Reverse Pathogen Finds Redemption in New Single “Sunday Afternoon”

Some songs hit like a punch in the gut, others like a slow burn. Reverse Pathogen’s latest single, “Sunday Afternoon,” does both—it’s raw, defiant, and brimming with that underdog energy you can’t help but root for.

The track is deeply personal to Clayton Thomas, the multihyphenate artist behind Reverse Pathogen, who grew up watching his grandfather scream at the TV as the Cleveland Browns found new and creative ways to lose week after week. Where most kids might have grown disillusioned, Thomas took something else from those moments: the unshakable spirit of fandom. “Sunday Afternoon” isn’t just about football—it’s about what it means to keep showing up even when life knocks you down.

“This song isn’t just about football—it’s about what it means to keep showing up, no matter how many times you lose. It’s for the fans, the artists, the dreamers—anyone who keeps fighting when the odds are stacked against them,” says Thomas.

A Song for the Bruised but Unbroken

On “Sunday Afternoon,” Thomas teams up with none other than Josh Freese (Foo Fighters, Devo, The Vandals) on drums. The result? A track that feels gritty and unpolished in the best way possible—layered guitars, pounding rhythms, and a chorus that feels like both a battle cry and a confession. It’s rock with its teeth bared, a sound that refuses to compromise.

But what makes this song hit harder is the way it resonates beyond the Browns fandom. It’s about resilience. It’s about passion. It’s about putting your heart into something knowing you’ll get bruised along the way, and doing it anyway.

Clayton’s Path: Hip Hop, Rock, and Everything In-Between

Thomas’ journey to Reverse Pathogen has been anything but linear. He first broke into the music world through hip hop, working alongside names like Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and Trippie Redd. But eventually, he circled back to his rock roots, racking up millions of streams on his debut album and refusing to play by anyone else’s rules.

Earlier this year, he dropped Accidentally Fetishized, a record that leaned fully into that fearless independence. And just when you thought you had him figured out, he released a dark, guitar-driven cover of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!”—a left-field move that felt perfectly in character.

Why “Sunday Afternoon” Matters

At its core, “Sunday Afternoon” is a reminder that imperfection is worth celebrating. In an age where so much music feels smoothed over and sterilized, Reverse Pathogen embraces the cracks, the scars, and the grit. The song’s rawness is its strength, pulling you into the story whether you’re a lifelong Browns fan or just someone trying to keep your own dreams alive.

And just like the title suggests, the record wanders into reflections about the days of the week—what they’ve meant to Thomas in different stages of his life, from quiet moments to unforgettable ones. It’s personal yet universal, the kind of indie rock storytelling that makes you stop, listen, and maybe even see your own life reflected back at you.

With “Sunday Afternoon,” Reverse Pathogen proves that rock is still alive when it’s honest, messy, and loud. It’s not just a song—it’s a spirit, a reminder that resilience is as worth cheering for as any touchdown.