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Song

Snake Oil

Artist

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown

TB&TS backstory

Rushonrock’s first live experience of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown was a rather riotous affair in a tent in Kent.

An explosive set lit a fuse under Ramblin’ Man Fair‘s Outlaw Country stage in 2017 and it’s little surprise the band was invited back.

Come 2019 and the release of Truth And Lies, Bryant, Caleb Crosby and Graham Whitford were established as party starters par excellence.

And singles Shock & Awe, Ride and Out There revealed a fresh appetite to rewrite the rock n roll rule book.

Fifth long player Shake The Roots represented a bluesier turn… for the better.

The band’s first record on their own label hit stores on September 9 — at less than a month’s notice.

Back with a first Red Hot Track Of The Week since 2022, there’s no denying TB&TS’s dizzying upward trajectory. 

But could 2024 be the year the rest of the world switches on to this brilliant, no-holds-barred blues rock beast?

In Tyler Bryant’s own words

“Two of my favourite rock bands are The Black Crowes and Blackberry Smoke.

“So many of my favourite times have been spent at their shows or with their tunes playing in the background. 

“I desperately wanted to write a song in the spirit of these bands that I love.

“And I ended up with Snake Oil.”

The verdict on Snake Oil

Just how desperate was Tyler Bryant to pay homage to two of his favourite bands?

If the swaggering Snake Oil’s anything to go by, he was clearly bursting with ambition.

Resisting the smooth groove of a sumptuous opening riff is futile as Bryant and his buddies go full-on, blues-soaked Southern rock.

It’s a simple yet striking snatch of authentic axe work that provides the thunderous thread running through this terrific track.

Bryant’s trademark snarling, sneering vocal style ensures there’s an outlaw edge to the dirty blues.

But the guitars are the stars as the band’s longstanding preference for retro gear and throwback techniques reaps rich rewards.

Snake Oil’s the real deal. Accept no imitations.

What’s next for TB&TS

Electrified drops on May 10 via the band’s indy label Rattle Shakes Records.

TB&TS hit the road across the US next month and have been announced for Murphysboro’s Shawnee Cave Revival festival on June 8.

Look out for UK shows later this year.