Joe Casey

Joe Casey is the singer in Protomartyr.

Bio

Detroit post-punk quartet Protomartyr formed in 2010, slowly bubbling up out of a few bands in a tightly knit music scene. Guitarist Greg Ahee, bassist Scott Davidson, and drummer Alex Leonard started the caustic punk band Butt Babies in 2008, playing mostly dive bars and basements and eventually getting together a practice space in a large industrial warehouse. Ahee was working at the time as a doorman at Detroit's Gem Theater and struck up a conversation with co-worker Joe Casey about music and local friends Tyvek. Casey had never been in a band, but had accompanied Tyvek on a few of their tours. The two decided to jam; the first nebulous lineup of Protomartyr included Casey on vocals, Ahee and Leonard on their respective instruments, and Tyvek songwriter Kevin Boyer on bass. Boyer, often too busy with Tyvek commitments and a heavy work schedule, soon turned over his bass position to Davidson, opting instead to play second guitar whenever he could. The four- or sometimes five-piece Protomartyr played around Detroit and did toured regionally, gaining attention on the strengths of two early 7" singles and riveting live performances. Singles Dreads 85 84 and Colpi Proibiti were both released in 2012, followed by debut album No Passion All Technique later in the year. The album quickly sold out of its first pressing and continued to reach new ears in subsequent pressings as the band toured more and got more press. By this point, Boyer was more or less out of the picture, and the four-piece band tightened up even more, signing to Hardly Art for the release of 2014's Under Color of Official Right, a more exploratory sophomore album. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

Talks

Odd Jobs: a Conversation with Protomartyr and Preoccupations

By Joe Casey | December 13, 2018

Odd Jobs: a Conversation with Protomartyr and Preoccupations

“I've heard the argument that rock music isn't dangerous anymore, but I think it's just not where the money is.”

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) on Approaching Wolf Eyes from Three Locations

By Joe Casey | March 24, 2017

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) on Approaching Wolf Eyes from Three Locations

On Dread, art and pleated Dockers.

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks Sauna Youth’s “Creeping”

By Joe Casey | August 21, 2015

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks Sauna Youth’s “Creeping”

"Creeping" is a summer song because it's perfect for shouting along to in the car, with the warm rush of wind and the buzz of insects outside.

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks the Fall’s Sub-Lingual Tablet

By Joe Casey | June 9, 2015

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks the Fall’s Sub-Lingual Tablet

Call him a dabbler if you must, but Joe Casey thinks the Fall are as weird and powerful as ever on their new album.

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks Bob Seger’s Ride Out

By Joe Casey | November 20, 2014

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks Bob Seger’s Ride Out

It’s no Live Bullet, but the King of Michigan’s new one finds him aging like fine Ripple.

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks Interpol’s El Pintor

By Joe Casey | October 6, 2014

Joe Casey (Protomartyr) Talks Interpol’s El Pintor

Protomartyr’s lead singer tries to figure out why people think his band sounds like Interpol.