Backstory:
Guilty Penalty was founded in a garage in the heart of downtown Kansas City in 2008. The band was formed by a group of high school friends who were looking to create something different from the pop music they felt was becoming too common. They started off as a cover band, playing at local bars and clubs before they began writing their own music. The band is composed of lead vocalist and bassist Hugo Blackwood, guitarist and backup vocalist Eli Summers, drummer Mike ‘Mad Mike’ Maddox, and pianist Lisa ‘Keys’ Kingston.
The band faced its fair share of ups and downs, including the loss of their original drummer and a near breakup due to creative differences. However, the formation of the current lineup in 2011 and the release of their first original song brought them new energy and cohesion. Since then, Guilty Penalty has worked to build a solid fan base, both locally and nationally, and continues to write and perform music that challenges the norm and pushes boundaries.
Genre:
Hard Rock
Title:
“Breaking the Chains”
Full song lyrics:
Verses:
[Am] Locked in the shadows, [G] drowned in the rain
[F] Trying to escape from [E] all my pain
[Am] Echoes of laughter, [G] whispers of the blame
[F] I’m stuck in this game, [E] this endless game
Chorus:
[Am] I’m breaking the chains, [G] let me be free
[F] Stop playing your games, [E] I refuse to be
[Am] The pawn in your hand, [G] your marionette
[F] I’m breaking away, [E] escaping your net
Verses:
[Am] Shadows are lifting, [G] lights shining in
[F] Letting the battle [E] finally begin
[Am] No more blind pretense, [G] no more disguise
[F] I’m stepping into the light, [E] dispelling the lies
Chorus:
[Am] I’m breaking the chains, [G] let me be free
[F] Stop playing your games, [E] I refuse to be
[Am] The pawn in your hand, [G] your marionette
[F] I’m breaking away, [E] escaping your net
Fan Testimonial:
The band’s favorite fan’s name is Lisa Andrews. Lisa discovered Guilty Penalty during a difficult time in her life and found solace in their music. She says, “Guilty Penalty’s music has a depth and rawness that resonates with me. Their lyrics aren’t just words, they’re lifelines. I’ve attended every concert they’ve had within a 500-mile radius of my hometown for the last five years. There’s just something about the energy they bring to their performance, the passion in their music, you can tell they pour their heart and soul into it. They’re not just a band to me, they’re like family. Their song ‘Breaking the Chains’ is my anthem. It’s about struggle, about breaking free, it’s about being yourself despite everything. That’s what Guilty Penalty stands for, and that’s why they’re my favorite band.”