Tenkiller’s new single, “Back to You,” is a track that straddles the space between Americana roots and Southern rock swagger, a sound that combines the grit of Oklahoma with the twang of Tennessee. As the first notes play, it’s clear this is a band playing with fire, blending punk, alternative, and red dirt.
For Love Not Lisa, Chainsaw Kittens, Puller, and Blenderhead are among the bands whose members, Mike Lewis, Clint McBay, Billy Power, and Ian Hoey, have been in over the years. Those roots are evident in “Back To You” from each layer. Mike Lewis wearily sells it with his vocals, and Clint McBay buoys the track with a melodic bit of gut that hits on Southern rock swagger as much as punk urgency. Whilst the rhythm section of Billy Power (Drums) and Ian Hoey (Bass) keeps it steady, driving, and solid, counteracting the song from feeling too weighty with an ever-present energy reminiscent of a speed-stirred coffee joint.
Given that it involves blending peaking genre influences, the best thing “Back to You” does is bring them together effortlessly. You can hear the twang and honky-tonk charm of the one on their Americana, with a tinge of the warm open-road vibes of red dirt and just a touch of southern rock’s hard-edged honesty, all refracted through the minds of musicians who cut their teeth in alt-rock for decades. The song sounds both of its time and alive, a notice that musical progression more often than not stems from those who are willing to combine the old with the new.
This track is a showcase of musical skill and integrity, and this song is all about intention. Tenkiller’s new album, “Burn The Boats,” continues this blend of influences, with the punk air taking on a country narrative that becomes more introspective. The riffing beat resonates with honesty. This is music that feels casual and relaxed, and it sounds effortless.
Tenkiller continues to prove themselves as a band seemingly capable of it all–one foot remaining planted in their alt-rock upbringing while the other delves headfirst into the breadth and warmth of Americana, rooted in and continuing to grow with “Back to You.” They created something that feels both timeless and urgent, a prime example of what happens when musicians truly come into their own and manage to look back without getting mired in memories.
Connect with Tenkiller on Instagram – @tenkiller_band
