Memphis May Fire started in 2006 in Denton, Texas, and quickly made a name for themselves in the post-hardcore and metalcore scenes. Over the years, the band’s lineup changed quite a bit, but vocalist Matty Mullins became the group’s most recognizable face and voice.
In their early days, their sound mixed southern rock influences with heavy breakdowns and emotional lyrics. Over time, they shifted to a more polished and accessible metalcore style. Albums like ‘The Hollow’ and ‘Challenger’ helped establish their place in the genre, while later releases like ‘Remade in Misery’ showed their ability to balance heavy sounds with melody.
The band’s growth and consistency made them stand out, but one thing that always got people curious was their name.
How Memphis May Fire Got Their Name

Memphis May Fire’s name actually came about in an interesting way. Before they had their current name, they were called ‘Oh Captain, My Captain.’ But right before signing their first record deal, they found out a band overseas had already copyrighted that name. With time running out, each band member threw in one word — and the result was Memphis May Fire.
“It actually doesn’t have much of a meaning at all,” Matty Mullins once told the Dallas Observer. “In order to sign the record deal and get everything done, they had to come up with a new name that week.”
Memphis May Fire Members’ Net Worth

Not long after, Memphis May Fire signed with Trustkill Records and dropped their self-titled EP in December 2007. Since then, they’ve released seven studio albums and two EPs. Their fourth album, ‘Unconditional,’ was a big commercial hit, debuting at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 and topping the Alternative Albums chart.
Thanks to their success, the band’s members have earned quite a bit over the years. Besides his work with the band, Matty Mullins launched a solo project, and his debut album reached No. 66 on the Billboard 200 in 2014. His net worth is estimated at $10 million. Guitarist Kellen McGregor isn’t far behind with an estimated $8-10 million, while bassist Cory Elder and drummer Jake Garland each have around $5-7 million.
Their earnings are likely to grow even more soon, with their latest album, ‘Shapeshifter,’ set to drop on March 28, 2025, via Rise Records.