THE BAND FEEL
Into the Sun
Fuzzy Warbles / Firebird Music
It could be argued that genuine, patchouli-soaked, dirty-haired, tie-dyed, bell-bottomed rock and roll has been on life support since WAY before Walmart even began thinking about hocking AC/DC t-shirts. However, in recent years, there’s been a cast of convincing combos pumping through the ol’ pipeline that have served as effective defibrillators with sights set on shocking the nearly-forgotten genre back to life. But when pointing to the influences of these brash young hopefuls, their publicist-generated bios typically reach for the same low-hanging fruit: Led Zeppelin and/or the Black Crowes.
Overseen by Grammy-nominated producer, Paul Moak (Ann Wilson, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton), Into the Sun, the just-released EP from THE BAND FEEL, finds the St. Louis-birthed brigade reaching beyond the aforementioned fruit. In fact, for those groovy enough to grasp the (almost) famous reference, it could (also) be argued that THE BAND FEEL is something of a modern-day, (second) real-life Stillwater. But with NO “out of focus guys.”
A fat-free five-song affair, Into the Sun cuts to the chase in (very) short order. Propelled by monster-sized thunder riffs, “Icarus” combines guitarist Tyler Armstrong’s Montrose-style chops with frontman Garrett Barcus’ honest-feeling Atlanta Rhythm Section-style delivery.
Shooting straight from somewhere further above the waist, the more fearless “Fly Birdy, Fly” could have been a comfy fit on one of those early Bad Company records, while “Hands In My Pocket” is a bit beefier, no-nonsense psychedelic rock standout.
Bassist Kadin Rea steps to the front of the bandstand on “Brother,” a dynamic Humble Pie-injected stinger that vaults from scorched earth to cooler waters and back, with the greatest of ease. However, fueled by drummer T.J. Steinwart, the “money shot” here is the record’s oft-viewed leadoff video single, “Shoal Creek,” a moonshine-soaked banger that commands you to get on your bad motor scooter and ride! It also provides plenty of prime real estate to plant those Led Zeppelin and Black Crowes fruit trees.
Into the Sun Track List
1. Icarus (3:37)
2. Fly Birdy, Fly (4:48)
3. Hands In My Pocket (3:54)
4. Brother (4:56)
5. Shoal Creek (3:54)
