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Ethan Luck
Ethan Luck
Ethan Luck
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Key Information

Ethan John Luck is an American musician, producer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has played in several bands, most prominently, the ska band The O.C. Supertones, Demon Hunter, Kings of Leon, Morgan Wade, and pop punk band Relient K.[1] He has played on albums for Kutless, Roper, Nikki Clan and Last Tuesday.[2]

Background

[edit]

Luck and fellow Supertones alumnus Daniel Spencer ran Rebel Waltz Recording Co., a recording studio based in Franklin, Tennessee. Artists that recorded there included Flatfoot 56, August Burns Red, The Send, The Lonely Hearts and many others. Luck and Spencer also had a short-lived, Nashville-based punk band called My Red Hot Nightmare. Luck continues his love of recording and engineered and produced Supertones singer Matt Morginsky's first solo record.

On February 12, 2008, Luck announced on his personal website that would be the new drummer for pop punk band Relient K. The band also made the announcement on their website. Luck also posted a letter to Demon Hunter fans about his future in the band.[3] In August 2009, Luck and Don Clark decided to depart as guitarists from Demon Hunter. Luck and Clark's schedule's with Relient K and Invisible Creature, respectively, made it hard to keep up with Demon Hunter and their other projects.

In 2012, Luck began working on a new solo punk/ska/reggae project under the name Ethan Luck and the High Pressure System. The first single is "Hey Mr. Pharisee".[4][5]

On April 21, 2013, Luck posted that he would no longer be with Relient K.[6] He subsequently returned to the band for a 2022 tour as a bassist due to drummer Dave Douglas also returning to the group.[7]

Luck runs two podcasts, the general music-themed The Pirate Satellite,[8] and the Metallica-themed Metal Up Your Podcast, shared with fellow Nashville musician Clint Wells.[9]

Luck and his wife are vegan.[10]

Luck was the touring drummer for country singer, Morgan Wade, from 2021-2023. As of the summer of 2024, Luck is the guitarist for singer-songwriter, Max McNown.

Bands

[edit]

Current

[edit]
  • The Lees of Memory (touring musician) - electric and acoustic guitar: 2015–present
  • Ethan Luck (solo): 2012–present
  • Relient K - bass, backing vocals: 2022-present, drums: 2008–2013
  • Morgan Wade - guitar: 2021-2023

Studio work

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Ethan Luck

  • "Hey, Mr. Pharisee" (Single) – (2012) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keys
  • Wounds, Fears EP (2013) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, baritone, lap steel
  • Cold Music EP (2013) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, lap steel
  • Hard Seas EP (2014) – vocals, guitar, bass, drums, baritone, lap steel
  • Ethan Luck, The Intruders EP (2015) – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums
  • Let It Burn (2018) – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, melodica
  • The Golden West (2021)[13]

Relient K

Demon Hunter

My Red Hot Nightmare

  • A Tribute to Superdrag – Double D Records (2006) – vocals, guitar
  • My Other Band, Vol. 1 – Mono Vs Stereo (2006) – vocals, guitar, bass guitar

The O.C. Supertones

Guerilla Rodeo

  • Ride, Rope and Destroy – Ministry of Defense (2004) – guitar

Grand Incredible

  • G.I. Gantic – BEC Recordings (2002) – guitar, drums

The Dingees

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Ethan Luck

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Ethan John Luck (born October 16, 1978) is an American multi-instrumentalist, , and photographer best known as a touring and who has contributed to over 50 albums across genres including , , , and . Luck began his professional music career in the mid-1990s, initially gaining prominence as the for the band The Dingees from 1996 to 1998, before joining the influential group as a and in 2000, contributing to their albums Revenge of the O.C. Supertones and Hi-Fi Revival. He later expanded into heavier sounds, serving as a touring for the metalcore band and appearing on their 2005 album Unite, while also performing with acts such as , , and . Based in , since the early 2000s, Luck has established himself as a versatile utility player proficient in guitar, drums, bass, and lap steel, supporting a wide array of artists through live tours and studio recordings, including currently as for singer-songwriter Max McNown. In addition to his collaborative work, Luck maintains a solo career, releasing instrumental and original music through platforms like Bandcamp, including the 2025 EP Under the Weather and singles such as "Shoot the Moon" and "Take What You Want." His photography has also documented tours and band activities, adding another dimension to his creative output in the music industry.

