GRANDPA JACK - Once Bitten (Track Premiere)

Written by: The Administrator

Long before our eventual love for the brutality and extremity of the far reaches of the metalverse, we slumbering scribes were infatuated with the more primordial stuff. A certain affinity for the fuzz-laden riff-centric rock of olde abounds, and so when the opportunity arose to premiere a track from Brooklyn's Grandpa Jack, we leapt at the chance. This power trio is dropping a new album--entitled Grits--on July 29th via Lost Moon Records. Today's song in question, the stellar "Once Bitten," serves as the debut single. It's a killer track, as ye shall soon witness, and certainly whets my appetite for the remainder of the album's bounty.

But! Before my self-indulgent chatter inevitably scares you off: please check out "Once Bitten" below! We'll meet ye on the other side.

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Grandpa Jack seem to operate on a fundamental principal: a good rock song is built on the massive shoulders of a damn good riff. While not slipping too far into psychedelic or doomy waters, there's a comfortable stoner fuzz on display here. The guitar delivers the kind of head-bopping and/or foot-tapping groove that practically demands a kinetic response--if you're not physically moved in some way as the central riff stomps or the meaty outro undulates, there's regrettably not much we can do to help.

While undoubtedly paying homage and drawing from a bevy of old-timey influences, Grandpa Jack nevertheless feels slick enough to hold its own in a modern arena. The percussion department in particular helps lend the whole affair a weight and presence that sets Grandpa Jack apart from a variety of their contemporaries. There's a subtle drive and an urgency that matches the heavy riffcraft exceptionally well. And, lest you think the track falter in the vox department: not so. This is particularly in the case of the fantastic gang vocals on the chorus, which only reinforce that admirably grounded vibe.

Bottom line: I'm very impressed with "Once Bitten," and am excited to set ears upon Grits in its entirety. Retro-worshipping bands not exactly insignificant in number, but Grandpa Jack have managed to make quite the impression on the basis of a single killer track. I hope that says something.

Grandpa Jack - Grits ​will be released July 29th via Lost Moon Records. Check it out here!

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Grandpa Jack can be found:
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