Denver's Tunnel Jumper first appeared on No Echo a couple of years ago, when the band was still relatively new and finding its footing. A lot has happened since then.
The group has finished a new album, Half Gone, completed its first out-of-state run, and signed with Mean World Records, with Icebreaker Records and Fixed Blade Records also handling physical releases. More importantly, vocalist JP Lichtenberg feels like Tunnel Jumper has figured out what it wants to be. "We've been focused on wrapping up the album, knocked out our first out-of-state tour run, and signed with Mean World Records," he tells No Echo. "We're also working with Icebreaker Long Island and Fixed Blade Records on some physicals for the release."
For Lichtenberg, the biggest difference between the band's earlier material and what they're doing now isn't limited to one area. "All three, really," he says when asked whether the biggest evolution has been musical, lyrical, or simply a change in mindset. "The music feels more in-your-face and hits harder live. Our EP was the first time I'd done vocals and lyrics, and I felt like I really found my rhythm and style this time around, both in mapping and lyrical content."
After roughly two years of playing together, that increased comfort also affected how Tunnel Jumper approached the new record. "We were all ready to make this feel like a big step up and dial in our live sound to go along with us starting to play the new material." Part of that progression comes from the members allowing more of their individual influences into Tunnel Jumper's music. Rather than narrowing its sound, the band has increasingly embraced the differences between everyone's musical backgrounds.
"The newer stuff is more a product of all the different inspirations we have individually," Lichtenberg explains. "Justin brought in more elements of power violence, Adam brought in thrash and death metal compared to the last record. The four of us all have particular playing styles derived from different subgenres and backgrounds, and that came through in the final product."
One of the most aggressive moments on the Half Gone album comes with "Noseblunt Shuvit," which Tunnel Jumper has now given the video treatment. The clip was assembled from footage shot during the band's first weekender, with Kayla Cook documenting the shows.
"We wanted to cap off the album with our most aggressive song, and that led the writing for both the instrumentals and lyrics," Lichtenberg says. Lyrically, "Noseblunt Shuvit" is Lichtenberg's response to what he sees as the economic, environmental, and political inheritance handed to younger generations.
"This one is about the shit hand that everyone born post-1990ish has been dealt, decades of greedy decisions made far before we had any say," he explains. "The younger generations have been left to suffer the consequences, with a narrow path for us to establish sustainable environmental, economic, societal, and political policies. It's our turn now; we have to figure out how to get back on track."
Beyond the new record, Lichtenberg also has some thoughts about where heavy music is right now, particularly when it comes to how shows are booked. With streaming services shaping what people hear, Lichtenberg sees shows as a way to introduce listeners to music they might never find online. "Those bills serve to introduce fans to other slices of heavy music that they might not have found through streaming algorithms. More mixed bills!"
Tunnel Jumper's first out-of-state run also produced one of those happy accidents that tends to happen only on DIY tours. During a stop in Phoenix, the band discovered that the DIY venue hosting its show had accidentally double-booked the night with a separate metal and beatdown bill. Instead of one promoter packing up and going home, everyone involved figured out how to make both shows happen.
"We reached out to the other promoter, who was super accommodating, shout-out Red Feather Booking and Devoured Design Productions, and we ended up combining the shows and ran a two-stage setup," Lichtenberg recalls. "All of the bands on both sides were super rad and friendly, and it ended up being our favorite night and show from the run."
As for bands currently getting Tunnel Jumper excited, Lichtenberg points first to fellow locals Hammerhead, Tightspot, Bangalore, Hard to Kill, Back Lip, and Cruel Act. Outside Denver, Ingrown, World I Hate, Scarab, and Mask have been in rotation.
Tunnel Jumper plans to spend the coming months playing more shows around Colorado during the fall and winter while working toward a Midwest tour in spring 2027.
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Half Gone is out September 4 and available for preorder on LP (Mean World Records | Fixed Blade Records), CD, and cassette (Icebreaker Records).
Tunnel Jumper on social media: Instagram
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