• Wed. Oct 9th, 2024
This three-song EP is TailGun's first release.
This three-song EP is TailGun’s first release.

 

 

With many bands coming on the Vegas music scene on a regular basis, it can be tough to keep up with everyone. But TailGun is one of the bands in recent months to truly catch my attention, with their old school, “back to basics” rock sound. The group is comprised of Cory Kay on bass, Todd Turgeon on drums, Rob EG on guitars, Dru Jaxin (AKA Drew Calvert) on vocals, and Larry Kelly on guitars. Several of these musicians have been around in various local bands; Dru Jaxin had previously sung for the Aces High Iron Maiden Tribute and Kaos X, and Todd Turgeon had been a part of BlackBox13.

Not long ago, TailGun released their debut demo EP, featuring three original tracks from the group, which have been played at live shows. Recent gigs for the band include opening spots for Saigon Kick and the Frank Hannon Band, so the group is definitely keeping themselves in the spotlight around Sin City.

After having given this EP a few listens, I am all the more eager for a full-length release from the group. So, what does TailGun sound like exactly? The easiest band to compare their sound to is AC/DC, but they are not exactly copycats of those Australian rock legends, either. Each track and each member of the band brings something unique to the table, and it stands as a catchy release that fans of classic style hard rock will enjoy. Sometimes it is great to forget about the really intricate, symphonic hard rock and metal, and just go back to keeping it simple and rocking out. TailGun excels here, and this shows all three tracks on this EP. Of the three tracks here, opener Coming in Hot would have to be my personal favorite, with a classic hard rock sound and innuendoes even Spinal Tap would be proud of. All three tracks have their highlights, and this is a solid beginning for the group!

TailGun’s debut demo EP will hopefully be a sign of great things to come from these rockers. It is great to see this band bringing back a classic sound in the form of original material, rather than the same old cover songs we have gotten countless times from so many other groups on the scene. To any fan of classic hard rock sounds, this EP gets a solid recommendation.

By Taylor T Carlson

Taylor T Carlson Assistant Editor/Senior Staff Writer Taylor T. Carlson was born August 17, 1984, and has called the Vegas Valley home his entire life. A die-hard fan of classic rock and metal music, Taylor has been writing album and concert reviews since he was 16 years old, and continues to do so, having done well over 1,000 reviews. He is also a fan of video gaming and cinema, and has reviewed a number of games and films as well, old and new alike. His thorough and honest (some would say brutally honest) reviewing style has won him the respect of hundreds of music fans and musicians alike, both local and abroad, and the ire of just as many others. Despite being one of the youngest attendees at classic hard rock/metal shows around Vegas, he is also one of the most knowledgeable, having gained the unofficial nickname of “The Eddie Trunk of Las Vegas.” In addition to reviews, Taylor has written and self-published three books on classic hard rock bands, and is a regular participant in rock and roll trivia contests. Taylor also holds a masters degree in special education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and has appeared on the hit History Channel television series Pawn Stars. His dream is to be able to one day make a living from writing music books and reviews.

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