White Reaper lives on after the loss of its rhythm section

Bitterness can be becoming, at least in the world of rock.

"75% Less Fat," Chris Mars' second solo album and first after his departure from a tumultuous existence with the brilliant but mercurial Replacements, is filled with rancor. The resentment is expressed perfectly with the title since Mars left a quartet.

"Only Slightly Empty" is White Reaper's first album without twins Nick and Sam Wilkerson, who left the band in June 2024. The departure of the former, a bassist, and the latter, a drummer, wasn't smooth. Vocalist-guitarist Tony Esposito refused to comment about the sibling's exit. However, Esposito says plenty via his songs.

It's evident in songs such as "Enemy John" and "Rubber Cement" how Esposito felt about the split.

"When I write lyrics, a lot of times what is within me subconsciously comes out," Esposito said while calling from his Louisville, Kentucky home. "Maybe I write what I would have said if I was confrontational. I think I work out aggression by writing about things. I recount things that happened. All of the conflict over the years was internalized. So the lyrics are moodier and darker due to those moments."

"Only Slightly Empty" features some of Esposito's biggest hooks, and the album still hits with a potent punch, even though the band, which also includes guitarist Hunter Thompson and keyboardist Ryan Hater, has been downsized to a trio.

"It's a fresh start for the group, which is exciting and terrifying at the same time," Esposito said. "In so many ways it feels like this is our first tour. There's the excitement in the air, which comes from feeling like we have a fresh start."

Esposito had the chance to rechristen his band, which will perform Saturday at Gabe’s, with a new name since a new chapter has commenced. It might not have been a bad idea since White Reaper sounds like a death metal band, which doesn't capture the essence of an act of garage rockers that have been just as influenced by punk as metal.

"We definitely thought about it," Esposito said when asked about a potential name change. "Our name is certainly a misnomer. People do think we're this metal band, and we're obviously not. We played a cruel joke on everybody and ourselves. We should have picked a different name, but a lot of bands probably feel this way.

“But about changing the name. Well, our sound hasn't changed. Since I'm the primary songwriter, that makes sense. But look at bands that have had personnel changes, like The Ramones and Metallica. Those bands never changed the name of their bands. We're moving along just like those bands did with our original name."

Esposito, 31, loved Metallica and The Ramones as he was coming of age in Louisville during the aughts. He didn't catch many concerts as a teen but was always listening to old school metal and punk as a middle schooler/high schooler.

"I was a big Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath guy," Esposito said. "That door opened to Metallica, Megadeth and Iron Maiden. From there I found the Los Angeles punk scene with The Germs, The Adolescents and Black Flag. There was no one like Ozzy."

Esposito still can't believe that Osbourne passed away in July, just weeks after his final concert with Black Sabbath in their native Birmingham, England.

"When the news broke I was like, 'Can Ozzy actually die?’“ Esposito said. "I was surprised in so many ways but not shocked that Ozzy died."

Bands, particularly those who are almost 60 years old like Sabbath, pass on. However, the show goes on for groups like White Reaper, who only formed 13 years ago.

"We're still here, even though the lineup is different," Esposito said. "Hopefully we'll be doing this for many more years."