The Devil Makes Three Makes Return with ‘Spirits’

The Devil Makes Three Return with ‘Spirits’ — A Haunting Ode to Loss, Resilience, and Americana Roots

After a seven-year hiatus, The Devil Makes Three are back with Spirits, a new album set for release on February 28, 2025, via New West Records. Known for their gritty fusion of folk, blues, and punk, the band has crafted a deeply personal, 13-track journey through grief, resilience, and remembrance, produced by Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphys, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Gaslight Anthem) and recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios in Hurley, NY. Today premieres the title track, offering fans an early look at what may be the band’s most introspective work yet.

Frontman Pete Bernhard describes the record as a reflection on the losses he endured during its

creation, including his mother, brother, and closest childhood friend. “The world’s in a strange place right now. A lot of the songs on this record come from that place—trying to make sense of it all,” Bernhard explains. “Whether it’s dealing with loss, addiction, or the way people are more divided than ever, this band has always been about celebrating resilience. We’ve always found a way to push through, and wanted to reflect that in this album.”

Spirits marks a return to The Devil Makes Three’s stripped-back origins, with raw, unvarnished arrangements that emphasize lyrical depth and thematic weight. Since forming in Santa Cruz in 2002, Bernhard and guitarist Cooper McBean have carved a niche by blending traditional folk with an aggressively punk ethos. Their sound has always thrived in the spaces between genres, merging folk storytelling, the dark soul of blues, and the unapologetic edge of punk. The band now includes longtime collaborator MorganEve Swain, who brings a fresh dynamic to the group as she steps into the role of bassist and vocalist, previously held by Lucia Turino.

Reflecting on their beginnings, Bernhard says, “When we first started the band, there was a folk scene, but also a progressive jam following, and that’s what we wanted to do…play traditional folk music with an aggressively punk approach.” Today, Spirits carries forward that philosophy, with an added layer of maturity and solemnity, capturing the tension between sorrow and strength.

The title track, “Spirits,” now spinning on Racketeer Radio KFQX and streaming on all of our streaming playlists, The lead title track serves as the album’s emotional cornerstone, delving into Bernhard’s own experience with grief. He explains, “‘Spirits’ is a song of grief and loss. In the span of four years, I lost my mother, brother, and childhood friend. This song celebrates them and is an attempt to keep talking to the people we have lost. The spirits are with us.” The haunting track highlights the band’s ability to capture raw emotion within foot-stomping rhythms, offering a cathartic experience that’s both haunting and comforting.

In support of Spirits, The Devil Makes Three will embark on a North American tour with The Bridge City Sinners, kicking off February 27th in Vancouver, British Columbia, and will be celebrating their record release date in Seattle at the Showbox, with notable stops at legendary venues such as the Fillmore in San Francisco, First Avenue in Minneapolis, and the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn.

Known for high-energy performances that pull audiences into an irresistible groove, the band’s live shows promise to bring Spirits to life in a way that resonates deeply with fans, old and new.

After over two decades of blending haunting melodies with wry humor and toe-tapping energy, The Devil Makes Three remain as compelling as ever. With Spirits, they invite listeners on a journey through hardship and triumph—a tribute to the ghosts that linger and the human spirit that endures.