Rival Sons

Weilding a look and sound that is evocative of blues rock’s heyday, California’s Rival Sons are hard rocking revivalists with a distinctly modern flair. The group first formed in 2008 and enjoyed the benefits that come with a veteran core, as each of the members had previously played with successful outfits. Despite opening for  high-profile acts including hard rock legends Alice Cooper and AC/DC on American tours, Rival Sons first gained popularity throughout much of Europe thanks to releases like 2012’s Head Down and 2014’s Great Western Valkyrie. The hype eventually made its way back Stateside with the release of their exalted follow-up albums Hollow Bones and Feral Roots, the latter of which received two Grammy nominations and produced the hit singles “Do Your Worst,” “Shooting Stars,” and “Too Bad.” While comparisons to 70s bands such as Led Zeppelin are unavoidable, the band’s sound is influenced by a wide-ranging list of artists, resulting in music that pays homage to rock’s past without being constrained by it.