PRESS & REVIEWS

OFFICIAL BAND BIOGRAPHY

Disabled Parker is a New York–based alternative rock duo formed by Alex Hunter and Owen McGarry. Although the creative spark began in May–June of 2024, when the two joked about starting a band, the project officially launched on August 18, 2025 with the release of their debut album, Cherry Machine. That date marks the true birth of Disabled Parker — the moment the joke became a reality, and the reality became something bigger than either member expected.

Alex and Owen met in fifth grade. Their first interaction was a brief clash in the classroom, when the teacher instructed students to practice writing the letter C. Alex, obsessed with drawing it perfectly, tried to help Owen by demonstrating it on his paper. Owen instantly pushed back, saying, “No, no, no — don’t touch my paper,” which made Alex laugh and assume Owen was an asshole. But later, when Alex started talking about Steam and videogames, Owen joined in. Alex added him on Steam, and from that point forward, the two became close friends.

That friendship evolved for years before becoming a band. In May 2024, they joked about starting a band — neither believing it would actually happen. But once the joke resurfaced a month later, they chose a name, designed the earliest versions of the Cherry Machine logo, and began experimenting with recording. They had never recorded anything before, but within weeks, they produced an 11-track debut album that unexpectedly caught traction.

Disabled Parker is defined by its do-it-yourself ethos, emotional honesty, contrasting styles, and refusal to take a traditional path. From the chaotic humor of Cherry Machine, to the devastating concept storytelling of Injection, and now to the anticipated scale of Obscura, the band has evolved rapidly — while retaining the handmade core that makes them unique.

ROLLING STONE REVIEWS

Rolling Stone on Cherry Machine

“Disabled Parker’s debut album is a chaotic, unfiltered explosion of humor, DIY grit, and unexpected creativity. What looks like an unassuming homemade record quickly reveals itself to be a cult breakthrough — a debut that feels less like an album and more like a signal flare from a band that refuses to play by anyone’s rules.”

Rolling Stone praised Cherry Machine for its unique blend of absurdist lyrics, chaotic energy, and raw bedroom production, calling it “one of the most surprising underground debuts of the decade.” The magazine highlighted the way the album embraces flaws, randomness, and humor, turning what should be weaknesses into defining strengths.

Rolling Stone on Injection

“With Injection, Disabled Parker executes one of the most dramatic tonal shifts in recent memory. The band trades humor for despair, chaos for narrative precision, and satire for heartbreaking emotional depth. It is a fearless concept album — hopeless, suffocating, seamless, and remarkably well-crafted.”

The review emphasized the album’s seamless transitions, complex pacing, and overwhelming atmosphere. Rolling Stone described Injection as an “ambitious, painfully human descent” and called it “a turning point for the band, proving their range is far wider than anyone expected after Cherry Machine.”

Rolling Stone on Obscura (Advance Feature)

“If Cherry Machine was the spark and Injection was the plunge into the deep end, then Obscura is the revelation. A 26-track double album that stretches nearly two hours, it represents Disabled Parker’s most ambitious vision yet — dense, conceptual, handcrafted, and uncompromising. Few underground artists attempt something on this scale. Even fewer pull it off.”

In its preview article, Rolling Stone expressed strong anticipation for the album’s release, noting the band’s rapid evolution and artistic growth. The piece highlighted the extensive artwork, the dual-booklet packaging, and the deliberate structure behind the double album format.

CRITICAL EXCERPTS & INDUSTRY NOTES

“A band with no limits and no fear — their artistic range is shocking.”
– AltWave Magazine

“Injection is a gut-punch narrative that lingers long after the final heartbeat.”
– The Independent Ear

“Disabled Parker combines humor, tragedy, and DIY grit better than any emerging act today.”
– AudioRiot Weekly

“Obscura may be the underground milestone of 2026.”
– VolumeShift Review

ARTIST QUOTES

From Alex Hunter

“Sometime back in May of 2024, we were sitting down and we said it would be so funny to start a band. Owen laughed at first, and I laughed, and I put it off, but at the same time I was kind of being serious but kind of joking. A month or so later it got brought back up, and that’s when we decided to name the band Disabled Parker. We made the Cherry Machine logo and started recording, even though we had never recorded a song in our lives. Somehow we ended up busting out 11 songs, and it blew up. We cannot believe it. We cannot thank people enough for the support. I am absolutely dumbfounded by all of this — absolutely dumbfounded. It almost doesn’t seem real. Just… thank you. Period.”

From Owen McGarry

“Guys, I cannot believe the hype and excitement for Obscura. Me and Alex have worked extremely hard on it. We sat down and put effort into 26 goddamn tracks. That is a long-ass album. It’s about five minutes shy of two hours. You guys are in for something good, and I hope you’re all excited. Make sure to pre-order your copies now.”

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A DISABLED PARKER SHOW

A Disabled Parker show is unpredictable, energetic, chaotic, and deeply personal. When you arrive, expect humor — Alex and Owen are known for their onstage banter, teasing each other, making jokes, and interacting closely with the audience. The band is fully aware of the crowd at all times, often calling out fans for funny moments, unusual signs, or wild reactions.

Their performances push the boundary between live rawness and album authenticity. Distortion is intentionally cranked, microphones are pushed aggressively to capture the same grit as the studio recordings, and in some shows, guitars may be smashed or sacrificed mid-song.
Many fans have commented that a Disabled Parker concert “sounds just like the album,” an uncommon achievement for a DIY-driven band.

Live sets are high-energy, emotionally volatile, and always memorable — a combination of humor, intensity, audience participation, and a genuine connection between the band and the people who show up.

Disabled Parker does not simply perform. They engage, they react, they watch, and they convert every show into a shared moment between stage and crowd.