McCafferty

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McCafferty

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Origin Medina, Ohio, U.S.
Genres Indie rock; Midwest emo; punk rock; emo
Years active 2011–present
Labels Soft Speak; Sliding Scale; Monkey Boy; Take This To Heart; Triple Crown
Members
Associated acts
Website https://www.mccaffertyband.com

★ Ohio Verified ★

This subject has been verified as part of Ohio’s music history through reliable, publicly accessible documentation reviewed by the OHMS Archive Foundation.

McCafferty is an American indie rock and Midwest emo band from Medina, Ohio, formed in 2011 by singer-songwriter Nick Hartkop. Initially a solo project, McCafferty grew into a full band associated with the 2010s Midwest emo revival. The project has released multiple EPs, albums, singles, and compilations through independent labels including Soft Speak Records, Sliding Scale Records, Monkey Boy Records, Take This To Heart Records, and Triple Crown Records.

History

Early releases and project origins (2011–2013)

McCafferty began in 2011 as a solo project by Medina musician Nick Hartkop, who self-released early EPs through Bandcamp, including Moms+Dads (2012), Japan (2012), DanceBeats to Hurt Girls (2012), It's A Bad Idea (2013), I Hate This Body (2013), and Forest Life (2013).<ref> McCafferty, Bandcamp. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> McCafferty, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> A live acoustic split, This Will Mean Nothing (A Live Acoustic Split), featuring Hartkop, Sam Rockwell Machete Champion, and Chris Joecken, was released in 2013.<ref> Mccafferty – This Will Mean Nothing, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

Beachboy and first breakup (2014–2015)

The debut full-length album, Beachboy, was released digitally in early 2014, later receiving CD and vinyl editions through Sliding Scale Records and Monkey Boy Records.<ref> Beachboy, Bandcamp. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> McCafferty – Beachboy, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> Independent reviews highlighted the album’s emotionally direct lyrics and lo-fi charm.<ref> McCafferty – BeachBoy (Review), Craig Reviews Music. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> Following work on additional material, the project briefly disbanded after the loss of recordings.

Reformation and label releases (2016–2018)

McCafferty re-formed with Hartkop joined by Evan Graham, Chris Joecken, and Wes Easterly. In 2017 the group signed to Take This To Heart Records and released the EP Thanks. Sorry. Sure., promoted through an Alternative Press premiere.<ref> Thanks. Sorry. Sure., Bandcamp. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> McCafferty release new EP stream, Alternative Press. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> Yarn, the second full-length, was released in 2018 through Triple Crown Records and Take This To Heart Records.<ref> McCafferty – Yarn, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> The band also released a split with Cleveland band Heart Attack Man the same year.<ref> McCafferty / Heart Attack Man – Split, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

Third album, public allegations, and lawsuit (2018–2020)

McCafferty released The House with No Doorbell in 2019, preceded by several standalone singles.<ref> McCafferty catalog, YouTube Music. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

In 2020, former members publicly accused Hartkop of emotional abuse and misconduct, documented in online reporting.<ref> The downfall of McCafferty, The Siren. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> A federal lawsuit, *Easterly et al. v. Hartkop*, was filed in July 2020 alleging unpaid royalties.<ref> Easterly et al v. Hartkop, Justia Dockets. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref><ref> Easterly et al v. Hartkop, PACERMonitor. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

Continued activity (2021–present)

Hartkop resumed recording under the McCafferty name beginning in 2021, releasing updates and music through the official website.<ref> McCafferty official site. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> Snoqualmie Welcomes You (2022), McCafferty Forever (2023), and the compilation The Sum of All Fears II: The Lost Songs (2023) followed.<ref> McCafferty (band), Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> In 2024 the band played its first live show in nearly five years at El Corazon in Seattle for a Trevor Project benefit.<ref> McCafferty (band), Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref> New singles, including “Medina, Ohio” (2025), were announced via the official blog.<ref> Official update. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

Members

Current

Former

  • Evan Graham – guitar, drums
  • Wes Easterly – drums
  • Chris Joecken – bass
  • Noah Yoder – bass
  • Alex D – piano

Discography

Studio albums

  • Beachboy (2014)<ref>

Beachboy, Bandcamp. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

  • Yarn (2018)<ref>

Yarn, Discogs. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

  • The House with No Doorbell (2019)
  • Snoqualmie Welcomes You (2022)
  • McCafferty Forever (2023)

EPs

  • Moms+Dads (2012)
  • Japan (2012)
  • DanceBeats to Hurt Girls (2012)
  • It's A Bad Idea (2013)
  • I Hate This Body (2013)
  • Forest Life (2013)
  • Happy Birthday, Dad (2014)
  • Thanks. Sorry. Sure. (2017)
  • Clementine (2018)
  • Two Demos Never Released in 2017… (2020)
  • I’ve been thinking about giving up lately (2024)

Compilations

  • RIP McCafferty (2015)
  • The Sum of All Fears (2018)
  • The Sum of All Fears II: The Lost Songs (2023)

Splits

  • This Will Mean Nothing (A Live Acoustic Split) (2013)
  • McCafferty / Heart Attack Man Split (2018)

Singles

  • “Fentanyl” (2017)<ref>

McCafferty – Singles, Apple Music. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

  • “Sellout” (2017)<ref>

McCafferty – Singles, Spotify. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

  • “Westboro Sadness” (2018)<ref>

Westboro Sadness, YouTube Music. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

  • “House With No Doorbell (Single Version)” (2019)
  • “Fears” (2020)
  • “Jake Paul” (2020)
  • “Medina, Ohio” (2025)<ref>

McCafferty official update. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

</ref>

References

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