I went to my first house show in early fall of 2017 my freshman year of college at the ripe age of 18. From there a beautiful relationship with the local punk scene flourished from within. I also took great enjoyment in playing the part too --- I drank shitty beer at random house shows, dyed my hair red, started only wearing black, and cut up all my clothes. Ironically though, my first house show took place in a living room in off-campus housing in Narragansett, Rhode Island. This is reflective of lead singer and guitarist of Prince Daddy & the Hyena, Kory Gregory's start.
According to Kory, he met the current members of the band in high school through booking living room shows at his family's house in Upstate New York. The folks he formed lasting bonds with were in other notorious punk bands including: Cameron Handford from Louder Now, Daniel Gorham from Pictures of Vernon, and J Nasty from Posture & the Grizzly. Gregory states that once he graduated high school in 2014, he decided to take a "year off, to pursue writing songs and playing music." He also mentions how he is still taking his "year off." But with three studio albums, four EP's/Splits, touring since 2014, and a record in the making, I would certainly say this long-term gap year, has successfully paid off.
Prince Daddy's ethos and themes of personal exploration are reflective of Kory's journey throughout his sabbatical. For example, both songs, "I Forgot to Take My Meds Today," and "Cosmic Thrill Seeking Forever," raises the notion of existential searching as well as navigating subject matters of uncertainty, and chasing dreams -- topics that align with the idea of putting life on hold to follow a passion. This ideology is further explored in 2019 album, 'Cosmic Thrill Seekers." The concept of personal ambiguity and self-doubt is displayed in verse two of the song, Dialogue, when Kory states, "You know you're not stuck for good, right? Even if that's what it feels like. You're just a little bit nervous. I learned that one in a past life. Let's go." These lyrics are reflective of Kory's overwhelming sense of timorousness living in a post acid-trip haze. But through this album, he was able to rectify these big questions, taking space in his psyche.
In the spring semester of 2018, my love for Prince Daddy flourished. On the left, you’ll see a screenshot of my Spotify Wrapped, where Prince Daddy proudly made it into my top five listened-to artists. Now, knowing more about the meaning behind their songs, I understand why my 18-year-old self, grappling with depression and uncertainty, connected so deeply with the music. Fast forward to 2023, I finally had the pleasure of seeing Prince Daddy live at Fete Music Hall in Providence, Rhode Island. Everything I had heard about the band was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding their interactions with fans after shows. My expectations of the band's genuine care for their audience were confirmed when I reached out to Jake Sulzer, owner of Counter Intuitive Records and manager of Prince Daddy, among other notable bands in the genre. I honestly reached out on a whim, never expecting this article to come to fruition. But true to their values, Kory shared how the most memorable part of touring and playing shows for him is the meaningful connections he forms with people. :.)
My journey with Prince Daddy & the Hyena mirrors the larger story of self-discovery, passion, and connection that the band encapsulates. From my first house show in 2017 to the powerful experience of seeing them live years later, their music has been instrumental in my own exploration of uncertainty and existential questioning. The band’s ethos of embracing life’s uncertainties resonates deeply with me, as I too navigated the challenging waters of youth and self-doubt. Through their powerful lyrics, authentic connections, and unapologetic embrace of personal growth, Prince Daddy has proven that the most meaningful journey is the one you take when you’re uncertain of the destination.
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