Forming in the winter of 2001 from the ashes of Silver Tongued Devil, The Cheats decided to create the kind of band that was lacking in their hometown of Pittsburgh, PA – an old-fashioned, late-70’s-style punk rock ‘n roll band. Led by vocalist Todd Porter, aka Todd Cheat - former frontman of Silver Tongued Devil (People Like You/Century Media) and Eviction (Metal Blade), the ever evolving line-up logged many miles on tour, adopting the DIY punk attitude that continues to this day.

 

Around 2017 the “Pussyfootin/Rockamania” line-up started falling apart as some band members grew tired of living in a van and playing the dirty rock clubs that loved them. This allowed Todd to put together a band of like-minded musicians that loved the road. Since the band now had some national notoriety, he didn’t necessarily have to recruit local musicians. The band now featured guitarists from two well-known rock towns, Devin Holiday from Atlanta, GA and Rob Senomar from Cleveland, OH.

 

The new line-up immediately started playing shows and writing songs for a new record. After a few short tours, the band hit the studio in the fall of 2019 to create the new album, “Cussin, Crying N’ Carrying On” which was released in August of 2020.

 

After many shows and 9 months later, they entered the studio again to record for their label’s Action Rock Jukebox 45 series. A vinyl 45 rpm, large holed single series that features Action Rock bands from all over the world submitting a cover song that would have been heard on a jukebox back in the 70s and 80s backed with an original offering. The Cheats Bay City Rollers cover of “Rock N’ Roll Love Letter” was available on pink and black vinyl and there are only a couple copies left.

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In 2022 The Cheats put together a collection of cover songs in celebration of their 21 years of existence and called it “XXI.” This was supposed to be a fan club only release, but their label decided to give it an official release in 2023 while they waited on the new studio album.

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The band spent the follow months writing a new album. Even went into the studio and recorded the entire thing. Shortly after, guitarist Rob Senomar decided to exit the band. They soon came to an agreement that they wanted to start over with a new guitarist. They quickly grabbing Johnny Razorblade who had produced the “Cussin…” LP and “Rock N’ Roll Love Letter” 7.” They ditched all the songs they had recorded and started writing a new album with Johnny.

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The band spent the next year playing shows and writing. While their label was waiting on the new album, they decided to remaster and re-release their out-of-print debut album “Cheap Pills” with plenty of bonus material to celebrate its 20 year anniversary.

 

After what seemed like forever, the band finally re-entered Johnny’s studio, Razorblade Productions, in the fall of 2024 and started recording some of their strongest material to date, “Old Rats On A New Ship.”

“We are super excited about the new album,” said Todd Cheat. “Its raw, its emotional, and really speaks to how far the band has come. Now its time to crawl back into the van,” he laughed.

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The Cheats "Old Rats On A New Ship" is slated for international release June 20, 2025. Poland's Heavy Medication Records will be releasing it in Europe while the band's long-time label, Screaming Crow Records will handle the rest of the world.

Also coming later this summer will be The Cheats split 7" with Western Maryland’s, Wayward Brigade.

Band lineup...

Todd Cheat - Vocals
Devon Holiday - Guitar
Johnny Razorblade - Guitar
Philthy Phil - Bass
Kyle Cheat - Drums

Discography...

Cheap Pills  (2003 - Da' Core) - Out of Print
Life's Short  (2006 - Da' Core) - Almost gone!
Pussyfootin'  (2012 - Screaming Crow)
Rockamania #1  Split LP w/ Electric Frankenstein (2014 - Screaming Crow)
Cussin,' Crying N Carrying On (2020 - Screaming Crow)
Rock N' Roll Love Letter  7" (2021 - Screaming Crow)
XXI (2023 - Screaming Crow)
Cheap Pills 20th Anniversary Edition (2023 - Screaming Crow)