SECOND SHOOTER - OUR STORY
Second Shooter is a female-fronted heavy metal band from Los Angeles. No gimmicks, no B.S., just unpretentious, uncompromising metal that seamlessly melds the most enthralling aspects of multiple subgenres – including death, groove, and thrash metal – into an unstoppable cathartic force.
Channeling life's tragedies, treacheries, and chaos, their ambitious songs connect through Melanie Johnson’s cultured screams, emotive singing, and fearless lyrics.
Second Shooter was formed by guitarist Travis Hildreth and drummer James Wilinski in 2017, in part to help process the harrowing tragedy that suddenly ended their previous band. Following several lineup changes, the quintet cemented their rare, ferocious chemistry in 2018 with the arrival of Johnson, guitarist Wynn McElwee, and bassist Jeff Clark.
Comprising seasoned instrumentalists fronted by force-of-nature newcomer Johnson, Second Shooter made their stunning 2018 debut opening for Phil Anselmo's Scour at L.A.'s legendary Whisky a Go Go. They have since shared stages with the likes of Jinjer and Swallow the Sun in California, and in January 2024 they toured the southwest U.S. with Go Ahead and Die (Max and Igor Amadeus Cavalera) and Bodybox on the Unhealthy Mechanisms Tour. Coinciding with the tour, the ever-evolving outfit followed up their 2018 and 2019 EPs with a brutal debut full-length Fury Made Flesh, displaying massive growth as individuals and as a group.
Melanie Johnson | Vocals |
Wynn McElwee | Guitar |
Travis Hildreth | Guitar |
Jeff Clark | Bass |
James Wilinski | Drums |