Introducing American Bang

February 6th, 2010

Grant Trimboli

American Bang is comprised of a wildly talented gang of young rock ‘n rollers who’ve been playing together in assorted combination all their lives. After many incarnations of local bands, all 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 all 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 clear that American Bang shoots straight at the heart of great American rock ‘n roll.

Drawing upon a wide range of influences such as The Faces and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, American Bang has forged their own distinctive sound in their own surprisingly classic yet decidedly 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 gave them standing ovations on several occasions.

Check out the bands first single “Whiskey Walk” and get ready for their self-titled debut this Spring on Reprise Records.