Background

Early life

Ethan Luck was born on October 16, 1978, in , U.S. He grew up in during a period when the region's punk and music scenes were thriving, providing an environment rich with local influences that shaped his early interest in music. Luck began playing guitar at the age of 11, marking the start of his self-taught journey as a . Details on his family background and formal education remain limited in public records, though his childhood in the Long Beach area exposed him to the diverse sounds of the local alternative music community. No specific information is available regarding formal musical training or non-musical hobbies from this period. By his late teens, these early experiences laid the foundation for his entry into professional music.

Musical beginnings

Ethan Luck began playing guitar at the age of 11 while growing up in . By age 13, he had started his musical pursuits more actively, immersing himself in the vibrant scene of the late 1990s as a teenager. He honed his skills in a region known for its thriving punk and communities. Luck's early involvement in music included influences from ska, punk, and Christian rock genres. These roots led to his first local gigs and participation in informal groups, providing foundational experiences in performance and collaboration before his formal band affiliations. In 2006, Luck entered music production by co-founding Rebel Waltz Recording Co. with fellow musician Daniel Spencer, establishing a studio in Franklin, Tennessee, that served as a hub for various artists.

Band career

Early bands

Ethan Luck's early professional band career in the late 1990s was deeply embedded in the ska punk scene, building on his musical beginnings in the region. He joined the Christian ska punk band The Dingees as their drummer around 1997, contributing to the group during a period of lineup changes and increased activity following their formation in 1996. Luck played drums on their debut full-length album, Armageddon Massive, released in 1998 on BEC Recordings, which featured a fusion of , and sounds with socially conscious lyrics. During his tenure with The Dingees, Luck gained significant live performance experience through regional and national tours, including appearances at festivals like TomFest in 1998 and shows in , such as at the Croatian Cultural Centre in , BC. These outings provided exposure to international ska scenes and helped solidify his skills in a high-energy, collaborative band environment rooted in Orange County's punk and communities. Luck also had brief involvements in other nascent groups during this formative era, including early contributions to local Orange County punk outfits like , where he handled drums and bass in 1996–1997 as part of their original lineup. In the early 2000s, he played guitar on the short-lived Guerilla Rodeo's self-titled EP, a blending punk and alternative styles. This phase reflected a gradual shift in his influences, moving from pure roots toward broader rock and punk elements evident in The Dingees' hybrid sound.

Major band affiliations

Luck joined the Christian ska punk band as guitarist in 2000, remaining with the group until its 2005 hiatus, and contributed guitar and backing vocals to their final studio album Revenge of the O.C. Supertones (2004). Building on his early ska roots in local Orange County bands, this role marked Luck's entry into national circuits. In 2004, Luck served as a touring rhythm guitarist for the rock band during their early promotional tours for Youth & Young Manhood and . He also had brief stints as a touring musician with and in the short-lived punk project My Red Hot Nightmare alongside former Supertones bassist Dan Spencer from 2005 to 2007. From 2005 to 2009, Luck was the lead guitarist for the metal band , providing guitar and lap steel contributions to albums including (2005) and Storm the Gates of Hell (2007). His tenure with the band emphasized heavy riffing and production support, though scheduling conflicts with other commitments led to his departure in 2009. Luck's most extended mid-career affiliation was as drummer for the band from 2008 to 2013, where he performed on multiple releases such as The Bird and the Bee Sides (2008) and Forget and Not Slow Down (2009), the latter addressing themes of personal recovery following bandmate Matt Thiessen's accident. During this period, he also contributed backing vocals and participated in extensive touring, helping maintain the band's energetic live presence.

