Bland Halen GoES Big

If you commit to a band name like Joanna Gruesome or Bland Halen, you should be required to adhere to an informal musical rule — you cannot, under any circumstances, sound like the band your name is satirizing. Thankfully, both of the aforementioned bands follow this yet to be codified rule.

Atlanta’s Bland Halen just put out a new single, “Troubles Running Down,” and it does feature some heavy guitar work (but not in the vein of Eddie Van Halen). Instead, you’re more likely to catch elements of Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “Don’t Cry No Tears” in the strumming pattern and guitar tones. But it’s a nod not a rip, so all is well, and, when Austin Harris’ vocals kick in, the track becomes wholly unique to Bland Halen. Nice dialed back delivery with punctuated rhythmic pauses allow space for the melody to work itself out. And it works well. The gain-heavy lead guitar brings some additional color to the landscape, too, as well as Ben Hackett’s stylized bass playing.

It’ll be nice to hear what else these guys have been working on.