Ropyr Madison Koe Wetzel (born July 14, 1992) is an American singer and songwriter. His music has been described variously as a "blend of rock and country", outlaw country, and "fusing country and grunge".
Life and career Wetzel was born in Pittsburg, Texas, with one of his names being a reference to outlaw country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe. His mother was a touring country singer, bringing the young Koe along and his father worked in the construction business. He would perform on stage for the first time at age six. Later, Wetzel was a linebacker at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where he decided to pursue a career as a musician instead.
Wetzel formed "Koe Wetzel and Konvicts", and self-released an EP and one full-length album. His "rowdy" music and lyrics became popular among college students and young adults, and Noise Complaint, released in 2016, was considered to be his breakout album. Beginning with Noise Complaint, the full name of the band was dropped, though Wetzel still performs with a bassist, one drummer, and two guitarists. The band signed with Red 11 Music in Austin, TX in early 2018 while being managed by 4-Tay Management out of Stephenville, TX until 2019 when the band signed a management deal with Floating Leaf Entertainment, establishing a joint venture between Wetzel and Jeb Hurt who had previously been the band's agent at Red 11 Music.
Harold Saul High was released in 2019, however sales were strong, and the album charted on the Billboard 200.
In 2020, Wetzel released Sellout, named in reference to his signing with major label Columbia Records.
In 2023, Wetzel became a partner in the opening of a highly successful restaurant-bar and live music venue in Fort Worth, Texas called Koe Wetzel's Riot Room.
Musical style Wetzel's music is usually described as fusing genres, especially rock and country, while he has been rumored to personally refer to his blend of music as "Hillbilly Punk-Rock". In his youth, Wetzel was exposed to country, hip-hop, rap, and grunge, including the music of Nirvana. In an interview for American Songwriter, Wetzel described his album Harold Saul High as "...90s country meets early 2000s punk rock with early '90s grunge and hip-hop music in the background."
His lyrics often deal with mature subject matter, and are known for containing explicit language. One example is the song "February 28, 2016": a song about drunkenness, and a reference to his arrest for public intoxication in Stephenville on that day.
In 2019, Wetzel's performance at the Great Texas Balloon Race was the subject of some controversy, after some festival goers were offended at his refusal to make his songs more family friendly. Wetzel responded in a tongue in cheek manner, taking credit for breaking attendance records.
Discography
Studio albums + List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positionsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications US USCountry CANOut on Parole Release date: January 10, 2015 Label: none (self-released) Formats: CD, digital — — —Noise Complaint Release date: August 17, 2016 Label: YellaBush Formats: CD, digital, vinyl — — —Harold Saul High Release date: June 21, 2019 Label: YellaBush Formats: CD, digital, vinyl 65 10 —Sellout Release date: November 20, 2020 Label: Columbia Formats: CD, digital, vinyl 88 — — RIAA: GoldHell Paso Release date: September 16, 2022 Label: Columbia Formats: CD, digital, vinyl 12 3 —9 Lives Release date: July 19, 2024 Label: Columbia Formats: CD, digital, vinyl 15 5 54 RIAA: GoldThe Night Champion Release date: June 12, 2026 Label: Columbia Formats: CD, digital, vinyl 71 12 —
Live albums + List of live albums, with selected details and chart positionsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions US USCountryLive from the Damn Near Normal Tour Release date: February 28, 2025 Label: Columbia Formats: CD, digital 109 19
Extended plays + List of extended plays, with selected detailsTitleEP detailsLove and Lies Release date: June 12, 2012 Label: none (self-released) Formats: Digital download
Singles As lead artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US USCou. USCou.Air. USAlt. USMain.Rock USRock AUS CAN NZHotPeaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart: "Sweet Dreams": "High Road": "Time Goes On": "Jaded": WW "Austin" 2017 — — — — — — — — — — "Kuntry & Wistern" 2020 — — — — — — — — — — RIAA: Gold Sellout "Sundy or Mundy" — — — — — — — — — —"Good Die Young" — — — — — — — — — — RIAA: Platinum "Creeps" 2022 — 28 — 31 25 12 — — — — RIAA: Gold Hell Paso "April Showers" — — — — — 16 — — — — "Damn Near Normal" 2024 — 29 — — — 12 — — — — RIAA: Gold 9 Lives "9 Lives (Black Cat)" — — — — — — — — — — "Sweet Dreams" 35 10 — — — — — 86 40 168 RIAA: Platinum MC: Gold "High Road" 22 4 1 — — — 46 30 8 72 RIAA: 4× Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum MC: Platinum RMNZ: Platinum "Surrounded" 2025 — 49 — — — 27 — — — — The Night Champion "Time Goes On" 2026 — 29 — — — — — — 39 — "Hurts Like You" — 29 46 — — 26 — — — — "Jaded" 19 8 13 — — — — 29 5 99
As featured artist + List of singles as featured artist, with showing year released, peak chart positions and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US USCou. USCou.Air. CANCou. "Wasted" 2023 — — — — Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 2: Swamp Savant "That's Why We Fight" — — — — RIAA: Platinum Excuse the Mess "Rocky Mountain Low" 2025 78 18 4 20 Heartland Rock and Roll
Other charted and certified songs + List of other charted and certified songs, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album USBub. USCou. USRock "Something to Talk About" 2016 — — — RIAA: Platinum Noise Complaint "February 28, 2016" — — — RIAA: Gold "Love" — — — RIAA: Gold "Ragweed" 2019 — — — RIAA: Gold Harold Saul High "Drunk Driving" 2020 — — — RIAA: Platinum Sellout "Money Spent" 2022 — 45 25 Hell Paso "Cabo" 4 28 15 RIAA: Gold "Oklahoma Sun" — — 28 "Sad Song" — — 34 "Depression & Obsession" 2024 — — 36 9 Lives "Casamigos" 16 34 —
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