Current bands

Since 2015, Ethan Luck has served as guitarist and vocalist for the band The Lees of Memory. The band, formed in in 2013, released its album The Blinding White of Nothing at All in late 2017, with Luck contributing to the recording and performances supporting the project into 2018. In 2022, Luck rejoined as bassist and backing vocalist for the band's "Um Yeah Tour," marking his return to the group after his earlier tenure as drummer from 2008 to 2013. This role supported live performances across , with potential for future recordings as the band resumed activity following a hiatus. From 2021 to 2023, Luck was a touring member of country artist Morgan Wade's band, playing drums during the promotion of her album Reckless (2022). His contributions included high-profile shows, such as the sold-out performance at First Avenue in in March 2023. As of summer 2024, Luck has been the guitarist for Max McNown, participating in tours including McNown's debut headlining run and subsequent outings like the "Forever Ain't Long Enough" tour. This collaboration began with intimate performances and expanded to larger venues by late 2024.

Studio and production work

Production credits

Ethan Luck co-founded Rebel Waltz Recording Co. with fellow O.C. Supertones alumnus Daniel Spencer in the mid-2000s, establishing a studio in , that served as a hub for recording projects by various artists. The facility later expanded to locations in East Nashville, where bands like The Lonely Hearts recorded demos under Luck's guidance. Throughout the 2000s, Luck took on production and engineering roles for several and punk acts, often at Rebel Waltz. He produced, engineered, and mixed Flatfoot 56's album Jungle of the Midwest Sea, released in 2007 on Flicker Records, blending punk, folk, and Celtic influences into a cohesive sound. Similarly, he engineered Matt Morginsky's debut solo album Doctorate in Cold Rockin' It (Mojo Goes to College) in 2008, contributing drums, backing vocals, keyboards, and programming to the hip-hop and rock fusion project. Luck also served as co-producer with Dan Spencer on tracks for the band Last Tuesday, including the acoustic version of "" from their 2006 release. Luck's engineering work extended to other Christian rock projects, supporting reunions and new recordings for acts like during their mid-2000s output. In recent years, up to , he has focused on producing for indie artists through his home studio in Nashville, offering remote recording services for guitar, bass, drums, and full production across genres.

Session contributions

Ethan Luck has served as a on various recordings for Christian and indie labels, contributing instruments and performances beyond his primary band roles. On 's 2006 album Hearts of the Innocent, Luck co-wrote "Shut Me Out" with Jon Micah Sumrall. In the 2000s, Luck participated in compilations associated with artists, including contributions to Hi-Fi Revival projects and Veggie Rocks! releases on , where he provided guitar and additional instrumentation for select tracks. Luck contributed guitar to Demon Hunter's 2007 track "Sixteen" on Storm the Gates of Hell. His miscellaneous session work extended through 2023, encompassing drums, guitar, bass, and lap steel for numerous indie and Christian label projects, as he has noted playing on over 50 in these capacities.

