Alternative rock quartet Painkiller Hotel was formed in Chicago, Illinois, by singer/songwriter/guitarist Kevin "Eddie Prez" Presbrey with guitarist Klaus Luchs (later replaced by Leif Hendrixon), bassist Adam Harker, and drummer Mike "Rusty Krow" Krull (later replaced by Jeff Kissel). After playing in bars and clubs around the Midwest for a few years, the band self-released its debut album, Black Roses, in the spring of 2007. That fall, they signed to Nashville-based independent label Severe Records, which gave Black Roses a national re-release on January 22, 2008. ~ William Ruhlmann