Editor’s Note: It was a great time sitting down with Tyler Bryant of Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown to discuss their new album, their music video for “Heartland” and some interesting memories with several classic rock legends! I predict that this band will explode in 2018 just like Greta Van Fleet did this year! Many different topics were discussed during this interview! Check out Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/tylerbryantandtheshakedown
www.tylerbryantandtheshakedown.com
Madness To Creation: Nashville is a big-time mecca for music and entertainment in general, up there with Los Angeles and Austin, Texas in terms of music. How does Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown stick out in the Nashville scene?
Tyler: There’s so much music in Nashville, however there aren’t a ton of up and coming rock and roll bands. However, there are some. I’m proud to say that we’re one of them. We spend most of our time touring, so we only get to play Nashville once or twice a year. It always feels special to me when we play there though. There’s a bunch of different scenes in Nashville, but everyone is pretty down to earth and kind for the most part. It’s our home and we’re proud of it.
M.T.C.: Absolutely love the record! One of my favorite records of the year, what went into the writing process?
Tyler: It’s all about showing up and experimenting with this band. Some days you got something, some days you don’t. We had a bunch of ideas to start with and we worked them out as a band. Four of the songs were written with the four of us and Roger Alan Nichols, who is one of my favorite people to collaborate with. A handful were written by Caleb, Graham, and I. The tunes we wrote together were pretty much worked out in our demo process. We call it making demos, but a bunch of the “demo tracks ended up on the record. The demo process is basically just us hanging out in my home studio throwing paint. Most of the record was written and recorded exactly like that.
M.T.C.: In your playing, who do you draw your influences from?
Tyler: Jeff Beck, Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, Mike Campbell, George Harrison, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Alan Haynes, Angus Young, and so many more.
M.T.C.: You have shared the stage with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Tell us about that memory, favorite Tom Petty song, and your favorite memory of Tom Petty, did you get to meet him?
Tyler: I stood right next to him once but didn’t want to bother him. It was at the Music Cares event and everyone and their mom was trying to say hi and get a picture with him. It was a huge night for him and if I were in his shoes, I’d probably just want to kick back with my loved ones. His music changed my life. I saw him play so many times that it would be hard to pick a favorite memory. I’ve spent time with so many people that I love at his shows. I’ve made lifelong memories with my friends to his music. It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite. At the moment I’d say “It’ll All Work Out” or “Southern Accents.” Getting to play at the Hyde Park shows was one of the honors of my life. To see our band name on the bill with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers just didn’t seem real.
When he passed, I threw a Petty party at my house. We all sat around with acoustic guitars and sang his tunes. He was and will always be one of my biggest inspirations.
M.T.C.: What can fans expect from this record that haven’t picked it up yet? Sorry for the generic question.
Tyler: It’s a rock and roll record for the most part, but there are a few different vibes in the bunch. I’d like to think there’s something for just about every mood.
M.T.C.: I love the video and single to “Heartland”, the harmonies and grooves blew my mind, tell us about that single and the video process. Did you enjoy making the video?
Tyler: Yeah! The video is all live footage we’ve collected over the last two years. I’ve never really enjoyed making music videos, but I love playing live, so it was a win win when Trevor White put this video together.
“Heartland” by Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown here!
M.T.C.: You have also shared the stage with Guns ‘N’ Roses, Deep Purple, and ZZ Top. Give me a memory from each show and tell us your favorite song or album from each band. For me, mine is “Mr. Brownstone” by GNR, “Hush” by Deep Purple”, and “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZTop.
Tyler:
My favorite GNR song would be “Nighttrain.”
My favorite memory from that tour would be getting to fly on their jumbo jet with them in South America. That was crazy.
My favorite Deep Purple tune would be “Smoke On The Water” because it’s one of the first riffs I ever learned. My favorite memory from playing with them was watching Steve Morse shred.
My favorite ZZ Top song would be “Jesus Just Left Chicago.”
My favorite memory from touring with them was when Billy G. gifted me a skull ring on his bus. I’ve always looked up to him and still wear that ring almost daily.
M.T.C.: I see that you’re playing overseas, not necessarily a new experience for you. What is it like playing in Europe in contrast to American audiences?
Tyler: Rock and roll just seems to be more popular here. We’ve pre-sold more tickets in London than we did in our hometown of Nashville if that says anything. We have great fans in America & we have great fans in Europe & the UK. I don’t care where you live if you love rock and roll.
M.T.C.: Biggest goal for the band for the rest of the year and 2018.
Tyler: I want to make another record and tour as much as I can.
M.T.C.: Anything else you would like to add in regards to the album, message to the fans, etc.
Tyler: We’ll hopefully see you guys out on the road soon!
And there you have it! Check out Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown at the following tour dates:
Tuesday, December 5th- Dingwalls in London, United Kingdom
Thursday, March 8th- Ground Zero Showroom in Traverse City, Michigan
Friday, March 9th- Lerner Theatre in Elkhart, Indiana
Saturday, March 10th- The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan
Thursday, March 22nd- City Hall Live in Brandon, Mississippi
Friday, March 23rd-Saturday, March 24th- Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia
Saturday, April 28th- Welcome To Rockville in Jacksonville, Florida (w/Killswitch Engage)
Sunday, April 29th- Monster Energy Fort Rock in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Friday, May 18th- Rock On The Range Festival in Columbus, Ohio (w/Greta Van Fleet, While She Sleeps, We Came As Romans, Stone Temple Pilots, and My Ticket Home)
For tickets and further information in regards to any of the shows listed above, click here!
ICYMI: Check out our review of their self-titled record here!
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