By Hattan Savage, Rock At Night Nashville
Review: Identity Crisis’ new single “Starve” – Release date March 13, 2026
Some believe Friday the 13th brings bad fortune, but fans of Texas alt rock band Identity Crisis (IDC) are in luck this time around. The band just dropped “Starve,” the first single from their upcoming debut EP, giving listeners their first taste of the new IDC era.
The four guys who make up Identity Crisis look like they missed the memo that it’s 2026. In the IDC universe, it’s still the ‘90s and grunge is still dominating the charts. With influences spanning rock, grunge, rap, R&B, industrial post-punk, and Texas country, lead vocalist Reece Gonzales, guitarist Parker Menck, drummer Cosme Williams, and bassist James Kremling are bringing back the ‘90s grunge sound in their own original way.
Working alongside producer Jim Kaufman, Identity Crisis has created a track that a fellow Texan might say is “gooder than all git out” and what fellow grunge revivalists might call “da bomb.” Sorry, I had to. The band recorded “Starve” and the rest of the EP in Los Angeles, and according to them, there was an immediate click with Kaufman — a shared desire and passion for achieving the envisioned sound.
“Starve” is an upbeat, catchy track with lyrics that offer contrast by exploring the frustration of trying to thrive in a toxic environment. Gonzales’s voice soars with soul and grit, flowing seamlessly with the band’s dynamic, driving sound.
Regarding the meaning behind the lyrics, lead singer Reece Gonzales stated, “Starve is about a person who is in a bad situation and they’re trying to be the best they can be, but the people that they’re surrounded by are kinda dragging them down. They’re not really able to thrive in their environment because of all the negativity that’s going on, so they’re kinda starving for a better tomorrow. Starving for a better life. A better situation.” This feels particularly fitting today, in a culture filled with so much conflict and negativity. Because of their vulnerability, Identity Crisis can connect with listeners on a deeper, human-to-human level.
An imagery-filled music video will accompany the single. In the video, IDC blends their art with Texas culture, staying true to their roots. During my interview with the band, they discussed various locations across Texas featured in the music video, including the Showpony Lounge in Austin and a haunted hospital in Yorktown.
Originally from Corpus Christi, the band now resides just outside Austin. They have gained a strong following over the past few years and recently caught the attention of Riser House Rock, a Nashville label that prioritizes artistic talent over online numbers. Be sure to check out my interview with the band to hear our conversation that covers working with Riser House Rock, many aspects of the new release, and preparing for their first national tour across the US this spring.
Identity Crisis stays true to the grunge movement by refusing to shy away from the truth.
Don’t miss Identity Crisis live on their US tour, beginning in April, with Druidess and Return to Dust.
VIDEO
SOCIAL MEDIA
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- Chatting with rock band IDENTITY CRISIS - March 13, 2026
- Starving for new grunge? Identity Crisis serves fans the first course off debut EP - March 13, 2026
