Published: July 12, 2026
The New York City-based collective return with the personal new single “grief machine” before July and August dates with DED and Dropout Kings
VRSTY have released “grief machine,” a new single and video centered on grief, loss and the process of learning how to face pain rather than bury it.
The New York City-based collective, pronounced “Varsity,” are known for blending alt pop, hard rock, R&B and heavier elements into a sound built around genre movement rather than a single category. “grief machine” follows the previously released 2026 tracks “face down” and “ez2find.”
“grief machine” is presented as one of the most personal songs in the VRSTY catalog. The source material frames the track around the idea that grief is love with nowhere to go, with the video placing singer Joey Tyler in a stark setting that feels close to a journal entry.
Tyler described the song as a direct confrontation with grief and emotional avoidance.
“I don't know what more there really is to say about this one,” Tyler said. “It's definitely the most personal and important song I've ever written. It started off as a song about my dog who passed and turned into me coming face-to-face with the fact that I never learned to grieve properly. During much of the loss I've experienced in my life, I would stonewall the entire thing... almost like it never happened. Writing this one sent me into a spiral — and still does whenever I listen to it. But I think this song came to me at a point in my life where I really needed it.”
VRSTY released the official video for “grief machine.” The source material describes the video as deceptively stark and simple, with Tyler sharing his experience with grief in different forms.
Earlier in 2026, VRSTY released “face down” and “ez2find.” Those tracks form part of the band’s current release cycle, with more music expected during this era of the band.
VRSTY will join DED and Dropout Kings for a summer tour running through July and August 2026. Some dates have adjusted lineups, including dates without Dropout Kings, dates featuring DED only, and dates listed as VRSTY only.
VRSTY ON TOUR 2026 WITH DED AND DROPOUT KINGS
July 11, 2026 — Phoenix, Arizona — The Rebel Lounge — no Dropout Kings
July 12, 2026 — Roswell, New Mexico — The Liberty — VRSTY only
July 13, 2026 — Lubbock, Texas — Jake’s
July 14, 2026 — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — 89th St.
July 15, 2026 — Lawrence, Kansas — The Bottleneck — no Dropout Kings
July 17, 2026 — Mansfield, Ohio — Inkcarceration — DED only
July 18, 2026 — Cadott, Wisconsin — Rock Fest — DED only
July 19, 2026 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Studio B — no Dropout Kings
July 20, 2026 — Joliet, Illinois — The Forge — no Dropout Kings
July 21, 2026 — Des Moines, Iowa — xBk Live — no Dropout Kings
July 22, 2026 — Iowa City, Iowa — Wildwood
July 23, 2026 — Madison, Wisconsin — The Annex — no VRSTY
July 24, 2026 — Westland, Michigan — The Token Lounge
July 25, 2026 — Rochester, New York — Montage Music Hall — no Dropout Kings
July 26, 2026 — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — The Crafthouse
July 28, 2026 — Clifton, New Jersey — Dingbatz
July 29, 2026 — Boston, Massachusetts — Brighton Music Hall
July 30, 2026 — Reading, Pennsylvania — Reverb — no Dropout Kings
July 31, 2026 — Cleveland, Ohio — Mahalls — VRSTY only
August 1, 2026 — Lansing, Michigan — Rock Lansing Fest — DED only
August 3, 2026 — Sauget, Illinois — Pop’s
August 4, 2026 — Wichita, Kansas — WAVE
August 6, 2026 — Colorado Springs, Colorado — Black Sheep
August 7, 2026 — Denver, Colorado — HQ
August 8, 2026 — Grand Junction, Colorado — Mesa Theater
VRSTY are a New York City-based collective assembled by vocalist and band leader Joey Tyler. The source material describes Tyler as a Puerto Rican singer raised on R&B, pop and Spanish music, while also being inspired by metallic post-hardcore.
The band released several EPs before their debut album Welcome Home, followed by a three-part series of sequel EPs. Their song “Massive,” from the Cloud City EP, was highlighted in the source material for its run on SiriusXM Octane.
Levitate, the band’s sophomore album, was co-produced by Tyler with Justin Deblieck, whose credits include Ice Nine Kills, Motionless In White, Lorna Shore and Fit For A King.
The band’s touring history includes dates with 10 Years, Nonpoint, Secrets and For The Fallen Dreams.
With “grief machine,” VRSTY place grief, memory and emotional processing at the center of their current chapter. The single continues the band’s 2026 activity after “face down” and “ez2find,” while the summer tour with DED and Dropout Kings brings that material into a live setting across the United States.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch the official video for “grief machine” below.
