Rooftop Screamers drops “Forsaken” with Stephen McSwain

For more than twenty years, Portland-based musician Mike Collins has been a revered figure in the Pacific Northwest music scene. A graduate of the Musicians Institute of Technology, he’s long been known for his masterful command of rhythm as a drummer and percussionist whose career has seen him perform alongside a staggering list of icons, from Little Richard and Joan Jett to Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan. Having played across North America and featured as the house drummer on Portland’s Gimme The Mic, Mike has earned a reputation for his technical talents as well as for his ability to bring sonic fire to every project he touches.

Now, with his creative outlet Rooftop Screamers, Mike has stepped out from behind the drum kit to take on a new role as a songwriter and producer that blends classic rock nostalgia with modern impact. The project represents his adventure from session musician to visionary creator, a space where collaboration and experimentation sit at the heart of the process. Rooftop Screamers was born out of Mike’s desire to move beyond percussion and dive into composition, starting out as a local experiment connecting Portland’s music community with international voices and collaborators.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of The Beatles, Queen, David Bowie and Cheap Trick, Mike channels a love of timeless rock songwriting to deliver a sound that fuses power pop melodies balanced with alternative edge and a clear respect for the craft of songwriting. The 2021 album Next Level marked a turning point for Rooftop Screamers; written and recorded during the isolating months of the pandemic, it became a showcase of artistic connection despite distance. Since then, the project has continued to impress with a series of releases and now, Rooftop Screamers returns with a new single titled “Forsaken”, an exciting evolution in sound and tone.

Teaming up with Stephen McSwain, Mike leans into darker, heavier sphere, eschewing the more melodic, pop-infused rock of his previous work to deliver something truly powerful. “Forsaken” takes a more cinematic and riff-driven approach, drawing influence from early Muse, Deftones and Steven Wilson while thematically exploring the shadowed themes of colonisation, invasion and exploitation through a haunting sonic fabric of driving guitars, tense atmospheres and Stephen’s commanding vocal delivery.

Set up by the crunch of twanging guitar notes, the steady punch of drums injects an uptempo energy as compelling vocal leads ring out above. Forming a moody soundscape dashed with subtly uplifting aesthetic, the song flows through moments of bright indie rock vibes towards a shimmering chorus brimming with instantly catchy melodic hooks and energising instrumentation. Led by spectacular vocal performance, superb lead guitar work and backed by slick musicianship flair, the track lays down an enthralling rock ride from start to finish.

Once again showcasing the wide appeal of his songwriting while unveiling a new side to his musical output, with “Forsaken,” Rooftop Screamers offer an epic outing that reframes a classic rock sound for today’s audience in emphatic fashion. As he continues to share more of his captivating sound and work with an array of exceptional collaborators, Rooftop Screamers is showing no signs of slowing down on his incredible musical voyage.

Listen to Forsaken (feat. Stephen McSwain) below

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