The Band Feel
While often used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between rock and rock ‘n’ roll music.
The heavy beats and simple melodies of rock ‘n’ roll originated in the mid-1950s in the U.S.—drawing largely from blues, country and R&B. Early front-runners in the space were names like Bill Haley and the Comets, Ike Turner, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
In the 1960s, rock ‘n’ roll began broadening and evolving into rock—particularly as the British Invasion took hold and bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who came to the United States. Folk and jazz were incorporated and numerous subgenres developed such as hard rock (metal), punk, country-rock, alternative and more.
Throughout this continuing evolution, there’s been a purism to the original art form that is rock ‘n’ roll, epitomized by bands drawing predominately from the Delta Blues. This includes artists like the Yardbirds, The Faces, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, and more recently, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Black Crowes, The Black Keys, and others.
But some modern bands—ones like Jack White, Larkin Poe, Greta Van Fleet and Marcus King among others—they are beginning to standout for their exceptional musical talents while still holding onto what has become somewhat of a lost art form.
“It’s not uncommon that young people are making music that nods to the past,” according to the lead guitarist of one of those bands, Tyler Armstrong of The Band Feel, during the first episode of Season 6 of The Load Out Music Podcast.
Only about two years old, The Band Feel evolved out of the now-defunct Alton, Illinois-based band known as Nick Bifano and the Innocents. It has quickly become a dynamic quartet, driven by the partnership of Armstrong and lead vocalist Garrett Barcus.
Rounded out by drummer T.J. Steinwart and Kadin Rea on bass guitar, the band has quickly become known for its sizzling performances that pay homage to the classic rock era while adding a modern twist. Most comparisons place The Band Feel somewhere between Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes, and indeed, watching Armstrong and Barcus on stage is reminiscent of the chemistry once displayed by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.
But it’s taken work and patience, according to Armstrong.
“We learned to get used to each other,” he told me from the studio he shares with Bifano in Alton, just outside St. Louis, Missouri. “I think Garrett’s nervousness came off as a bit wild. It was just growing pains. It was nothing bad. I think Garrett’s and I’s relationship is just special.”
The band was built in Alton with three of its four members hailing from the St. Louis area. But Barcus was discovered while they searched for an appropriate frontman through the usual means for musicians—at least for today: on Instagram.
More than anything, as often happens with parties thrust upon one another, Armstrong and Barcus needed to grow into one another.
“Garrett and I just had to learn to accept each others’ things,” Armstrong said. “My dad always said, take what you like about your mom and I and leave what you don’t. You kind of have to apply that to your friends.”
Armstrong is old school. His influences stem from the heyday of the rock ‘n’ roll as it was evolving into rock in the 1960s. Barcus, on the other hand, largely draws from those who were influenced by Armstrong’s heroes. Thus, Armstrong would rip from the Stones while Barcus would glean from Chris Cornell (he also loves Ray Charles and Robert Plant). But in reality, they come from the same tree—just differing eras of it.
“We both just love music,” said Armstrong. “Garret and I, our relationship is special. I’ll go back to (the band’s song) “Goodbye Virginia.” It was a classic story of a half hour or something. I’ve never had that with someone. I’ve always written songs by myself, and having someone like Garrett is like butterfly moments. It’s like, wow. Pretty much a spiritual thing. It’s very cool.”
The Band Feel had what Armstrong calls its “coming out party” just after Covid, releasing an EP that was produced by the five-time Grammy-nominated and ASCAP award winning producer, Paul Moak, at The Smokestack in Nashville. The quartet hit the road in support of Dirty Honey last Fall on the “Can’t Find The Breaks” tour, playing more 30 markets in theatres across the US.
So with the newness of success, Armstrong—who is remarkably quiet and unassuming—is taking it day-by-day, just trying to focus on building a stronger brotherhood with his bandmates.
“We’re still pretty new to this thing,” he said with great humility. “I think we view ourselves as special but it’s always interesting hearing it. The only expectation in this world is to treat someone as good as you can. It goes deeper than my service level statement. With the band the only expectation is that you treat those of us in the band the best you can.”