Collection: Theory of a Deadman

Featured Judge & Jury collaborator: Theory of a Deadman frontman Tyler Connolly

Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman on Judge & Jury’s “The Urge”

Tyler Connolly, lead singer and guitarist of Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, joins Judge & Jury on “The Urge”—a driving hard-rock collaboration built around irresistible temptation, emotional conflict and the struggle to walk away from the one thing that keeps pulling you back.

Released by Judge & Jury Records on August 23, 2024, “The Urge” features Connolly on lead vocals and guitar alongside Judge & Jury co-founder and Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson on drums and vocals. Multi-platinum producer Howard Benson contributes organ and synthesizer, bringing together three musicians with years of shared studio history.

Watch the official “The Urge” music video | Stream and download “The Urge”

About Theory of a Deadman

Formed in North Delta, British Columbia, Theory of a Deadman became one of Canada’s most successful modern rock exports. The band features Tyler Connolly on lead vocals and guitar, Dave Brenner on guitar and backing vocals, Dean Back on bass and Joey Dandeneau on drums. After signing with 604 Records, Theory released its self-titled debut album in 2002 and broke internationally with the 2005 album Gasoline.

Theory of a Deadman’s musical style blends post-grunge, hard rock, alternative rock and pop rock. Heavy guitar riffs and arena-sized choruses sit beside acoustic ballads, piano-driven songs and Connolly’s sharp, conversational storytelling. That range has produced enduring rock-radio hits including “Bad Girlfriend,” “Lowlife,” “So Happy,” “Angel,” “Rx (Medicate),” “Not Meant to Be” and “Hate My Life.”

Across a career spanning more than two decades, Theory of a Deadman has earned multi-platinum certifications, two Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 and billions of global streams. The band released Dinosaur in 2023, celebrated Gasoline with a 20th Anniversary Edition in December 2025 and is scheduled to release the six-song Part 1: Funeral Songs EP on September 4, 2026.

The history behind “The Urge” collaboration

“The Urge” grew from a long creative connection rather than a first-time introduction. Howard Benson previously produced four Theory of a Deadman albums, helping shape the band’s transition from its breakthrough years into an international rock-radio mainstay. Benson and Neil Sanderson also built their own extensive production and songwriting partnership before founding Judge & Jury.

For “The Urge,” that history became a new artist collaboration. Connolly described Benson and Sanderson as friends and said he was excited to finally work with them in this format. Tyler supplied the song’s commanding lead vocal and guitar, while Sanderson added drums and vocals and Benson expanded the arrangement with organ and synthesizer. Joe Rickard co-produced, mixed and engineered the track.

Neil Sanderson described “The Urge” as a song about being pulled toward something impossible to resist. Its lyrics explore the internal battle between moving forward and returning to a toxic relationship, harmful habit or familiar source of pain. Connolly’s gritty vocal identity gives that conflict the same direct, emotionally charged character that has defined Theory of a Deadman’s biggest songs.

“The Urge” release and credits

Artists: Judge & Jury featuring Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman
Release date: August 23, 2024
Written by: Neil Sanderson, Wade MacNeil, Chris Steele and Tyler Connolly
Produced by: Howard Benson, Neil Sanderson and Joe Rickard
Vocals: Tyler Connolly and Neil Sanderson
Guitar: Tyler Connolly, Jay Wud and Wade MacNeil
Drums: Neil Sanderson
Bass: Jay Wud
Organ and synthesizer: Howard Benson
Mixing, engineering and surround mix: Joe Rickard
Mastering: Niels Nielsen
Label: Judge & Jury Records

Shop Judge & Jury

“The Urge” is available as a digital single. Explore official Judge & Jury apparel and accessories connected to the artist-production team behind the Tyler Connolly collaboration below.