By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

American Bang is a band you must know. Hell yeah, the name is catchy fused to red, white and blue pride, bleeding through their lyrics, with stars on the side. Lead single, Wild and Young, is picking up radio play throughout the country, and their self-titled debut album hits stores today. It’s loud. It’s sexy. It’s soulful. It bangs.

This rock band from Nashville has something for all. Their unruly brand of Southern-fried garage rock packs a hell of a load. The track Whiskey Walk initially grabs your attention with an amazing tune up followed by a quick sick drum solo by Neil Mason — “All that I need is a reason to let it go, I know that you feel the same”. Drink this track straight, with water or ice, and it’s sure to make you feel tingly. The instrumental breaks in between the lyrics give you a sense of how talented the band is before the album proceeds. Flowing into the instantly anthemic Wild & Young, Jaren Johnston’s bluesy vocals feed off of Kelby Ray’s basslines, proving a confidence possessed by rock n’ roll veterans, although the band are technically rookies in the game. It expresses how life is diminutive, and we should enjoy it to every ounce — “Slow it down, you move a little too fast, ya make it last, these should be the best days of your life”. It’s then on to the messy, Stonesy romance of Hurts Like Hell, where it’s clear that American Bang pulls the trigger directly at the heart of great American rock ‘n roll. While touring all season on a red hot American summer, they want to thrive in the moment and enjoy the rise of triumph.

Citing their crock-pot of influences including Lenny Kravitz, Black Crowes, and The Sex Pistols, it’s balls-out rock with proto-punk energy. You may stumble upon the Kings of Leon comparison, but they are definitely not the same band, although it shouldn’t be surprising considering they are close in age, from the same city, and cite many of the same influences. The boys fancy to detain the astounding grace and guts of the band’s deep musical roots and Southern accent, right at the heart of American rock ‘n roll. It’s music that one can all relate to; young and fun, but meaningful in lyrical content. American bang is planning on stickin’ around for awhile. In their own words: “Didn’t wanna end up a fallen star on the boulevard”.

Building up a grass-roots audience by playing locally, earning a reputation for their high-energy, no-holds-barred live shows, these high school buddies will draw your attention. It’s not like much else out right now, for it makes you sing the blues, along with the reds and whites. Check out the video for the lead single below, and let the band take over America, with a loud ass bang.

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