FEATURE:
Spotlight
there is a debate whether Rock is dead. Obviously, things are not like they were. There are fewer great Rock bands, and the scene is very different. Rock has evolved and there are sub-genres that allow artists a bit more freedom. Are there any Rock bands around that summon up the same stomp and memorability as the greats of before? It is rare these days to unearth genuine Rock contenders, but Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown are well worth a closer look! Having relocated to Nashville aged seventeen, Tyler Bryant met drummer Caleb Crosby and, just a week after that meeting, the two formed ‘The Shakedown’. Calvin Webster came in on bass; Boston guitarist Graham Whitford joined up as did Noah Denney. I do love a band with that lead who gives their crew a sobriquet. I am not sure where ‘The Shakedown’ emerged, but it seems apt when you hear the band’s music. They are better known in the U.S. but, with an album out last year, there is an opportunity for Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown to gain traction here in the U.K. I shall get to that album but, before then, I would recommend people check out the band’s debut, Wild Child, of 2013. It stands as a confident and original release from the band that merges Hard Rock and Blues Rock. Although a lot of major publications passed by the album, those who reviewed Wild Child were impressed.
Blues Rock Review gave their assessment:
“From the opening notes of Wild Child, it is clear this is a band that absolutely knows what it’s doing. Everything is just right. The songwriting is simply sublime. The performance is extremely tight, focused, and expansive. And while not lacking in the least on From the Sandcastle, the production quality has been dialed up as well. This is an amazingly huge-sounding album. Nearly every track could be a single, and each one commands undivided attention. Even so, the album works exceedingly well as a cohesive unit, all while packing in a fitting amount of musical variety.
The styles vary from some hints of more traditional blues influences on “Poor Man’s Dream” to more progressive blues-infused rock similar to The Black Keys on tracks like “Say A Prayer” and “Last One Leaving.” The latter immediately felt reminiscent of the Keys’ hit “Gold on the Ceiling.” This is a very impressive, essentially perfect album. Honestly, basically any track could have been listed as one of our ‘Can’t Miss Tracks.’
Simply put, Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown have totally, unequivocally arrived. And this is only their first full length album. It’s unbelievably exciting to consider just how far this act will go when they’ve achieved what they’re ultimately capable of. Wild Child is a massively impressive effort by one of the most promising groups today. If you’re skeptical, just listen to “Last One Leaving,” the first single from the album and you’ll see. We may already have the greatest record of 2013”.
Although the band released the E.P., The Wayside, in 2015 and the album, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, in 2017, I want to get to their latest release as soon as I can. Before then, I wanted to source from an interview Tyler Bryant gave to Muse on Muse, back when the band were promoting their debut album:
“MM: The credits on the album show that many of the songs were co-written by you with other songwriters. How were the song/lyric writing tasks shared? Can you tell us a little bit about the song writing process, how the songs on the album were actually written?
TB: I have a couple of friends here in Nashville that I call up when we’re not on the road. “Hey, you wanna come over and write a tune?” I love the writing community here in Nashville. I wrote most of the tunes off of Wild Child with Neil Mason. We’ve probably written 50 songs together. We’re buds and have similar musical tastes. It just kind of works. The ideas come from all over the place. There’s really no process for me. It just happens when it happens.
MM: The live feel on “House That Jack Built” and “Say A Prayer” sound very impressive. What was the reason behind having the same songs you had on the previous EP featured again on “Wild Child”?
TB: That was a thing that the label asked us to do. They felt like since this was our first full length album it would be good to put those tunes on there to help people understand who we are. If I remember correctly it was a “We’ll do those tunes if we can put “House On Fire” on the album” situation. I think we all ended up happy!
MM: The later half of the album have a great energetic rock vibe with songs like “Still Young(Hey Kids)”, “House On Fire”, “Where I Want You”. Sounds like some great tunes to play live!
TB: For sure! We go to town!
MM: The closing song on the album “Poor Boy’s Dream” sounds magnificent with a great vibe. The album seems to have a nice mix of blues, soulful passion, and energetic rock, making it a superb album.
TB: Thanks very much. That’s my favorite song on the album. It’s the most personal to me. I’m glad you like it”.
I think it is worth people checking the band out on social media – links are at the bottom of this feature –, because I think Rock has been getting a kicking for years now. Commercial bands like Imagine Dragons are popular, but I don’t think they represent what Rock is capable of and should be. Bands like Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown are a much more exciting proposition. In terms of those underground, underrated treats from 2019, Truth and Lies is an album that takes them on from the promise of their debut and their eponymous 2017 release. Since the beginning, the band has sharpened their chops on the road and have support some giants of Rock. In this album review from Rock ‘n’ Load, we learn more about the band’s progress:
“This young six-string-slinger and his compadres return with an absolute banger of an album, continuing on their meteoric rise via support slots with AC/DC, Guns & Roses and Aerosmith to name but a few. A worthy addition to any line-up, TBSD is the real deal. A band that when you have the pleasure to capture them live, you’ll get it for yourself, Tyler Bryant is an enigmatic frontman alone but the band as a whole are made up by the sum of its parts, a fine collection of musicians that live and breathe their craft 24/7, 365. As a band, they have been knocking out serious quality recordings for the last few years now, from their 2013 debut album Wild Child to their more recent sophomore self-titled full-length album the progression has been there for all to see.
Fast forward to 2019 and now we have Truth & Lies, one seriously ballsy collection of tracks that are a culmination of years of grafting on the road, playing the sold-out stadium tours in support and back to reality in a dive with 30 people TBSD have seen and done it all, paid their dues and now we are reaping the rewards through these sonic delicacies. The album kicks in with a killer track in ‘Shock And Awe’ with his signature fuzz-guitar being pushed to its limits signature sound and classy vocal delivery you’re immediately thrust into TBSD in all its glory. The ride doesn’t stop there, the album is packed with first-class quality songwriting and guitar wizardry in abundance, but the beauty of Tyler is his understanding of not overplaying, tastefully done he always leaves you begging for more. Overall though the album is beautifully balanced taking you through its peaks and valleys and on a sonic journey that keeps you intrigued from start to finish. From gnarly Rock numbers to slower more melodic tracks there is a storytelling quality to engage and keep you coming back for more again and again.
For sure, their finest work to date, Truth & Lies is a perfect addition to an already impressive catalogue, a decade down the road and these guys really are coming onto their own”.
The band played a few great gigs last month, and I am not sure whether they are going to be playing this month at all. There is a fanbase in the U.K. for the Texas band, so I would not be surprised if they made the cut at a few festivals in the summer. If you want to discover a great Rock band that does not dilute their sound and evokes some of the greats of old, you need to get behind Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown. This year, make sure you…
TAKE a look in their direction!
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