Artists You Need to Know: Gunshine Brings Back the Rock

Photo credit: Scott Raymer

Don Mclean‘s classic song “American Pie” calls the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper the “day the music died”. Well, if Feb 3rd, 1959 was the day the music died, then 2020 was the year that live music died. Covid-19 resulted in most tours being postponed. However, while a lot of bands went on hiatus New Years Day guitarist Austin Ingerman took advantage from the pause in touring to focus on his own material releasing several instrumental songs with drummer pal James Renshaw.

Ingerman proceeded to form his own band, Gunshine, along with Renshaw, vocalist Jordan Benson and bass player Pat Brown. The quartet went into the studio in August and laid down 10 tracks for their upcoming debut album, Gunshine due out on June 24th. The album’s lead single, “Wall Said To Call”, released in January 2022 was a glimpse of what was to come from the band. Gunshine has joined bands like Greta Van Fleet, Dirty Honey, and Joyous Wolf who are reviving the classic rock sound of the ’70s and ’80s. Ingerman has traded his 7-string Schecter for a good old 6-string Gibson Les Paul Standard.

I was able to catch the band live at one of their shows in Destin, Florida. Thunderstruck: America’s AC/DC tribute band may have been the headliner, but the crowd was littered with black and orange Gunshine t-shirts worn by their growing fanbase. Ingerman’s Les Paul delivered that classic Marshall sound. Vocalist Jordan Benson looked the part of a rock star looking like Kid Rock, with long blonde locks and sunglasses, and sounding like Axle Rose with soaring ear piecing vocals.

It was evident from the expressions on their faces that this is a rock band filled with passion for music. Ingerman flashing an infectious smile was in his happy place performing in front of an audience. Benson started off with guitar in hand before quickly ditching it for a mic. He traversed the stage like David Lee Roth or Steven Tyler playing to the crowd. Brown played bass like a crazed mad man while Renshaw was face melting on the drums.

The band gave a dynamic and energic performance, evident from the photos below, previewing songs from their upcoming album for fans. All four members seemed to be totally in sync with each other the entire night. It was well worth the two-hour drive to see the band.

Photo Credit: Scott Raymer

If you want to catch Gunshine live, they are having a record-release concert, joined by Airavata and Drop Diver, on June 30th at Club LA in Destin, FL. Tickets for the show can be purchased here. They are also playing dates in July opening for Buckcherry in Orlando and Fort Myers Beach.

Pre-orders for Gunshine’s debut album releasing on June 24th are available at:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/gunshine/gunshine-2
https://gunshineband.square.site/

Article by Scott Raymer (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

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