MUSIC NEWS -TN rockers, American Bang is comprised of a wildly talented gang of young rock ‘n rollers who’ve been playing together in assorted band variations lives. After many different combos and incarnations of local bands, the four members – Johnston, lead guitarist Ben Brown, bassist Kelby Ray, and drummer Neil Mason – came of age musically as students of rock ‘n roll in the heart of Music City, which has paid off in the group’s confident sense of song craft.
The Nashville rocker's self-titled, loud, sexy, and soulful major-label debut album is a memorable and melodic introduction to the rock group. The album, produced by the legendary Bob Rock, successfully captures the amazing grace and guts of their deep musical roots and Southern accent. From the pounding and gritty opening of “Whiskey Walk,” to the instantly anthemic “Wild & Young,” to the messy, Stonesy romance of “Hurts Like Hell,” it’s quite apparent that American Bang shoots right at the heart of great American rock ‘n roll.
Yes, their Faces and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers influences are sometimes too apparent, American Bang still forges ahead with their own distinctive sound in a surprisingly classic yet catchy fresh brand of rock ‘n roll that shines through. American Bang has opened for some of rock ‘n roll’s most respected artists, including ZZ Top and The Pretenders, whose audiences deservedly gave them standing ovations on several occasions.
Check out the band's first single "Whiskey Walk" and watch for their self-titled debut on Reprise Records, out this spring.
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