Cartel

Cartel is a American pop rock band from Conyers, Georgia that formed in 2003.[1] The band is best known for their single "Honestly", featured on their 2005 debut album Chroma,[2] and for their 2007 appearance on MTV's Band in a Bubble.[3]

The current members of the band include vocalist/guitarist Will Pugh, lead guitarist Joseph Pepper, guitarist Nic Hudson, and drummer Kevin Sanders.[4]The five band members of Cartel grew up in Rockdale County, Georgia, and Cartel was formed in college while they were attending Georgia State University.[5] Eventually the band got signed to The Militia Group an independent record company in Long Beach, California, releasing their EP The Ransom.[6] It was around this time that personal differences between Andy Lee and the rest of the band came to a head, and he was replaced as guitarist by band friend Nic Hudson.[7] With their new lineup, the band released their first full length album, Chroma, in 2005.[8]

The band grew in popularity putting them on Alternative Press’s 2005 list for “Bands You Need to Know”.[9] They were also named Yahoo! Music’s winner in the March 2006 ”Who’s Next” competition.[10] In April 2006 Cartel signed with Epic Records, then in late 2006 till early 2007 they began touring as support for New Found Glory with The Early November and Hit The Lights.[11] After some local shows, they kicked off a headlining tour featuring bands Cobra Starship, Boys Like Girls, Quietdrive, New Atlantic and Permanent ME.[12] On June 8, 2006, Ryan Roberts, the band's bass player, decided to leave the band, though the band said it was an "amicable" breakup. An old friend of the band, Jeff Lett, joined as a replacement for Roberts.[13]

The band continued, re-releasing their debut album Chroma under Epic Records,[14] which is packaged with a live EP, Live Dudes.[15] Their song, Say Anything (Else) was also put in Madden 07. Their Single "Honestly" was featured in the film John Tucker Must Die.


Former members

    * Jeff Lett – Bass (2006–2011)
    * Ryan Roberts – Bass (2003–2006)
    * Andy Lee – Guitar (2003–2004)