It’s an exciting start to 2025 for Oklahoma-based rock band 9 Left Dead, with a new EP coming out in February and many performances being planned. The story of how this band came to exist and everything that has happened since then has given 9 Left Dead a certain aura of determination and resilience that resonates with their fans. The more I learned about them from their lead vocalist and guitarist, Travis Jones, and tour manager, Terry “T” Jones, I knew I wanted to write about them. It’s almost as if this band is on a mission to prove that no matter what trials and tribulations you go through, you can overcome them and keep going.
9 Left Dead is originally from Amber, Oklahoma, but now operates out of Chickasa, Oklahoma. Band members include: Travis Jones (vocalist/guitarist); Dante Viviani (bassist); and Jonathan “Bull” Walden (drummer).
Travis shared with me the backstory of how the band formed and how the name 9 Left Dead was chosen. When he was nine years old he had been having health issues for over a year, and they discovered that he had leukemia. The chemotherapy treatments lasted for several years, and included staying in the hospital regularly. There was only so much Nintendo he could play, so his cousin brought Travis his guitar to borrow during his hospital stays, and he began learning how to play.
Around that same time, Travis started finding an escape in writing down his thoughts, so he began writing songs for himself. Eventually, when he was 15 years old, he formed a band with his cousin, Steven Jones. Travis says he grew up going to church and playing sports. His sports number was always 9. Mentally, Travis had a tough time understanding why God had abandoned him to die and why life could be so difficult. He felt like he was alone and like he didn’t belong in life. That’s the story behind the band name 9 Left Dead – a combination of his sports number and the feeling of abandonment by God.
Steven was a Type 1 diabetic who was also struggling with life, so he and Travis found common ground writing songs together. As life progressed and Travis matured, he began finding comfort and purpose in music, and he also began finding personal belief in God again. Ironically, he researched the number 9 and learned that it means to go through great trials and tribulations and come out better than when you began. That is what the band adopted as their mission.
The band’s tour manager, “T", was also very helpful in providing a lot of information about 9 Left Dead. He is very passionate in sharing information about the band, and you can tell how much he enjoys working with them. He told me that the band has played with Papa Roach, Shinedown, Hinder, Three Days Grace, Seether, Puddle Of Mudd, Pop Evil, From Ashes To New, Chevelle, Saliva, and Smile Empty Soul, among other well-known bands.
In 2011, 9 Left Dead won a battle of the bands to record a song with Hinder, which was “Put Your Guns Down”. That led to a full album, The Wrong Things. Hinder drummer Cody Hanson and vocalist Marshal Dutton produced and co-wrote the album. Marshal did some backing vocals and Cody played drums on the recordings.
9 Left Dead worked with the excellent producer Malcolm Springer on their EP Love After Death in 2023. He is very well-known in the music industry, and has worked with artists such as Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, Anita Baker, Fear Factory, Eric Clapton, Full Devil Jacket, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Josey Scott, and Scotty Austin. For their upcoming EP that is being released in February, the band worked with Drew Kapner, a Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum engineer, producer, and writer based in California. He’s worked with artists such as 21 Pilots and Miley Cyrus.
One of the reasons I believe 9 Left Dead’s music is so good is that their songs are written from the heart and are based on life experiences. This band has overcome a lot. Travis is a cancer survivor. They lost a previous drummer to cancer two years ago. And most recently, this past September they tragically lost Travis and “T”’s cousin and the band’s drummer, Steven, due to Type 1 diabetes complications. The music lives on, however, and pays tribute to those who have been lost.
Travis writes most of the songs for 9 Left Dead, but there have definitely been moments of the band writing together. “Just Say Goodnight”, their single that was released prior to Christmas, was actually written in a very emotional moment that Steven, tour manager “T”, Brad Scott who is part of the band as Travis puts it, “when he can be”, and Travis had together in an Airbnb in Nashville while they were there recording their Love After Death EP with Malcolm Springer.
If I had to describe 9 Left Dead’s music, I’d say they remind me of a combination of Chevelle, Seether, and Staind, with some Incubus vibes sprinkled in. They definitely have their own unique style, though. The song they released back in December, “Just Say Goodnight”, is fast-paced and, if I were the dancing type, I’d say it’s one that would get me on the dance floor.
I enjoyed listening to the 9 Left Dead music catalog as research for this blog. Travis has a deep, soulful voice that reflects his emotions in every song. The guitar, bass, and drums combine flawlessly on the band’s songs. Honestly, once I started listening to their music I didn’t want to stop. I’m so glad I have gotten connected with 9 Left Dead, and I can’t wait to hear the upcoming new songs and witness them have an amazing 2025!
9 Left Dead released another single, “Broken Just Like Me”, Friday, January 31st. It will be followed by the full six-song EP February 14th. The title of the upcoming EP is Where Love Lies Broken. It will include “Just Say Goodnight” and “Broken Just Like Me”, along with four other songs. The band is planning on releasing the EP as a Valentine’s gift to their fans, and there will be a special surprise on release day. They will also be announcing upcoming shows with Shallow Side and Rehab. Make sure to follow 9 Left Dead for more information on the EP and performances. You can follow 9 Left Dead on their Linktree page, Facebook, Instagram, and the band's website.
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