by Alexandra Mrozowska
— Senior Columnist —
The reports of death of Southern Rock are apparently greatly exaggerated. Even with the genre’s legendary acts slowly heading towards retirement, there’s a new wave coming. One of such young groups – drawing heavily from the rich musical heritage of the American land and the works of generations of artists before them – is The Georgia Thunderbolts. Hardrock Haven caught up with the band members – TJ Lyle (lead vocals, harmonica, keyboards), Riley Couzzourt (lead guitar), Zach Everett (bass guitar, backing vocals), Logan Tolbert (rhythm guitar) and Bristol Perry (drums) – to chat about their newly released EP, Southern Rock legacy, the Rebel Flag controversies and more…
Hardrock Haven: Let’s start from the good news. Just recently you’ve announced a gig in October in Prestonburg, KY. I believe it’s the first or one of the first post-lockdown gigs you’re going to play, so what are your expectations after such a long break?
Riley Couzzourt: I know we are going to get out and give it all we’ve got. We’ve been cooped up too long, and have got some major energy to be released. I think everyone feels that we have taken advantage of “normal” life and we realize that we have been missing something we love WAY too long. We are gonna come out rockin’ and not stoppin’ baby!
Hardrock Haven: Also recently you played a livestream gig. What kind of experience “Live Music from the Quarantine” was? Especially that some artists claim that livestreams don’t work for Rock genre at all…
Zach Everett: That was fun, for sure, but it doesn’t compare in the slightest to a real live show. Anytime we get together and just play, it’s fun. But there’s nothing like feeding off of the energy that the crowd emits.
TJ Lyle: I don’t think you can really say it doesn’t work for rock music. It’s still music in a sense just because it’s a different genre doesn’t mean you can’t rock out, ya know? It’s all about how you connect and the songs you play.
Hardrock Haven: Your first self-titled EP is now out. After so much effort put into the songwriting and recording process, are you satisfied with the result?
Logan Tolbert: Absolutely, we’ve put a lot of time into getting these songs recorded and written. It’s good to see everyone digging the final product! We can’t wait to get out and tour these songs and play them to the masses and for everyone to hear the full blown album coming early next year.
Hardrock Haven: The EP was released via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group. What’s prompted the choice of a European record label?
Zach Everett: We met a lot of people on our journey and the folks from Mascot just stood out to us as the most down to earth. This means the world to us because of where we come from. The fact that there are so many connections to Mascot from people who help us like Richard Young our manager and producer from The Kentucky Headhunters, John Fred Young and the whole band of Black Stone Cherry. It just felt like the absolute right choice. They’ve been phenomenal for us and to us. We’re all very thankful for them.
Hardrock Haven: As Southern Rock and Blues Rock are genres renowned for storytelling – what are the lyrics of your songs inspired by and what’s your general approach to songwriting?
Zach Everett: My take to what TJ puts down on paper varies, as it should with all people. A lot of the content in our lyrics offers moral advice. I think the beauty to TJ’s lyrics is that everyone can decide their own take, and that’s what music is really about. As for the songwriting process, everyone in this band pulls their own weight, and I think you can hear that in the songs. TJ writes the lyrics and we write the music, but we do it all together. We give each other ideas and directions to go. It is definitely a band effort.
Hardrock Haven: Alongside the obvious Blues and Southern Rock vibes, you also cite James Brown and Sam Cooke as your influences…
TJ Lyle: I discovered Sam Cooke and James Brown through my parents. They have always listened to Soul and Rhythm and Blues music. I have especially been influenced by Ray Charles.
Hardrock Haven: The term Southern Rock was a subject of many discussions – Greg Allman, for instance, deemed it ridiculous as in his view, all Rock music was southern because it originated in the South. Do you think you need to be born and raised in the South to truly grasp the culture and music of the region and be able to translate it into your own music?
TJ Lyle: The Blues is a huge part of southern rock, but you must remember that bands like Free, Bad Company and Led Zeppelin were influenced by music from the South as well. The Blues is at the root of most music. You feel it, breathe it, live it. Blues and Southern Rock belong to the universe. It helps to be around whatever you aspire to be though. It would be hard to move from Wall Street and buy a tractor and call yourself a farmer. You have to study it, live it and breath it to understand it. You gotta start at the bottom and work your way up.
Hardrock Haven: The ‘70s Southern Rock might have been criticized for using the Rebel Flag as a stage prop, but they could get away with it whereas these days it would have been considered a major mistake…
TJ Lyle: We spend our time spreading positivity and peace through our music. We want to spread the message that goes, be good to your brothers and sisters.
Hardrock Haven: Some of the modern day bands classified as Southern Rock steer clear of the vintage ‘70s sound, yet you don’t. Aren’t you afraid of being accused of jumping the nostalgia bandwagon or not appealing to the younger audience?
Bristol Perry: We write what comes out of our hearts and minds and blend it together. A great song will appeal to people if it is written with everyone of all ages in mind.
Hardrock Haven: In spite of the classic vibe to your sound, are you still up to date with modern Rock/Metal music scene? And do you think there’s still a place for unashamedly classic Southern Rock sound in today’s music landscape?
Bristol Perry: We’ve been listening to some of the newer rock bands like Dirty Honey and Whiskey Myers.
TJ Lyle: Absolutely! Look at bands like Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers and Black Stone Cherry. There are so many great bands that are heavily influenced by Blues and Southern Rock. We want to help carry the torch.
Hardrock Haven: Is there any kind of message you’d like to wrap our interview up with?
Logan Tolbert: Thanks to anyone who’s been to a show and helped support us over the years! We love our fans like they’re family and we can’t wait to be back out on the road playing shows for the people! And if we are new to you, please take a listen to our EP.
Visit the band online: https://www.georgiathunderbolts.com/
