Over the past 20 years, Lipstick Homicide has been lighting up the punk pop scene across the state of Iowa. The band’s signature sounds include power chords, melodic vocal melodies, and loud guitar and drum music. 

The group, consisting of singer and bassist Rachel Feldmann, singer and guitarist Kane Edwards, and drummer Luke Ferguson, first began performing together as a band in 2006 after a talent show at Iowa City West High School. Over the years, their style has kept that same core sound, and they’ve tried to bring high energy to each of their shows. 

“Over the years, I think we’ve only gotten tighter and better at recording and taking more time with arranging our songs,” Feldmann told The Daily Iowan. “We’re just older and wiser now, and our songwriting reflects that.” 

Feldmann believes that this evolution in songwriting can be heard on the band’s newest release, “The Stone of Opportunity,” an album which releases on April 24. The third of the album’s five tracks, “Glorious Day,” is currently available via the band’s website. 

As the writing of Lipstick Homicide’s songs changes, Feldmann has noticed that both her and guitarists’ Edwards vocals have only grown stronger as they have aged. 

“We have all certainly changed and evolved a lot in our many years of being friends and bandmates,” Edwards said. “I think it shows through our sound, with our new songs, in a way that feels difficult to articulate into words.” 

According to Edwards, since Lipstick Homicide’s last release, their voice has dropped an octave lower, causing them to feel more confident in their voice and singing. 

“It’s made me feel much more confident in my voice, so I feel comfortable singing more often now,” Edwards said.

Performing is a passion for Lipstick Homicide, supported by the fact that the band has been playing together for over twenty years. For the members of the band, being able to play their instruments as loud as they can and express their creativity onstage is both rewarding and therapeutic.

Feldmann also expressed that a favorite part of performing, and being in a band in general, for her is getting to connect with the community Lipstick Homicide plays for.

“When people tell me that our songs got them through hard times in their lives, it really makes me feel like I did something meaningful and special, and that gets me through difficult times in my life too,” Feldmann said.

Fans can often find Lipstick Homicide at several venues across Iowa City, with some of the band’s favorite venues to perform being Gabe’s, Trumpet Blossom Cafe, and Public Space One. Feldmann expressed that the band felt both comfortable and welcome at these venues.

Lipstick Homicide’s energy onstage reflects the energy portrayed in their songs – full of lively spirit and intensity. Audiences are in for a selection of music that makes them want to jump around and rock out each time the band takes the stage.

“We pretty much try to bring the same high-energy vibe to our shows,” Feldmann said. “I used to headbang so much that I think I’ve given myself a mild concussion before, so I did have to bring that down a notch at some point.” 

On April 24, the day the band’s next album is to be released, Lipstick Homicide is playing a show at The Maintenance Shop in Ames. Lipstick Homicide is headlining the event, with performances by Bat Problem and Sunchoke accompanying them.

After this performance, Lipstick Homicide is next scheduled to play at the Chroma 63 Festival in Waterloo at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre. The Chroma 63 Festival features musical performances, immersive installations, poetry, skate culture, and tons more to form a collision of expression and creativity.

“We’re really looking forward to [Chroma 63],” Feldmann said. “We played last year and had a blast.”

Lipstick Homicide also has several shows and events slated for Iowa City later in the year, and expressed excitement at these upcoming performances.

“Iowa City has always had a very eclectic and tight-knit music scene that we love, and the people involved in it are our dear friends and collaborators who we’ve learned a lot from,” Feldmann said. “We are proud to be from Iowa City, and love playing shows here.”