RW Hellborn Turns Hard-Won Lessons Into Anthemic Punk Rock on New EP Bad Times

There are certain phrases that arrive at exactly the right moment and refuse to leave. For RW Hellborn, one of those moments came during the uncertainty of 2020 while re-watching the WWE Hall of Fame induction of legendary wrestler Scott Hall. As Hall’s now-iconic words echoed once again — “Hard work pays off. Dreams do come true. Bad times won’t last… but bad guys do” — a spark was lit.

That spark would eventually become Bad Times, RW Hellborn’s powerful new EP, a collection of songs forged from years of ideas, road miles, unfinished demos, and the belief that even life’s darkest chapters can lead somewhere brighter.

The title track began its life during the pandemic but remained shelved for years as Hellborn focused on other projects, including his work with Philadelphia punk outfit Riverside Odds. The remaining songs slowly accumulated between 2020 and early 2025, often existing as little more than titles, fragments, and unfinished thoughts waiting for their moment. That moment finally arrived after Hellborn returned from working with The Rumours on their tour supporting Faster Pussycat and Supersuckers in June 2025.

With the right players suddenly available and a deadline rapidly approaching, the songs came together in a creative whirlwind less than two months later in August 2025.

“Having no other choice but to get it done works best for me,” Hellborn says. “When the clock is ticking it pushes everything into focus. There’s no longer time to over-think it, there’s only time to do it.”

The result is a record that expands beyond the boundaries of traditional punk rock while remaining firmly rooted in its spirit. On songs like “Wrong” and the title track, Hellborn embraces a broader rock-and-roll palette, incorporating layered arrangements and bigger hooks without sacrificing the grit and authenticity that have defined his career.

“RW Hellborn writes real good shit. I am very proud of all the work we have done together and I believe Joey Ramone would be proud too.” – Eddie Spaghetti (Supersuckers)

“(The bad times ep)… has a real ‘dick out and hair sweaty’ vibe and I love that!” – Patricia Day (HorrorPops)

While Bad Times carries its share of scars, frustration, and reflection, its beating heart is optimism.

“At the end of the day, I’m trying to get people moving and to feel something,” Hellborn explains. “Even when the songs deal with struggle, there’s hope in them and I know it to be true because I’ve lived it.”

That balance between hard-earned realism and uplifting energy has already resonated with listeners. Earlier singles “Morbid Curiosity” and “Test Your Limits” earned praise from outlets including Punk News and the Recording Artists Guild, offering an early glimpse into the evolution of Hellborn’s songwriting.

For longtime fans, Bad Times represents both a continuation and a reinvention. As the driving force behind Philadelphia’s Riverside Odds since 2013, RW Hellborn has spent more than a decade building a reputation of high-energy performances, and raw vocal delivery, with and an unapologetic approach that has earned him a permanent seat at the table of the underground rock scene.

Over the years, he has toured extensively across the United States, appearing at major events including Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Heavy Rebel Weekender, and Liberty Music Fest. Along the way, he has shared stages with an ever-growing list of influential acts such as Agent Orange, Authority Zero, Goddamn Gallows, Harely Flanagan, Murphy’s Law, Supersuckers, Peterpan Speedrock, Powerman 5000, and Wednesday 13 as well as collaborating on songs with legendary musicians such as Eddie Spaghetti of Supersuckers (who produced and played bass on Bad Times), Lisa Kekaula of The BellRays, Jorge Disguster of The Hangmen, and Jimmy James from Junkyard.

Now stepping into his solo era, Hellborn distills those experiences into some of his most personal and dynamic material to date. Bad Times isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a testament to perseverance, evolution, and the idea that no matter how difficult the road becomes, there’s always another chorus waiting on the other side. Because bad times don’t last. But great songs do.