United in a moment of musical brilliance, members of supercollab rock outfit This Wild Darkness have spent their respective careers gracing some of the most prestigious stages and selling some of the biggest albums across the musical landscape. Led by musical alchemist Tommy Marz, this collective evolved from friends enjoying the act of creating together, with the intention of trekking through musical discoveries to form something poignant and dynamic. Joining Marz on this sonic journey is Arion Salazar (Third Eye Blind), Chuck Bartles (Sturgill Simpson), Jack Hues (Wang Chung), Jeff Schroeder (Smashing Pumpkins), Scotti Hill (Skid Row), and Slim Gambill (Lady A). Taking their various backgrounds into account, the group culminated their extensive individual experiences into their upcoming EP The Notorious Memphis Rains, set for release on October 25.

“The entirety of this project is a concept based on searching for something that you want and being willing to do whatever it takes to get it,” says Marz who also produced the album. “It also explores the consequences of those actions that may not be clear when you are in pursuit.” The roots of the title offer a glimpse into the devastation waiting at the end of the 5-song collection, with inspiration drawing from the tragedies in Memphis, TN and West Memphis, AR that have impacted the world immensely. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the death of Elvis Presley, and the story of the West Memphis Three weighed heavily on Marz as he wove the threads of this project, basing the character “Memphis Rains,” on the tears of those events.

The lead single off the project, “Dawn Rider” carries the heavy momentum built up in the first track. With acoustics strumming a repeating melody throughout, the gritty tone in Marz’s voice on the pre-chorus leads into more melodious instrumentation that ultimately blends into a virtuosic guitar solo by Jeff Schroeder, the long running lead guitarist of Smashing Pumpkins (2007-2023). “Dawn Rider represents the ride and realization of Memphis's actions and mistakes. This is him trying to make a run for it but uncertain that he'll be able to escape,” Marz explains.

Sophomore single “The Wild Darkness,” starts off the journey at a crossroads. Representing the present day, the track opens on a whining guitar reminiscent of an old western movie. Marz’s powerful vocals carry the narrative of our main character through his decision of which road to take. Skilled guitars fly across the melodies, with soft acoustics juxtaposing the crisp electrics. Scotti Hill breaks away from his blistering chops on Skid Row tracks to a smooth slide guitar, exemplifying his skill beyond the heavy metal world. “I couldn't have been more flattered when Tommy asked me to contribute to this record,” shares Hill. “ It’s been so much fun!”

“Phantom Moon,” the focus track from the project, showcases the infectious melodies delivered by Jack Hues, founding member of the chart topping new wave group Wang Chung. Cutting through the mix is a blazing guitar solo with fretboard pyro delivered by Nashville-based guitarist Slim Gambill, known for his work with country group Lady A. Gambill shouts: “Finally! I get a rock track sent to me where I get to take the gloves off!”

“Tommy made it easy to be relaxed and creative,” adds Bartles. “I felt like nothing was off the table, part-wise.”

Beginning at a charity show, “For The Crew, ” benefitting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund in 2021, Schroeder, Hill, and Marz ended the evening with a rousing jam of “Cold Gin” by KISS. This event, which raised over $15,000 for out-of-work road crew members affected by the pandemic, also highlighted collaboration between Schroeder and Salazar, as well as Hues and Marz. These moments laid the foundation for a group that would reunite and create together over the years. Marz and Schroeder have since collaborated on several tracks, charting four times on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Mainstream Radio Airplay and Digital Sales charts.

In the summer of 2023, the friends began writing music together, using their different strengths to culminate The Notorious Memphis Rains. They started with demos featuring acoustic guitar and drums from Marz, then Bartles or Salazar would contribute their bass guitar interpretations. Unconventionally, the vocals from Marz and Hues were recorded before the electric guitars, which were finished off with their distinctive solos. Each guitarist has a solo on the album, infusing their personal style into each track while staying true to the overall theme.


This project is not meant to depict a quintessential Hollywood ending, but a stark reminder of the realities of life and the decisions that come along with it. The band name This Wild Darkness stems from an inspiring article from The New Yorker about a man affected by the AIDS virus. His raw & honest perspective on his final months stuck with Marz, inspiring a complex project of roaming through the wild darkness. “The outcome of this journey, hopefully, reminds people that life is what you make it and that the grass is not always greener on the other side,” Marz concludes.