Against The Current
Against the Current gathered a core following back in 2011 after posting a slew of alternative-rock covers of popular songs to YouTube. Since then, their sound has evolved along with their growing fan-base.
It definitely feels like we’ve changed, and it’s almost like we’re an entirely different band. We were 16 maybe 17 when ‘Thinking’ came out.
Chrissy Costanza, Rock Sound
Though their initial sound was forged from the traditions of alt-rock, Against the Current has always had a pop flair to their music. In fact, they covered artists like Owl City, Justin Bieber, and even Wiz Khalifa. It should not come as a surprise, then, that their latest release, Past Lives, draws inspiration from that “pop” sound. Of course, you will still find melodic guitar riffs from Dan Glow throughout the album.
Against the Current uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky and Power Slinky on electric guitar, and they opt for Power Slinky on bass to get the job done.
Check out their latest album, Past Lives, down below.
Billy Talent
Speaking of alt-rock, Canada’s Billy Talent is a name to be respected in the genre. Though they may have started as four high schoolers playing in a cafeteria (back then, they were known as “Pezz”), the band exploded in popularity in the latter half of the 2000’s with Billy Talent and Billy Talent II. Their top track, “Red Flag,” became embedded in pop-culture, finding itself in a handful of Electronic Arts video games (including Burnout Revenge and SSX On Tour) as well as the TMNT (2007) movie soundtrack.
Billy Talent’s latest release, Afraid of Heights, has the band ripping it up, as usual. One track off the album, “Louder than the DJ,” asserts that rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay, as chugging guitars overtake the electronic noise that is oft found on the radio.
Strike three chords that cut like a knife
Radio needs a shot to the vein
Of anger, fury, heartache, and pain, baby
Billy Talent, “Louder than the DJ”
Just like the song states, Billy Talent is still kicking harder than ever, and their latest release is a good sign for the future of rock ‘n’ roll.
Billy Talent gets loud with the help of Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom strings on electric and use Super Slinky 5-String bass strings without the .040.
Listen to Billy Talent‘s Afraid of Heights down below.
Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog is an indie-folk outfit that has been around since the tail end of the ’90s. Since their origin, they have progressed out of their lo-fi sound and into a fully produced, fully developed indie band. In between those phases, the band has dabbled in genres like psychedelic rock and baroque pop. However, their latest release, Critical Equation, followed a brief hiatus that was essential for the band to determine their true sound. Critical Equation was a step back for the members of Dr. Dog to take a look at the bigger picture, as singer and guitarist Scott McMicken told NPR Music.
We’re different people now than we were 10 years ago and we’ve grown so much as a band, but in certain areas we were stuck … we needed to blow it up.
Now is a better time than ever to start listening to Dr. Dog. Reimagined, reinvigorated, and completely matured, the band has taken apart their sound and put it back together to create a perfectly refined album.
Dr. Dog uses Ernie Ball Paradigm Regular Slinky, Paradigm Power Slinky, Slinky 12 String, and Super Slinky Flatwound Bass strings.
Take a listen to Dr. Dog‘s latest release, Critical Equation, down below.
Ryan McGarvey
Ryan McGarvey is a guitarists’ guitarist. From his fingertips to his lyrics to his stage presence, Ryan McGarvey gives off the pure essence of rock ‘n’ roll. Whether that be smooth rolling rhythm and blues or shredding licks up and down the fretboard, he can do it all. Though his recorded music stands out from the crowd, his live performance is where he goes above and beyond, leaving his audience wanting more. His list of accolades is impressive, and he has even received props from fellow Ernie Ball legends like Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton. Emotion and feel: those two qualities are the name of the game for Ryan McGarvey.
Ryan McGarvey channels classic rock and roll through his Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings on electric guitar and Everlast Medium Light Coated Phosphor Bronze strings on acoustic.
Take a listen to his rocking sound down below.
The Black Moods
The Black Moods have compiled the recent history of rock and compiled it into their own unique sound. Their influences range from the Led Zeppelin to Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon. In addition to paying tribute to rock through their sound, they have also adapted the lifestyle; from sleeping in the van to playing shows at any venue that can handle their energetic sound. But, the best part of all: they can play. Josh Kennedy, on lead guitar as well as vocals, can shred blues licks and heavy riffs. “Bella Donna,” their most recent single, hit the Top 40 Billboard Mainstream Rock charts in 2018. According to their bio, they are “modern-day torchbearers of ageless rock-and-roll,” and they aren’t lying.
The Black Moods shred with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky and Regular Slinky on electric guitar, Earthwood Medium Light Phosphor Bronze on acoustic, as well as Hybrid Slinky on bass.
Listen to the sounds of The Black Moods down below.
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