Richmond Duo The Sky Chiefs Announce Long-Lost Debut Album Self-Titled LP Arrives 13 February 2026

Richmond Duo The Sky Chiefs Announce Long-Lost Debut Album
Self-Titled LP Arrives 13 February 2026
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​Richmond, Virginia musicians Stephen McCarthy (The Long Ryders, The Jayhawks) and Kevin Pittman (The Dads) have reunited as The Sky Chiefs and will release their long-awaited, self-titled debut album on 13 February 2026.

The project’s origins stretch back to the early 1990s, when McCarthy and Pittman spent a year writing and recording in a creaking, century-old bungalow that served as studio, rehearsal space, after-hours hangout—and frequent provocation for the neighbours. They completed more than two dozen tracks, but the recordings were shelved, the tapes disappeared, and the album became a fond, unfinished memory.

This year, the long-lost reels unexpectedly resurfaced in a friend’s stifling attic. Restored and newly remixed by Pittman, the album finally emerges, showcasing the duo’s dynamic blend of McCarthy’s guitar-driven Americana and Pittman’s melodic rock sensibilities—a fusion proving that some records are worth the decades-long wait.
Both musicians began their careers in Virginia before pursuing opportunities across the country, eventually returning to the region in 1990, where they remain based today. Pre-save and pre-order links are available via the band’s official website.
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The Sky Chiefs have also released the first single and video from the album, “House Full of Company.” The track was the first song written and recorded in the historic bungalow, once home to a World War I pilot. The duo describes the song as a reflection of the house’s lingering spirits—both literal and metaphorical. Its narrator searches for calm amidst a parade of visitors, memories, and echoes: “Heartaches bring headaches and laughter fades to static, and we wonder—could it just be yesterday’s ghosts taking up space in our heads?”
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Website:
theskychiefs.com