Solo career

Solo releases

Ethan Luck's solo career began with independent releases that showcased his multi-instrumentalist abilities, allowing him to self-produce introspective rock tracks infused with personal and ethical themes, including reflections on and . His debut single, "Hey, Mr. Pharisee," was released in 2012 as a ska-infused critique of , drawing from his ethical worldview. The track, performed under the moniker Ethan Luck & The High Pressure System but credited primarily to Luck, marked his entry into solo output with raw energy and social commentary. In , Luck released the EP Wounds & Fears, a five-track exploration of emotional vulnerability and inner conflict, featuring songs like "," "My Only Home," "Alone," "Sleep It Off," and "The Drug Has a Voice." The EP's themes centered on healing personal wounds and confronting fears, produced entirely by Luck on vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. That same year, he issued the EP Cold Music, a brooding rock piece emphasizing isolation and resilience, including a cover of "Blue ." The 2014 EP Hard Seas continued this introspective vein with five songs—"At Least I'm Yours," "Can't Sleep Sound," "When I Let You Down," "Crooks & Kings," and "Set Me Free"—blending rock and elements to address themes of , , and liberation. Luck handled all , highlighting his self-reliant production style amid ethical undertones of authenticity in relationships. Luck's first full-length solo album, Let It Burn, arrived in , returning to his and roots with tracks exploring passion, loss, and ethical living, including vegan-inspired messages of . The album, self-produced, featured a mix of upbeat rhythms and reflective , establishing Luck's solo sound as a fusion of personal storytelling and social awareness. During the 2020 pandemic, Luck released the single "Don't Let the Sun Go Down," an uplifting rock anthem about perseverance, followed by the Lockdown Covers EP, which reinterpreted classic tracks in his signature style. These releases maintained his focus on emotional depth without venturing into new collaborations. In 2021, the instrumental album The Golden West marked a stylistic shift, drawing from surf, western, and Latin influences across 12 tracks such as "North Beach," "Dorado," "Pirate Satellite," and "El Camino Real." Funded via , the album evoked themes of exploration and ethical , showcasing Luck's guitar and production prowess in a wordless narrative. By 2025, Luck launched his Single of the Month series to build toward a new full-length, releasing tracks like "Taking Away My Soul" (January), "Going Down" (February), "" (March), "If I Were You" (April), and "" (May), each delving into introspective rock themes of self-doubt, desire, and ethical choices. The series continued with plans for a full incorporating these singles, anticipated in October 2025. In July 2025, he released the EP Under The Weather, featuring six original songs: "Suck City!," "There's Too Much To See," "Domino," "Under The Weather," "Take Me Down," and "Run And Hide," emphasizing resilience amid personal turmoil.

Tours and live performances

Luck's solo live performances were profoundly affected by the in 2020, which led to the cancellation or postponement of numerous music tours and events across the industry. In response, he contributed to virtual recording efforts, including the "Quarantine Covers (Ethan)" series produced by , featuring arrangements and recordings of cover songs created during the March to June 2020 period. Post-pandemic, Luck resumed touring activities, focusing on intimate solo shows at U.S. indie venues to promote his album The Golden West (2021). These performances in 2021 and 2022 highlighted his multi-instrumental skills in surf-rock style sets, drawing small but dedicated audiences at locations such as Nashville-area clubs and West Coast spots. Luck has also engaged in acoustic live sessions and stripped-down performances shared on and featured in podcasts through 2025, offering fans glimpses of his songwriting process and covers in home or studio settings. As a former Warped Tour participant through his band affiliations, Luck made guest appearances at alumni events and gatherings, including faith-based music events in . These collaborations emphasized his roots in the punk and scenes while showcasing solo material.

Other endeavors

Photography

Ethan Luck developed his photography skills while touring as a , capturing moments during Relient K's 2012 travels to document the band's experiences on the road. This early practice evolved into a specialization in music industry portraits and live performance shots, often using compact equipment like the Fujifilm X100V for on-the-go work. His professional portfolio, hosted on Instagram under @ethanluckphotography, features notable examples such as portraits of artists Paul Moak for campaigns and , alongside live captures of bands including and . Luck has also contributed photography to video productions, including stills from Max McNown's "Night Diving" shoot, blending his touring background with visual storytelling for the music scene. Recent works, such as images from Albuquerque in September 2025 and wild horse scenes in Phoenix that same month, highlight his continued focus on dynamic, travel-inspired compositions across the U.S.

Podcasts

Ethan Luck hosts The Pirate Satellite, a conversation-based podcast that features interviews with musicians and artists across genres, emphasizing their personal stories, creative inspirations, and career journeys. The show explores themes such as professional retrospectives and practical advice for navigating the music industry, with episodes highlighting the backgrounds of guests from diverse musical scenes. Launched in the 2010s, the podcast has been available on platforms including and , and as of 2024, it resumed production with new installments following a hiatus. Luck also co-hosted Metal Up Your Podcast alongside musician Clint Wells from its inception in until stepping away in late 2023. Dedicated to heavy music with a primary focus on Metallica, the delved into album analyses, tour histories, fan-submitted questions, and broader discussions within the metal community, occasionally featuring guests connected to Luck's past band experiences like . Episodes often touched on career reflections in the heavy music scene and lifestyle topics, including veganism's role in touring ' lives. Distributed on , , and other services, the show achieved steady listener engagement, averaging over 35,000 downloads per month during its active run through the early 2020s.

