KETK.com | FOX51.com. 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  15. ^ a b "Koe Wetzel and the Konvicts Songs". ReverbNation. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  16. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  17. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of August 3, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (September 16, 2022). "Koe Wetzel Welcomes You To 'Hell Paso' On New Project". MusicRow. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 29, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Hot Country Songs: October 1, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Peaks on the Alternative Airplay chart:
  23. ^ Peaks on the Mainstream Rock chart:
  24. ^ a b "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: October 1, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  26. ^ Peaks in Canada:
  27. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  28. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of June 22, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  29. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  30. ^ Kuntry & Wistern, 2020-04-11, retrieved 2024-07-01
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "American certifications – Koe Wetzel". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  32. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  33. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  34. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  35. ^ a b c "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of October 1, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  36. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  37. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  38. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of March 23, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  39. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  40. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Koe Wetzel – High Road (feat. Jessie Murph)". Music Canada.
  41. ^ "Diplo Recruits Kodak Black and Koe Wetzel for New Song and Video". Complex. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of September 28, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
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