Fort Worth based pop-punk band born out of friendship, late-night writing sessions, and a mutual need to make something meaningful, loud, and proud.
Fronted by Stephanie Benjamin (vocals & songwriter), joined by Kevin Wellendorf (guitar & songwriter), Jordan Tucker (bass), and Matt Mabe (drums), we’re a highly collaborative mix of old friendships, uncontrollable energy, bonded by just the right timing, sometimes brutal honesty, and a shared love of those feelings that just hit you right in the gut.
Our influences have a wide range, so be prepared to hear a variety of sound stemming from Alvvays, The Ramones, and Courtney Barnett to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Turnstile, QOTSA, Arctic Monkeys, Green Day, and even Sex Bob-Omb (yeah, they definitely count). We welcome the grit of the punk, the tangled moments of dreamy reflection with a little chaos and a little confession.
With three members who’ve long been part of Fort Worth’s local music scene, and one voice still finding her place in it, Heavy Petal feels like the start of something rare: a powerhouse of musicians backed by the lyrical weight of raw experience and the quiet bloom of starting over.
It’s messy, loud, honest, at times hauntingly beautiful — and that’s exactly how we like it.