References

  1. https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Ethan_Luck/686477
  2. https://www.airgigs.com/user/ethanluck
  3. https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indies/EthanLuck.asp
  4. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/ethan-luck
  5. https://soundbetter.com/profiles/90751-ethan-luck
  6. https://www.instagram.com/ethanluck/
  7. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/
  8. https://www.onthisday.com/music/birthdays/date/1978
  9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-nov-08-me-48734-story.html
  10. https://www.indievisionmusic.com/interviews/relient-k-7/
  11. https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-spencer-3485164
  12. https://www.discogs.com/master/1237305-The-Dingees-Armageddon-Massive
  13. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-dingees/47925758
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBGe6N7XtyY
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3pgnRS2y7I
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/5855142-Guerilla-Rodeo-Guerilla-Rodeo
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/9761244-The-OC-Supertones-Revenge-Of-The-OC-Supertones
  18. https://www.indievisionmusic.com/tag/ethan-luck/
  19. https://www.discogs.com/master/306892-Demon-Hunter-Storm-The-Gates-Of-Hell
  20. https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Lineup_Changes/37383/p1/
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/3741468-Relient-K-Forget-And-Not-Slow-Down
  22. https://www.discogs.com/artist/3540585-The-Lees-Of-Memory
  23. https://www.discogs.com/master/1233917-The-Lees-Of-Memory-The-Blinding-White-Of-Nothing-At-All
  24. https://www.pulmonarysound.com/posts/2022/3/30/relient-k-house-of-blues-3272022
  25. https://www.indievisionmusic.com/news/relient-k-announce-2022-tour/
  26. https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2023/03/14/morgan-wade-captivates-soldout-first-avenue-crowd
  27. https://theconcertchronicles.com/2025/09/15/rising-star-max-mcnown-shines-in-sold-out-arizona-show/
  28. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/The-Lonely-Hearts/20558/
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/2687770-Flatfoot-56-Jungle-Of-The-Midwest-Sea
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/8711202-Mojo-The-Info-Doctorate-In-Cold-Rockin-It-Mojo-Goes-To-College
  31. https://music.apple.com/ug/song/carry-on-acoustic/1533127865
  32. https://genius.com/Kutless-shut-me-out-lyrics
  33. https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/OCSupertones.asp
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/9613042-Ethan-Luck-And-The-High-Pressure-System-Hey-Mr-Pharisee
  35. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/track/hey-mr-pharisee-single
  36. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/wounds-fears-ep
  37. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/hard-seas-ep
  38. https://music.apple.com/us/album/hard-seas-ep/855371067
  39. https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/LetItBurn.asp
  40. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/let-it-burn-2
  41. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/the-golden-west
  42. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ethanluck/pre-order-my-new-instrumental-album-the-golden-west
  43. https://www.facebook.com/ethanluckmusic/
  44. https://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-weather-ep
  45. https://www.businessinsider.com/music-events-festivals-tours-concerts-canceled-postponed-coronavirus-2020-3
  46. https://metalupyourpodcast.bandcamp.com/album/quarantine-covers-ethan
  47. https://www.youtube.com/ethanluck
  48. https://radiou.com/insider/relient-k-post-behind-the-scenes-tour-pics/
  49. https://www.instagram.com/ethanluckphotography/
  50. https://www.instagram.com/ethanluckphotography/p/DOmpmdnDaPc/
  51. https://www.instagram.com/ethanluckphotography/p/DOgqFgojg6N/
  52. https://open.spotify.com/show/7exO24oaO55pscQs9LTlfN
  53. https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-pirate-satellite-5528
  54. https://www.facebook.com/thepiratesatellite/
  55. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-clint-ethan-jump-in-the-fire-an-introduction/id1187775077?i=1000379488512
  56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEq1scosHdk
  57. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qxtNQstESfAirfPPVOgNT
  58. https://www.discogs.com/artist/7657908-Metal-Up-Your-Podcast
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